Improvements in or Connected with Automatic Measuring Taps for Liquids and for Checking and Registering the Quantities Delivered and the Payments Received therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 10th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 21st Dec.. 1888
Improvements in or Connected with Automatic Measuring Taps
for Liquids and for Checking and Registering the Quantities
Delivered and the Payments Received therefor.
We CHARLES WASHINGTON BLAGDEN of Thorne Road Doncaster in the County of
York Merchant and JOHN SLAYTOR of 28 Hall Gate Doncaster aforesaid Gentleman
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The objects of our Invention are:-to provide certain improved ready and effectual
means of correctly measuring the quantity or quantities of liquid passed through a tap,
or taps, such as those ordinarily used in houses or places of refreshment, or in other
places where it is desirable to have a check on, and to register, the quantities of
liquids delivered; also to dispense with any other appliance or appliances for gauging
or regulating the supply of liquids; to save time and trouble; and to prevent
dishonesty by providing check on the quantities of liquids delivered, both as to
the measure thereof, and as to the equivalent amounts or value in cash received
therefor.
a
.
In applying our improvements in a form (that we will call the "A" form of tap)
suitable for existing single taps as usually fitted for the supply-say-of wines spirits
or other liquors, or-say-of ale beer or stout, we attach to the top of the plug of an
ordinary tap a measuring vessel or chamber of any required size, which is made by
preference of glass or of other suitable material. The tap plug has a vertical passage
bored or made through it forming a connection with the measuring vessel or chamber
above. At the top of this vessel we place a valve or stopper fitted and working in a
suitable valve seat; beyond the valve or stopper, being provided with an air way or
an outlet, or outlets, for the escape of air.
The stem or spindle of the handle used to turn the tap has a thread or screw cut or
formed on it, which stem passes through a corresponding tapped hole in a tie bar or
support which is arranged and fixed across the top of the vessel or vessels forming the
series of taps.
In this single, or "A," tap modification of our improvements the measuring vessels

page_text: or chambers are so made and arranged as to turn on their axes, the valve or stopper
being alternately pressed down or released by the downward and upward motion of
the screwthreaded stem or spindle of the tap handle.
The action of this tap is as follows:-On turning the tap on in the usual manner
the liquid to be measured rises up, through the vertical passage bored in the plug,
into the vessel above, the air contained in it finding an outlet past the valve at the top.
The liquid however passing through a contracted opening at the valve-seat imme-
diately closes it thereby stopping the flow. A quarter turn of the tap handle stops all
communication with the feed pipe; a further quarter turn however will bring the
bottom of the stem of the handle in contact with the top of the valve or stopper by
the action of the screwthread depressing it, and therefore re-admitting air, and
allowing the contents to flow out freely through the nib or mouth of the tap in the
usual manner.
According to the modification of our improvements applicable to what we call our
duplex, or B," form of tap, or tap which is formed with two measuring vessels or
chambers, the vessels are placed in a line opposite to each other and so as to be
operated when in a vertical position, the plug of the tap being fixed horizontally.
Connecting ports or ducts are provided being conveniently arranged between them
and the plug, and they are pierced or made through bosses or projections on or to
which the vessels are attached; in the one case these ports or ducts would be open for
the delivery of the liquid and in the other for the supply through the corresponding
ports or ducts in the plug of the tap; both delivery and supply or filling being carried
on simultaneously.
Each of these vessels or chambers is provided with an air tube or air passage which
is in direct communication with a suitable valve or stopper placed on the lower or
underneath side of the plug,-between the passages for the inlet and outlet of the
liquid. The valve at its upper extremity has a short stem or tail which works in an
eccentric recess or groove cut in the inner side of the shell of the tap and consequently
adjacent to the plug.
The action of this, our duplex or "B," tap is as follows:-The liquid after entering
the tap plug at one end, from the supply pipe or tube, passes through the port or duct
into the lower measuring vessel or chamber. By means of a short passage or groove
connecting its delivery port with the lower extremity of the valve seat, the air is
forced through past the valve into the air tube of the upper vessel and out through
the delivery port at the other extremity of the plug or a nib which is attached to it.
