IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER COCKS OR TAPS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Jex Crickmer, of No. 13, Bentham Road,
Homerton, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM AND OTHER COCKS OR TAPS."
Sealed the 31st July 1877, and dated the 13th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Jex Crickmer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th March 1877.
RICHARD JEX CRICKMER, of No. 13, Bentham Road, Homerton, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER COCKS OR TAPS."
My Invention relates to an improved construction of steam and other cocks or
taps, whereby these are prevented from sticking fast owing to the expansion of the
metal on becoming heated and also from becoming leaky through wear.
For this
purpose the plug of the cock is made to fit loosely in the shell, and has formed in
it two opposite recesses at those points of its cylindrical or coned surface which
come opposite the passages or ways of the shell when it is turned into the closed
position. Into these recesses are fitted loose pieces or shields, fitting accurately
against the chamber of the shell and pressed against the latter by two helical
springs at the back of the shield, such springs being placed over steady pins fitting
loosely into the back surface of the shields. By this arrangement, when the plug.
is turned so that the shields close the inlet and outlet apertures of the shell and
steam or other fluid or liquid pressure acts against one of them, it may if sufficiently
powerful to overcome the action of the spring leak past the shield into the chamber
of the shell; but the fluid pressure in the latter will tend to press the other loose
shield against the outlet aperture, and thus cause it to close the latter effectually
against any escape of liquid or fluid.
If the inlet and outlet apertures, and consequently the shields, are diametrically
opposite each other I make the before-mentioned springs and steady pins pass
through holes formed through the body of the plug above and below the passage
or way of the plug, so that each spring acts simultaneously upon both shields, and
he steam in pressing the one shield away from the inlet aperture will cause the
prings, to exert additional pressure upon the other shield in holding it against the
outlet aperture.

page_text: By the above-described contrivance not only is the plug prevented from sticking
in the shell, but as the shields are always caused by the springs to fit tight against
the shell notwithstanding any wear of the parts, I am enabled to make the plug
and shell of cylindrical form instead of conical or tapering, as heretofore, and thus
the unequal wear and consequent tendency to leak attendent on the latter form is 5
obviated.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Jex Crickmer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
September 1877.
RICHARD JEX CRICKMER, of No. 13, Bentham Road, Homerton, in the County of ]
Middlesex, "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER COCKS OR TAPS."
My Invention relates to an improved construction of steam and other cocks or
taps, whereby these are prevented from sticking fast owing to the expansion of the
metal on becoming heated and also from becoming leaky through wear. For this
purpose the plug of the cock is made to fit loosely in the shell, and has formed in
it two opposite recesses at those points of its cylindrical or coned surface which
come opposite the passages or ways of the shell when it is turned into the closed
position. Into these recesses are fitted loose pieces or shields fitting accurately
against the chamber of the shell and pressed against the latter by two helical
springs at the hack of the shield, such springs being placed over steady pins fitting
loosely into the back surface of the shields. By this arrangement when the plug
is turned so that the shields close the inlet and outlet apertures of the shell, and
steam or other fluid or liquid pressure acts against one of them, it may, if sufficiently
powerful to overcome the action of the spring, leak past the shield into the chamber
of the shell, but the fluid pressure in the latter will tend to press the other loose
shield against the outlet aperture and thus cause it to close the latter effectually
against any escape of liquid or fluid.
If the inlet and outlet apertures, and consequently the shields, are diametrically
opposite each other I make the before-mentioned springs pass through holes formed
through the body of the plug above or below the passage or way of the plug, so
that each spring acts simultaneously upon both shields, and the steam in pressing
the one shield away from the inlet aperture will cause the springs to exert additional
pressure upon the other shield in holding it against the outlet aperture
By the above-described contrivance not only is the plug prevented from sticking
in the shell, but as the shields are always caused by the springs to fit tight against
the shell notwithstanding any wear of the parts I am enabled to make the plug
and shell of cylindrical form instead of conical or tapering, as heretofore, and thus
the unequal wear and consequent tendency to leak attendant on the latter form is
obviated.

page_text: it may, if sufficiently powerful, press back the shield C against the action of the
springs, but on entering the casing it will in acting on the back of the shiold C¹
assist the action of the springs in pressing this fluid tight against the casing so as
effectually to close the outlet aperture thereof.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I claim constructing cocks or taps with loose shields or
pieces fitting into recesses in the plug and pressed outwards against the shell or
casing by springs, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Jex Crickmer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven,