AN IMPROVED STAND FOR CASKS OR BARRELS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mitchell, of Brandon, in the County of Suffolk,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED STAND FOR CASKS OR BARRELS AND
OTHER RECEPTACLES."
Sealed the 21st August 1877, and dated the 5th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mitchell at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th March 1877.
-
WILLIAM MITCHELL, of Brandon, in the County of Suffolk, "AN IMPROVED
STAND FOR CASKS OR BARRELS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES."
My Invention relates to a stand for casks or barrels and other receptacles con-
taining liquids which are liable to become thick by the disturbance of the sediment
they deposit if agitated in the process of drawing off or decanting.
The advantages of my improved stand are that it tilts the cask or other receptacle
in a self-acting manner, the inclination of the cask depending on the quantity of
liquid contained and the tilting keeping pace with the rate at which the contents
are drawn off. The position of the cask is therefore altered very gradually and
gently without any disturbance of the liquid, which will therefore not run thick
until all the clear supernatant liquid has been drawn off.
The construction of the stand is of a simple and cheap character, and such that
the stand may be readily taken to pieces and packed in a small compass for
transport.
The stand consists of two × shaped frames fixed at a distance apart to suit the
length of the cask or other receptacle upon a horizontal rod, at the front end of
which is fixed a fork or crutch for the tap of the cask to rest in. The rear end of
the cask or receptacle is supported on and tilted by a spring connecting the upper
arms of the rear frame. As the arms of these x frames are not quite at right
angles, the same stand may be adapted to support casks or barrels of different sizes
by standing one or other side uppermost and altering the position of the spring if
necessary. I propose to make the horizontal rod and the arms of these frames of
pieces of square iron rod, the arms being fixed in cast-iron bosses fitting on the
horizontal rod and secured by binding screws. The stand may, however, be made
of wood or other material.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Mitchell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
September 1877.
WILLIAM MITCHELL, of Brandon, in the County of Suffolk. "AN IMPROVED
STAND FOR CASKS OR BARRELS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES."
My Invention relates to a stand for casks, barrels, and other vessels, particularly
adapted for supporting casks containing liquids which are liable to become thick if
agitated.
The advantages of my improved stand are that the cask or other vessel is tilted
in a self-acting manner, the degree of inclination depending on the quantity of
liquid contained, and varying so as to keep pace with the rate at which the contents
are drawn off. The position of the cask is consequently altered very gradually
and gently without disturbing the sediment deposited by the liquid, which will
therefore not run thick until all the clear supernatant liquid has been drawn off.
The stand may also be employed for vessels or casks containing oils, powder, shot,
and for general use.
The construction of the stand is of a simple and cheap character, and such that
it may be readily taken to pieces and packed in a small compass for transport.
The stand consists of two x shaped frames fixed at a distance apart to suit the.
length of the cask upon a horizontal rod, at the front end of which rod is fixed a fork
or crutch for the tap of the cask to rest in. The rear end of the cask or receptacle is
supported on a spring connecting the upper arms of the rear frame. The arms of.
these x frames are not at right angles, in order that the same stand may be adapted
to support casks or barrels of different sizes by standing one or other side upper-
most and altering the position of the spring. When the stand is used for barrels of
one size only, the strength of the frame would be increased by having the arms at
right angles to one another.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Figure
a rear end elevation of my improved
cask stand with a cask placed thereon, the latter being represented in full and
dotted lines in the two positions which it occupies when full and partially empty
respectively.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the same stand adapted to carry a smaller cask
by placing the narrow side of the stand uppermost.
Figure 4 is an elevation, showing a modification. A is an iron rod of square or
other suitable form in cross section, and B, B, are two x shaped frames fixed on
rod A, the lower arms of the frames forming the legs of the stand and the upper
ones crutches in which the cask is supported. The arms of each frame radiate from
a central boss B₁, provided with an aperture fitting on rod A and a binding screw
to fix it at any position desired; C is a crutch for the tap D to rest in; it fits on
a squared end of the rod A and is secured by a nut, so that it may be readily shifted
when the stand is turned side uppermost, as in Figure 3; E is a spiral or india-
rubber spring (as preferred) connecting the ends of the two upper arms of the rear
frame and passing under the rear end of the cask. The spring is put in tension
by the weight of the cask, and as this diminishes by the drawing off of the contents
the spring gradually raises that end of the cask. The spring may be shifted from.
one pair of arms to another according to whichever is uppermost.
Figure 4 shows a modification of the Invention in which the spring is replaced
by a horizontal bar G held up by two spiral springs on the arms and bearing
against collars H sliding on the arms; the bar G is slotted at its ends and moves
freely up and down on the arms; the bar G is shown depressed under the weight.
of the cask. I propose to make the rod A and the arms of the frames B of pieces.
of square iron rod, the bosses of frames B being of cast iron, and the arms being

page_text: fixed therein by being suitably shaped to retain their hold and inserted in the
mould in which the bosses are cast, the bosses being thus cast upon them. The
stand may, however, be constructed entirely of wood if preferred.
Having described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. A cask stand consisting of a pair of x shaped frames fixed adjustably on a
longitudinal rod, substantially as shown and described.
2nd. The combination with a cask stand, as above specified, of the spring or
springs for gradually tilting the cask, as shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Mitchell, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TITU
W. MITCHELL. (L.S.)