CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS FOR DRAWING OFF FLUIDS AND LIQUIDS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Weetman Hickman, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Brass Cock Founder, for the Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS FOR DRAWING OFF FLUIDS AND
LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 1st April 1878, and dated the 4th October 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Weetman Hick-
man at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 4th October 1872.
I, JOHN WEETMAN HICKMAN, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Brass Cock Founder, do hereby declare the nature of my
said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS FOR DRAWING
OFF FLUIDS AND LIQUIDS," to be as follows (that is to say) :—
--
The principal object of my. Invention is to apply ready and con-
venient means for locking or holding the plugs of cocks or taps used
for drawing off beer, spirits, wines, or other fluids or liquids, subject to
progressive-draught, so as to prevent the fluid or liquid being drawn off
but at the will of the owner. This I effect either above or below the
flow way; if above I bore a hole through the barrel and plug and insert

page_text: arm.
a pin with a suitable head or projection at one end, a hole being
formed in the protruding end of the pin for applying a padlock, which
admits of being removed and applied at pleasure, so as to free or
restrain the action of the plug. When I effect this same object below
the flow way I apply a thin arm to the lower end of the plug by a
square pin or its equivalent going through a square hole of the said
When the flow way is cut off by the action of the thumb bit
or key the outer end of the arm covers over the orifice of the delivery
pipe of the tap, but which arm I arrange to sufficiently project as to
have a small hole formed in it, which corresponds with a small hole in
the front or side of the delivery pipe, thus permitting the application
of a padlock through the said holes, and thereby locking the action of
the plug; but on the removal of the lock the turning of the plug will
turn the said arm and permit the fluid to flow and be delivered into the
measure or vessel for receiving it, and this being done the cutting off:
of the flow by the action of the plug will again bring the thin arm
over the delivery pipe, whether the lock be applied or not. The closing
or covering the orifice of the delivery pipe is desirable, more particularly
in the summer season, as it prevents flies, insects, dirt, or dust getting
into the pipe or tap. In order to make such taps or cocks more
sensitive in their action and thereby prevent waste I construct an air
way, that when the fluid is suddenly cut off the air way shall be open
from the side of the tap through the plug to the delivery pipe which
will have the effect of causing the fluid left in the delivery pipe, when
the supply is cut off to run freely out from the force of gravitation
and the supply of air behind it.
In giving effect to my improvements in relation to taps used for
bottling or otherwise the air way above described is particularly
applicable, and I purpose when desirable applying a metallic or other
suitable cap to cover the nose of such taps when out of use, so as to a
prevent flies, insects, or dirt, as before stated entering the delivery pipe.
In carrying out these improvements they may be used separately or
conjointly, and variously produced without effecting the object of my
Invention.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Weetman Hickman, in the Great Seal Patent
Office
on the 4th April 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WEETMAN HICKMAN, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Brass Cock Founder, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-fifth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said John Weetman Hickman, Her special license
that I, the said John Weetman Hickman, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Weetman Hickman,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel. Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS FOR DRAWING OFF FLUIDS AND LIQUIDS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Weetman
Hickman, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
-
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Weetman Hickman, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement (that is to say) :-
The principal object of my Invention is to apply ready and con-
venient means for locking or holding the plugs of cocks or taps used for
drawing off beer, spirits, wines, or other fluids or liquids, subject to
progressive draught, so as to prevent the fluid or liquid being drawn off
but at the will of the owner. This I effect by applying a lock either
above or below the flow way, if above I bore a hole through the barrel
and plug of the tap, and insert a pin with an enlarged head or -pro-

