Improvements in Tap Holders and Valves for Barrels.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 12th July, 1892-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tap Holders and Valves for Barrels.
1, CHARLES JAMES RANOE, of 312, Chorley New Road, Horwich, near Bolton,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to the manner in which I construct an automatic closing
valve and tap holding device, combined for application to barrels for containing
liquids, and has for its object the prevention of waste of liquid from the barrel,
when the tap is being inserted, and the closing of the opening when the barrel is
empty, in order to prevent the passage into the barrel of any rain water or impurity
likely to cause taint to the liquid, that is to be stored therein, also to prevent
leaking after the tap is inserted, and to prevent the tap from being forced out by
the liquid.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct a tap holding plug for inserting
into any barrel, the head of such plug being formed with a flange to permit of
screws being passed through suitable holes to make a screw connection to the
barrel or I screw the plug itself into the timber of the barrel direct. Upon the
lower end of this plug I arrange two studs or pillars having a crosshead at their
ends, secured by nuts or pins and washers, the crosshead being arranged to receive
the end of a spiral or other spring, which I place around the projecting stem of a
valve, for closing the openings into the interior of the plug..
This closing valve I make with two stems, one as a guide to pass through the
bottom cover into the plug, and the other to stand outside the plug for carrying a
spring. The valve face I make of rubber, leather, or any other suitable material
for jointing against the end of the plug. I provide suitable inlet ports or openings
for permitting the flow of liquid into the plug when the closing valve has been pushed
away from its seat, on the base of the plug.
Within the hollow plug 1 provide a chamber having its upper portion screwed to
receive a gland, and having within its lower portion, and resting upou a ridge or
ring piece there provided, a ring or washer of india rubber or other suitable
material. Over the top of this elastic washer I place a protecting washer of metal,
so that when the gland is screwed down, the surface of the rubber washer may be
preserved and may be evenly pressed against.
The gland I make hollow and screw to suit the upper portion of the plug
chamber, its head being square, hexagonal or other convenient shape for
manipulation with a spanner or key; and over the head I place a, cap or cover
plate working upon a pin or pivot, so that it may be caused to cover or uncover
the opening within the gland as may be desired, for keeping dirt, rain etc. out of
the plug and when in its closed or covered position I cause this door or cap to be
retained by a suitably formed spring catch fastening.
When using my improved plug and tap holder, I cause the tap to pass through
the opening in the gland until it touches the inner stem of the valve, when I screw
down the gland within the plug to cause the clastic washer or ring to make close
contact upon the body of the tap; I then push or work the tap further into the
plug in order that the valve stem may be further pushed, so as to remove the valve
off the seat upon the plug end, screwing the giand up tight, and the liquid may
thus be permitted to enter and pass through the tap if desired.
By this arrangement I am enabled to obviate the loss of the liquid now common
to taps when being entered into barrels, and I also prevent the entrance into the
barrel of any impurity when the tap is withdrawn and the barrel is in transit, in an

page_text: empty condition, also prevent any leakage after the tap is inserted, and prevent the
tap from being forced out by the liquid.
I make my improved plugs and valve of gun metal or any other suitable
material..
All taps at present in use can be fitted with my invention.
Dated this 19th day of January 1892.
CLERK & MARKS,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tap Holders and Valves for Barrels.
I, CHARLES JAMES RANOE, of 312, Chorley New Road, Horwich, near Bolton,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, 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 the manner in which.I construct an automatic closing
valve and tap holding device combined for application to barrels for containing
liquids, and has for its object the prevention of waste of liquid from the barrel
when the tap.is being inserted, and the closing of the opening when the barrel is
empty in order to prevent the passage into the barrel of any rain water or impurity
likely to cause taint to the liquid that is to be stored therein, also to prevent
leakage after the tap is inserted, and to prevent the tap from being forced out by
the liquid.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct a tap holding plug for inserting
into any barrel, the head of such plug being formed with a Hange to permit of
screws being passed through suitable holes to make a screw connection to the
barrel or I screw the plug itself into the timber of the barrel direct.
In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved plug, tap holder and valve when
in position in a barrel.
Figure 2 is a part elevation of the same with the valve D removed and the cap b
placed over the end of the gland B.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the gland.
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the plug A with the valve D shown in dotted
lines, and
Figure 5 is an end elevation with the valve in position.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of my improved combination plug and valve
when arranged for tapping barrels which are to be connected with pipes or to any
engine or pump. ·
Figure 7 is a part elevation of the gland B' when arranged for pipe connections.
