IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY TILTING OR RAISING CASKS AND BARRELS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Barker Taylor, of Bishop's Castle, in the County
of Salop, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY TILTING OR RAISING CASKS AND BARRELS."
Sealed the 5th March 1878, and dated the 2nd November 1877.
-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Barker Taylor at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd November 1877.
"
HENRY BARKER TAYLOR, of Bishop's Castle, in the County of Salop. IB-
PROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY TILTING OR
RAISING CASKS AND BARRELS."
This Invention relates to a simple, cheap, and effective stillage for automatically
tilting casks or barrels, the barrel or cask being tilted in the exact proportion to
the amount of liquor drawn, and the action being gradual, so as not to disturb the
contents. It consists,-
3
1st. In a strong rectangular frame or bed supported on four legs or pillars. One
end of this frame is cut to a semicircular or curved contour. On this frame are
secured two bow springs placed with their flat ends against each other, and fastened
by a staple or otherwise to the frame.
2nd. In another frame, furnished at one end with a curved protuberance to fit the
curved contour of the lower frame, so as to form a hinge or socket joint. This frame
rests against the springs and receives the cask, a wedge or wedges being placed
beneath it.
The action is as follows:-Liquor being drawn off, the resistance acting against
the spring is slightly overcome, thus allowing the springs to expand a little and
thereby raising up the upper frame and tilting the cask. A stop or stops can be
placed to prevent the cask slipping off or overturning when empty. The action is
perfectly gradual, and will not disturb the contents of the casks, thus allowing the
liquor to be drawn off clear. As when a barrel is empty it is easier to take off the
frame if the spring is compressed, I also arrange a lever so that I can compress the
spring, and keep it compressed, till a fresh barrel has been placed in position.

page_text: I do not bind myself to a single rectangular frame, as a single noveable support
above the spring or springs and a stationary one at the other end would do, but I
prefer the rectangular frame.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Barker Taylor in the Great Seal Patent 'Office on the 10th
April 1878.
HENRY BARKER TAYLOR, of Bishop's Castle, in the County of Salop.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY TILTING OR
RAISING CASKS AND BARRELS."
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 2 an isometrical view of stillage
in accordance with my Invention.
The Invention relates to a simple, cheap, and effective stillage for automatically
tilting beer or other casks or barrels, the barrel or cask being tilted when and as
the liquor is drawn off in proportion to the quantity released, the action being
gradual and not disturbing the contents. It consists,-
I. In a strong rectangular frame or bed of wood or iron A supported on four legs
or pillars B, B. The front end of this frame is if desirable cut to a semicircular or
curved contour to correspond with the shape of the barrel. To this frame ȧre
assigned as motive power two spiral springs C, each surrounding a rod, as shewn in
the Drawing, or a bow spring or springs, or semi-bow ditto, placed with their flat ends
against each other, or in some other convenient way, and fastened by staples or
otherwise to the frame D, herein-after described. I prefer the spiral ones as steadiest.
These springs are of suitable power to elevate gradually to a convenient height in
proportion as the pressure of liquor is removed.
11. In anotlier frame D which works inside the rectangular frame A and is hinged
to the front rail thereof by a couple of strong hinges, or otherwise jointed or attached
by way of fastment, the other end of which hinged frame rests upon the springs C
and receives. the cask, the wedges E, preferably chained to the frame, as shewn,
being placed under to act as scotches. To this frame, on the under side at L,
is fixed a notched dog bar working in mortice plate J on shelf K which adjusts
itself as tilting goes on and answers the fourfold following stated purpose-
It takes the whole weight of the barrel and contents notch by notch; it gives the
springs perfect freedom of action; it prevents oscillation, and firmly holds the barrel
in position during the various stages of the process, preventing it returning in the
direction of its original horizontal position. Previous to tramming the full barrel
this bar is pushed back, the frame D being at the same time pressed down to admit
the insertion of pins G into the holes H, H. The barrel in position, these pins are
withdrawn and allowed to hang down by the chains to which they are attached.
This done the stillage is in working order, and no further attention or interference is
needful; left alone it will assuredly accomplish its purpose in an undeniably satis-
factory manner..
The action is as follows:--Liquor being drawn off the springs expand by degrees,
thereby raising the back of the moveable frame D and tilting the cask with it, stops

page_text: being provided to prevent the cask tilting too far. The process of tilting commences
after a certain portion of liquor has been run off, and continues (the power of motion
being within itself) simultaneously with every subsequent drawing-off, but the
motion is almost imperceptible, yet unfailing, and so gradual the liquor is not in
the least disturbed or shaken, allowing it to be drawn off clear and bright to the
last pint, avoiding all waste.
This apparatus, slightly modified to suit circumstances, is also applicable to con-
tinuous stillages for cellars and stores for any desired number of casks or barrels
ranged side by side, each acting independently of its fellow.
Having now described my Invention, I would have it to be clearly understood
that I do not by any means confine myself to the precise details herein-before men-
tioned, as the same might be varied without departing from the general principle
of my said improvements, but that what I believe to be new and desire to claim
under the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
I. The general arrangement of stillage, substantially as described.
II. The mode of raising one end of the barrel automatically by means of a spring
or springs abutting against a firm support and capable of being compressed and
held compressed without attention while one barrel is being removed and another
substituted.
III. The dog bar F or its mechanical équivalent for the purposes herein-before
mentioned.
IV. The application of the Invention, substantially as herein-before described, to
stillages having more than one cask or caskes ranged side by side.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Barker Taylor, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.