Certain Improvements in the Construction of Water Taps or Stop-cocks.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 13th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Certain Improvements in the Construction of Water Taps or
Stop-cocks.
THOMAS WILSON 49 Frederick Road Edgbaston Birmingham Gentleman do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in Taps or Stop-cocks for the
conveyance of water or other fluids.
In carrying out my improvements I proceed as follows,
Firstly, instead of forining the inlet of the tap in a direct line with the opening
through the plug and outlet of the tap, I form the said outlet of the tap so as to
convey the water or other fluid below the bottom of the plug and into a recess formed
in the lower part of the said plug. I then form an opening through one side only of
the plug which said opening when turned to coincide with the opening in the socket
or outlet of the tap permits the water or other fluid to pass as required.
Secondly, instead of forming the opening in the side of the plug either. circular or
with its longest way in a vertical line with the plug as is usually done, I form the
said opening, with its longest way across the plug, and I form the opening in. the
outlet of the tap, to correspond with the one across the plug of the tap or. stop-cock,
so that on closing the said tap the,flow of water or other fluid is more gradually cut
off or stopped and the concussion occasioned by the stoppage of the water flow is
considerably lessened.
:
Thirdly, to still further lessen the concussion caused by the sudden stoppage of the
water flow through the tap I form or place in the lower part of the body of the tap
an elastic diaphragm and beneath the said diaphragm I make or form an air-space or
chamber, so that on the closure of the tap the said elastic diaphragm is forced into the
said air space or chamber beneath, thereby relieving both the tap and the supply piping
from sudden or undue pressure.
"..
Fourthly, my invention consists in attaching to the thumb piece, handle, or other
convenien part of the tap a stop, pin, or other contrivance by the placing or fixing
of which the tap is prevented, when so desired, from completely closing, and a definite
quantity of water is permitted continuously to flow through the tap, thereby preventing
the freezing or bursting of the tap and supply piping in frosty weather.
Fifthly, my invention consists in fitting on the square end of the stem or stalk
of the plug of my improved tap (described in the specification. of my patent
No. 4868 dated March 31st .1888,) a metal plate, or. washer into a hole in which the
upper hooked end of the spiral spring of my improved tap takes. The said plate or
washer has horns which work in gaps formed in the upper end of the tap socket and
which limit the turn or action of the plug to completely open and completely, closed.
The horned plate or washer is held in its proper position, byna screw nut on the stem
or stalk and the thumb-piece or handle for operating the tap is fixed on the end of
the said stein or stalk by a screw-pin.
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Certain Improvements in the Construction of Water Taps or
Stop-cocks.
I, THOMAS WILSON of 49 Frederick Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the County
of Warick, Gentleman, 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:-
This invention relates to the construction and arrangement of the parts of taps and
cocks, and is an improvement upon Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing date the
31st day of March 1888 and numbered 4868.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing, represents in complete vertical section, a
self-closing and anti-water concussion tap, constructed and arranged according to my
said invention.
Figure 2 represents an inverted plan of the closing valve, which has an elongated
egress passage through it, which on coming coincident to the like shaped outlet of the
tap, shown in dotted lines, the said tap is open. It will also be seen that the tap
figure 1, is provided with anti-water concussion means, in the form of a rubber block
or buffer, disposed at the open mouth of an inverted dome shaped chamber, and by
which means, water is cushioned, and concussion prevented or reduced. Figure 3
represents the washer plate of the tap, separately.
Figure 4 represents a modified form of tap, constructed according to another form
of my invention, and figure 5 a modification of figure 1. In this said last named
form of my invention, the thumb lever carries the covering-up sleeve, which encloses
the spring and tap socket.
In figures 1, 2 and 3, a is the body of the tap, with an inlet a², and an outlet a³,
directed through the nose or bib a*.
Directed from the crown of the body part, is a vertical socket a', wherethrough
a valve stem b, axially passes; and which said stem carries at its lower end, a valve b²,
with the upper side 63 thereof, coned or flat faced, which takes and works against a
like seating a, formed within the inside body part of the tap, at the junction of the
socket with the outlet.
The said valve, has an elongated egress passage 6, so that on the tap being
opened, for the passing of liquid, the holes of both tap and valve, become coincident,
or partially so, according to the extent to which the said tap is opened.
.
Surrounding the upper part of the valve stem, above the top of the socket,
and between a square terminal of the said stem, is a coiled spring c, with its hooked
ends c, taking within holes in the top of the said socket, and a washer plate d,
respectively. This washer has a square hole through its middle, and takes upon the
square end of the spindle, and upon the top of a barrel sleeve e, disposed between the
underside of a thumb lever f, which takes upon the square top of the valve stem, and
the lower outside part of the socket.
