Improvements in or relating to Spigots.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 30th Oct., 1897
Improvements in or relating to Spigots.
I, CHARLES HENRY NEWTON of Greyhound Hotel, 14, Holland Road, South
Norwood, Publican, do hereby declare the nature of this said 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 improvements in connection with spigots employed
for tapping beer and other barrels.
With the spigot as commonly employed the beer on first being tapped is liable
to be blown up through the spigot and to soil the clothes of the person tapping
the barrel. Considerable waste is also liable to take place as the beer escapes
through the spigot. and flows out of the barrel.
I provide to obviate these disadvantages and my invention provides a means by
which the overflowing beer can be saved and all danger of soiling the clothes
prevented.
I propose to form the spigot from metal and to provide it with a pointed and
screwed end, so that it can be inserted through the barrel. The end is also
furnished with a deep cut extending spirally across the screw thread. I also
provide this part of the spigot with a slot passing centrally through it and about
half an inch in length. This slot assists in cutting away the wood and also
allows the spigot to obtain a better grip. Within the outer tube or body of the
spigot I fit an inner tube provided with a small hole at its lower end which
is adapted to register with the hole in the outer tube or sheath. A second hole is
also formed a short distance above and outside of the barrel when the spigot is
fitted in place, this hole registering with a small tube belonging to the sheath.
To this tube or extension a flexible rubber or other pipe can be fitted. When the
inner tube is turned so that the holes register, any beer or liquid that may escape
through the spigot will pass into. the flexible pipe through which it can be led
into a suitable receptacle.
The upper part of the spigot is provided with a cross piece or loop, the upper
side of which is slotted. The inner tube or hollow spindle is provided with an
arm at the top extending preferably on both sides and placed within the metal
Icop, the upper end of the spindle itself projecting through the middle loop.
This arrangement allows the spindle to be instantly removed when required, the
handle being turned so as to register with the slot and then pushed up through it.
On the spindle being turned in one direction the passages are closed but on
turning it round for a half circle, the holes are caused to register and the passage
is formed allowing air to pass into the barrel. The upper end of the spindle is
provided with an internal collar adapted to fit closely round the spindle and to
keep it in proper position. This collar forms a tight joint so that there is no
danger of liquid escaping between the spindle and sheath.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had
to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of my
improved spigot, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a plan.
The body or stem A of the spigot is of hollow form for the greater part of its
length, but is provided with a solid end a tapering towards the point and screw
threaded to allow of its insertion in the barrel. This end is also furnished with
the spiral grooves a¹ extending across the screw thread and providing cutting
011

page_text: edges. is a short slot or hole passing through the solid end and cutting away
part of the metal between the spiral grooves. Within the stem is placed a hollow
spindle B fitting closely and provided with the holes and registering
respectively with the hole a³ and the tube a' belonging to the stem. On turning
this spindle in one direction a passage will be formed from the inside of the
barrel passing through the stem and spindle and tube a. To this tube the
rubber or other flexible pipe C is fitted, allowing any overflow to pass away into
a suitable container. On turning the spindle through a half circle the passage
will be completely closed at two points and the turning of the spindle will also
clear away any particles of wood or other obstruction which may have gathered
in the hole a³.
On the upper end of the stem the loop shaped head D is formed, in the upper
side of which a longitudinal slot d is provided extending vertically the central
Fart being enlarged to form a circular hole. The spindle is provided with the
cross arm b² situated within the metal loop and turned parallel to it when the
passage is open or properly closed. When in this position the spindle can be
completely removed from the stem, as the cross arm can be pushed up through
the slot. The upper end of the passage of the stem is provided with the internal
collar a projecting slightly above the top and keeping the cross arm of the spindle
clear of the metal loop. The upper end of the spindle fits closely in the collar
which provides a bearing for it, and also prevents any danger of liquid escaping
from this part of the spigot.
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 an improved spigot the combination with a tubular stem adapted to be
passed through the barrel, a metal head of loop shape on the said stem, and a tube
at its upper end allowing the liquid to escape and air to enter, of a hollow spindle
fitting closely in the said stem, holes in the spindle registering with the apertures
of the stem, and a cross arm placed within the metal loop adapted to be detached
and fitted in place in the stem, substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
2. In an improved spigot, the combination with a hollow stem, a tube fitted to
the said stem allowing liquid to escape and air to enter, a metal looped shaped head
on top of the said stem, and a longitudinal slot in the upper side of the said head
of a hollow spindle fitted within the stem, holes in the said spindle corresponding
to the apertures of the stem, a cross arm on the spindle fitting within the metal
loop and adapted to pass through the slot, and an internal collar in the stem
adapted to receive the spindle, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
3. In an improved spigot having a hollow stem, a tube fitted to the same, a
spindle within the said stem and passages registering with the apertures in the
stem, a head formed in the lower end of the stem at the grooved portion, sub-
stantially as described and shown and for the purposes specified.
4. The improved spigot for use in tapping barrels, having a tubular pointed
stem, a tube leading from the said stem, and a hollow spindle placed within the
same, all constructed and operating substantially as described and shown in the
accompanying drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 30th day of September 1897.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.