An Improved Self-closing Tap or Cook.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 12th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1392-
זי
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Self-closing Tap or Cook.
LEONARD LEWIS BULLOCK 5 Copthall Buildings Moorgate Street E.C. Stock
'& Share Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
A metal cock of various sizes & for all purposes, & fitted with a spiral spring.
When the cock is turned on it allows a free flow of liquid, but it must be held by
the hand or some lock device, when the cock is released the spring immediately
asserts itself & closes the cock thereby preventing waste.
January 19th-1809
LEONARD LEWIS BULLOCK.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Self-closing Tap or Cock.
I LEONARD LEWIS BULLOCK of 5 Copthall Buildings, Moorgate Street, E.C.,
Stock & Share Dealer 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 has for its object the construction of taps or cocks for the supply
of liquids, in such a manner that their normal position is off, requiring to be held
open during such time as a supply is being drawn through them.
In order to obtain this result I arrange a volute or spiral spring in such a manner
round the plug of the tap, that through its initial tension, the plug is caused to
remain in the "off" position, being prevented from turning too far by a stud
engaging with a projection on the body of the cock in the usual way.
I also arrange a keep as a means for maintaining the tap in the open position
when it may be required to draw off for a lengthy period.
Referring to the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1. shews the cock as I sometimes prefer to make it.
A. A. is the body partly in section to more clearly shew the construction.
B. B. is the taper plug ground in, in the usual manner, and fitted with nut and
washer C.
A cap D is fitted to the spring chamber formed in body and contains a spiral
spring E, one end of which is attached to the body, and the other to the plug, which
if preferred is recessed to receive it.
The stud for restricting the movement of the tap works in a portion of the spring
chamber which is cut away on the top, for the purpose.
The tap is put together with the spring partly wound up, so as to exert enough
force to maintain it in the closed position.
Thus when the tap is turned on, the spring is still further wound up, and on the
handle being released, it again closes automatically.
The spring is preferably made of hard brass, bronze, or other suitable material,
which will not corrode, or it may be made of steel. Also the springs may be of
any convenient form, such as spiral, volute, or helical.
I sometimes prefer to make the cap, covering the spring chamber, in one piece
with the plug or spindle, & I then form it with a small lip outside the body so as
to prevent dirt &c. getting into the spring chamber.
Another modification of my said invention consists in arranging the spring, so
that its inner end is attached to the body, and its outer end to the protecting cap
formed in one with the plug as described above.

page_text: I also sometimes prefer to dispense with the spring chamber altogether, and
leave the spring uncovered, one end being in all cases fixed to the body, and the
other to the plug.
My invention is also suitable for screw down cocks, in which case the spring is
required to be much longer, so as to allow of the required number of turns being
given to the spindle.
In order to maintain the tap or cock in an open position I sometimes prefer to
arrange a catch or keep F which is engaged with the handle for the purpose when
desired. This keep may be separate, as shewn, or may form part of the body, as
found most convenient.
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. An automatically self closing cock consisting of a body, plug, spring,
spring chamber and cap, and keep, constructed and acting substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
Second. A cock or tap formed with the combination of a spiral, helical or volute
spring, arranged round the cock plug, with or without a spring chamber, a keep,
a plug, and a cock body substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.
Third. A cock or tap formed with the combination of a spiral, helical, or
volute spring arranged round the spindle, with or without a spring chamber, or
keep, a screw down valve, and a cock body substantially as described, and for
the purposes set forth.
Dated this the 12th day of October 1892.
LEONARD LEWIS BULLOCK,