Improvements in Taps for Liquids and Fluids.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 16th Feb., 1895
Improvements in Taps for Liquids and Fluids.
1, WILLIAM BRADLEY of Collegiate Crescent, Broomhall Park, in the City of
Sheffield, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as
follows:-
My invention refers more particularly to the improved construction of taps or
valves used for water supply, but it may be applied to taps or valves for other
purposes.
The object is to provide a tap or valve that can be opened quickly and with
ease against the pressure of water or other fluid, such as the high pressure of towns
water supply, and that can be closed without concussion, the action being direct
and of the most simple construction.
To accomplish this in the construction of an ordinary water tap for example,
I propose to make the body of a cylindrical form with the inlet at one end and the
outlet near the other end (which is closed), and preferably constructed as an
annular chamber with an outlet therefrom.
The end of the cylinder opposite to the inlet extends a short distance beyond
the annular chamber of the outlet, and is closed by an elastic seating and screw
plug or cap.
A cylindrical piston valve having a clear central water-way through it is fitted
into the cylinder and is capable of a longitudinal movement therein, and this
movement is given to it from the outside by means of a forked lever, or handle
pivotted to the outside of cylinder, and the fork engaging with two pins or
projections upon the sides of the piston-valve which pass through horizontal slots
in the sides of the cylindrical body.
The piston-valve is fitted at the inlet end with a cup leather to prevent the
passage of water beyond it. and at some little distance from the other end a reversed
cup leather prevents the passage of water from the front end.
When in closing the tap the end of the piston-valve has passed beyond the
annular outlet chamber and before it comes in contact and closes upon the elastic
seating before mentioned, the intermediate space forms a small chamber, the water
in which acting upon the front of the piston compensates or counter-balances the
water supply pressure, keeps the piston practically in equilibrium and permits it to
be moved with the greatest ease, and to close witlicut concussion, and avoid
excessive pressure upon the seating.
I may if desired construct the tap to close automatically in which case I propose
to place a non-corrosive coiled spring at the back of the piston-valve of sufficient
elastic power to force it gently forward to the seating, and upon outside lever or
handle, I pivot a catch that can be pressed down into the teeth of a short rack so
as to readily retain the lever in any position when drawing off water.
I also propose for some purposes to place near the back of the piston-valve &
valve that will reduce the opening for the passage of water in proportion of any
excess of pressure over the normal pressure to which it is adjusted.
The improvements may be readily applied to ball or float taps.
D
1004
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Taps for Liquids and Fluids.
I, WILLIAM BRadley of Collegiate Crescent, Broomhall Park, in the City of
Sheffield, 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 :-
My invention refers more particularly to the improved construction of taps or
valves used for water supply, but it may also be applied to taps or valves for
other purposes.
The object of the invention is to construct a tap or valve that can be opened
quickly and with ease against the pressure of water or other fluid, such for example
as the high pressures of the water supply of towns, and that can be closed without
concussion, the action being direct, and the construction very simple.
The invention is illustrated in the two taps shown in the annexed sheet of
drawings.
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation of a tap having a vertical action.
Fig. 2, cross vertical section of lower part of valve.
Fig. 3, a sectional elevation of a tap having a horizontal action, and of modified
construction.
Fig. 4, plan and end views of the valve."
In carrying out my invention in the construction of a water tap such as I have
shown in Fig. 1, I will first premise that so far as regards the water pressure, the
valve is in equilibrium, and is readily closed by the action of a spring applied to
one end thereof; the force required to open the valve is therefore practically only
a little in excess of that exerted by the spring. A is the body of the tap,
and B', and B, are two screw caps to close the two openings into the body A.
Through the cap B', is fitted a vertically moving plunger C, provided with a cup
leather D, and a cross bar E, on its lower end. It is operated by pressing down
the hollow knob F, which slides upon the tubular part b, of the cap B', which will
press down, but will not raise the plunger; thus a person using the tap cannot by
pulling up the knob F, close the valve suddenly and thereby cause a concussion in
the pipes.
The valve consists of the two parts G, and G, the upper edge of the valve closes
upon the annular elastic facing H, and at the junction of G, and G¹, is a cup
leather G³, fitting against and making a joint with the tubular part a, of the
body A.
The lower part of the valve G', rests upon the stop valve 1, which when raise
by the coiled spring J, to its normal position of rest, abuts upon the annular
seating i, to enable the tap to be rewashered while under water pressure.
K, represents one or more openings or waterways into the interior of the valve,
two being shown in Fig 2, L is the water entrance which may be of any
construction, and M is the nozzle.
On pressing down the knob F, the plunger C, forces down the valve G, from the
seating H, until it rests upon the tubular part a, also carrying down the, stop
valve 1, compressing the spring J, and permitting the flow of water from the
entrance L, through the waterways or ports K, over the upper edge of the valve
and through the nozzle M.
On releasing the knob F, the spring J, returns the valve to its normal or
closed position.
The tap shown in Fig. 2, is made with a cylindrical body N, having the
inlet at O, and the outlet near the opposite end preferably constructed as an
annular chamber P, and a nozzle P2, which may be of any form.
The front of the cylinder is closed by a screw cap Q, and an elastic seat R.

page_text: A cylindrical valve S, shown in Figs. 3 & 4, slides freely in the tubular body N,
and is forced forward by the action of a coiled spring T, which bears against a
shoulder in the body.
The cylindrical valve S, has a clear longitudinal waterway through it indicated
in dotted lines and seen in the end view Fig. 4, which shows the face of the valve.
V, V', are cup leathers, the end one V, being held in position by a screw W, they
are in reversed positions to prevent the escape of water in either direction.
The valve S, is forced back from the seat R, by the forked end of an outside
lever X, which engages with projections or shoulders Y, upon the sides of the
valve. The lever is pivotted at Z, and a toothed rack and catch a, may be added to
retain the valve in its open position when desired.
When the tap is closing and the front end has passed beyond the annular_outlet
chamber P, and before it comes in contact with the elastic seating R, the
intermediate space p, forms a small chamber, the water in which acting against
the front of the valve, counterbalances the forward pressure of the water upon
the valve, and practically places it in equilibrium, consequently this tap may
be constructed without the spring T.
It will be seen that the least possible pressure is put by the valve upon the
seating in taps constructed according to my invention; and great durability is
thereby ensured.
As will be easily understood, this construction of valve may be readily applied
to ball or float taps.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A tap constructed and arranged in all its essential parts, as hereinbefore
described, and as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.
2. A tap constructed and arranged in all its essential parts, as hereinbefore
described and as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.
3. In a tap for liquids or fluids, constructing the waterway or passage longi-
tudinally through the valve as herein before described and shown, and for the
purpose specified.
4. In a tap having a longitudinal waterway through the valve, the combination
with such valve of a compression space or chamber in front of the valve, for the
purpose specified, and substantially as herein before described.
5. The combination with a tap having a valve as before described, of a stop
valve I, (Fig. 1.) or its equivalent, to close the waterway, substantially as shown
and described.
Dated the 28th day of December 1894.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.