Improvements in Barrel Heads.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 14th Dec., 1359
Improvements in Barrel Heads.
I, JAMES ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, of New Orleans, in the State of Louisiana,
United States of America, Yeast Powder Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BARREL HEADS and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in barrel heads, and it has for its object to
provide devices whereby the head of a barrel may be put in and tightened up to any
degree, and also taken out without either injuring the head, or disturbing the hoops,
so that the same head may be used any number of times.
I accomplish these objects by the means shown, and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a top view showing small, and long wedges, and plate in position.
Fig. 1 is a view of the larger portion of the barrel head A. B with the wedges
removed. Fig. 1b is a cross section of the barrel head with the welges in
position.
Figure 2 is a top view of left handed wedge.
Figure 3 is a top view of right handed wedge.
Figure 4 is a side view of left handed wedge.
Figure 5 is a side view of right handed wedge.
Figure 6 is a top view of the plate E.
Figure 7 is a top view of the barrel head with modified double wedges, and plate in
position.
Figure 8 is a top view of left handed wedge.
Figure 9 is a top view of right handed wedge.
Figure 10 is a side view of left handed wedge.
Figure 11 is a side view of right handed wedge.
Figure 12 is a bottom view of left handed wedge.
Figure 13 is a bottom view of right handed wedge.
Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
Referring by letter to said drawings, A and B indicate the segmental sections of
a barrel head, which may be such as those usually employed. In Fig. 1b a portion of
the staves H1 of the barrel appear. Section B has one of its longitudinal edges cut
tapering the greater portion of its length, and terminates in an off set for the reception
of the small welge. D indicates the large wedge which may be of wood or other
suitable material. This large wedge has its small end beveled from opposite sides, so
as to adapt it to enter the chine groove of the barrel staves H'. The large end of
this large wedge is heveled. C indicates the small wedge; this wedge may be of wood
or other desired material, and is of a slightly greater width than that of the large
wedge D. This wedge C is tapered from opposite sides at its outer end, which
coincides in curvature with that of the barrel opening and is adapted to enter the
chine groove thereof. The opposite or inner end of the wedge is beveled from below
upwardly, so as to engage the corresponding bevel of the large wedge D).
E is a plate which is placed over the wedges as shown in Figures 1 and 7, and
by means of slots G, and nails or screws F, form a lock enabling the wedges to be
held in a secure position. I however do not confine myself to this construction, as
when preferable the wedges as shown in Figures 78 and 9 may be used. These
wedges in Figures 8 and 9, I designate as right and left handed wedges, the right
hand wedge in addition to having its end inclined is also beveled on one side as shown
in Figure 12, hy H, while wedge D is also similarly beveled in order that a better
drive may be made, and at the same time a closer fit be secured, forming as it does

page_text: a groove on the incline of the wedges, and permitting the wedges to be readily
adjusted.
In operation, after the sections of the barrel head have been placed in position as
shown in Figure 1, the large wedge D is placed between the sections A and B and
driven until its smaller tapering end enters the chine groove of the barrel staves H'.
The smaller wedge C is then placed in the remaining portion of the opening between
the sections of the head, when one or two slight blows of a hammer or other implement
will properly seat it, so that one end will enter the chine groove, and the opposite
end bear snugly against the beveled edge of the larger wedge, when the plate E is
fastened in position.
In operating my device as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, I place in position the
pieces A and B, then I adjust the left hand wedge D. When D has been placed
between the pieces A and B, and driven within the chine groove H', I then adjust
the right hand wedge C, and by means of the bevel on the incline as shown in
Figure 12, I am enabled to make a gradual downward, and outward drive on said
wedge, which forces the same in position. When wedges C and D, have been thus
driven I place the plate E in position, said plate being held securely by means of
nails F, which form a lock within slot G, when the plate is slided across the joints
of the wedges. Where the plate is used on a wet barrel, it is preferable to place a
strip of wood under the plate, but when used on a dry barrel, this is unnecessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The combination, with the sections of a barrel head such as described, of the larger
wedge having one end adapted to enter the chine groove of a barrel, and its opposite
end beveled to engage the bevel of the large wedge, and provided with a plate for
breaking the joint between the wedges, and forming a lock substantially as
specified.
2. In a barrel head such as described, the pieces A and B the left hand wedge D
with a bevel on the side of the incline the right hand wedge C with a bevel on the
side of the incline in combination with plate E and slot G, substantially as shown,
and for the purpose set forth.
Dated the 28th day of August 1880
DUTTON & FULTON,
1, St. James Square, Manchester, Agents.