IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING TAPS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas George Sharpe, of Huddersfield, in the County
of York, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING TAPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas George Sharpe at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th December 1881.
THOMAS GEORGE SHARPE of Huddersfield in the County of York. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING TAPS."
This Invention has reference to gas taps and its object is to open taps and
partially close them again in a safe and easy manner and leave a small light
burning.
For this purpose I fix a bracket by means of screws to the handle or lever of a
gas tap, which when operated in one direction opens the tap, and when operated
in the other direction closes the tap. In order that the tap may not be entirely
closed but so far open so to leave a small light burning a screw is employed,
passing through the bracket, which comes into contact with some fixed part, and so
prevents the tap being entirely closed. This screw which is adjustable determines
the size of light to be left burning. When the said bracket is attached to a tap
where the fixed part is too far away for the adjusting screw to reach, a rod, tape
or cord is connected to a fixed part and to the adjusting screw. When it is
required to operate the tap at some distance away, cords, rodes, or tapes may be
secured to the bracket, and when drawn forward will open or close the tap as
required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas George Sharpe in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th June 1882.
-THOMAS GEORGE SHARPE of Huddersfield in the County of York. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING TAPS."
This Invention has reference to gas taps and the object thereof is to facilitate
the opening and closing thereof and also to prevent a complete cut off when it is
requisite to leave a small light.
For this purpose I fix a clip or bracket by means of screws to the handle or
lever of a gas tap by which the handle is lengthened and leverage increased.
Through one end of this clip passes a screw a few inches in length so arranged as
to come into contact with some stop piece or fixture, when the tap is turned in the
cut off direction and thus prevent a total extinction of the light. By means
of this screw the size of light to be left burning can be regulated with great
nicety. By the use of my Invention gas taps which are not within easy reach of
the operator may be turned on or off by means of rods or cords connected to the
opposite ends of the clip or bracket.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood I herein give reference
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof.
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a gas bracket fixed to a side wall. A is
the tap upon the thumb piece of which is fixed the clip or bracket B a full sized
view of which is shewn in Fig. 2. That portion of the clip through which the
screw C passes is bent for the purpose of securing a horizontal action whereby the
length is reduced. In the case herein illustrated the wall forms the stop piece or
fixture but when the tap is differently situated some other form of stop piece will
have to be used which will suggest itself according to circumstances; for instance,
a chain or cord may be attached to the hole at the end of the screw C and to some
other part of the gas bracket or other fixture. To each of the outer screws is
attached a cord by means of which the tap may be operated by a person some
distance away or preferably instead of fastening the cord to the screw C it may be
fastened through the hole c formed at the extremity of the clip. By the use of my
apparatus the inconvenience and annoyance arising from the accidental extinction
of the light which frequently happens when taps are either tight, slack or badly
fitted is entirely obviated.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner in which the
same is to be or may be performed, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth as the same
may be varied, but what I claim as my Invention is―
The use of the clip or bracket B and check screw C in manner and for the
purpose substantially as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas George Sharpe have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Thirteenth day of June in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
THỦ. GIO, SHARPE. (L.S.)