Improvements in Ball and other Taps, part of the Improvements being applicable to Screw Down Taps or Cocks.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 26th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 27th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ball and other Taps, part of the Improvements
being applicable to Screw Down Taps or Cocks.
I, WILLIAM HENRY FOSTER, of the Central Brass Works, Halifax, in the
County of York, Brassfounder and Finisher, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:
In some descriptions of ball taps another tap is combined therewith, such latter
tap being employed to shut off water when the valve of the ball tap requires
repairing. The ball tap and the shut off tap have hitherto been constructed
separately, but combined together by a coupling screw.
According to my invention in ball taps I arrange that the ball tap and shut off
tap shall be combined together in one shell or casing, whereby the parts are
simplified and cheaper, whilst they possess all the advantages found where the ball
tap and shut off tap are separately constructed.
The shut off tap may be of the screw down or conical plug principle, if on the
latter the plug will be made with a shaped hole or opening so that on being turned
around the passage of water is shut off.
My invention in ball taps and also in screw down taps has reference to the
spindle which is made without screw threads, but it is coupled to a screw cap more
fully described in the Specification of a prior Patent granted to me No. 9154.
In the Specification above referred to, the spindle was connected to the screw cap
by a set-screw, which in practice I have found was not very durable, as the set-
screw was liable to break when the tap was being turned.
According to iny present invention the upper portion of the spindle is made
with a square part which fits into a corresponding square part on the top of the
screw cap, whilst the spindle is secured to the handle on the top of the screwed
cap by a screw or nut. I also form a flange near or at the bottom of the spindle
on which is a leather washer. This flange and leather washer are of such a
diameter as to fit in or on the underside of the bottom part of the stuffing box,
whereby the escape of water or steam through the stuffing box is prevented.
Dated this 25th day of June 1894.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ball and other Taps, part of the Improvements
being applicable to Screw Down Taps or Cocks.
I, WILLIAM HENRY FOSTER, of the Central Brass Works, Halifax, in the
County of York, Brass Founder and Finisher, 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:-
In some descriptions of ball taps another tap is combined therewith, such latter
tap being employed to shut off water when the valve of the ball tap requires

page_text: repairing. The ball tap and the shut off tap have hitherto been constructed
separately, but combined together by a coupling screw.
According to my invention in ball taps I arrange that the ball tap and shut off
tap shall be combined together in one shell or casing, whereby the parts are
simplified and cheaper, whilst they possess all the advantages found where the
ball tap and shut off tap are separately constructed.
Such being the nature and object of my invention I will now proceed to describe
the same more fully, and for that purpose make reference to the accompanying
sheet of drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is section of a ball tap constructed according to
my invention.
A represents the ball tap made with a double seating B having on the underside
a valve C raised up and down for the purpose of opening and closing the said valve,
by means of a float attached to lever D operated by water in the cistern in the
ordinary and well known manner.
My improvements consists in combining with a ball tap and in the same shell or
casing thereof another valve E attached to a screwless spindle F. Near the top of
this spindle, is a square part G fitting into a corresponding square part formed in
the top of the cap H having formed within it screw threads which fit onto corre-
sponding screw threads on the barrel I screwed in the outer casing of the ball tap.
The spindle F is connected to the cap H by a screwed cap or mit J, therefore on
the спр H being turned in a downward direction, the spindle F is revolved and
made to descend upon the valve seating Bas shewn in Fig. 2 consequently water
would be shut off permitting the valve C of the ball tap to be removed for repairs,
but when the said valve is reinstated the cap H can be unscrewed lifting the
valve E from its seating so as to allow for the passage of water as shewn in Fig. 1.
I also form a flange a near or at the bottom of the spindle F on which is a
leather washer b. The flange a and washer are of such a diameter as to fit on
the underside of the bottom part of the stuffing box whereby the escape of water
through the stuffing box is prevented.
With regard to the shut off tap a conical plug M may be employed as shewn in
Fig. 5, such plug having an opening therein as shewn in dotted lines, which on the
plug being turned partially around removes the opening from communication with
the inlet passage, thus shutting off the supply of water. In Fig. 3 I have shown a
ball tap combined in the same shell or casing with a shut off tap.
In this case
when the ball tap is in use, the bottom of the spindle is resting upon the
upper surface of valve C but as the foot of the spindle F is square and the opening
of the seating B round, water escapes there through when the lower valve C is
opened, but if the said valve C is removed for repairs, the pressure of water
would cause the valve spindle F to descend and force the valve E upon the
seating as shewn in Fig. 4 whereby the passage of water would be prevented,
but when the lower valve C is reinstated, the upper valve E would be lifted as
shewn in Fig. 3, permitting water to flow as required. The upper portion of
spindle fits in a cavity in the screwed cap H whereby the spindle is guided
in its upward and downward movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :
Firstly. In a ball tap, the combination therewith in the same shell or casing,
of a shut off tap constructed and arranged substantially as shewn in Figs. 1
and 2.
Secondly. In a screw down tap or cock having a screwless spindle, the
formation of a square part G and the screwed nut for connecting the said
spindle to the screwed cap H as described herein and shewn in Fig. 1.
Thirdly. In a screw down tap or cock having a screwless spindle such as F, the
combination therewith of the flange a and washer for preventing the escape of
water or steam as described.

page_text: Fourthly. In a ball tap, the combination therewith in the same shell or casing,
of a shut off tap, constructed and arranged substantially as shewn in Figs. 3, 4
and 5.
Dated this 25th day of September 1894.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Patent Agents.