Year: 1896

page_text: I, THOMAS JEFFERSON FOWLER of Topaz, Moue County, California, U.S.A.,
Blacksmith, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The faucet of this invention is constructed so that the inlet end at the inside of a
cask may be closed by a circumferentially packed screw plug taking into a sleeve
which is screwed into the cask. The barrel of the faucet is reduced in diameter and
screw threaded at its inlet end for screwing into the plug where it is held by a jam
nut furnished with a milled edge from which it may be easily turned and adjusted.
The end of the plug, which comes nearly to the outside of the barrel, is provided
with a wrench by which said plug may be screwed or unscrewed to close or open
the faucet barrel on the inside of the cask and at this inner end the plug has radial
orifices which deliver into the horizontal barrel. The faucet terminates at its outer
end in a tap the plug of which is formed at its lower part parallel or nearly so and at
its upper part taper. The tap plug has a central vertical bore connecting by transverse
ports with the horizontal bore of the main barrel of the faucet.
Dated this 5th day of September 1896.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
I, THOMAS JEFFERSON FOWLER of Topaz, Moue County, California, U.S.A.,
Blacksmith, 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 :-
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a part sectional elevation of the faucet of
this invention applied to a keg and with the faucet plug closed. Fig. 2 a
longitudinal sectional view with the plug opened for drawing what is termed steam
beer Fig. 3 shews the faucet head in section with the plug open for drawing flat
beer.
10 is a tubular bushing screwing into the head of a keg and is for the greater part
of its length smooth on its inner surface and exteriorly screw threaded, and near its
outer end is enlarged as at 11 and interiorly screw threaded so as at this point to
receive the enlarged portion 13 of the sleeve 12 which fits the bushing, a suitable
packing ring being inserted between the larger part of the sleeve and the shoulder in
the bushing, and the sleeve is provided with an outer flange 14 which fits against the
[Price 8d.]

page_text: head of the keg. The sleeve 12 is provided on its outer end with notches 15 adapted
to receive a wrench or the like for screwing the sleeve into place. Screwed into the
inner ond of the sleeve is a plug 16 provided with a wrench head 17 and annular
rib 18 adapted to fit against the end of the sleeve 12 and effect a tight closure and the
outer end of the plug also terminates in a wrench head 19 to which a wrench 8
having a spring member 9 may be applied to turn the plug inward to close, or
outward to open it, and the spring 9 by engaging the keg head will hold the plug in
position. To further provide against leakage the plug has a packing ring 20 within
the sleeve 12.. The plug has near its inner end a series of radial ports 21 which
deliver into a central bore 22 leading into a larger bore 23 which is internally screw
threaded in order that the reduced end 24 of the faucet barrel 25 may be screwed
into it. The faucet barrel 25 has a reduced end 26 on which is held a jam nut 27
threaded at 28 to fit the threaded portion 24 of the barrel and capable of being
turned from its milled rim 29. The barrel terminates at its outer end in a ball 30
fitted with the vertical plug 31 the upper part 31b of which is more tapered than the
lower part 31 so that when the plug is raised an annular space 31 (Fig. 2) is
formed around the upper part of the plug. The plug is provided at its upper end
with the usual handle, is held in place by a nut 32 and its central vertical bore is
adapted to connect by tranverse ports 34 with the bore 35 of the barrel and this bore
connects with the bores 22, 23, of the plug 16 so that when this plug is forced
inwards (Fig. 2) the liquid-beer for instance-will pass out through the ports 21,
and bores 22, 23, and 35 to the plug 31.
In using the faucet the barrel 25 thereof is screwed into the plug 16 and the jam
nut. 27 is screwed up against the end of the plug, when by turning the device about
the axis of the plug the latter will be turned inward to the position of Fig. 2, so as
to open the ports 21, and the faucet is ready for use.
Since it may become necessary for repairs or other purposes to remove the faucet
proper, and since the plug cannot be closed by turning the faucet, the wrench 8 is
applied to the head 19 of the plug 16 before the barrel of the faucet is screwed into
the said plug, so that by turning the wrench the plug can be turned outward to close
its ports, after which the faucet proper can be removed.
When it is desired to draw steam beer, the plug 16 is first brought into the
position of Fig. 2, then the nut 32 is screwed down, (Fig. 1), and the plug 31
raised, (Fig. 2). Owing to the particular construction of the plug, it being
understood that the plug seat in the ball 30 is shaped correspondingly, an annular
space 31 will be formed around the upper end 31b of the plug, and the beer will pass
out from the bore 35 into the said annular space 31° thence into the bore 34 of the
plug, and out through the bore 33. As a portion of the froth and gas will escape
upward around the plug, the faucet permits the drawing of comparatively clear
beer when the pressure is, quite considerable.
When the beer has become flat, the plug 31 is turned instead of being raised,
and in this manner the bore 34 of the plug will be brought to register with the
bore 35 of the barrel 25, (Fig. 3), the faucet in this case operating like any
ordinary faucet.
When the beer has been withdrawn from the keg, the sleeve 12 is turned out
of the hushing 10, which is left in the keg, and so when the keg is refilled the
faucet may be easily screwed back to position.
The tubular bushing 10 is of special advantage, as it protects the head of the
keg and permits the faucet and the sleeve 12 to be removed and reinserted without
engaging and damaging the said head, which is made of wood. The sleeve 12 is
securely held in the metallic bushing and may be readily screwed in or out. The
particular construction of the bushing also is of great convenience in washing and
pitching kegs.
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:

page_text: 1. A faucet, comprising a bushing externally screw threaded and provided with an
enlarged outer end internally screw threaded, a sleeve constructed to enter the
bushing, the sleeve having an end flange at its outer end and an internal recessed
thread, a plug screwed into the sleeve from the inner end, the plug having a wrench
head at its outer end, an enlarged inner end to fit the end of the sleeve, a longitudinal
bore and radial ports entering the bore, a faucet barrel having a suitable drawing off
plug and a reduced and threaded inner end to enter the keg plug, and a jam nut held
on the faucet barrel and threaded to fit the reduced end thereof, substantially as
described and shewn.
2. The general construction, combination and arrangement of parts constituting
the faucet, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 5th day of June 1897
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.