Improvements in or relating to Taps for Beer Barrels and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Taps for Beer Barrels and the like.
I, THOMAS ALLSOP of 200 Curzon Street, Leicester, Shoe Finisher, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved construction of tap for beer barrels
and the like.
The object of the invention is to dispense with the usual cork in the tap hole
and to enable the tap to be placed in or removed from the barrel without the risk
of loss of part of the contents thereof.
For this purpose there is placed on the outside of the barrel a preferably circular
plate having a boss or tube at the back thereof passing through the usual cork hole
into the barrel.
This boss or tube has located within it a screwed perforated tube extending to
.the exterior of the barrel and capable of being engaged by the screwed end of an
ordinary brass tap which upon the latter being turned, will move the perforated
tube partly into the barrel so that the contents may pass through the perforations,
thence through the tap in the usual way.
Upon the tap being unscrewed and removed from the barrel, the perforated tube
is brought into its original position in the boss before mentioned thereby closing
the hole and preventing the liquid from escaping.
Dated this 16th day of November 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT.
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
T
Improvements in or relating to Taps for Beer Barrels and the like.
I, THOMAS ALLSOP of 200 Curzon Street, Leicester, Shoe Finisher,. do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to an improved construction of tap for beer barrels
and the like.
The object of. the. invention is to dispense with the usual cork in the tap hole,
and to enable the tap to be placed in or removed from the barrel without the risk
of loss of part of the contents thereof.
For this purpose.there is placed on the outside of the barrel a preferably circular
plate having a boss or tube at the back thereof, passing through the usual.cork
hole into the barrel.
This boss or tube has located within it a screwed perforated tube, extending to
the exterior of the barrel and capable of being engaged by the screwed end of an
ordinary brass tap, which, upon the latter being turned, will move the perforated
tube partly into the barrel so that the contents may pass through the perforations
thence and through the tap in the usual way.
"Upon the tap being unscrewed and removed from the barrel, the perforated tube
is brought into its original position in the boss before mentioned, thereby, closing
the hole and preventing the liquid from escaping.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description in
reference to the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1: is a view partly in section and partly in, elevation of a tap and its
attachments constructed. in. accordance with my invention.
.מ.

page_text: Figure 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the tap.
Figure 3 is a face view of the circular plate which is fixed over the cork hole in
the barrel..
Figure 4 is a side view of the circular plate in the last named figure and also of
a strainer fixed over the boss attached to the former.
.
Figure 5 is a section, and
Figure 6 a face view of a modification.
Like letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the drawing.
A represents a preferably circular plate or washer which is fixed over the usual
cork hole and to the face or end of the barrel, by screws passing through the
holes A¹ which are elongated so that a slight rotary movement will permit such
plate to be removed and replaced when desired without the necessity of completely
withdrawing the screws for that purpose.
At the back of this plate and preferably formed integrally therewith is a boss B
or equivalent which is passed through the usual tap hole, forming what may be
designated a bush for the tap hole.
This boss or bush is internally screwthreaded and has contained within it an
externally screwed tube C provided at one end with a cap or head C¹ and a
removable leather or other washer D to permit of the tube being screwed tightly
against the end of the bush as hereinafter described.
The opposite end of the said tube C when in its normal or closed position comes
preferably flush with the face of the circular plate A and the passage (2 through
it is of square section as shown most clearly in Figure 3.
Into this passage the square end E of the tap F is received, the latter is also
screwed at F¹ at its rear and is also provided with a collar F2 and a leather
washer F³.
In Figure 1 the tap and bush are shown in the positions they occupy when
acting in substitution of the usual cork and the flow of the contents of the barrel is
arrested.
In Figure 2 the tap and bush are shown in the operative position so that a
immediately upon turning the tap key G the liquid can be drawn off as required
in the usual way.
In order to insert the tap within the barrel, the contents of which it is desired to
withdraw, the square end E of. the said tap is placed within the square passage C³
in the tube C, Fig. 3. in the manner most clearly indicated in Fig. 1.
A screwing motion may now be communicated to the tap, the effect of which
will be to cause the tube C to partly leave the opposite end of the boss B, passing
inwards of the barrel as shown in Fig. 2, while the screwed portion F¹ of the tap F
will engage
the internal portion of the boss B vacated by the tube C, the screw
thread being identical in each case.
The liquid contents of the barrel will now pass through the perforations in the
strainer H, through a series of holes C³ in the tube C into the passage C² in the
latter, whence it is at liberty to flow into the central passage or opening E' of
the tap F and by turning the tap key G to be drawn off as required.
When it is desired to remove the tap after the contents of the barrel have been
drawn off or at such other times as occasion may require, it is only necessary to
unscrew the tap when the tube C will follow in its wake until its cap or head fits
tightly against the end of the boss as in Fig. 1.
The flow of the contents will be thereupon stopped and the tap can be removed.
It will sometimes be found necessary to use a strainer in connection with my
improved tap.
In such case I may form or fix on the boss C a stud or pin J, Figs. 1, 2 and 4.
and form in the end of the strainer an shaped groove or slot K as in Fig. 4. so
that by a partial turn the strainer will engage the pin and be held in position.
In Figures 5 and 6 is shown a modification of that part of my improved
tap, viz. the bush, which is located in or on the barrel end.
:

page_text: The essential feature of difference consists in an additional metal ring or
washer M which is screwed or otherwise fastened to the barrel.
This ring or washer has also two or more internally screwed lugs or bosses M'
on its back face which are let into the barrel end.
Over the front face of the ring M is an annular leather washer N and within the
bosses are set screws O.
The plate A in this case is secured to the ring M instead of to the barrel end as
before described. The mere loosening of the set screws enables the plate & boss
to be removed.
The strainer H, Fig. 5, is screwed on to the end of the bush B and is provided
with a square projection H2 on its end by which it can be tightened in position.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a tap or cock for beer barrels or the like, of an
internally screwthreaded bush such as A B, and an internally screwthreaded and
perforated tube such as C fitting therein and adapted to be actuated by the tap to
permit or arrest the flow of the contents of the barrel substantially in the manner
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
2. The combination of a cock or tap and a bush for beer barrels and the like
constructed and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 13th day of August 1892.
THOMAS ALLSOP.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.