IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS, VALVES, AND STOP-COCKS
Year: 1874

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert George at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th March 1874.
I, ROBERT GEORGE, of 24, New Street, and of 57, Wylds Lane, in the
City and County of Worcester, Mechanist, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS, VALVES, AND STOP-COCKS,"
to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in the construction of high-pressure
taps and stop-cocks for general purposes, by which means the fluids or
vapours are brought in contact with an air vessel communicating with
the supply, and the inward waterway at the lowest point or nearest the.
inlet. This air vessel encircles the working part of the tap and forms

page_text: part of the same. The screw brass valve or leather washer is brought
to its facing by means of a screw or lever, which opens communication
with the waterway and the compressed air in air vessel, which is effected
by means of the screw descending and receding from the one side of its
facing proportionally as it advances towards the other side, so that the
tap being screwed down leaves a full waterway open to supply any
number of branch pipes after passing. This tap is supplied with an
additional outlet at right angles with the full waterway, and com-
municating with the same above the seating, so that fluids may be
drawn from these taps at will without stopping the supply to others
beyond, and by reversing the screw the compressed air and pressure of
the fluid in air vessel effectually seals the inlet, and the tap is then a
perfect stop tap, as also a bib tap at will, so that the glands, stuffing
box, screw, lever, blood valve, or leather can be removed, renewed, and
replaced without turning off any other stop tap on the service pipe, or
wasting fluid during the operation, effecting the same by the aforesaid
means, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
My improvements further consist in so constructing taps to gauge
quantities supplied by converting. that portion of the tap used as an air
vessel in No. 1 into a measuring chambers, either singly or combined
with others, into which the fluid passes, by which means I determine the
exact quantity required at sight, and dispense with the necessity for
separate measures, guages or funnels usually applied for such purposes,
so that when you turn the tap back the quantity will pass ready
measured into the vessel direct from the tap, and by reversing the tap or
turning it in an opposite direction you can use the same as an ordinary
spirit or water tap to supply a continual stream at will, effecting the
same substantially as herein set forth.
Thirdly. My improvement in taps consists also in converting the air
vessel referred to into double chambers for the purpose of graduating
the temperature, quantity, and pressure of hot and cold water supplied
to baths by bringing the two streams in opposite direction, and com-
munication with the passage through the working parts of the tap at
right angles with the outlet, so that by moving the lever to a graduated
index the water will pass at any temperature required.
And in hot water range taps the fluid is passed through the air vessel,
and upwards through the inside of the working parts of the tap, and is

page_text: brought in contact with the outlet at right angles with the inlet to
prevent fluids lying in contact with the working surface of the tap,
either when in use or at rest, so to prevent leakage from friction or
oxodization, substantially as and for the purpose herein declared.
screw,
Fourthly. My improvements further consist in so constructing "draw
off" or bib taps for public use, by which means they are "automatic"
or self-acting stop taps. I effect this by means of a lever attached to a
which forms the handle to open the tap, weighted to overbalance
the pressure and friction of the tap, operating on a double cone or flat
surface stop valve or valves, or on either side of its seating, and com-
municating with the air vessel on the one side only. To open the tap I
raise the lever to a perpendicular line; when left in that position the
pressure of water and the compressed air in the air vessel will close it,
and if the lever be passed beyond its perpendicular it will close the
valve on the opposite side of its seating and stop the water as effectually
as upon the other side. The water in either case being in direct contact
with the air vessel prevents static resistance, reduces the momentum,
and prevents strain from reacțion; and these taps admit of all necessary
repairs without turning off the street main or, separate stop taps in the
service pipe, effecting the same substantially as and for the purposes
herein described.
Fifthly. My improvement in taps for steam purposes consists
principally in safety and blow-off taps so constructed as to prevent the
probability of steam boiler explosions. I effect this by means of a
double valve or valves seating in the same or opposite direction in taps
furnished with one inlet and two outlet, which may after passing either.
valve unite in one passage in the tap or pipes attached thereto. The
inlet communicates with an air vessel, and the combined pressure of air,
water, and steam is brought between the two valves tending to force
them in opposite directions. Beneath the one valve is placed a fusible
disc, cone, or plug, stopping the one outlet, and held in its position by
the pressure of water and steam above it, as also by the lower valve
when screwed against it. These valves are governed by means of a
differential screw worked by wheel or handle, which when turned in either
direction will carry them to or from their separate seatings, so closing or
opening this outlet. By turning this screw backwards to double the
distance necessary to open the outlet for the passage of water or steam
the inner valve is brought to the inside of the outer seating, thereby

