Improvements in Automatic Measuring-taps and Coin-freed Locking Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sept., 1990-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Measuring-taps and Coin-freed Locking
Apparatus therefor.
I, JOHN LORIMER (CORBETT, of 69, Union Street, in the City of Glasgow, Watch-
maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to taps for automatically measuring liquids drawn there-
through and adapted to be operated either by hand or by improved coin-freed
locking apparatus which also constitutes part of the invention. The measuring tap
undor one modification consists of a ground plug in an ordinary crane fitted in the
cask or vessel the liquid from which is to be measured in the act of delivery and a
measuring cylinder or other vessel through which the liquid passes and which may be
conveniently fitted over the plug and used for turning it. A single port or passage
is formed in the plug one end of it terminating in and being open to the measuring
vessel and the other being in the side of the plug and in line with the bore of the
crane or a separate discharge port may be provided. When the plug port is open to
the inlet and of the crane in one position the measuring vessel is filled from the cask
and when the plug is turned the inlet is cut off and the port brought opposite the
outlet orifice in the crane to discharge the contents of the measuring vessel. An
air inlet and outlet orifice is provided and fitted with a float valve opening by its
own weight or by the movement of the tap handle or otherwise and closed by the
inflowing liquid, or an air pipe may be provided to connect the measuring vessel and
the air space of the cask or the pipe may be open to the atmosphere. In a
modified form the ground plug is dispensed with and inlet and outlet orifices for
the liquid are provided and fitted with valves formed in the upper and lower ends
respectively of the measuring vessel the inlet orifice being directly connected by a
tube to the cask or other supply vessel. A spindle having a tap handle outside is passed
into the measuring vessel and on it are formed or fitted tappets or wipers which on
turning the handle actuate the valves the inlet being closed when the outlet is
opened. An air valve may also be provided and operated by a wiper or cam on the
spindle. A spring weight or like device may be employed to keep the plug or
spindle normally in the position in which the inlet orifice in the measuring vessel is
open so that the latter may be kept filled and ready for drawing off on turning the
tap or handle.
In lieu of using tappets or wipers for opening and closing the inlet and outlet
valves these valves may be formed or fitted on a vertical spindle which is normally
held by a spring or weight in a position in which the inlet is open to the measuring
vessel and the outlet closed and which is operated by the hand or by the weight of
the glass or other vessel into which the liquor is to be run the glass being laid on a
stirrup-piece which is connected to actuate the spindle and the spindle being carried
through an air outlet pipe.
In a further modification which is adapted for use in drawing off measured
quantities of liquor and also for drawing without measuring the inlet orifice leading
into the measuring vessel is closed by a valve on a hollow spindle into which is fitted
a smaller spindle carrying a valve for closing the outlet orifice a helical spring
surrounding the spindles tending to keep them distended. A cross pin in the inner
spindle is fitted in a groove or slot in the outer spindle and on turning one of the
spindles which projects through the measuring vessel and is fitted with a handle or
actuating lever outside the other is also turned and by means of cam surfaces on
which wipers on the spindles bear the outlet valve is opened whilst the inlet is closed
and the contents of the measuring vessel discharged. On turning back the handle
the outlet closes whilst the inlet is opened and the measuring vessel is filled. If
ג

page_text: instead of turning the handle a knob on the projecting spindle is pushed the spring
is compressed and the outlet valve lifted off its seat the connecting pin on one spindle
travelling along the slot in the other spindle and both valves being open the supply
cistern or vessel discharges continuously.
To permit of varying the measured quantity of liquor drawn off through the same
vessel, the measuring vessel is made of such a size as to deliver a larger quantity
than would usually be wanted and the air outlet which is closed by a valve on a
spindle carried by a float is formed in a telescopic tube the position of which can
be varied so that the air outlet is closed by the Hoat valve on the admission of any
desired quantity of liquor into the measuring vessel. This arrangement, is however
only applicable in cases in which the head of liquor in the supply vessel is not
sufficient to cause appreciable compression of the air confined in the measuring vessel
on the closing of the air valve.
