Improvements in Measuring Taps.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 31st July, 1894-Accepted, 15th Sept., 1894 -
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Measuring Taps.
We, HERBERT EDWARD BRICE, of 81, Alexandria Road, Edgbaston, in the
City of Birmingham, Brassfounder, and ÚRBAN DEAN, of 8, Hamstead Road,
Handsworth, near Birmingham aforesaid, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to measuring taps, or to apparatus for the measuring
and delivering of given quantities of liquid and semi-liquid substances, such for
example as spirits, beer, wines, oils, turpentine, treacle and other substances for
various uses, and has for its object primarily, dispensing with the use of separate
measures in the measuring-out and delivery of liquid and semi-liquid substances.
Our said invention consists essentially of a rotating measuring vessel, located
between the inlet and delivery passages of a tap or liquid controlling apparatus,
and with parts so arranged and constructed (as hereinafter described) that the
rotation of the said measure through a handle or other device cuts off liquid
from the measure, and at the same time opens the delivery outlet, or closes the
delivery outlet and opens the inlet for the refilling of the measure.
Our measuring tap consists of a drum-shaped measuring vessel made either of
glass, earthenware or metal, but preferably of the first named and adapted to
measure-out given quantities of any liquid or semi-liquid substance. This
measuring vessel is provided with top and bottom end covers having hollow and
outside tapered spindles or axes with closed ends, which take up and work
within like shaped tapered seatings formed up the middles of the bodies of the
inlet or feed and outlet or delivery parts of the apparatus respectively. Thus,
the inlet or feed part of the apparatus consists of a cylindrical or other shaped
upright body part, with a taper hole up its middle, and with the said taper hole
leading to the bore of a horizontal shank part having a stop collar and being
screwed at its end.
Within the bore of the coned interior the coned spindle or turning axis of
the upper cover of the measure passes and works, and with a side hole near
the upper part coming coincident with the bore of the shank part, or opposite
or in front of the solid metal coincident with the said bore, when the handle,
which is affixed to the end of the upwardly tapering spindle, is either in an open
or cut-off position.
The bottom cover has a spindle alike unto the top cover, but directed down-
wardly instead of upwardly and with the same passing through a like coned
interior directed vertically through the middle of the body part of a tap having a
bib or delivery outlet, and with a bhole or outlet near the end of the said spindle
coming coincident with or removed away from the entrance to the bib delivery
a cording to whether the apparatus is measuring or delivering.
Both the inlet or feed part of the apparatus and the delivery or outlet part
constitute the bearings for the rotating measure, whilst the delivery part is
supported by a depending or hanging bracket suspended or connected from the
shank of the inlet part.
Sliding girdle rings circumferentially embrace the measure and form sight-lines
for determining when any quantity of liquid is measured out.
We propose to provide the apparatus with suitable vents in order to allow the
free ingress and egress of liquid to and from the measure.
In one form of our invention we provide the inlet and feed part with a small hole
directed about lignable with the bore of the shank part and open to the atmosphere

page_text: and opposite to this first hole and directed through one side of the walls of the
spindle to the hollow middle thereof, is another hole, lignable with the first named,
but in a position at right angles to it, so that when the handle of the combined
apparatus is rotated for measuring, the hole in the spindle and the hole to the
atmosphere are non-coincident, but when the handle is turned to a position for
delivering the measured liquid, the whole are coincident so as to leave the upper
part of the vessel open to the atmosphere through such holes.
OPERATION.
Assuming the measuring vessel to be empty, then, by turning the handle, the
measure is bodily rotated with its spindles, and the outlet passage in the upper
spindle is brought coincident with the bore in the shank, thus admitting of the free
passage of liquid into the measure, and at the same time that communication
between the measure and the supply is made, communication between the outlet
passage of the spindle of the measure and the delivery outlet is cut off, whilst at
the same time, the vent is also closed.
By now again turning the handle to its former position after a given quantity of
liquid has been admitted into the vessel, the measure with its cognate spindles is
re-rotated, and the communication between measure and supply cut, communication
between the measure and the delivery outlet made, and the vent as aforesaid opened,
so that the liquid within the said measure can freely flow by gravity through the
passage of the outlet.
We wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves as to whether the
measuring vessel is made to take a quarter or half turn, as this is immaterial and
the amount of turning is governed by a suitable stop or stops.
In the vent part, we may leave the upper part of the measure constantly open
by providing the top cover with an upright pipe or tube open to the atmosphere
which moves with the measure, and allows pent-up air to escape or enter above the
liquid when either filling or employing.
The apparatus described is particularly adapted for the sale of spirituous
liquors.
We proposed that the channels or passages of the brass or metal work parts of
our combined apparatus or measuring tap should be glazed, or lined with glass or
some other non-corrosive material.
Dated this 16th day of November 1893.
HERBERT EDWARD BRICE,,
URBAN DEAN,
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Measuring Taps.