page_text: jection at one end, and a hole formed through the other end of the said
pin for applying a padlock, which admits of being removed or applied
at pleasure, so as to free or restrain the action of the plug. When I
effect this same object below the flow way I apply by preference a thin
arm to the lower end of the plug by a square pin framed on the same t
or its equivalent going through a square hole of the said arm, when the
flow is cut off by the action of the thumb bit or key the outer end of
the arm covers over the orifice of the delivery pipe of the tap, but
which arm I arrange to sufficiently project as to have a small hole
formed in it which corresponds with a small holo on the front or side 1
of the delivery pipe, thus permitting the application of a padlock
through the said holes and thereby locking the action of the plug,
but on the removal of the lock the turning of the plug will turn the
said arm, and permit the fluid to flow and be delivered into the
measure or vessel for receiving it; and this being done, the cutting
off of the flow by the action of the plug will again bring the thin arm
over the delivery pipe whether the lock be applied or not. The closing
or covering the orifice of the delivery pipe being desirable, more
particularly in the summer season, as it prevents flies, insects, dirt, or
dust getting into the pipe or tap. In order to make such taps or cocks
more sensitive in their action and thereby prevent waste I construct an
air way, that when the fluid is suddenly cut off the air way shall be
open from the side of the tap through the plug to the delivery pipe,
which will have the effect of causing the fluid left in the delivery pipe
when the supply is cut off to run freely out from the force of gravitation
and the free supply of air behind it.
In giving effect to my improvements in relation to taps used for
bottling or otherwise, the air way above described is particularly
applicable, and I purpose when desirable applying a suitable metallic
cap to cover the nose of such taps when out of use, so as to prevent
flies, insects, or dirt, as before stated, entering the delivery pipe.
In carrying out these improvements they may be used separately or
conjointly and variously produced without affecting the object of my
Invention.
But as my Invention will be best comprehended and understood by
referring to the Drawing hereunto annexed, I will proceed to describe
the same, reference being made to the figures and letters marked
thercon.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side view of what is known technically as a bottling tap
which in reality embodies the three elements of Invention which I
claim to have made, viz., the restraining the action of the plug, thereby
locking the tap, the admission of air when the flow is intercepted by
the cutting off action of the plug, and the portable metallic cap for
covering over at pleasure the nose of the delivery pipe, and which cap
is marked A, also shewn in a top and side view at Fig. 2, I prefer
dividing or splitting the barrel of the cap for the necessary amount of
expanding and contracting force to retain the cap in position when
applied; Fig. 3 is the detached plug of Fig. 1, marked B, fashioned,
with a thumb bit at the top for turning as will be seen by referring to
Fig. 4, which is simply a front view of Fig. 1, with the nose cap removed,
and this view also affords the opportunity of shewing the lock pin c, c',
the dotted lines representing its course through the barrel and plug of
the tap. At the projecting or small end of the lock pin a hole is formed
at right angles, distinctly shewn in a separate view of the lock pin at
Fig. 5, this hole is necessary for the small staple of a padlock to pass
through as shewn at Fig. 4, and in dotted lines at Fig. 1.
position of the plug, Fig. 3, shews the stop marked a, the hole through
which the lock pin, Fig. 5, passes marked b, and the hole forming the
flow way c, which being now cut off brings the flow way passage
immediately opposite the small hole in the barrel Fig. 1, marked ƒ, and
there being a corresponding small hole indicated by the dotted lines in
the plug marked d, an air way is thereby formed which will have the
effect of causing the fluid in the front of the tap to run clean out,
instead of hanging in and dropping, which is a disadvantage and an
objection in ordinary taps and more so in long nose or bottling taps as
here represented.
The
Figs. 6 and 7 represent a front and side view of a spirit tap with the
lock in the latter represented in dotted lines to prevent confusion, the
means of restraining the action of the plug is by elongating and
enlarging vertically the stop pin marked E, Fig. 6, and by casting a
projection on the barrel at F; a strap is conveniently attached thereto as
here shewn marked G, having a slot formed at its top end for passing
over the enlarged and projecting part of the stop pin E, thereby
permitting the ready application of a padlock as represented for
restraining the action of the plug and locking the tap. In this example

page_text: I have represented a thin arm marked H, with a square hole in it, not
shewn, through which a square or angular corresponding part of the
plug passes, and against which the ornamental nut J is screwed and
secures it, thus in action the lock is removed, the strap G falls down,
and the turning of the plug for the opening of the flow way turns also 5
the arm H at right angles to the position, thus removing its outer end
from the nose of the tap while the spirit or liquid is flowing, but
restores it to the position shewn when the flow is cut off, thereby pre-
venting flies, insects, or dirt getting into the nose of the tap, and
this same way of protecting or covering the flow way of taps may be 1
applied to machine taps as exhibited in a side view at Fig. 8, and if
desirable to admit air to this description of taps as described at Fig. 1,
it may be done with the same facility.
At Fig. 9, I have represented an ordinary or common beer tap, and
arm for covering the outer flow way, deriving its action from the plug as 18
in the last two examples, but extended to correspond with a projection
on the nose of the tap marked K, through which and the end of the
arm L a hole is formed for receiving the padlock as here shown, a plan
of the arm L being represented detached at Fig. 10.
At Fig. 11, I have represented a tap in side view with a portable nose 20
cover, so constructed that by applying the edge of the vessel to be filled,
to the projection N, or behind the axis, or in the hollow of the gravitating
arm marked M, the nose will be uncovered as exhibited in dotted lines
in the detached view at Fig. 12, so that on the withdrawal of the vessel
that was being filled the weight of the arm M will be sufficient to close 25
the nose or flow way passage of the tap. This simple arrangement will
permit of ready application to taps now commonly in use.
Having thus described my Invention and the manner in which the
same may be carried into effect, I desire to note that the details may bo
variously shaped or arranged without affecting the object or purpose of 30
my Invention, as for instance, the tap as exhibited and described at
Figs. 1 and 4 may be so fashioned in the upper part of the barrel and
plug so to adapt it for a loose key, and this remark also applies to Figs. 9
and 11, and further, instead of locking the arm and the nose of the tap
together in the front as at Fig. 9, the same may be readily effected on 35
the side. But what I claim and desire to protect under these my in
part recited Letters Patent is,-

page_text: First. The means herein described and exhibited for further protecting
the undue use of taps by means of a padlock applied as described and
exhibited at Figs. 1 and 4, as also at Figs. 6 and 7, the means of
restraint being applied above the flow way.
Secondly. The means of restraint below the flow way as connected
with an arm actuated by the plug, which not only covers over the flow
way of the tap, but provides the means for the application of a pro-
tecting lock as exhibited at Fig. 9.
Thirdly. The application to taps generally of an arm actuated by the
plug for protecting the flow way as described and exhibited at Figs. 7
and 8.
Fourthly. The use of metallic caps as described and exhibited at
Figs. 1 and 2, without regard to the shape of such caps or mode of pro-
duction, provided they may be readily applied and removed.
Fifthly. I claim the modification of such portable metal caps as
described and exhibited at Figs. 11 and 12, the same being self-closing
by means of a gravitating arm, or the equivalent force of a spring for
the same object.
And lastly. I claim the admission of air through and in front of the
plug applicable to taps in general, but more particularly to bottling taps,
whereby the fluid in the front part of the flow way after the flow has
been cut off will at once run from the tap, preventing the objectionable
dropping and moulding which taps now in use are subject to.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Weetman Hickman, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Third day of April, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
Witness,
30 JAMES S. COCKINGS,
Patent Agent,
Birmingham.
JOHN WEETMAN HICKMAN. (L.s.)