As herein before described the measuring tap is adapted to be operated by hand but
when designed, to be operated to automatically supply a measured quantity of liquid
in exchange for coin the plug or tap handle is enclosed in a casing and is operated by
a draw bolt or handle or pusher connected to it by a cord or chain, rack and pinion
or levers arranged to turn the plug or tap on drawing or pushing the said bolt or
pusher. The draw bolt or pusher is normally locked by a catch or catches on it
engaging an oscillating beam within the casing and which beam is tilted only to
free the catch or catches by the weight of the requisite coin or coins which is or are
passed through a slit in the casing. The catch end of the beam is fitted with a
movable weight the position of which may be adjusted so that only a coin or coins of
predetermined value may counterbalance and tilt the beam and at its opposite end it
is formed with a vertical slot of considerable length along which the coin or coins
when passed through the slit in the casing must roll towards the end of the bean_to
counterbalance the adjustable weight, the coins being supported on a movable bottom
plate fitted directly under the slot in the beam. This bottom plate is pivotted on the
beam and when the beam is tilted by the insertion of coin and the draw bolt is pulled
qut or the pusher pressed the plate is moved laterally to permit the coin to fall
through into a drawer or receptacle below by means of a projecting arm on the draw
bolt or pusher being brought into contact with the said bottom plate. Two catches
are preferably formed on the draw bolt or pusher and in the event of the said bolt
or pusher being. insufficiently shot back after action of the apparatus, it will be locked
against fraudulent attempt to operate the measuring tap.
In a modified arrangement of the coin-freed locking apparatus the coins are
dropped through the usual slit into an inclined flat tube and rest ono on edge over
the other on a pin or false bottom; and in lieu of acting by their weight alone, the
coin or uppermost of the coins by projecting laterally through an orifice cut in the side
of the tube displaces one end of a locking lever the other end of which constitutes
or is formed with a catch which normally prevents the actuation of the draw bolt or
pusher. The catch on being thus displaced by the coin and the draw bolt or pusher
acted on by hand the catch lever is further pressed aside by an inclined cam surface
on it coming. in contact with a part of the draw bolt or pusher and said lever either
directly or through another lever prosses aside the false bottom of the inclined tube
and permits the coins to fall through into a receptacle beneath. The replacement of
the bolt or pusher locks it and closes the bottom of the coin tube.
The whole apparatus is enclosed within a frame or casing which also contains the
supply cask or vessel and is made portable.
As a preventative against the use of base coin I in some cases interpose between
the tilting beam or coin tube and the drawer or receptacle for the coins a second
inclined, Hat, tube guideway or hopper provided with a movable bottom upon which
the coins when freed from the first tube fall and in which position the coins are
visible through a glazed aperture in the casing. The movable bottom is operated by a
cam, wiper or lever actuated by the pusher or draw bolt used for opening the tap
after, the insertion of the coin into the slit in such wise that the movable bottom is
withdrawn to let fall into the drawer or receptacle the coins dropped on to it by the

page_text: last user of the apparatus and resumes its closed position before the false or
movable bottom of the tilting beam or coin tube is opened. Then when said false
bottom is opened by the continued movement of the pusher or draw bolt the coin
inserted by the user of the apparatus drops into the second guideway or hopper-and
is visible through the glazed aperture whilst the user is in the act of drawing off the
liquor and until the apparatus is used afresh.
Dated this Eighteenth day of December 1889
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.
CORT PLE DIBUIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Measuring-taps and Coin-freed Locking
Apparatus therefor.
I, JOHN LORIMER CORBETT, of 65, Jamaica Street, in the City of Glasgow, Watch-
maker, 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 taps for automatically measuring liquids drawn therethrough
and adapted to be operated either by hand or by improved coin freed locking apparatus
which also constitutes part of the invention.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, are sectional views of different modifications of the
improved measuring tap,
Figure 6 is an elevation and Figure 7 a sectional plan of one form of the coin freed
locking mechanism employed in conjunction with the tap,
Figures 8 and 9 a front elevation and a longitudinal vertical section and
Figures 10 and 11 similar views of modified forms of the said mechanism.
The measuring tap shewn at Figure 1 consists of a ground plug A, in an ordinary
crane B, fitted in the cask or vessel C, the liquid from which is to be measured in the
act of delivery and a measuring cylinder D, or other vessel through which the liquid
passes and which may be conveniently fitted over the plug and used for turning it.
A single port or passage a, is formed in the plug one end of it terminating in and
being open to the measuring vessel D, and the other being in the side of the plug
and in line with the bore of the crane B, or a separate discharge port may be pro-
vided. When the plug port a, is open to the inlet end b, of the crane in one position
the measuring vessel D, is filled from the cask and when the plug A, is turned the
inlet b, is cut off and the port a, brought opposite the outlet orifice 6, in the crane
to discharge the contents of the measuring vessel. An air inlet and outlet orifice d,
is provided and fitted with a float valve d', opening by its own weight or by the
movement of the tap handle or otherwise and closed by the inflowing liquid, or an
air pipe may be provided to connect the measuring vessel and the air space of the
cask or the pipe may be open to the atmosphere. In the modified form of tap shewn
at Figure the ground plug is dispensed with and inlet and outlet orifices b, b', for
the liquid are provided and fitted with valves e, e¹, formed in the upper and lower
ends respectively of the measuring vessel D, the inlet orifice b, being directly con-
nected by a tube to the cask or other supply vessel. A spindle, having a tap
bandle F, outside is passed into the measuring vessel D, and on it are formed or
fitted tappets or wipers f", ", which on turning the handle actuate the valves
the inlet b, being closed when the outlet 6', is opened. An air valve may also be
provided and operated by a wiper or cam on the spindle; a weight G, spring or like
device may be employed to keep the plug A, or spindle f, normally in the position in
which the inlet orifice in the measuring vessel is open so that the latter may be kept
filled and ready for drawing off on turning the tap or handle.
