Year: 1899

page_text: We, WILLIAM ROBERT STEVENS, of 20, Spring Street, Brighton, in the County
of Sussex, Carpenter, and EDWARD WHITE, of 6, Regent Court, Brighton, afore-
said, Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
Our invention relates to screw-down taps and valves and comprises the improve-
ments hereinafter indicated.
The
According to our invention the main casting or body of the tap or valve is
provided interiorly with a saucer or basin-shaped seating adapted to receive a ball
or sphere of metal, vulcanite, or other suitable material or composition.
opening forming the way or passage through the tap or valve is at the base of the
said basin-shaped seating. Directly above this seating the top lug of the tap or
valve is formed. This top lug is screw-threaded internally and with which screw-
thread the externally screw-threaded spindle of the tap or valve handle engages.
The lower extremity of the said spindle is preferably formed concave and it is
bored out centrally to receive the spindle of a saucer or basin-shaped "jumper."
The top lug of the tap or valve is screw-threaded externally and with which screw-
thread a cap engages whereby the parts of the tap or valve are held together, a
suitable washer being first interposed between the cap and the edge of the top lug.
The spindle of the "jumper" is an easy fit within the central bore of the spindle
of the handle and it will be seen that upon turning the latter no injurious friction
is placed upon the ball. At the same time the ball being retained and (when the
tap or valve is closed) compressed between two saucer or basin-shaped parts, a
very efficient and reliable closure is attained. Also it will be seen that the ball
reverses itself or turns on its axis each time the tap is used; thus there is a fresh
seating at each operation.
Dated this 14th day of January 1890

page_text: 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 invention consists of improvements in or relating to bib taps, the object
being to so arrange the tap as to provide a secure seating for a ball, or other
means of closing the valve or aperture.
For purposes of illustration we will now refer to the annexed drawings in
which-
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation shewing our invention.
a is the body of the tap which is provided with the seating or curvature 6 to
conform approximately to that of the ball c. This ball c, may be of any suitable
material, and is forced into contact with the seating b through the medium of the
curved pieced, which is movably carried in the screw piece to which the spindle
f is attached being operated by the usual thumb piece g. This spindle passes
through the stuffing box h for the purpose of preventing leakage. It will be seen,
that owing to the shape of the seating band curved piece d when the ball is being
secured in position on the seating there will be a tendency to maintain it in
its spherical shape in so far as the curved surface of the seating engages thereon,
and in the event of wear taking place upon the ball, such as a cut or scratch it
will be seen, that the ball is free to move, and may thus have a fresh surface
presented to the seating and this cut or scratch will to a great extent by repaired
owing to the compression between the seating & the piece aforesaid. The pin i is
for the purpose of maintaining the curved piece din position and allowing it
to rotate when screwing down.
b
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In bib taps of the class herein described, the combined construction, and
arrangement of the various parts substantially as described, and illustrated
herein, and for the purpose set forth.
2. In bib taps, a curved or semi circular seating adapted to receive the ball
or valve, said ball or valve being maintained on the seating when required
through the medium of a curved piece adapted to engage upon said ball, and
being carried upon a screw spindle substantially as described and illustrated
herein, and for the purpose set forth.