Improvements in and relating to Taps or Cocks.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Taps or Cocks.
I, WILLIAM TAIT, 16, Grange, Street, Burton-on-Trent, Foreman, Coppersmith,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to improvements in and relating to taps or cocks whereby
the use of corks and the necessity for driving taps into the cask head is dis-
pensed with, and the employment of spiral springs and washers is obviated.
The improved tap consists of an outer cylindrical shell fixed to the head of
the cask and extending into the interior thereof the said shell tapering towards
the inner end. Within this shell I fit a second shell fixed by a washer and nuts
at the inner end so as to revolve therein, and within this second shell I fit a
third shell which extends outwards and forms. the body of the tap being pro-
vided with a screw or other valve for opening or closing the same. The inner
end of this shell is formed with a square projection which engages with a square
recess in the second shell so that both may be rotated together, and each of these
shells is formed with an opening coinciding in position. The outer shell is
also formed with an opening or perforations. The said tap is locked or unlocked
by means of a screw key which passes through a flange on the inner shell or
body and whose end is formed with a T head which engages with a semi-circular
recess in a flange on the outer shell.
By giving the key a half turn it brings the openings of the inner shells oppo-
site the opening in the outer shell thus opening the interior of the cask to the
tap, and should it be required to remove the key it must be turned back again
to the locked position. The tap is secured to the cask before filling and when
the cask is filled it is sent to its destination together with the key. This improved
tap can also be applied to aerated water or carbonic acid gas apparatus as it
acts in a perfectly air-tight manner.
1000
Improvements in and relating to Taps or Cocks.
I, WILLIAM TAIT, of 16, Grange Street, Burton-on-Trent, Foreman Coppersmith,
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 improvements in taps or cocks suitable for appli-
cation to brewer's casks and like liquid vessels and for other purposes whereby

page_text: the use of corks and the necessity for driving taps into the cask head is dis-
pensed with, and the employment of spiral springs and washers is obviated.
The improved tap consists of an outer shell fixed in the head of the cask and
extending into the interior thereof, the said shell tapering towards the inner
end. Within this shell I fit a second shell fixed by a washer and nuts at the
inner end so as to revolve therein, and within this second shell I fit a third
shell which extends outwards and forms the body of the tap being provided
with a screw or other valve for opening or closing the same. The inner end
of this shell is formed with a projection which engages with a recess in the
second shell so that both may be rotated together, and each of these shells is
formed with a opening coinciding in position. The outer shell is also formed
with an opening or perforations.
By giving the key or inner shell a half turn the openings of the inner shells
are brought opposite the opening in the outer shell thus opening the interior
of the cask to the tap, and should it be required to remove the key it must be
turned back again to the locked position. The tap is secured to the cask before
filling and when the cask is filled it is sent to its destination together with
the key. This improved tap can also be applied to aerated water or carbonic
acid gas and other apparatus, and serves for filling and emptying purposes.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had
to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side view of my.
improved tap. Fig. 2 is a section of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional end view
on the line a, y, and Fig. 4 shows a slight modification.
A is the outer shell of the cock having the perforated openings a at one side
which may in some cases be replaced by a pipe connected to the vessel to which
the tap or cock is to be applied. As applied to casks or the like, the shell is
formed with the screwed portion a¹ and the lower part extending into the cask
is slightly tapered.
The outer end of this shell is formed with the flange B provided with the
circular slot b which limits the motion of the tap. Within this outer shell is
fitted the intermediate shell C which is ground into the seat formed by A and
is adapted to turn within the outer shell. C is formed with the aperture c
which can be turned so as to register with the perforations or aperture of the
outer shell or can be turned to one side to cut off the flow of liquid. To secure
the shell C within the outer one the nut el and washer are employed the latter
fitting upon the square end of C and the former screwing on to an extension.
Within C is fitted the inner shell or key D formed with the opening 'd cor-
responding to the aperture c. This inner shell is formed with a square or other
suitably shaped end d which engages in a similarly shaped socket in the shell C
sc that the two parts are compelled to turn together.
t.
This inner shell extends at the top of the cock and is provided with any suit-
able connection for withdrawing or supplying the liquid. As shown the tap E
is provided through which the liquid can be drawn.
The flange F is formed at the upper end of this inner shell and the screwed
pin f is fitted to this flange, the lower end of which pin is formed with a small
head and engages in the slot b belonging to the flange B the slot thus allowing
the cock to be turned round through the proper angle. One end of the slot is
slightly enlarged to allow the flanges to be disconnected so that the inner shell
or key can be lifted entirely out of the remaining part and in this case the cock
cannot be opened until the inner shell has been replaced.
As shown in Fig. 4 the inner shell is not provided with an additional tap E
and to turn the shell a key G is employed, the flange F being provided with a
socket f to receive the key. If a spanner is employed the upper end of the
shell is provided with a hexagonal or similarly shaped part to receive the
spanner. The air arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is suited for such taps as are
driven into casks, the main tap being fitted to a spigot H which as shown is
forced into the head of the cask.

page_text: The inner shell or key cannot be removed excepting when the cock is closed
as the pin f engages with the circular slot 6 excepting at the extreme end of the
slot which as mentioned is enlarged to allow the pin to be inserted or removed.
The cock can thus be left in the barrel or attached to the vessel when in its
closed position and cannot be opened until the inner shell or cock has been
inserted so that the contents of the vessel are kept in an air tight condition.
One key or inner shell may serve for a large number of cocks which may be
opened and closed one after the other for filling or emptying purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
(1) An improved cock for liquid vessels and the like consisting of an outer
shell having a suitable aperture, a second shell fitting within this and adapted
to turn within it, an inner detachable shell or key engaging with the second
shell and turned within it, openings in both the inner shells, and a connection
between the key and the cock allowing the key to be removed only when the
cock is closed, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(2) An improved cock for liquid vessels and the like, comprising an outer
shell having a suitable aperture, and a slotted flange at the top, a second shell
fitting within the first and adapted to turn, and an inner shell or key engaging
with the second shell having a pin on its upper end engaging with the slotted
flange of the outer shell, the inner shell or key being detachable when the
cock is closed substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(3) The improved cock for liquid vessels and the like having an inner shell
or key detachable from the rest of the cock when the cock is closed, the whole
constructed and operating substantially as described and shown and for the pur-
poses specified.
Dated thi. 92nd day of Tano 1900
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.