We, HERBERT EDWARD BRICE, of 81 Alexandria Road, Edgbaston, in the
City of Birmingham, Brassfounder, and URBAN DEAN, of 8 Hamstead Road,
Handsworth, near Birmingham aforesaid, 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 :-
Our invention relates to measuring taps, or to apparatus for the measuring and
delivering of given quantities of liquid substances, such for example as spirits,
beer, wines, oils and turpentines, and has for its object primarily, dispensing with
the use of separate measures in the measuring-out and delivery of liquid
substances.
Our said invention consists essentially of a rotating measuring vessel, located

page_text: between the inlet and delivery passages of a tap or liquid-controlling apparatus, and
with parts so arranged and constructed (as hereinafter described) that the rotation
of the said measure through a handle or other device cuts off liquid from the
measure, and at the same time opens the delivery outlet, or closes the delivery
outlet and opens the inlet for the refilling of the measure.
Our measuring tap consists of a drum-shaped measuring vessel made either of
glass, earthenware or metal, but preferably of the first named, and adapted to
measure-out given quantities of any liquid substance. This measuring vessel is
provided with top and bottom end covers having hollow and outside tapered
spindles or axes with closed ends, which take up and work within like-shaped
tapered seatings formed up the middles of the bodies of the inlet or feed and outlet
or delivery parts of the apparatus respectively. Thus, the inlet or feed part of
the apparatus consists of a cylindrical or other shaped upright body part, with a
taper hole up its middle, and with the said taper hole leading to the bore of a
horizontal shank part having a stop collar and being screwed at its end.
Within the bore of the coned interior the coned spindle or turning axis of the
upper cover of the measure passes and works, and with a side hole near the upper
part coming coincident with the bore of the shank part, or opposite or in front of
the solid metal coincident with the said bore, when the handle, which is affixed to
the end of the upwardly tapering spindle, is either in an open or in a cut-off
position.
The bottom cover has a spindle alike unto the top cover, but directed downwardly
instead of upwardly and with the saine passing through a like coned interior directed
vertically through the middle of the body part of a tap having a bib or delivery
outlet, and with a hole or outlet near the end of the said spindle coming coincident
with or removed away from the entrance to the bib delivery according to whether
the apparatus is measuring or delivering.
Both the inlet or feed part of the apparatus and the delivery or outlet part
constitute the bearings for the rotating measure, whilst the delivery part is
supported by a depending or hanging bracket suspended or connected from the
shank of the inlet part.
Sliding girdle rings circumferentially embrace the measure and form sight-lines
for determining when any quantity of liquid is measured out.
We propose to provide the apparatus with suitable vents in order to accelerate
the ingress and egress of liquid to and from the measure.
In one form of our invention, we provide the inlet and feed part with a small
hole directed about lignable with the bore of the shank part and open to the
atmosphere and opposite to this first hole and directed through one side of the
walls of the spindle to the hollow middle thereof, is another hole, lignable with
the first named, but in a position at right angles to it, so that when the handle of
the combined apparatus is rotated for measuring, the hole in the spindle and the
hole to the atmosphere are non-coincident, but when the handle is turned to a
position for delivering the measured liquid, the whole are coincident, so as to leave
the upper part of the vessel open to the atmosphere through such holes.
We wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves as to whether the
measuring vessel is made to take a quarter or half turn, as this is immaterial and
the amount of turning is governed by a suitable stop or stops.
The apparatus described is particularly adapted for the sale of spirituons
liquors.
We propose that the channels or passages of the brass or metal work parts of
our combined apparatus or measuring tap should be glazed, or lined with glass or
some other non-corrosive material.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in side elevation a spirit
measuring tap constructed and arranged and provided with improvements made
according to our invention.
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the same, with parts in
elevation, showing the tap part of the apparatus in its cut-off position and the

page_text: inlet of the plug opposite the vent so as to admit of the ingress of air to the top
of the interior of the measure to allow the liquid contained within it to be
delivered.
Figure 3 represents a cross section of the tap upon the dotted lines A B
Figure 1,
Figure 4 represents a horizontal section upon the dotted lines C D Figure 2,
showing the internal glazing and sight hole within the shank of the horizontal feed
part of the apparatus, from which said shank the lower and tap part of the apparatus
is carried and supported by a hanging bracket.
Figure 5 represents the said combined spirit tap and measure partly in elevation
and partly in section, so as to more clearly show the construction, arrangement and
fitting of the parts.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of
the drawings.
The measuring tap is composed of three cardinal parts viz., a drum-shaped
measuring vessel a, a tap b, and a shank c. The said measuring vessel consists of
a short glass cylinder a', fitted with metallic top and bottom covers a³, a³, the
former having made solid with it an upwardly directed hollow plug or spindle a*,
closed at its upper end a³, and with the hollow a", of it, forming an inlet passage to
the measuring vessel. Formed within the walls of the said plug is a hole or liquid
way as, and when the way is in the position as represented in Figure 2, the tap is
closed or liquid is cut off. The middle part of the plug or spindle works within a
coned seating or hollow c', of a hollow sleeve or socket c², carried at. the forward
end of a horizontal shank e, having within it, an inlet or feed passage c', with a
stop collar c, about its middle, and having its tail end c, screwed, whilst the said
socketed part c³, has a vent hole c¹º.