page_text: closing this outlet from the inside, by which means the working parts of
this tap may be removed, repaired, and restored while the pressure is on..
The use of the second outlet closed by the fusible disc is to prevent an,
explosion of the boiler in event of the water becoming too low, in
which case the increased heat generated would fuse the plug or disc,
thus opening a passage for water and steam, which would escape into
the blow-off pipe in the same direction as when under control. A
communication may also be made between this tap and the water line in
the boiler and steam chamber, and by means of a fusible plug at these
points may be made to act as a danger signal, and by means of which
the gases generated in the boiler be liberated, this Invention effecting
the above substantially as and for the purposes hercin described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Robert George.in the Great Scal Patent Office
on the 17th September 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
GEORGE, of 24, New Street, and of 57, Wylds Lanc, in the City and
County of Worcester, Mechanist, send greeting.
f
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Robert George, Her special licence
that I, the said Robert George, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Robert George, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others; from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TAPS, VALVES, AND STOP-COCKS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Robert George, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
scals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said

page_text: cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert George, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in the construction of high-pressure
taps and stop-cocks for general purposes, by which means the fluids are
brought in contact with the air vessel communicating with the supply,
and the inward waterway at the lowest point or nearest the inlet. This
air vessel encircles the working part of the tap and forms part of the
same. The screw brass valve or leather washer is brought to its seating
by means of a screw or lever, which opens communication with the
waterway and the compressed air in air vessel, which is effected by
means of the screw descending and receding from the one side of its
seating proportionately as it advances towards the other side, so that the
tap being screwed down leaves full waterway open to supply any
number of branch pipes after passing. This tap is supplied with an
additional outlet at right angles with the full waterway, and com-
municating with the same above the seating, so that fluids may be
drawn from these taps at will without stopping the supply to others
beyond, and by reversing the screw and the compressed air and pressure
of the fluid is equally certain and the motion positive in its action upon
the inlet as upon the outlet. The compressed air and the pressure of
the fluid effectually seals the inlet, and the tap is then a perfect stop
tap, as also a bib tap at will, so that the gland, stuffing box, screw, lever,
plug, outlet valve, or leather collar can be removed, renewed, and
replaced without turning off any other stop tap in the service pipe, or
wasting fluids during the operation, effecting the same by the aforesaid
means substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
My improvements further consist in so constructing taps to gauge
quantities supplied by converting that portion of the tap used as an air
vessel into a measuring chamber, either singly or combined with others,
into which the fluid passes, by which means I determine the exact
quantity required at sight, and dispense with the necessity for separate.

page_text: measures, gauges, or funnels usually applied for such purposes, so that
when you turn the tap back the quantity will pass ready measured into
the vessel direct from the tap, and by reversing the tap or turning it in
an opposite direction you can use the same as an ordinary spirit or water
tap to supply a continual stream at will, effecting the same substan-
tially as herein set forth.
Thirdly. My improvement in taps consists also in converting the air
vessel referred to into double chambers for the purpose of graduating
the temperature, quantity, and pressure of hot and cold water supplied
to baths, lavatorics, &c., by bringing the two streams in opposite
directions, and communicating with the passage through the working
parts of the tap at right angles with the outlet, so that by moving the
lever to a graduated index the water will pass at any temperature
required.
And in hot water and range taps the fluid is passed through the air.
vessel and upwards through the inside of the working parts of the tap,
and is brought in contact with the outlet at right angles with the inlet
to prevent fluids lying in contact with working surface of the tap when
at rest, so to prevent leakage from friction and oxidization from chemical
action, substantially as and for the purpose herein declared, for which
purpose also I enamel the whole of the internal parts and prevent water,
spirits, or acids lying in contact with any metallic substance of which
these taps are composed.
Fourthly. My improvements further consist in so constructing "draw
off" or bib taps for public use, by which means they are "automatic"
or self-acting stop taps. I effect this by means of a lever attached to a
screw, which forms the handle to open the tap, weighted to overbalance
the pressure and friction of the tap, operating on a double cone or flat
surface stop valve or valves on either side of its seating, and communi-
cating with the air vessel on the one side only. To open the tap I raise
the lever to a perpendicular line; when left in that position the pressure
of water and the compressed air in the air vessel will close it, and if the
lever be passed beyond its perpendicular it will close the valve on the
opposite side of its seating, and stop the water as effectually as upon
the other side, the water in either case being in direct contact with the 3
air vessel prevents static resistance, reduces the momentum, and prevents
strain from reaction, and these taps admit of all necessary repairs.

