Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1896
I, FRANCIS ALBERT SMALL of 95 Westgate, Canterbury, Plumber, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to screw down taps and is also applicable to ball taps for
cisterns and like purposes.
It consists in forming in the body of tho tap, a double, or lower and upper seat
with two discs on the plug relating to and engaging therewith.
These discs are so arranged that the lower closes automatically by means of a
spring when the plug is drawn up. The upper disc can be screwed down on to its
seat by lowering the plug in the ordinary way.
The water or steam flows when both discs are held off their respective seats.
The plug is formed in three parts, namely the upper part which passes through the
stuffing box and forms the screw; an intermediate part called a jumper, on which
is the upper disc, and which can be readily removed for repairs; and finally the
lower part on which is the lower disc.
These three parts are connected by sockets and pins or in any other suitable way.
Below the lower part is a coiled spring to press it upwards against the lower seat,
when the pressure of the plug is withdrawn. A screwed plug or cap is inserted
beneath this lower part to admit of its being removed for repairs.
Owing to the foregoing arrangement, any of the working parts can be removed
for inspection or renewal, without the water or steam being turned off, or the tap
being taken off the pipe.
Dated this 19th day of September 1896
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicant.
I, FRANCIS ALBERT SMALL, of 95 Westgate, Canterbury, Plumber, 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 screw down taps and is also applicable to ball taps for
cisterns and like purposes.
It consists in forming in the body of the tap, a double or a lower and upper seat
with two discs on the plug relating to and engaging therewith.
The spindle or plug of the tap is in three parts, and these discs are so arranged
that the lower closes automatically by means of a spring when the plug is drawn up.
The upper disc can be screwed down on to its seat by lowering the plug in the
ordinary way. The water or steam flow through the tap when both discs are held
off their respective seats. As before stated the plug is formed in three parts,

page_text: amery the upper part which passes through the stuffing-box and forms the screw,
an intermediate part called a jumper, on which is the upper disc, and which can
readily be removed for repairs: and finally the lower part on which is the lower
disc. These three parts are connected by sockets and pins, or in any other suitable
way. Below the lower part is a coiled spring to press it upwards against the lower
seat, when the pressure of the plug is withdrawn. A screwed plug or cap is inserted
beneath this lower part to admit of its being removed for repairs.
Owing to the foregoing arrangement any of the working parts can be removed for
inspection or renewal, without the water or steam being turned off or the tap being
taken off the pipe.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Fig. 1 shows an elevation partly in section, of a tap constructed with my improve-
ments.
Fig. 2 shews the lower valve separately.
Fig. 3 shews the upper valve, or jumper, detached.
Fig. shews a modification of the tap applied to a ball or float valve for cisterns,
or the like.
a is the centre spindle or plug which carries a screw and is rotated by a thumb-
piece in the usual way. The lower end of this spindle is made of larger diameter to
form an externally screwed tubular collar or boss a'. This collar as the spindle a is
rotated, screws up and down inside a socket & projecting from the underside of the
flange ¹.
As shewn, sufficient space is left between the upper edge of collar a' and the
bottom of the socket for the necessary rise of the valve when the tap is opened.
e is the main or upper valve of the tap, faced with leather, or rubber, in the usual
way, mounted upon a spindle c', the upper end of said spindle being recessed into
the lower end of collar b¹.
d is the seating for valve c.
d is the seating for the lower valve e which may be either, conical, as shewn,
or flat.
e is the lower valve which is in the form of a sleeve with one end closed, placed
around the lower end of spindle c¹ and pressed upwards by a spring f so that the top
of the valve shall butt against the enlarged part c of the spindle c.
is a screwed cap at the bottom of the body of the tap to allow of the insertion of
the spring and valve e.
The action of the tap is as follows:-
When the tap is fully open, neither of the valves cor e will be upon their seats, as
the valve e is only permitted to rise the same distance as the valve c, the water
therefore flows freely. But should it be necessary to repair the valve c the flanged
upper casing of the tap is taken off, and the lower valve being free, it rises and
engages with its seat, thus closing the outlet.
Referring to Fig. 4.
h is the usual ball or float suspended from the end of lever ' fulcrummed at k and
connected by a shackle to the lower valve 1, the face of which is provided with
the usual leather or rubber facing and has its seating at 1.
12 is a small stem projecting up from the face of valve and the upper end of this
rod is telescoped into a slightly larger rod m which projects downwards from the
upper valve n, which has its seating at n¹.
is a coiled spring above valve n, which will press the valve on to its seat n¹
when the lower valve is withdrawn for repairs, and will thus stop the flow of water
from the main supply.
p is the supply inlet, and pl is the outlet into the cistern or tank.
9 is the casing of the ball cock, is the slotted guide-plate depending from the lower
end of casing through which the lever ' passes, to prevent same dropping too far.
It will be seen that the ball valve is practically a reversal of the screw down tap
shewn in Fig 1. omitting the stuffing box and screwed spindle,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a screw down tap for high pressure water, steam, and the like, the combina-
tion of two distinct valves and seats, one being automatic and operated by a spring,
and the other worked by the screwed spindle, which also controls the automatic valve,
whereby repairs can be effected without the water or steam being turned off.
As herein described and set forth.
2. In a ball valve and for like purposes, the combination of two distinct valves and
seats, one being automatic and operated by a spring and the other worked by the
lever of the ball or float, which also controls the automatic valve, whereby repairs can
be effected without the water or steam being turned off, as herein described and
set forth.
3. In a screw down tap, the triply divided spindle or plug a, c, e, the two
valves c, e, and their seats d, d', spring f, body or casing, and screw cap g, as
herein described and set forth.
4. In a ball valve, the triply divided spindle or plug 1, l, m, the two valves 1, n,
and their seats l', n', spring f, body 9, screw cap g, and outlet pl; as herein described
and set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of Jannary 1897
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street, E.C., Patent Agent.