Improvements in Measuring and Self Registering Taps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 20th Feb.. 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Measuring and Self Registering Taps.
1, JOHN MOWAT, of 174 Middleton Street, Alexandria, in the County of
Dumbarton, Sanitary Inspector, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to
be as follows:-
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in the construction
of measuring and self registering taps by which measured quantities of any liquid
or fluid substance may be withdrawn by gravity from receptacles for storing same
and at same time each quantity withdrawn may be registered automatically.
These improved taps may be used for different liquids and be made to measure
and register different quantities according to the requirements of their application
but it will be sufficient to describe the construction of a tap for measuring and
delivering say spirits of any kind in quantities of two gills, one gill, half of a gill
and quarter of a gill being one set of measures in common use.
According to one modification the measuring and registering tap would be
constructed as follows. A reservoir for receiving liquids from the store vessel to
be afterwards delivered in measured quantities, preferably cylindrical in form and
covered in at top would be screwed or otherwise secured fluid tight to the top of a
casting which would form a base in which would work the key of the tap and the
lower part of which would be hollow to contain the registering appliances. This
casting would have a hollow tapered stem projecting at one side which would be
inserted into the barrel or other store vessel to conduct the liquid to the key of the
tap in centre of the base. The key of the tap would be formed conical with a
hollow stem projecting downwards from its centre for the delivery of the measured
liquid and would be kept in position by an annular plate screwing into an annular
recess around the solid part of the base by an internally screwed flange form around
the securing plate; antifriction balls being interposed between the plate and
broad lower end of the key to allow it to turn easily and at same time prevent
the friction from causing the plate to unscrew. Within the cylindrical reservoir or
receptacle and on the base would be erected tubes preferably four in number of
different beights to correspond with the quantity of liquid to be delivered by each,
that is to say the highest one would only allow a quarter of a gill, while the
shortest would allow of two gills to run off, each of these tubes being connected by
a passage through the base with the key of the tap. The conical key of the tap
would have one passage formed in it coinciding with the passage from the horizontal
hollow stem and leading from the side of the key to its top by which the liquid
would entered the cylindrical receptacle, and a passage leading from its side to the
lower end of the key by which the liquid would flow from the receptacle down the
tube connected to the key. This passage would be widened out at the side of
the key so that it would communicate with one or all of the passages from the
measuring tubes according to the extent the key was turned, and the passages
through the key would be so arranged that the passage from the store vessel would
be shut before the other passages could be opened. The key would be turned by
means of a disc firmly secured to the delivery tube at lower end of base casting,
the hollow end of which would be closed by an annular plate secured to it by
screws and the disc and key would be turned by means of four handles arranged at
such intervals that each would turn the key sufficiently to open connection with

page_text: the measuring tube delivering the desired quantity of liquid. These four handles
would be pivoted on the turning disc and be kept in their normal radially projecting
position by a spring, but when used they would each swivel on its pivot before
turning the key and this swivelling would bring each one within range of a stop on
the outside of base which in their normal position they would pass. Thus if a gill
was desired to be drawn the third handle would be operated which when it had
opened the key to the passage for that quantity, would come in contact with the
stop which the first and second would pass. Stops would be provided for each
handle and also for the disc to prevent it moving too far in either direction.
The registering mechanism would be contained in the hollow lower part of base
and would be constructed as follows. A small wheel would be secured to the
delivery tube having four teeth one for each quarter gill which would engage with
a pinion which would in turn engage with a toothed wheel, which would be provided.
with pawl and ratchet mechanism to enable it to turn loose on its spindle on the
reverse motion of the first wheel. On the other and lower end of said spindle a
pinion would be carried engaging with an internally toothed flanged wheel enclosed
within the cylindrical wall of the base. The outer face of the flange of this wheel
would have a series of numbers say 128 being the number of quarter gills in a
gallon and a glazed opening would be formed in the cylindrical wall through which
the figures could be read. At each revolution of this wheel a projection or tooth
on the upper edge of same would come in contact with a small pinion mounted on a
stud which pinion as it was turned by the tooth would turn a species of crown wheel
suspended by a flange at top, and the outer face of this crown wheel would be
marked to show the number of gallons delivered. At the top of the cylindrical
receptacle an air admitting valve would be fitted and this valve would be kept
closed when the receptacle was full by being formed as or connected to a float.
By another modification the registering mechanism described would be dispensed
with and the registering effected by the action of a float within the receptacle
actuating a train of wheels either by a rack attached to the float and passing up
through the top of the receptacle, or by means of a counterweighted cord, the train
of wheels being arranged to show on dials the amount of liquid delivered.
The whole apparatus could be constructed of metal, or metal and glass, or of any
suitable material.
ad this 3rd d. of March 1896
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Measuring and Self Registering Taps.
I, JOHN MOWAT, of 174 Middleton Street, Alexandria, in the County of
Dumbarton, Sanitary Inspector, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement in writing, that is to say :-
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in the construction
of measuring and self registering taps by which measured quantities of any liquid
or fluid substance may be withdrawn by gravity from receptacles for storing same
and at same time each quantity withdrawn may be registered automatically.