The liquid however on coming in contact with the valve through a contracted opening
at its seat closes it, thereby stopping all further communication with the upper vessel
until the tap is reversed. To deliver the contents of the charged or full vessel it is
only necessary to half turn the tap or shell on its spindle the plug. The valve is
pressed down by the action of the stem in the eccentric groove and on again assuming
a vertical position communication is re-established between the two vessels the air
from the lower vessel which is being filled taking the place of the liquid passing out
of the upper vessel. A quarter turn of the tap stops all communication with both feed
and delivery.
Hollow stems or handles are placed at intermediate positions between the bosses
which serve the double purpose of turning the tap and admitting additional air to the
vessel on delivery, by suitable ways or ducts, if or when required. If desired the
outer extremities of the handles and the vessels can be connected with a hollow band
or hoop to represent the form of a wheel of which they would be the spokes.
Where our improvements are applied to or connected with a series of taps (whether
single or duplex taps) an ordinary counter or meter, showing the number of revolu-
tions made can be attached to each tap indicating or giving the measure or quantity
of liquids passed through it, and by suitably connecting all the taps with one cash
checking and registering appliance the joint and total value in money of the liquids
passed through them collectively will be shown at a glance.
Our improved constructions of revolving taps, whether made of a single or duplex
character or form, are connected with the supply casks or barrels in the ordinary

page_text: manner; the further extremity of the feed pipe or tubing is connected with a taper
plng which is provided with conveniently arranged passages for inlet, outlet, the valve
seat, and the air ways. An outer casing or shell of similar taper to the plug is
provided to contain same, and it is pierced with corresponding holes for the inlet the
outlet and the air ways; it is made to revolve on the plug, and one or more bosses
or projections formed or cast on the circumference of the outer casing or shell serve
to attach thereto the measuring vessels or chambers which, as before mentioned, are
preferred to be made of glass or of suitable metal or material, and of any required
sizes or capacities.
The working parts or mechanisms of our apparatus are made of suitable durable
metal, such as brass, or gun, or other metal or material that will not have any
injurious effect on the liquids while being measured and supplied.
In order to check and register the quantities of liquids supplied or delivered by
means of our apparatus, and the amount or amounts of cash paid therefor, we apply
and use, in convenient connection with our taps, the checking, and registering
apparatus described and illustrated in the Specification and drawings of the aforesaid
John Slaytor's automatic checking and registering apparatus for which he applied for
Letters Patent on the 16th day of June 1887 No. 8655.

page_text: Improvements in or Connected with Automatic Measuring Taps
for Liquids and for Checking and Registering the Quantities
Delivered and the Payments Received therefor.
We CHARLES WASHINGTON BLAGDEN of Thorne Road Doncaster in the County of
York Merchant, and JOHN SLAYTOR of 28 Hall Gate Doncaster 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 in writing and on reference to the accompanying drawings, that is
to say :-
The objects of our Invention are:-to provide certain improved ready and effectual
means of automatically and correctly measuring the quantity or quantities of liquid
passed through a tap, or taps, such as those ordinarily used in houses or places of
refreshment, or in other places where it is desirable to have a check on and to register
the quantities of liquids delivered; also to dispense with any other appliance or
appliances for gauging or regulating the supply of liquids; to save time and trouble,
and to prevent dishonesty by providing a check on the quantities of liquids delivered-
both as to the measure thereof-and as to the equivalent amounts or value in cash
received therefor.
In order that our said invention, and the carrying out in practice of the improve-
ments comprised therein, may be fully understood, we have illustrated the same on the
accompanying three sheets of drawings which are marked with Figures and letters of
reference corresponding with those in the following detailed description thereof.
The same letters of reference indicate, as far as practicable, the same or similar parts
in all the Figures of the drawings.
Figure 1, represents in longitudinal section what we call our "A" form of tap as
constructed according to this invention, and as specially applicable to existing or
ordinary single taps for liquids. Figure 2, is a longitudinal section of our duplex
or "B" form of tap. Figure 3, is a cross section of part of the same. Figure 4,
shows in part elevation an arrangement of our "A" or single taps so combined or
connected as to be worked in a series, and connected with the cash-check apparatus.
Figure 5, is a reverse plan view of a detail thereof; and Figure 6, is a sectional plan
of the taps shown in Figure 4, with the top plate or tie bar and the tap handles
removed.
In applying our improvements in the form that we call the "A" tap, which is one
of the most important features of our invention, and is specially suitable for and
applicable to existing or ordinary single taps as usually fitted for the supply, say, of
wines spirits or other liquors, or, say, of ale beer or stout, we securely attach (as
shown in Figure 1, or by other convenient means of attachment) to the top of the
plug ef an ordinary tap a measuring vessel or chamber a, which can be made of any
required size or capacity and which is made by preference of glass, or it may be made
of other approved material. This tap is shown in longitudinal section at Figure 1.
The tap plug b, has a vertical passage or way c, bored or made through it down to
the duct or existing inlet k, from the supply cask barrel or keg, one extremity of

page_text: which plug is blocked up and thus forming a connection with the measuring vessel or
chamber a, above.
At the top of this vessel we place a valve or stopper d, which is fitted and works in
a valve seat and box e, the box beyond the valve or stopper d, is provided with either
a clearance an air way or an outlet or outlets f, for the free egress or escape and
re-admission of air. The stem or spindle 9, of the handle 1, used to turn the tap has
a thread or screw i, cut or formed on it, the stem or spindle passes through a
corresponding tapped hole, in a tie bar or support j, attached to and forming the top
part of the apparatus, which tie bar is arranged and fixed across the top of the single
tap, or across the vessels and apparatus forming the series of taps, as clearly shown in
Figure 4.
The section of the spindle g, immediately below the thread i, is made square and
works in a corresponding slot in the locking bar n, shown in cross section in Figure 5,
and referred to hereafter; the extremity of the spindle g, being also of squire section
is made to fit into a corresponding square in the top of the valve box e, (adequate
clearance being allowed for the passage of air from the vessel a,) thus revolving the
plug b, and the measuring chamber or vessel a, attached to it,-
-on the handle h,
being turned.
Three, or a sufficient number of adjustable set pins working in grooves formed on
the spindle g, may be used if desired in lieu of the square end for turning the tap and
allowing for vertical travel of the spindle g, as before described.
"
In this single or
"A" tap modification of our improvements the measuring vessels
or chambers a, are so made and arranged as to turn on their axes together with the
plugs, the valve or stopper d, being alternately pressed down or released by the down-
ward and upward motion of the screw threaded stem or spindle g, of the tap
handle h.
The pressing down or releasing of the valve we would here observe, is a special
feature in our improvements with regard to both our single and our duplex taps'
mechanism and action.
The action of our "A" tap is as follows:-
On turning the tap on in the usual manner the liquid to be measured rises up from
the duct or inlet k, through the vertical passage or way e, bored in the plug 6,-into
the measuring vessel or chamber a, above, the air contained in it passing the valve d,
by airways, in the valve box lid e, finding an outlet at f, beyond the valve. The
liquid however being forced through a contracted or narrowed opening c¹, into the
recesss d, at the bottom of the valve d, and immediately below it closes the valve
thereby stopping the flow of the liquid.
We would here observe that the contracted or narrowed opening c¹, is an important
and novel feature in our improvements, the same being in substitution of a float' being
provided to close the valve.
A quarter turn of the handle h, leaves the tap in a position of perfect block all
communication with the feed pipe k, being stopped. A further quarter turn however
will open the tap and in turning will bring the bottom of the stem of the handle
in contact with the tail d', of the valve or stopper d, by the action of the screw thread i,
depressing it and therefore re-admitting air and allowing the contents to flow out
freely through the nib or mouth 1, of the tap in the usual manner, with the advantage
of completely emptying the contents of the measuring vessel and the nib of the tap,
owing to the free admission of air behind them and avoiding thereby the usual drip
from the nib.
According to the modification of our improvements applicable to what we call our
duplex or "B" form of tap (or taps) which is formed with two measuring vessels or
chambers and is shown at Figure 2, the measuring vessels or chambers a, a', are
placed in a line opposite to each other and so as to be operated when in a vertical
position, the plug b, of the tap being permanently fixed horizontally as shown in the
drawing.