This shank part is fitted with a loosely fitted glass interior or lining, and the
liquid within it is seen through a sight-hole c³, made through the walls of the outer
metal shank c, which has screwed to its end, the stop collar c', carrying the tail
end . The glass lining is protected from breakage on the fitting together of the
parts by interposed cork or rubber washers c³.
The upper end of the plug or hollow spindle a', is faceted at a, and upon this
part the bossed eye a, of the handle a¹, takes, and is there secured by.a cap
nut a¹¹
The lower cover a³, covers a depending hollow stalk a", with a liquid way a",
down its middle and being closed at its end a, and having a passage a, made in
the walls of it lignable with the outlet b', of a bib 6, in whose conical socket 6³,
the depending hollow stalk a¹³, takes, whilst the shank end, of the tap is
supported from a depending bracket 6, supported from the shank c
The hollow drum-shaped glass vessel a, is kept in position and the covers a², a³,
drawn and clamped together by tie rods d, whilst to prevent the breaking of the
glass cylinder the ends come upon cork rings or washers a", let within annular
recesses formed in the opposed faces of the end covers a³, a³.
Encircling the glazed vessel a'; are loose sliding clip rings e, e', which are
adjusted upon the said vessel and form measuring sight lines although the vessel
itself may have a cut graduated scale upon it.
Assuming that the parts of the tap are in the positions as represented in
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and assuming that a quantity of liquid is to be measured off
and delivered turn the handle a", from left to right (when facing the apparatus)
through a semi-circle, when the measure a', and the end caps a, a, with their
hollow plugs are rotated bodily together and the liquid-way or hole a³, of the upper
plug is brought coincident with or in front of the passage c', and the liquid way a
in the lower plug a", is taken away from the outlet passage b', of the bib 6, so that
communication between the measuring vessel and the supply by way of the upper
part of the apparatus is opened, whilst communication between the said vessel and
the delivery bib of the tap cut off. Liquid now flows through the hollow shank,
down the inlet passage a', into the vessel a', which is fitted liquid-tight, and then

page_text: rises into the said vessel to the height of a sight ring or marking of the graduated
scale. The pent up air is, by the pressure of the liquid, compressed into the hollow
of the apparatus and is also in part made to insinuate itself through the inflowing
liquid.
The tap is now re-turned through a half circle to its normal position, as repre-
sented in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and with it the measuring vessel and the hollow
plug parts carried by its end covers thus bringing the liquid way as of the upper
plug a, opposite the vent eo, and with the solid walls of the said plug opposite the
passage c, when the liquid from the supply is cut off and air flows into the upper
part of the vessel through the said vent, thus allowing the measured liquid to run
out of the vessel through the liquid passage a¹, of the lower plug a", which comes
opposite the outlet 6, of the bib 6, of the tap part b.
We may add that the cap nut a¹³, may be enlarged into a chamber provided with
a vent hole, and within which chamber, a float, carrying a valve, is situated, so
that as the liquid enters the hollow spindle for filling the measuring vessel, the float
rises and takes the valve up to its seating in the vent hole, and immediately the top
is turned for delivering the liquid in the measure, the float then falls, and admits
air to the said measure, hence acceleration in the rate of the delivery of the liquid
and of the re-filling of the measure.
Figure 6 represents such an arrangement, in which a¹³ is the hollow cap, fitted to
the top of the plug or hollow spindle at, with the tip of the said cap baving a vent
hole 2, and a valve seating 3, adapted to be closed by a valve 4, carried by a
float 5.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. A measuring tap, having a rotating measure which moves with the
operating handle for turning-on and measuring and turning-off and delivering liquid,
substantially as described and set forth.
Secondly. In a measuring tap, having a rotating measuring vessel directly
operated by the handle, forming with or fitting to the end covers of the measuring
vessel, upper and under hollow plugs or stalks, with liquid passages through them,
communicating with the supply shank and delivery tap respectively, and 80
constructed that when one stalk is open the other is cutting-off, substantially as
described and set forth.
Thirdly. A measuring tap, consisting of a rotating measuring vessel directly
operated by a handle or equivalent, and having end stalks or hollow stems fitting
and working within the hollow conical seatings of sockets, formed from out of, or
carried by, a hollow supply shank and a delivery tap respectively, substantially as
described and set forth.
Fourthly. In measuring taps, the general construction, arrangement and com-
bination of the parts of the same and of the means of cutting-off and opening the
inlet and delivery passages respectively, substantially as and for the purpose as
described and set forth.
Fifthly. The combination with a measuring tap, as in the preceding claims, of
vent means for accelerating the rate of delivery of the liquid and of re-filling the
ineasure, substantially as described and set forth in Figure 6.
Dated this 30th day of July 1894
HERBERT EDWARD BRICE,
URBAN DEAN,
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicants.