IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR TILTING BARRELS, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE AS A GAUGE TO TEST THE QUANTITY OF LIQUOR DRAWN THEREFROM
Year: 1876

page_text: 55
LETTERS PATENT to John Jennison, of Wilmslow, in the County of Chester, for
the Invention of IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR TILTING BARRELS, WHICH
APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE AS A GAUGE TO TEST THE QUANTITY OF
LIQUOR DRAWN THEREFROM."
Sealed the 4th July 1876, and dated the 2nd February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Jennison at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd February 1876.
JOHN JENNISON, of Wilmslow, in the County of Chester. "IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR TILTING BARRELS, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE AS A GAUGE TO
TEST THE QUANTITY OF LIQUOR DRAWN THEREFROM."
This Invention consists principally of a spiral spring attached to the rafters of
the cellar or other place, and connected to the barrel by means of a sling and two
hooks. The spring is so suspended and of such a strength that the weight of the
full barrel will distend it to its full length. The lower end of the spring carries a
pulley, over which passes a cord or sling. Each end of this cord or sling is provided
with a hook, one of which catches the forward end of the staves, and the other the
rear end.
The spring is suspended over the rear end of the barrel, and the result is
that as the barrel becomes lighter by the withdrawal of its contents the spring
gradually collapses or draws itself together, raising up or tilting the rear end of the
barrel in proportion as the contents are withdrawn.
It will be obvious that by enclosing the spring in a case and connecting an index
to the lowermost coil of the spring the contracting of the latter as the weight
diminishes may be readily made to indicate the weight of the barrel, and couse-
quently the number of gallons left in the barrel at any time.
It will be evident that other forms of spring may be used in substantially the
same manner for this purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Jennison in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st July 1876.
JOHN JENNISON, of Wilmslow, in the County of Chester. " IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR TILTING BARRELS, WHICH APPARATUS IS ALSO APPLICABLE AS A GAUGE TO
TEST THE QUANTITY OF LIQUOR DRAWN THEREFROM."
This Invention consists principally of a spiral spring attached to the rafters of the
cellar or other convenient place, and connected to the barrel by means of a sling and
[Price 4d.]

page_text: two hooks. The spring is so suspended and of such a strength that the weight of
the full barrel will distend it to full length. The lower end of the spring carries a
pulley, over which passes a cord or sling. Each end of this cord or sling is provided
with a hook, one of which catches the forward end of the staves, and the other the
rear end. The spring is suspended over the rear end of the barrel, and the result is
that the barrel becomes lighter by the withdrawal of its contents, the spring gradually
collapses or draws itself together, raising up or tilting the rear end of the barrel in
proportion as the contents are withdrawn.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention I will now proceed to
describe in detail the mannor in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, and in order that the same may be clearly understood
I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have marked
the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the
following explanation thereof:-
Fig. 1 in the annexed Drawing is a side elevation showing the application of my
Invention to a full barrel; and Fig. 2 shows the same when the barrel is nearly
empty, and tilted to its full extent.
a, a, is the barrel supported on a stillage b, b, to which are attached uprights c, c,
supporting a horizontal rod d, d, upon which the spiral springs e, c, are hung, or
they may be attached to the rafters of the cellar if preferred. To the lower end of
each of the springs e, e, is attached a pulley f, over or round which passes a cord or
sling g, g, each end of which carries a hook h, h', for grasping the front and rear
ends of the staves. The rear hook h¹ carries a guide pulley i, under which the
cord g, g, passes, and also a catch k taking into the teeth on a notched bar l, l,
which assists in holding the barrel steady when tilted, and prevents it from swaying
up and down.
It will be obvious that by enclosing the spring e, e, in a case, and connecting an
index to the lowermost coil of the spring the contracting of the latter as the weight
diminishes may be readily made to indicate the weight of the barrel, and conse-
quently the number of gallons left in the barrel at any time.
It will also be evident that other forms of spring may be used in substantially
the same manner for this purpose.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention I wish it to be
understood that I claim, the combination for such purposes of a spiral or other
spring, with a cord or sling and hooks, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated by the Drawing annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Jennison, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witnessed by
JOHN HUGHES,
Cierk to Geo. Davies, C.E.,
Patent Office,
4, St. Ann's Square,
Manchester.
JOHN JENNISON. (L.S.)