IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Hamlyn Williams, of New Bond Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Wine Merchant, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TAPS OR COCKS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Hamlyn Williams
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st January 1880.
ALFRED HAMLYN WILLIAMS, of New Bond Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Wine Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS."
My Invention relates to improvements in taps or cocks, the object of same being
to effectually lock the tap or cock so as to prevent the surreptitious extraction of
the contents of the vessel or receptacle to which such tap or cock is applied.
For the purpose of my Invention I affix to or combine with the plug of the tap
or cock a lock, which is so arranged and contrived that when its bolt is shot
forward (by means of its key) it enters a groove or recess which is formed for its
reception in the socket of the tap or cock, and thus effectually locks the plug in its
socket and prevents such tap or cock from being opened by any one unprovided
with a key.
" f
The lock, which answers the purpose of a handle, may be so shaped as to present
the appearance of an ordinary one.
A spring lock may also be employed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred Hamlyn Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th July 1880.
ALFRED HAMLYN WILLIAMS, of New Bond Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Wine Merchant. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS."
"
My Invention, which relates to improvements in taps or cocks, has for object to
effectually lock the tap or cock, and thus prevent its being opened and the contents
of the cask or vessel to which it is applied being surreptitiously abstracted.
The annexed Drawings show by way of example a tap or cock constructed
according to my Invention, and furnished with a lock for the purpose. Fig. 1 is a
side elevation and Fig. 2 a front view of same; Fig. 3 shews in side view the tap
or cock without its plug, in order that the recess or orifice into which the bolt of
the lock enters may be clearly seen; and Fig. 4 shews the plug removed from its
seat and the bolt of the lock shot forward.
A is the seat or conical socket of the tap or cock; and B, the plug, to which a
lock C is affixed, or with which it is combined.
For the purposes of my Invention I affix to or combine with the plug B of the
tap or cock a lock C of ordinary construction, which is so arranged that on its
bolt c being shot forward by means of its key it enters the groove, recess, or orifice f
contrived in the inner surface of the seat or socket A of the tap or cock and
effectually locks the plug B in its seat, and thus prevents the contents of the cask,
vessel, or receptacle being tampered with or surreptitiously abstracted therefrom
by any one unprovided with a key.
A portion of the socket or seat stands higher than the other, as shewn at g, in
order that a stop or abutment may be formed so as to regulate the limit of extent
of opening or closing of the plug.
The lock C answers the purpose of a handle, and if desired it may be so shaped
as to present the appearance of an ordinary handle of a tap or cock.
Although the Drawings shew a lock with only one bolt the lock may be pro-
vided with two bolts, and so arranged as to throw one on each side.
In another arrangement or modification, seen in front view in Fig. 5, the bolt or
bolts instead of entering a recess or orifice in the inner surface of the seat or socket
of the tap or cock may enter a recess or recesses contrived in a lug or luga h¹ cast
on or affixed outside the socket of the tap or cock.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The combination of a lock with the plug of a tap or cock, forming one
piece, as described and shewn, for the purposes set forth.
Second. A tap or cock provided with a lock formed in a piece with or affixed to
the plug of the tap or cock, and answering at the same time the purpose of a
handle, as described and shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Hamlyn Williams, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of July, in the year One thousand eight
hundred and eightv