IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE COCKS OR TAPS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Henderson and David McNeil
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th March 1878.
GEORGE HENDERSON and DAVID M NEIL, both of 193, Blackfriars Road, in the
County of Surrey, Brassworkers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE COCKS OR TAPS."
Our Invention for improvements in valve cocks or taps consists of arrangements
for opening and closing same, which may be either self-closing or not, as required,
the valves closing by pressure of the water or fluid. The valve or cock is in shape
similar to those now used, or with the handle for opening at the side; or can be used
as a ball valve for cisterns and such like, and the stuffing boxes generally employed
may in some cases be dispensed with.
In carrying out our Invention we adopt mainly the following arrangements
(taking as an example stop, bib, or ball valves or cocks):-The external shape is of
any approved form, the opening for spindle being at the side (but same may be at the
top or front). The valve rests on its seat, and is covered by screw cap or other
covering, with a washer between to keep the parts tight; through the opening in the
side a spindle is inserted, which may either be made to screw in or be ground in;
this spindle when in position comes internally under the valve, and the other end is
formed or cast with a lever, handle, or other means for opening and closing the
valve. The end of the spindle (internally) is formed of a cam shape or conical, or a
portion of the spindle may be cut away for the purpose of opening and closing the
valve, and when the valve is self-closing a spring is used, which bears against the
upper part of the valve and the under part of the cap.
The action is as follows:-By turning the handle of the spindle the cam or
eccentric acts upon the under side of the valve, raising same, and allowing the fluid
to pass out through the nozzle or orifice. On releasing the handle same flies back
by means of the spring, and the valve closes on to its seat, and is then held by the
spring and the pressure of the fluid.
When the valve or cock is not required to self-close the spring is not used, and in
this case the handle or spindle is thrown back in the ordinary way, the fluid pressing
against the valve, retaining it on its seat when closed, though a spring may be used
for low pressure if required.

page_text: In some cases the spring is applied perpendicularly, in which case the valve rests
in the neck or waterway of the cock, and is held to its seat by the pressure of the
water or fluid.
open
Το the valve all that is required is to turn the spindle, and the cam or
eccentric at the end of the said spindle presses against the valve, forcing it from its
seat, and allows the fluid to flow through.
When used as a ball valve the lever carrying the ball is secured to the spindle,
and the dropping or rising of the ball opens or closes the valve in the ordinary way
by actuating the spindle carrying cam or eccentric.
"
The spindle which opens and closes the valve may in some cases be made hollow,
so that by turning the handle, which is also hollow, the fluid issues through the
spindle and handle. In this form it can be either self-closing, as above described,
or not, as required.
Another form of our improved tap consists of having the spindle jointed or cast
with a projection or lever, forming practically a bell-crank shape, so that by pulling
or pushing one end the other end lifts the valve, and allows the fluid to flow, and
the same flies back as soon as the pressure is released.
In the arrangements for self-closing; a projection is secured or cast on the spindle
to form a stop to govern the extent of the movement of the spindle. The spring
used is preferably nickelled.