Connecting ports or ducts c¹, c¹, are provided and are conveniently arranged between
them and the plug b, and they are pierced or made through bosses or projections c³, c³,

page_text: forming part of the shell of the tap, on or to which the vessels a, a', are attached; in
the one case these ports or ducts would be open for the delivery of the liquid and in
the other for the supply through the corresponding ports or ducts c, c, in the plug b,
of the tap; both delivery and supply or filling being carried on simultaneously.
Each of these vessels or chambers a, a, is provided with an air tube and air
passage f,, which is in direct communication with a suitable valve or stopper d,
placed on the lower or underneath side of the plug b, between the passages for the
inlet and outlet of the liquid. The valve d, at its upper extremity has a short stem or
tail d', which works in an eccentric recess or groove e¹, cut in the inner side of the
shell, of the tap and consequently adjacent to the plug b.
This arrangement is
distinctly shown in Figure 3.
C,
The action of this duplex or "B," tap is as follows:-The liquid after entering the
tap plug b, at one end from the supply pipe or tube k, passes through the port or
duct into the lower measuring vessel or chamber a'. By means of a short passage
or groove e, connecting its delivery port with the lower extremity of the valve
seat e, where sufficient clearance is provided, the air is forced through past the valve d,
into the air tube f, of the upper vessel a, and out through the delivery port 1, at the
other extremity of the plug 6, through the nib 1, which is attached to it. The liquid
however in coming in contact with the valve d, through the contracted opening c³,
into the recess d², at the bottom of the valve d, closes it, thereby stopping all further
communication with the upper vessel until the tap is reversed. To deliver the contents
of the charged or full vessel it is only necessary to half turn the tap, or the shell &²,
on its spindle the plug b. The valve d, is pressed down by the action of the stem d',
in the eccentric groove el, (see Figure 3,) and on again assuming a vertical position
communication is re-established between the two vessels the air from the lower vessel
which is being filled taking the place of the liquid passing out of the upper vessel.
A quarter turn of the tap stops all communication with both the feed and the delivery
passages or ducts.
Hollow stems or handles m, m, (shown in Figure 3,) are placed at intermediate
positions between the bosses of the shell c², c², which serve the double purpose of
turning the tap and admitting additional air to the vessel on delivery by suitable air
ways or ducts, if or when required. If desired the outer extremities of the stems or
handles m, m, and the vessels a, a¹, can be connected with a hollow band or hoop made
to represent the form of a wheel of which they would be the spokes.
In Figure 4, an arrangement of three. of our "A" taps is shown in part elevation,
as made suitable to be worked in a series (and in which form either single or duplex
taps can be employed) combined with or connected to which is fitted the automatic
cash checking and registering apparatus, for which Letters Patent were granted to
the aforesaid John Slaytor dated the 16th day of June 1887 No. 8655, as seen at v, on
the left hand side of this Figure; and separate cash tills for coppers silver and gold
is
are connected thereto as seen at w, w, w, on the right hand side of the Figure. j,
the tie bar carrying or supporting the three tap handles ; immediately underneath
is a locking bar or rod n, which bar is also shown on the reverse plan Figure 5. This
bar is operated by the handle n¹, (shown in Figure 1,) and works in brackets o, o,
attached to the tie bar (or top plate) j. In it are made three (or more) slots or
grooves p, to receive each tap handle 7, (according to the number required) the square
section of the latter, which is more distinctly shown at q, in Figure 1, prevents the
tap handles being turned except at the clearance points r, shown in Figure 5, which
are made at convenient places in each slot or groove, and in such relative positions
that only one tap can be worked at one time.
A front plate 1, (shown in section at Figure 1,) serves to box in the working rods
or parts below and the upper part of the taps, also as a guide for the locking bar
handle n', and the indices, suitable slots being formed in it to receive them, and on it
can also be engraved or marked the names of the various liquids delivered from each
tap.
To enable the attendant to serve any required liquor it is only necessary to set the
index or pointer p¹, attached to the locking bar or rod n, by means of the handle n¹,

page_text: terated, an
opposite the tap containing that liquor when that one tap only is
the other taps being locked by the position of the handles in the respective slots in
the bar.