These improved taps may be used for different liquids and be made to measure
and register different quantities according to the requirements of their application,
but it will be sufficient to describe the construction of a tap for measuring and
delivering say spirits of any kind in quantities of two gills, one gill, half of a gill
and quarter of a gill, being one set of measures in common use.

page_text: And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended one sheet of explanatory drawings in which Figures 1 and 2, being a
vertical section and an inverted plan respectively of a measuring and self registering
tap, show one modification of my improvements, while Figures 3, 34, 4, 5 and 6
show another and equivalent modification; Figure 3 being a front elevation partly
in section, Figure 34 a side view of part of the registering mechanism, Figure 4 a
sectional side elevation, Figure 5 a view of the operating handles and disc, and
Figure 6 a view shewing the reaction spring.
According to one modification, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the measuring and
registering tap is constructed as follows:-A reservoir A, for receiving liquids
from the store vessel to be afterwards delivered in measured quantities, preferably
cylindrical in form and covered in at top, is screwed, as shown, or otherwise secured
fluid tight by means of rubber or other jointing material a to the top of a casting B
which forms a base in which works the key C of the tap, and the lower part of
which is hollow to contain the registering appliances. This casting B has a hollow
tapered stem B, shown broken away, projecting at one side which is inserted into
the barrel or other store vessel to conduct the liquid to the key C of the tap in
centre of the base B. The key C is formed conical with a hollow stem C¹ shown
broken away projecting downwards from its centre for the delivery of the measured
liquid and is kept in position by an annular plate C2 screwing into an annular
recess around the solid part of the base B by an internally screwed flange CH
formed around the securing plate C; antifriction balls c being interposed between
the plate C and broad lower end of the key C to allow it to turn easily and at
same time prevent the friction from causing the plate C to unscrew. Within the
cylindrical reservoir or receptacle A and on the base B are erected tubes 1, 2, 3
and 4, in this case preferably four in number of different heights to correspond
with the quantity of liquid to be delivered by each, that is to say the highest one 1
only allows a quarter of gill to run off, 2 another quarter of a gill, 3 a whole
gill, while the shortest 4 allows two gills to run off, each of these tubes being
connected by a separate passage through the base B with the passage C³ in the
key C of the tap. The conical key C of the tap has one passage C* formed in it
coinciding with the passage from the horizontally hollow stem B and leading from
the side of the key C to its top by which the liquid enters the cylindrical
receptacle A, and a passage C leading from its side to the lower end of the key
by which the liquid flows from the receptacle A down the tube C' connected to the
key C. This passage C³ is widened out at the side of the key so that it com-
municates with one or all of the passages from the measuring tubes according to
the extent the key is turned, and the position of the passages C, C, through the
key are so arranged that the passage C from the store vessel is closed before the
other passages from the tubes can be opened. The key C is turned by means of a
disc D firmly secured to the delivery tube C' at lower end of base casting B the
hollow end of which would be closed by a flanged annular plate E secured to it by
screws and the disc D and key C are turned by means of four handles 1, 2, 3ª
and 4 arranged at such intervals that each turns the key sufficiently to open
connection with the measuring tube delivering the desired quantity of liquid.
That is handle 1 opens the key passage C³ to tube 1 and so on. The first three
of these four handles are pivoted at d on the turning disc D as shown in Figure 2
and are kept in their normal radially projecting position by springs d' and stops d²
but when used they each swivel on its pivot d before turning the key C and this
swivelling would bring each one within range of a stop B2 on the outside of base B
which in their normal radial position they would be able to pass. Thus if a gill is
desired to be drawn the third handle 3* is operated, which when it had opened the
key to the passage for that quantity, would come in contact with the stop B2 which
the first and second handles pass. Stops d' would be provided for each handle, and
a stop B³ also for the disc to prevent it moving too far in the other direction.
The handle 4 is rigidly secured to the disc D and does not swivel thereon,
Figure 1 and 2 show the tap in position for delivering one quarter gill.

page_text: The registering mechanism is contained in the hollow lower part of base B and
is constructed as follows. A small wheel F is secured to the delivery tube Cr
having eight teeth F¹ one for each quarter gill, segmentally situated on the
periphery, which engages with a pinion G secured on its spindle which turns by a
pawl and ratchet, not shown in the drawing, another pinion H loose on the same
spindle so as to enable the pinion G to turn on the reverse motion of the wheel F
without actuating the registering mechanism. This pinion H engages with an
internally toothed flanged wheel I enclosed within the cylindrical wall of the base.
The outer face of the flange of this wheel I has a series of numbers say 128 being
the number of quarter gills in a gallon and a glazed opening I' is formed in the
cylindrical wall through which the figures can be read. At each revolution of this
wheel a projection or tooth 1' on the upper edge of same comes in contact with a
small pinion J mounted on a stud, which pinion J as it was turned by the tooth
would turn a species of crown wheel K suspended by a flange K' at top, and the
outer face of this crown wheel is marked to show the number of gallons delivered
and a glazed opening K' is provided for reading the figure. At the top of the
cylindrical receptacle an air admitting valve I would be fitted and this valve
would be kept closed when the receptacle A was full by being formed as or
connected, as shown, to a float L' secured to a spindle I working through guides.
