An Improved Locking Device for Cocks and Taps.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Locking Device for Cocks and Taps.
I, ANDREW SMITH, of 57, Ashbourne Grove, East Dulwich, Clerk, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
My Invention has for its object to provide a simple and effective means whereby a
cock or tap may be securely locked in the closed position.
The Invention is primarily intended for application to a gas service cock but a cock
provided with a similar locking device might obviously be applied to a water service
with the same object of cutting off the supply if desired. In either case the device
is used to lock the service cock when the supply to the premises is cut off, thus
avoiding on the one hand the necessity of uncoupling the service pipes whilst on the
other hand effectually preventing the obtainment of an illicit supply.
The Invention is also applicable to draw-off taps for liquids, such as beer taps and
the like.
My Invention consists in the combination with the plug of a means whereby the
rotation of the latter in its casing or socket may be prevented.
According to one form the locking device consists of a cross pin inserted through
the plug and engaging with the casing or socket, the withdrawal of said pin being
prevented by a pad or other lock which can only be opened by the proper key
and which may be further protected from being unlawfully tampered with by
a seal. By preference the cross pin is inserted through the passage way itself and
through holes drilled in the opposite sides of the plug casing, said holes being
tapped for the reception of screw plugs by which they are normally closed when the
locking device is not in use. The pin has a head at one end and may be threaded
for the reception of a nut and washer at the other, both head and washer being
provided with suitable packings by which the holes may be closed tightly when the
pin is inserted, the pin being further secured by a pad or other lock as above
mentioned.
Or the locking pin may be inserted in a special hole in the plug and engage
with notches or shoulders made in the end of the socket in which the plug turns.
Or, instead of a removable locking pin, the ordinary stop pin which limits the
rotation of the plug may be used also to lock it, said lug being in the form of an ear,
a corresponding ear being provided on the socket or casing in position to coincide
with the ear on the plug and allow of the two being locked together by the bow of a
padlock or other contrivance inserted through them.
DL: 001 of Anno 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Locking Device for Cocks and Taps.
✓ ANDREW SMITH of 29 Aldermanbury E.C. and 57 Ashbourne Grove East Dulwich
Patentee and Manufacturer 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 has for its object to provide a simple and effective means whereby a
cock or tap may be securely locked when closed.
The Invention is primarily intended for application to a gas service cock but a cock

page_text: provided with a similar locking device might obviously be applied to a water service
with the same object namely of cutting off the supply.
In either case the device is used to lock the service cock when the supply to the
premises is cut off thus obviating the necessity of taking up and relaying the road or
pathway to uncouple the service pipes, the disconnecting and capping of the service
inside, and also preventing the obtainment of an illicit supply.
The Invention is also applicable to draw off taps for liquids such as beer and the
like.
It consists, in combination with the plug of the tap, of a means whereby the rotation
of the latter in its casing or socket may be prevented.
And in order that my invention shall be understood, I will describe it in connection
with the accompanying.
Fig. 1. represents a side view of a beer or other tap with the locking device open.
Fig. 2. represents the same closed and locked.
Fig. 3. represents a front view of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4. represents the invention as applied to a gas or water service cock.
Fig. 5. represents a front view of four spirit taps with a modification in which a
locking bar is used to lock the whole simultaneously.
Similar reference letters indicate similar parts.
According to one form of my invention the usual stop pin serves as the locking
device, in which case it takes the form of an ear A, (Fig. 1) upon the plug C. and
is provided with a hole A¹, to correspond with a hole 6', upon a similar ear b. attached
to the casing d. of the tap. Thus when the tap is turned off it can be locked by
inserting the bow of a pad or other lock e. (Fig. 2) through the two coinciding holes
of the ears A. b. In Fig. 5 each plug C. bears an ear A. through which is bored a
hole A. When the four taps are turned off these holes come into position to receive
the bar G, which has a nut or head G¹ at one end and a hole H to receive the bow of
a padlock, e, at the other. The lock can if necessary be further protected by sealing,
but when applied to a gas or water service as primarily intended (and as shewn
in Fig. 4) any tampering with the lock and any corresponding passage of gas or
water can be at once detected by an inspection of the meter-index.
Instead of utilizing the stop piece as before described a separate locking pin may
be used which can be inserted through the passage way of the plug when the tap
is turned off and through two holes formed in the casing of the tap.
The withdrawal of the locking bar can be prevented by the use of a suitable
lock.
The locking pin may also be inserted in a special hole in the plug to engage
with notches or shoulders in the end of the socket in which the plug turns.
The actual form of tap may vary in detail and I therefore wish it to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the precise form described but
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 ;
In a cock or tap for use of gas or water companies or those used for the passage
of beer or other liquids.
The construction and method of locking substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of March One thousand eight hundred and
ANDREW SMITH.