page_text: without turning off the street main or separate stop taps in the service
pipe, effecting the above substantially as and for the purposes herein
described. Or by preference I dispense with weights and bring tho
pressure above the surface of the valve, and is operated upon at the base
of the outlet.
Fifthly. My improvement in taps for steam purposes consists
principally in safety and blow-off taps, so constructed as to prevent the
possibility of steam boiler explosions. I effect this by means of a doublo
valve or valves scating in the same or opposite directions in taps
furnished with one inlet and two outlets, which may after passing either
valve unite in one passage in the tap or pipes attached thereto. The
inlet communicates with an air vessel, and the combined pressure of air,
water, and steam is brought between the two valves tending to force
them in opposite directions. Beneath the one valve is placed a fusible
disc, cone, or plug, stopping the one outlet, and held in its position by
the pressure of water and steam above it, as also by the lower valve
when screwed against it. These valves are governed by means of a
differential screw worked by wheel or handle, which when turned in
either direction will carry them to or from their separate seatings, so
closing or opening this outlet. By turning the screw backwards to
double the distance necessary to open the outlet for the passage of water
or steam the inner valve is brought to the inside of the outer seating,
thereby closing this outlet from the inside, by which means the working
parts of this tap may be removed; repaired, and restored while the
pressure is on. The use of the second outlet closed by the fusible disc
is to prevent an explosion of the boiler in the event of the water
becoming too low, in which case the increased heat generated would
fuse the plug or disc, thus opening a passage for water and steam,
which would escape into the blow-off pipe in the same direction as when
under control. A communication may also be made between this tap
and the waterline in the boiler and steam chamber, and by means of a
fusible plug at these points may be made to act as a danger signal, and
by means of which the gasses generated in the boiler be liberated; this
Invention effecting the above substantially as and for the purposes herein
described.
My improvement in bib taps for general purposes consists, firstly. in

page_text: fluids may be drawn from this tap at will without stopping the supply
to others, but by bringing up the valve E to its seating, which is double
the distance as required to draw fluids from the motion, is then equally.
certain and positive upon the inlet as upon the outlet, and the tap is
then a perfect stop. tap (as Fig. 3) as also a bib tap at will, or that the
gland, stuffing box, screw, lever, outlet valve, or leather collar can be
removed and replaced without turning off any stop. tap in the service_
pipe, or wasting, fluid from the supply during the operation, as the
compressed air and pressure of the fluid in, the air vessel effectually'
keeps the inlet sealed. Figures 7 and 8 shew a modified application of
the same; and 9, 10, and 11. At 9 and 10-are shown sections of the
air vessel encircling the working parts of the tap, and forming part of
the same. Fig. 11 is a screwed spindle carrying two discs; brass
valve or leather washers E and C are joined together by means of the
screw C in valve E sliding in guide plug E, F, Figure 9.
:
Having thus described the nature and object of this my Invention, I
declare that what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
ι
First. The mechanical application of air vessel or chamber which
encircles the working part of the tap and forms part of the same, by
which means the fluids or vapours are brought in contact with the
inside and outside of the working parts of the tap at one and the same
timc.
Secondly. I claim its application in gauge locks, cither single or
combined with others for gauging quantities at sight.
Thirdly. The construction of and mechanical arrangements of parts
for governing the temperature, quantity, and pressure supplied.
Fourthly. The air vessel or measuring chamber and its application to
taps, valves, and stop-cocks, by which means I open the inlet when I
O close the outlet, or vice versa.
Fifthly. The mechanical combination of and arrangements of parts
for preventing fluids or vapours lying in contact with the working
surface of taps, valves, and stop-cocks while in a state of rest.
Sixthly. The mechanical contrivance of and arrangement of parts
5 for combining stop and bib taps in one and the same tap.

page_text: Seventhly. The combination of and arrangement of parts for pre-
venting the upward and downward motion to the key or handle when
operating the valves.
And, Eighthly. The mechanical contrivance of and arrangements of parts
for self-acting or automatic stop, bib, and ball-cocks, by which means I 5
dispense with spring, weights, glands, stuffing boxes, screw, collar,
packing rings, and leather washers usually applied for such purposes, all
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the Drawings,
or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof T the said Debash