Improvements in Taps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Taps.
I, FRANK HEDLEY MINGAY, of Berfield, Bridge of Weir, in the County of
Renfrew, North Britain, Bank Teller, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows, that is to say:-
My said invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction
of taps so as to render them more satisfactory in use and prevent the possibility
of leakage taking place as happens for example with taps as hitherto constructed
when applied to drums or other receptacles holding petroleum or other liquid.
In carrying out my invention I make part of the tap in the form of a nozzle
which may be formed on, or fixed to, the outlet to which the tap is to be applied
this nozzle being made with an external screw thread and with its internal diameter
tapering inwards. The main body of the tap is in the form of a cylinder which has
an internal screw thread at one end to screw on to the external screw thread on the
nozzle. A rod is carried and works centrally through this cylinder and has formed
or fixed on one end of it a tapered plug of wood, cork, rubber, or other suitable
compressible material which is of a size to fit tightly into the tapered opening in
the nozzle when pressed inwards and thus effectually prevent the leakage of any
liquid through the tap. The cylindrical part of the tap is of such an internal
diameter that when the plug is drawn back into it there is a sufficient space all
round the plug to permit of the free passage of the liquid to the delivery outlet
formed at the outer end of the cylinder. The opening and closing of the tap by
moving the rod carrying the tapered plug outwards and inwards as herein before
stated may be effected in a variety of ways, but according to one simple modifica-
tion, one end of a lever centered on the tap projects through a slot in the cylindrical
part and is connected to the rod, the lever being, by preference, shaped and
weighted to tend to force the plug into the tapered nozzle and thus keep the tap
closed when not being used. Or the rod may extend through the outer end of
the cylinder and have a handle attached to it for moving it by, with or without the
assistance of a spring.
Dated this Eleventh day of January 1898
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say:-
My said invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction
of taps so as to render them more satisfactory in use and prevent the possibility
of leakage taking place as happens for example with taps as hitherto constructed
when applied to drums or other receptacles holding petroleum or other liquid.
My improved tap comprises a nozzle, formed on or fixed to the drum or other
receptacle, on which nozzle is screwed a cylindrical part forming the main body
of the tap. A tapered plug or valve of wood, cork, rubber, or other suitable com-
pressible material attached to a rod, and worked by a weighted lever projecting
through a slot in the main body, is fitted to work in a tapered opening or seating
formed in the nozzle. Or instead of the seating being formed in a separate nozzle
it may be formed in the inner end of the body of the tap, which in that case is
formed with an external screw thread and is screwed directly into the drum or
other receptacle.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings
to be hereinafter referred to in describing my improvements.
Figures, 1, and 2, of the drawings are vertical sections showing two modifica-
tions of my improved tap. In these drawings the same reference letters are used
to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
The first modification shown in Figure 1, comprises a nozzle, A which is fixed
in the outlet, B, of the drum, C, or other receptacle to which the tap is to be
applied, or the nozzle might be formed on the drum. The nozzle, A, is made with
external screw threads, D, and with its internal diameter tapering inwards so as
to form a valve seat, E. The main body of the tap is in the form of a cylinder, F,
which is screwed internally for attachment to the nozzle, A. A rod, G, carried,
and working centrally in the cylinder, F, and supported in a guide, H, at its outer
end has fixed on its inner end a tapered plug or valve, J, of rubber, or it might be
of wood cork or other suitable compressible material, which is made to fit tightly
into the tapered opening or seating, E, in the nozzle, A, The main cylindrical
part, F, is made large enough internally so that, when the plug, J, is drawn out
there will be a sufficient space all round the plug for the free passage of the liquid
to the delivery outlet, K, formed at the outer end of the tap body. The opening
and closing of the tap by moving the rod, G, carrying the tapered plug, J, out-
wards and inwards may be effected in a variety of ways; but according to one
simple modification, the lower part of a lever, L, centered on a pin, M, fixed to a
projecting part, N, of the cylinder, F, projects through a slot, P', and the inner
end is formed to work in a slot, Q, in the rod, G, The lever, L, is provided with
a weight, Q, and is otherwise shaped so that it tends to force the plug, J, into the
tapered opening, E, of the nozzle, A, and thus keep the tap closed when not being
used. Or the rod, G, may extend through the outer end of the cylinder, F, nd
have a handle attached to it for actuating it, with or without the aid of a spring.
According to another modification of my improvements shown in Figure, 2,
the main body, F, of the tap is screwed directly into the drum or other receptacle,
and has the tapered opening, or seating, E, for receiving the tapered plug or
valve, J, formed on its inner end, the valve closing outwards, instead of inwards
as in the first modification. Instead of the rod, G, being formed with a slot (Q)
for receiving the end of the lever, L, the rod may be suitably flattened or recessed
on each side, R, so as to fit between a fork, S, formed on the end of the lever, or
any other suitable form of joint may be employed...
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:―
L
An improved tap having a tapered plug of cork, wood, rubber, or other suitable

page_text: compressible material, a rod on which the plug is fixed, and which is movable
by a lever or otherwise, and a tapered seating for the plug, such seating being
formed either in a separate piece to which the tap body is screwed or in the tap
body itself, the parts being constructed, arranged and operating substantially as
herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Tenth day of October 1898.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.