Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 7th July, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 24th Aug., 1888
I, RICHARD ISAAC KILN, of Woking, Surrey, Hop Merchant, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in taps
commonly used for drawing off beer, spirits and other liquids from barrels and the
like.
The object of the said invention is to automatically combine the tap with the vent hole
in such a manner that the former controls the action of the latter. By the accom-
plishment of this object, the ordinary vent-peg usually employed is dispensed with, and
the probability of its being left out of the vent-hole, to the detriment of the liquid in
the barrel, is entirely avoided.
My invention consists essentially of the novel and peculiar construction of the
tap-plug.
Said tap-plug is made of wood or metal, but preferably of metal and is of hollow
section and provided at its upper end with a suitable shoulder and boss adapted to
receive a key, by means of which the tap is operated.
The lower end of said plug is left open, and its central aperture is divided midway
its length by a metal plug or by any other suitable means.
Just below the division thus formed in the central aperture are two small apertures
which penetrate the walls of the tap-plug and open into the central aperture aforesaid.
These said two apertures are situated at right angles to one another and will coincide
with the main channel of the tap when said tap-plug is inserted into the main part of
the tap and suitably turned for drawing off the liquid.
Just above the division aforementioned are two more small apertures, each
placed at right angles to the other, but on the opposite side of the plug to those
aforesaid

page_text: The main portion of the tap is of ordinary construction, namely a hollow tapered
cylinder having a suitable aperture through it transversely to receive the tap-plug.
It has however formed upon its upper side a suitable projection through which the
tap-plug passes, and through which is bored a central aperture parallel to the main
portion of the tap. This central aperture admits the air which, when the tap-plug is
turned into position for drawing off the liquid, passes through the two small apertures
above the division in the tap-plug as described, and then passes through an aperture
in the side of the projection which is connected by an india-rubber or other tube or
connection to the upper part of the barrel or cask.
When the tap-plug is in position it may be surmounted by a suitable metal cap
provided with a key hole, and which retains the tap-plug in place.
By this our arrangement of the tap and parts of the tap, the apertures in the tap-
plug are so situated that should the liquid be forcing, the tap may be turned on
without opening the vent. This is effected by giving the key one half turn.
The vent is also simultaneously and proportionately opened or closed with the
turning on or off of the liquid, the same being effected in a neat, simple and
expeditious manner..
Dated this 0th day of March 1000

page_text: I, RICHARD ISAAC KILN, of Woking, Surrey, Hop Merchant, 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 :-
This my invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in taps
commonly used for drawing off beer, spirits, and other liquids from barrels and the
like.
The object of the said invention is to automatically combine the tap with the vent-
hole in such a manner that the former controls the action of the latter. By the
accomplishment of this object the ordinary vent-peg usually employed is dispensed with
and the probability of its being left out of the vent hole, to the detriment of the liquid
in the barrel, is entirely avoided.
This my said invention may be described as follows-reference being had to the
accompanying drawings and the figures and letters of reference marked thereon:
similar letters indicating corresponding parts throughout.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tap embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional
side elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross section through the plug, showing the
vent holes. Fig. 4 is a cross section through the plug, showing the beer or other
liquid.
The plug, A, is made of wood or metal, but preferably of metal and is formed at its
upper end with a hollow, B, and projecting stud, C, to engage with the key, D, said
key being formed with a hexagon or other suitably shaped aperture E.
The plug, A, is retained in position in the stock, F, (which is of ordinary construc-
tion) by means of the hollow screw-piece, G, adapted to screw into the stock at H.
If, however, preferred the portion, G, may be made integral with the stock, F; the
plug being held in position by a suitable screw cap upon the upper portion of the
stock.
At a short distance from the top of the plug, A, are the vent-holes, I and J,
which as shewn in Fig. 3. are formed at right angles to one another. These said
vent-holes I, J, are adapted to coincide alternately with an aperture, K, in the
stock, F, when the plug, A, is turned by the key, D). It is an essential feature
that the vent-holes I, J, should be at a higher elevation than the aperture, K, inasmuch
as any liquid which might find its way into the vent-holes may freely run off without
choking the ways. When the plug, A, is turned a half revolution, the vent-hole, J,
will coincide with the aperture, K, and the vent-hole, I, will coincide with the
aperture, in which is inserted a tube, carrying an india-rubber, flexible, or other
tubing, M. The far end of the india-rubber, flexible, or other tubing being attached
to a vent-peg, N, a free air passage is ensured, when said vent-peg is inserted into
the top of the barrel.

page_text: The plug, A, is formed with beer-ways, O, and P, which are formed at right angles
to one another as shewn in Fig. 4. Said beer-ways, O, P, are adapted to coincide
alternately with the beer-way, Q, in the stock, F.
The hexagon or other shaped aperture, E, in the key, D, is for the purpose of
fitting over the nut, R, formed on the screw-piece, G, and which enables the
key, D, to be used after the manner of a wrench for unscrewing the screw-piece, G.
By the arrangement of the vent-holes and beer-ways, the tap is so constructed
that when the liquid in the barrel or cask is forcing, the liquid may be drawn
without opening the vent, and this is effected by giving the key only one quarter
turn; but by turning the key one half-way round, both the vent passage, and the
beer- or liquid-ways will be simultaneously opened. A half revolution of the key
will completely shut off the flow of liquid and the vent to the inside of the barrel
or cask.
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
1st. The combination, with the stock, I, of the plug, A, having vent-holes, I
and J, said vent-holes formed at right angles and adapted to coincide with the
apertures, K and L, of the beer- or liquid-ways, O and P, formed at right angles
and adapted to coincide with the aperture, Q, and of the screw-piece, G, formed
with the nut, R, made to fit the aperture, E, and having the screw thread at its
upper portion, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
2nd. The combination with the tap, having the plug, A, and screw-piece G, of
the flexible or other tube, M, fitted in the aperture, L, and attached to the vent-
peg, N, and of the vent peg, N, attached to the flexible tube, M, and made to
fit the vent-hole in the barrel, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth.
Dated thi. 7th 1
1000