The whole apparatus could be constructed of metal, or metal and glass, or of any
suitable material.
By another and equivalent modification as shown in Figures 3 to 6 the
receptacle A is divided by partitions and the key C of the tap is made to work
horizontally instead of vertically, while equivalent registering mechanism is
provided, but the same registering mechanism as shown in Figure 1 could be
employed with very slight modification to suit the altered position. According to
this modification the receptacle A, in this case shown rectangular in form, is
divided into four divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 by partitions A', A, and A³ each being
provided with a passage through the base B or casing of tap, to the key C which
is provided with the passage C for running off the liquid through the tube C¹ and
the passage C indicated in dotted lines for the admittance of the liquid from the
tapered stem B leading from the store vessel. The receptacle A is screwed down
to the base plate by flanges and a sheet of indiarubber or other jointing material a
is interposed to make a fluid tight joint. The key C is held in position by the
plate C screwed into the casing of tap and antifriction balls care interposed
between the plate C" and the broad end of the key C. A recoil action spring M
is fitted between the spindle C and the casing B to close the key to the outlets
when the opening handles are let go, and an equivalent spring may be applied to
the modification illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 if desired. A disc D fitted with
four handles 1, 2, 3 and 4* is secured to the spindle C for the purpose of turning
the key C as desired. The first three 1, 2 and 3" are each fitted with a rod N
having a head N' and carried in guides. A reaction spring N2 pressing against a
collar N³ secured to the rod keeps each rod pressed outwards to its normal position.
When it is desired to open the key C to allow say one quarter of a gill to flow out,
the rod N of handle 1 is pressed down as shown in dotted lines so that the lower
end of same protrudes, and when the handle and disc D has been moved the desired
distance, the protruded end comes iuto contact with the stop B2 on the casing B.
The stop B serves to prevent the handles and disc being turned too far in the
other direction by the protruding end of the handle +, which is a fixture, coming
in contact with same. A floating ball valve O of indiarubber, hollow glass or
other suitable material is carried in a small casing A' at top of receptacle A which
rises and closes the air outlet A' when the receptacle is sufficiently filled and
prevents overflow.
In this modification the registering appliance is carried in a casing P, at one
side of the tap, and may be of the construction shown in Figure 3. A spindle C
is extended from the key C into the interior of the casing P and has secured to it
à volute spring P¹ carrying at its free end a pin P' with a wedge shaped edge.

page_text: One end of this pin rests upon a plate P which being a little larger than the milled
wheel P prevents the other end coming into contact with the edge of said wheel P
except when it falls into one of the recesses formed in the periphery of the plate P³
a side view of which is shown in Figure 3A. When it is desired to draw off a
quarter of a gill, the key C is moved and as the spring P' draws round the pin P'
it falls into the first recess in the plate P³ which brings it into frictional contact
with the milled wheel P and turns it a space sufficient to register the quantity
drawn, the milled wheel P being provided with ratchet mechanism, not shown in
the drawings, to prevent it turning back. The second recess is of the same size to
register another quarter of a gill, while the third is twice the size to register a half
gill, while the fourth is twice the size of the third to register a gill, the whole
taken together registering two gills, being the total capacity of the receptacle A.
The milled wheel P is secured on the spindle p which carries an indicating hand
or pointer pl to indicate on the dial p' the number of quarter gills drawn off. A
tooth P on the wheel P₁ at each revolution comes into gear with a pinion which
turns the wheel p secured on the hollow spindle p carrying the pointer p
indicating the number of gallons drawn on the dial p2 which is marked with two
series of figures, one indicating quarter gills and the other gallons. The front of
the casing P is glazed to enable the dial to be visible.
Although the drawings and description have reference to a measuring and
registering tap as constructed for delivering from a quarter of a gill to two gills at
a time, it is to be understood that taps of the same construction may be used for
measuring and registering the delivery of other quantities as may be arranged, and
they may be fitted with a greater or less number of tubes or divisions and delivery
passages, as may be required for the particular application. And although another
construction of registering mechanism, is shown in Figure 3, it is to be understood
that no special claim to this construction is made and the same mechanism as shown
in Figure 1 may be adopted with slight modification to suit the altered position,
the wheel F being secured on the spindle Co.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
First. The construction of measuring and self registering taps, all substantially
as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Second. The construction of measuring and self registering taps, all substantially
as berein described and shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Third. The construction of measuring and self registering taps all substantially
as herein described and shown in Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In measuring and self registering taps, the construction and arrangement
of the registering apparatus, all substantially as herein described and shown in
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
Fifth. In measuring and self registering taps, the construction and arrangement
of the operating handles and stops, all substantially as herein described and shown
in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. In measuring and self registering taps the construction and arrangement
of the operating handles and stops, all substantially as herein described and shown
in Figures 3, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 3rd December 1908
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.