Upon the lower end of the plug A. I arrange two studs or pillars G, G having a
crosshead Fat their ends secured by nuts for pins and washers, the crosshead
being arranged to receive the end of a spiral or other spring E which I place
around the projecting stem d' of a valve D for closing the openings a, a¹ into the
interior of the plug A.
This closing valve D I make with two stems d, d³, one d as a guide to pass
through the bottom cover into the plug A, and the other d¹ to stand outside the
plug for carrying a spring E. The valve face D' I make of rubber, leather, or
any other suitable material for jointing against the end of the plug. I provide
suitable inlet ports or openings a, al for permitting the flow of liquid into the
plug when the closing valve has been pushed away from its seat on the base of
the plug.
Within the hollow plug I provide a chamber having its upper portion screwed to
receive a gland B, and having within its lower portion and resting upon a ridge or

page_text: ring piece there provided, a ring or washer O of india rubber or other suitable
material. Over the top of this elastic washer OI place a protecting washer of
metal P, so that when the gland is screwed down, the surface of the rubber or other
washer may be preserved and may be evenly pressed against.
The gland BI make hollow and screw to suit the upper portion of the plug
chamber, its head being square, hexagonal or other convenient shape for
manipulation with a spanner or key; and over the head I place a cap or cover
plate working upon a pin or pivot so that it may be caused to cover or uncover
the opening within the gland as may be desired, for keeping dirt, rain etc. out of
the plug and when in its closed or covered position I cause this door or cap & to
be retained by a suitably formed spring catch fastening.
When using my improved plug and tap holder I cause the tap C to pass through
the opening in the gland B until it touches the inner stem d of the valve D; I then
screw down the gland B within the plug to cause the elastic washer or ring O to
make close contact upon the body of the tap. This being done I push or work the
tap C further into the plug A, in order that the valve stem may be further
pushed so as to remove the valve off the seat upon the plug end, by screwing the
gland B up tight, the liquid is thus permitted to enter and pass through the tap if
desired.
By this arrangement I am enabled to obviate the loss of the liquid now common
to taps when being entered into barrels, and I also prevent the entrance into the
barrel of any impurity when the tap is withdrawn and the barrel is in transit in an
empty condition, also prevent any leakage after the tap is inserted, and prevent the
tap from being forced out by the liquid.
When arranging my improved combination plug and valve to suit pipes or unions
connected to beer engines, pumps or other supply fittings, I provide a special
gland B as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, having a hinged segment B² which is
free to move upon a hinge or pivot for permitting the end of the lead or other
pipe K to be passed over the lip or projecting ring of the gland.
When tapping a barrel to be connected to a pipe K with my improved plug as
shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, I first unscrew the gland B out of the socket or
plug A allowing it to hang freely by means of the chain L attached to the barrel
and then lift the top segment piece 132 up away from the body of the plug so as to
permit of the gland being passed over the enlarged end or union K of the pipe,
which being done I close the segment down into its position upon the body, and
then screw the gland into the plug until the end of the pipe K euters the hollow
distance piece H. The distance piece H I connect to the valve stem d or 1 allow
it to be separate from it, and perforate it with holes for affording a free
passage to the liquid. I prefer to make the distance piece H tapered so that it
may be tightened within the washer when the gland B is screwed down.
I make my improved plugs and valve of gun metal or any other suitable
material.
All taps at present in use can be fitted with my invention.
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 1
claim is :-
1. The construction and arrangement of tap holders and valve plugs for barrels
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and as illustrated in
Figures 1 to 5 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.
2. The construction and arrangement of plugs for barrels having a valve for
closing the openings of the end of such plugs substantially as hereinbefore described
and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The construction of valve holders or plugs for barrels having an elastic washer
or ring such as O for engaging with the body of the tap when the tap is introduced
within the plug and when screwed thereto by the gland such as B, substantially as
hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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 1
claim is :-
1. The construction and arrangement of tap holders and valve plugs for barrels
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and as illustrated in
Figures 1 to 5 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.
2. The construction and arrangement of plugs for barrels having a valve for
closing the openings of the end of such plugs substantially as hereinbefore described
and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The construction of valve holders or plugs for barrels having an elastic washer
or ring such as O for engaging with the body of the tap when the tap is introduced
within the plug and when screwed thereto by the gland such as B, substantially as
hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 4. The construction and arrangement of a barrel plug and automatic valve
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and as illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 11th day of July 1892
CLERK & MARKS,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.