An ordinary counter or meter showing the number of revolutions can, if required,
be attached to each tap front to indicate the demurrage in the store cask or barrel,
and the taps being connected as before described with the cash checking and
registering apparatus the value or values in money, in £. s. d. of the liquids passed
through the taps will be seen at a glance, being automatically added up on the dial
plates, a, a, of the checking apparatus.
Figure 6, is a sectional plan of Figure 5, but with the tap handles and the top
plate or tie bar removed, showing the position of the connecting bar or rod o¹, which
on turning any one tap actuates the cash checking and registering apparatus, with
which it is connected, by means of the driving pins u, coming in contact with the
pawls t, attached to the bar or rod o¹, and kept in position by the springs t¹, t¹, t. On
completing a quarter or a half revolution the driving pins u, will radiate from the
pawls t, (which move horizontally with the bar or rod o',) the latter being carried
back to its normal position by the action of the coiled spring y, or by other convenient
or equivalent appliance.
It must be understood that Figures 4, 5, and 6, are drawn one fourth the size of
Figures 1, 2, and 3.
In applying to and using with our taps the before referred to Patent checking and
registering apparatus of the said John Slaytor, the only difference we make is, that
instead of employing the lever j, described in the Specification of that Patent, our
connecting bar or rod o¹, is connected with and made to actuate the cash checking and
registering apparatus by means of a link or short rod conveniently arranged for that
purpose.
Our improved constructions of revolving or "B" taps, whether made of a single or
duplex character or form, are attached to the ordinary or suitable framework such as that
of bars of hotels &c., and are connected with the supply casks or keys or barrels in the
ordinary manner. The further extremity of the feed pipe or inlet k, is connected
with a taper plug such as b, which is provided with conveniently arranged passages
for inlet, outlet, the valve seat, and the air ways, as described and as shown in
Figure 2. An outer casing or shell c³, as in Figures 2, and 3, and made of similar
taper to the plug of the tap is provided to contain the same, and it is pierced with
corresponding holes for the inlet the outlet and the air ways, as shown in Figures 2,
and 3; it is made to revolve on the plug and one or more bosses or projections formed
or cast on the circumference of the outer casing or shell c², serve to attach thereto
the measuring vessels or chambers a, a¹, which vessels, as before mentioned, are
preferred to be made of glass or of suitable metal or material, and of any required
sizes capacities or measurement.
The working parts or mechanisms of our apparatus are made of durable metal such
as brass, or gun metal, or of such other suitable inetal or material (including glass if
desired) that will not have any injurious effect on the liquids while being measured and
supplied, and that will also be non-corrosive.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we have to state that
we do not limit ourselves to the precise details of our improvements as herein before
described and as illustrated on the accompanying explanatory drawings, because
equivalent modifications or variations can be made therein without deviating from the
principles and main features of our invention; and we wish it to be understood that
we do not claim the individual component parts of our taps, taken separately, as new ;
but we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The novel and useful combination, construction, arrangement together, and the
action of the component parts of our automatically measuring taps for liquids con-
stituting as a whole our single or "A" form of tap, made and used with one
measuring vessel or chamber, and its special application to and use with ordinary

page_text: or existing taps for liquids; substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in
Figure 1, of the accompanying drawings.
2. The novel and useful combination construction arrangement together, and the
action of the component parts of our automatically measuring taps for liquids con-
stituting our duplex or "B" form of tap, made and used with one or more measuring
vessels or chambers, and its application and use for the purpose hereinbefore set
forth; and substantially as described and as illustrated in Figures 2, and 3, of the
accompanying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of our automatically measuring taps for
liquids so as to be employed for, and working the same in a series, substantially as
hereinbefore described, and as illustrated in Figures 4, 5, and 6, of the accompanying
drawings.
4. The combination or connection of our improved measuring taps (of either
our "A" or our "B" form of tap) with the aforesaid John Slaytor's cash checking
and registering apparatus, Patent No. 865587, and the use thereof for checking
and registering the quantity or quantities of liquid (in money value) delivered by
either one or more of our taps, and the cash payment or payments received therefor,
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in Figures 4, and 6, of the
accompanying drawings.