Directed transversely through the said sleeve, and with its end taking into a
quadrant slot a', cut within the outside wall part of the said socket, is a stop pin g,
which limits the motion of the valve, valve stein, thumb lever, and covering-up sleeve,
which move together.
The underside of the body of the tap facing the valve, is an inverted dome
chamber h, with the entrance or mouth of it, enclosed by a thick rubber block or
buffer j.
°
Between the underside of the said rubber block, and the inside of the chamber,
is an air space, which serves to cushion the back water, on the said sudden closing
of the tap.
Thus on water being suddenly arrested in its motion, its momentum or inertia
is made to expend itself upon the rubber block and air cushion under it.
The chamber is attachedly connected to the tap, by flanges, wherethrough small
screws i, taking into the metal of the other part, pass.

page_text: upon its top face, and screwing upon the wormed top of the spindle.
OPERATION.
The turning of the thumb lever, contracts or tortions the spring, and at the
same time gives a partial rotation to the valve, through the intervention of its stem
connected with the thumb lever. The result is that the egress passage 6 of the valve
is brought more or less coincident with the outlet a³, according to the extent to which
the thumb lever has been turned.
The releasing of the said thumb lever after turning the spring, takes the parts back
to their normal or closed positions.
To allow water to constantly flow through the said tap in frosty weather, I sink
within the outside wall of the socket, a small hole k, wherein the inner end of a frost
plug, takes, on the said hole and pin, becoming coincident-Thus by the keeping
open to a small extent of the tap, water is allowed to dribble or slowly pass through it,
and thereby prevent the same being frozen up, as would occur, if the water was
allowed to remain quiescent.
In the tap figure 4, a is the body part, a' its inlet passage, a³ its outlet, passing
through bib or nose a. as the socket, the thumb lever, 6 the valve stem connected
with it, and 63 a plug at the lower end of the said stem. This plug has an obliquely
directed water-way 6, through it.
The lower body part opposite the underside of the plug, and water way of it, is a
chamber h, with a rubber block or buffer j, of india rubber, or other flexible material,
disposed within the mouth of it, so that on flowing water being suddenly arrested, the
momentum is made to expend itself upon the rubber, which is forced into or down the
air chamber, thereby neutralizing shock or concussion.
The closing of the tap, is performed by a coiled spring c secured at its two ends as
described in figure 1.
In the modification figure 5, a is the tap, a' the socket of it, b a valve stem, encircled
by a coiled spring c, and with its upper end made square, and screwed upon its
angles, upon which a nut n, takes, and keeps in position a washer plate e, whose
ears, work within quadrant gaps a', whereby the motion of the thumb lever f
is limited. The free and hooked ends of the spring, take respectively into the
tap and the said plate, carried by the square upper end of the valve stem b, so as
to move with it.
The thumb lever f, carries a depending sleeve f, upon its underside, which
prevents the introduction of objects for jambing the turning parts, as is commonly
done when water is required to run continuously.
Figure 6 represents a horizontal section upon the dotted lines A B figure 5,
showing the stop recesses in the socket, and also the stop ears of the washer
plate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First-Closing a tap or stop cock, by a disc or plug valve, carried at the lower end
of a turning stem, and seating itself against a coned or flat facing, formed or made
within the inside crown body part of the said tap or stop cock, as set forth in
figures 1 and 2.
Secondly-Providing the valve with an elongated water passage, or egress
opening, whereby water is cut off more gradually, on the closing of the valve, as set
forth in figure 1.
Thirdly-The combination with the thumb lever and socket, of a tap or stop cock,
of a barrel sleeve, made independent of, or in one piece, with the said thumb lever,
whereby wedging, by the insertion of objects, between the moving parts, is thereby
prevented, substantially as set forth in figures 1 and 5.

page_text: Fourthly Securing the upper free end of the torsion closing spring, by a disc
plate d, substantially as set forth in figures 1, 3 and 5.
:-
Fifthly The combination with the inside body part of a tap or stop cock, of an
air chamber, provided with a rubber.cushioning block or buffer, whereby concussion
or shock is neutralized, on the motion of flowing water being suddenly arrested, and
which said chamber, and cushioning block, are arranged and operate, substantially as
described and set forth.
Sixthly The general construction and arrangement of the parts of taps or stop
cocks, substantially as described and set forth in figures 1, 4, and 5.
Dated the 10th day of December 1889.
THOMAS WILSON.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.