AN IMPROVED METER FOR TAPS OR OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Augustus Adams, of Peel, in the Isle of Man, for
the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METER FOR TAPS OR OTHER SIMILAR
ARTICLES."
Sealed the 22nd March 1878, and dated the 26th September 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Augustus Adams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th September 1877.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS ADAMS, of Peel, in the Isle of Man.
FOR TAPS OR OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
"AN IMPROVED METER
This Invention relates to improved apparatus designed to indicate on dials the
quantity of beer or other liquid drawn from casks or other containers or receptacles,
and passing through taps used in bars, restaurants, refreshment rooms, and other
public places where any liquor or liquid is sold.
The construction of efficient apparatus of this kind has not hitherto been effected,
although a correctly registering meter for such purposes would be of considerable
mercantile value, and the advantages of its use very important.
My improved apparatus is designed to enable all users of taps to ascertain at a
glance the number of pints and gallons of liquid or fluid drawn during any specified
time or otherwise. The apparatus consequently acts as a tell-tale against quantities
drawn and not properly accounted for by the drawer, and will be a check upon fraud
or dishonesty. The indicated dial quantity will also test or check the accuracy of
the quantity of liquor or liquid supplied by the brewer or merchant.
The improved apparatus is constructed with a tap, which is attached to the usual
beer engine or other similar apparatus, and which (on the pump lever being worked)
delivers the liquor or fluid into a measuring druin or wheel attached to a spindle on
which is a screw working a toothed wheel on a spindle which passes through a tube
connecting the case surrounding the measuring drum with a case surrounding
suitable registering mechanism, and actuates such mechanism, which registers on
suitable dials the quantity of liquor or fluid which has passed through the tap.

page_text: The drum is separated from the screw on its spindle by a diaphragm, which con-
fines the liquor or fluid to the measuring compartment of the case.
The drum spindle revolves upon pivots of the best gun metal or glass, reducing
the friction to a minimum, and requiring no lubricating.
The drum case is constructed so that easy access can be had by the proprietor to
the interior works when necessary for adjusting and examining any part.
The liquor or fluid after passing through the drum is discharged into the vessel
or glass through a suitably shaped aperture in the drum case.
This improved meter tap can be readily affixed to the taps now in use communi-
cating with the usual force pumps.
"
The tubing leading from the tap to the pump I make of indestructible glass or
enamelled metal, which will prevent the waste of the first draw," the liquor
remaining in the tube connected with the pump being fresh and free from foreign
ingredients.
The first dial is divided into ten divisions, and subdivided into eight equal parts,
representing eight pints to the gallon; the second dial is divided into ten, repre-
senting one hundred gallons; the third is also divided into ten, representing one
thousand gallons; and the fourth is also divided into ten, representing ten thousand
gallons; and the quantity is indicated by hands, as in gas and water meters.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Augustus Adams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th
March 1878.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS ADAMS, of Peel, in the Isle of Man. "AN IMPROVED METER
FOR TAPS OR OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
This Invention relates to improved apparatus designed to indicate on dials the
quantity of beer or other liquid drawn from casks or other containers or receptacles,
and passing through taps used in bars, restaurants, refreshment rooms, and other
public places where any liquid is retailed or sold in such manner, and to clear the
pumps from ullages or liquid left in the pumps at night.
My improved apparatus is designed to enable all users of taps to ascertain at a
glance the quantity (in pints and gallons or other measurement) of liquid drawn
during any specified time or otherwise. The apparatus consequently acts as a tell-
tale against quantities drawn and not properly accounted for by the drawer, and
will be a check upon fraud or dishonesty. The indicated dial quantity will also test
or check the accuracy of the quantity of liquid supplied by the brewer or merchant.
The improved apparatus, which is illustrated on the accompanying Drawings in
Figures 1 to 4, is constructed with a tap 1, see Figures 1 and 3, which is attached by
suitable pipe connections 2 to the beer engine or pump 3, and which, on the pump
lever 4 being worked as usually, delivers the liquid by means of a spreader 5 on to
a measuring drum or wheel 6 fast on a spindle 7, on which is a worm 8 working a
toothed wheel 9 on a spindle 10, which passes through a case 11 surrounding the
above-described parts, and actuates a suitable train of registering mechanism 12
contained within a case 13 suitably attached to the counter 14, and which mechanism
indicates by means of pointers 15 on dials 16 the quantity of liquid which has passed
through the tap, as in gas and water meters.

page_text: The drum 6 fits close to the side of the case 11 and to a diaphragm 18, which
separates it from the mechanism in the compartment 17, and confines the liquid to
the measuring compartment of the case, see Figure 3, and its floats rotate close to a
false back 24, see Figure 1. The spreader 5 causes the liquid to strike the floats
at an angle, and the impact thereof rotates the drum, which communicates the
motion to the counting mechanism as above described.
The pivots of the spindles 7 are made of the best gun or other suitable metal or
material, so as to reduce the friction to a minimum without requiring lubrication.
The case 11 is constructed so that easy access can be had by the proprietor to the
interior works when necessary for adjusting or examining any part.
The liquid is discharged from the drum compartment into the glass or vessel by a
spout 19.
The lowest dial 16, see Figure 4, is divided into ten divisions, each of which is
subdivided into eight equal parts, thus representing eight pints to a gallon; the
next upper dial is divided into ten parts, and represents one hundred gallons; the
third and fourth dials are also each divided into ten parts, and they represent
respectively one thousand and ten thousand gallons.
To prevent the waste of the first draw I attach to the pump 3 (see Figure 2) a
small drainage pipe 20, the upper end of which I insert on a level with the top
valve when at rest, and a lower connecting pipe 21 I insert on a level with the
lower valve, and the lower end of the pipe 20 I lead into the main or cask pipe 22,
and provide it with a tap 23, which is turned on at night or after closing hours, s0
as to drain the pump and avoid the waste of the first draw.
I would here remark that the above-described improved meter tap and adjunctive
apparatus can be readily affixed to and used in combination with tap apparatus at
present in use communicating with and actuated by the usual force pumps.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention, the above-
described improved apparatus for indicating on dials the quantity of beer or other
liquid drawn from casks or other containers or receptacles, and the application thereof
to existing taps in bars, restaurants, refreshment rooms, and other places where any
liquid is retailed or sold in such manner, the same being actuated by the flow or
passage of the liquid caused by the usual action of the ordinary pump_lever, sub-
stantially as described, and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Augustus Adams, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.