e¹,

page_text: In lieu of using tappets or wipers for opening and closing the inlet and outlet
valves these valves may be formed or fitted as shewn at Figure 3 on a vertical
spindle, which is normally held by a spring G1, or weight in a position in which the
inlet b, is open to the measuring vessel and the outlet 6, closed and which is operated
by the hand or by the weight of the glass or other vessel into which the liquor is to
be run the glass being laid on a stirrup piece H, which is connected by a chain k, or
otherwise to actuate the spindle f, and the spindle being carried through an air outlet
pipe i.
In a further modification which is adapted for use in drawing off measured
quantities of liquor and also for drawing without measuring and which is shewn at
Figure 4, the inlet orifice b, leading into the measuring vessel is closed by a valve e,
on a hollow spindle, into which is fitted a smaller spindle f', carrying a valve e¹, for
closing the outlet orifice a helical spring G, surrounding the spindles tending to
keep them distended. A cross pin, in the inner spindle is fitted in a groove or
slot j, in the outer spindle and on turning one of the spindles f¹, which projects
through the measuring vessel and is fitted with a handle or actuating lever F, outside,
the other spindle f, is also turned and by means of cam surfaces k, k, on which
wipers, on the spindles f, f, bear the outlet valve e', is opened whilst the inlet
valve e, is closed and the contents of the measuring vessel D, discharged. On turning
back the handle 1, the outlet closes whilst the inlet is opened and the measuring
vessel is filled. If instead of turning the handle F, a knob L, on the projecting
spindle, is pushed the spring is compressed and the outlet valve e', lifted off its
seat the connecting pin j, on one spindle travelling along the slot, in the other
spindle and both valves being open to the supply cistern or vessel C, discharge
continually.
To permit of varying the measured quantity of liquor drawn off through the same
vessel the measuring vessel D, is or may be made of such a size as to deliver a
larger quantity than would usually be wanted and the air outlet d, which is closed by
a valve d, is formed in a telescopic tube 3, the position of which can be varied so
that the air outlet d, is closed by the float valve d¹, on the admission of any desired
quantity of liquor into the measuring vessel. This arrangement is however only
applicable in cases in which the head of liquor in the supply vessel is not sufficient to
cause appreciable compression of the air confined in the measuring vessol on the
closing of the air valve. Figure 5 shows a tap similar to that represented in
Figure 4, but in which the measuring vessel D, is in the form of a horizontal barrel
and the air outlet tube is dispensed with by making an inner extension of the barrel
of larger diameter to permit of the escape of the air towards the cask in filling the
measuring vessel.
As herein before described the measuring tap is adapted to be operated by hand but
when designed to be operated to automatically supply a measured quantity of liquid
in exchange for.coin the plug or tap. is enclosed in a casing as indicated at Figures 6
and 7 and is operated by a draw bolt or handle or pusher M, connected to it by a cord
or chain, or by a rack and pinion or levers arranged to turn the plug or tap on
drawing or pushing the said bolt or pusher M.
'As shewn on the drawings the pusher, M is fixed to a flat spring m³, said spring.
having one end fixed to the inside of the casing X and, having, on its other end a
wedge shaped projection m² which on pushing in the knob, acts on, and raises the
lever arm m³. This arm m³ is pivotted at its upper end to the casing X and its lower end
is hooked to catch the actuating lever F of the measuring tap, and raise said lever to
operate the tap on pushing in the knob M. The pusher M is locked. by a catch on
catches m on the end of the spring m³ engaging the downwardly projecting arm n³
of a bean N, pivotted at 2 within the casing, which beam is, tilted, by the weight of
the requisite coin or coins, to free the projecting arm n from the catch m and thus
allow the knob M to be pushed in to operate the tap. The coins are passed in
through a slit O in the casing X and are. received in a vertical slot n in the tilting
beam N along which slot they roll towards the end of the beam to counter-balance a
weight N¹ which is fixed adjustably on an extension at the opposite end of the beam,

page_text: so that only a coin or coins of predetermined value may counterbalance & tilt the
beam.
