An Improved Self-closing Tap.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Self-closing Tap.
I, JOHN WILLIAMS, of 107 Great Dover Street, Southwark, London S.E.,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the construction of taps for drawing fluids from casks
and other vessels, or pipes charged with fluids; and the object of my invention is
to render the same self-closing, by which the loss and annoyance, arising from
accidentally leaving taps running, is prevented, and the drawing of Huids is
facilitated.
In carrying out my invention I fit a spiral or a volute spring to the large end of
the ordinary rotating plug, and cover in the same with a suitable cap. The axis
of the plug may be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. Suitable studs or other stops
are added, so as to limit the rotation of the plug to 90° or thereabouts.
In applying my invention to screw-down taps, the springs are arranged to effect
the necessary number of turns to the valve or plug.
Stuffing boxes and packing, or other well known devices for the prevention of
leakage, are fitted (when necessary).
By the application of my invention, the operator has merely to turn the handle,
and hold the tap open until the necessary amount of fluid has been withdrawn.
On leaving the handle to itself the spring immediately turns the spindle, plug, or
equivalent appliance, and thereby shuts off the supply automatically.
Dated 30th October 1893.
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Self-closing Tap.
I, JOHN WILLIAMS, of 107 Great Dover Street, Southwark, London S.E..
Engineer, 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 relates to self closing taps for drawing fluids from casks and other
vessels, or pipes charged with fluids, and the object of my invention is to effect
improvements in the construction of such taps.
În carrying out my invention, I fit a spiral, volute, or other spring to the large
end of the ordinary rotating plug, and cover in the same with a suitable cap. The
axis of the plug may be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. Suitable studs or other
stops are added, so as to limit the rotation of the plug to 90 degrees, or there-
abouts.
In applying my invention to screw-down taps, the springs are arranged to effect
the necessary number of turns to the valve or plug.
Stuffing boxes and packing, or other well known devices for the prevention of
leakage, are fitted (when necessary).
In using my improved tap, the operator has merely to turn the handle and hold
On leaving
the tap open until the necessary amount of fluid has been withdrawn.
the handle to itself, the spring immediately turns the spindle, plug, or equivalent
appliance, and thereby shuts off the supply automatically.

page_text: And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an elevation ;
Fig. 2 an elevation, partly in section; and
Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are detail horizontal sections.
6 is the body of the tap, the upper part of which is recessed to form an annular
chamber to receive the spring 7. One end of this spring is attached to a stud,
screw, staple, or the like, at 8, and the other end is attached to a pin, hook, or
equivalent device 9 (Fig. 4) attached to the plug 10.
Referring to Fig. 3, 11 is a screw attached to the base of the chamber for
limiting the rotating of the plug 10 to 90 degrees. The plate 12 (shown in Fig. 2
and by dotted lines in Fig. 3) is fixed to the plug, and so formed as to allow the
plug to be turned 90 degrees.
In Fig. 4 a plate 13 is shown fixed to the plug 10, the plate 13 being formed
with shoulders to come in contact with two stop screws 11, 11; which screws may
also be utilised for retaining one end of the spring.
In Fig. 5 a plate 14 is shown fixed to the plug, the plate 14 having 3 projections,
one of which is employed to limit the rotation of the plug by contact with the two
stop screws 11, 11.
The plates 12, 13, and 14, or equivalent devices, are also utilised to limit the
downward tendency of the plug, so as to prevent its becoming set, or jammed, and
to secure its freedom to revolve by the action of the spring. For this purpose a
circular lip 17 is formed in the chamber, (preferably formed of phosphor bronze).
This lip sustains the plate and the plug, and thereby secures the free action of the
plug.
'
Another method of securing this freedom of action consists in forming an
annular shoulder at 15 (shown in Fig. 2 by dotted lines) which rests upon the wall
of the chamber and sustains the plug; the upper part of the cap being separated
at 16, so as to form a convenient lock nut. The cap and nut revolve with the
spindle and plug.
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 :-
The improved self-closing tap, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
Dol
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