The coins are supported in the slot on a movable plate n' which constitutes the
bottom of the slot n and which is pivotted at n² on the beam N. When the beam
has been tilted and the pusher M is pressed in the spring m¹ acts on a downwardly
projecting arm M² on one end of the bottom plate n³, and moves said plate laterally
round its pivot² to permit the coins to fall through into a drawer or receptacle R
below. A spring n*, on the tilting beam N is provided to return the false bottom to
its normal position.
Two catches m, are preferably formed on the draw bolt or pusher M, and in the
event of the said bolt or pusher being insufficiently shot back after action of the
apparatus it will be locked against fraudulent attempt to operate the measuring tap.
As a preventative against the use of base coin I in some cases interpose between
the tilting beam or coin tube N, and the drawer or receptacle R, for the coins a
second inclined flat tube guideway or hopper S, provided with a movable bottom S',
upon which the coins when freed from the beam or tube N, fall and in which position
the coius are visible through a glazed aperture T, in the casing. The movable bottom S¹,
is operated by a cam wiper or lever U, actuated from a projection U¹ on the bottom
plate n', by the pusher M, used for opening the tap after the insertion of the coin
into the slit in such wise that the movable bottom S', is withdrawn to let fall into
the drawer or receptacle R. the coins dropped on to it by the last user of the
apparatus and is returned to its closed position by means of a spring u before the
false or movable bottom n', of the tilting beam or coin tube N is opened. Then when
said false bottom n², is opened by the continued movement of the pusher or draw
bolt M, the coin inserted by the user of the apparatus drops into the second guide-
way or hopper S, and is visible through the glazed aperturo T, whilst the user is in
the act of drawing off the liquor and until the apparatus is used afresh.
After the coins have fallen into the receptacle S that end of the heam N is tilted
up by the counter-balance weight N' and allows the false bottom n' to return to its
normal position without acting on the lever U. The whole apparatus is enclosed
with a frame or casing ✗, which also contains the supply cask or vessel C, and is
made portable.
In the modified arrangement of the coin freed locking apparatus shewn at Figures 8
and 9, the coins are dropped through the usual slit into an inclined flat tube N and
rest one on edge over the other, on a pin or false bottom n'; and in lieu of acting
by their weight alone the coin or uppermost of the coins by projecting laterally
through an orifice n³, cut in the side of the tube displaces one end of a locking
lever P, the other end of which constitutes or is formed with a catch which is
engaged by a lever P', serving normally to prevent the actuation of the draw bolt M.
On the catch P being thus displaced by the coin and the draw bolt M pulled out by
hand the lower end of the lever P' is also pulled forward and its upper end caused to
act through a projection p on the upper end of a bent lever Q which is held loosely
on the framing, by screws q' near its centre, and whose lower end acts on one end of
another bent lever q² fulcrumed in a similar manner.
This lever has fixed to its
other end the pin n¹ constituting the false bottom, and on being operated on by the
levers P and Q in the manner described the pin n' is withdrawn and permits the
coins to fall through into a lower inclined way S lending into the receptacle R
bene.th. The coins are retained within this guideway S, by a second pin n³, at a
point where they are visible through a glazed aperture T in the casing, the pin n*
being fixed on the lower end of the lever Q, and they drop into the receptacle R, on
the replacement of the draw bolt M, when a spring g' acting on the back of the lever q³
presses on the stop pin n' and closes the bottom of the coin tube N, at the same time
withdrawing the lower stop pin n³. Instead of dropping into the receptacle R when
the draw bolt is replaced the coins may run further along the inclined guideway S,
and be held in front of another glazed aperture T', by a third stop pin **, operated
by the lever Q1, from the lever Qin a similar manner to the pin n' and lever q³, until
the machine is again used. In the modification of the coin freed locking apparatus

page_text: shewn at Figures 10 and 11 a tap or vessel D of the kind represented in detail at
Figure 5 is employed and is operated to draw off a measured quantity of liquor by
turning a knob or spindle M through half a revolution. The coins are inserted
through the slot o and rest on edge one over the other on a false bottom n', the
upper coin bearing against and displacing the catch lever P, which normally locks a
projecting arm g, ou the knob or spindle M. The knob being thus freed is turned
half round to withdraw the liquor and the arm q, comes into contact with and presses
aside an inclined cam piece n³, to which the movable bottom plate is attached thereby
allowing the coins to drop into the receptacle R.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Automatic measuring taps constructed and operating substantially as described
with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the annexed drawings.
2. A tap constructed and adapted to supply either a measured quantity or to
permit a continuous flow of liquid substantially as described.
3. Coin freed locking apparatus applied in conjunction with automatic measuring
taps substantially as herein before described with reference to the annexed drawings.
4. In coin freed locking apparatus for use in conjunction with measuring taps the
provision of automatically operated devices substantially as described for displaying 1
the coins through a glazed aperture or apertures.
Dated this Eighteenth day of September 1890.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.