An Improved Apparatus for Tilting and Emptying Liquid Measures.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 12th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 21st Sept., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Tilting and Emptying Liquid
Measures.
We, ALFRED EMERSON JANES, of 5, Crofton Road, Camberwell, and HENRY
ARTHUR RULE, of Addington Villa, Addington Square, Camberwell, in the
County of Surrey, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
Our invention relates to the tilting and emptying of liquid measures, such for
example as the measures generally used by publicans for retailing small quantities of
spirit and similar liquids, and has for its object the provision of means whereby the
chance of spilling the liquid in serving it to the customer, is greatly lessened, and
much time is saved in operating the measure; in addition to which the measure
cannot be mislaid, or damaged by falling on the ground, and when not in actual
use it serves as a catch for any drops which may escape from the supply tap.
To carry our invention into effect, we attach a hanging bracket of suitable shape
and construction to the supply tap of the vessel from which the liquid is to be
drawn. This bracket which we preferably attach to that portion of the supply
tap which enters the vessel, has two arms, disposed one on each side of the vertical
centre line of the tap, each arm terminating in a suitable bearing, so formed that a
ring, central between the two arms, and having two trunnions, can be rotated in
the said bearings. Into this ring we firmly fix a publican's spirit measure.
preferably fix the measure by means of two spiral springs, one end of each being
attached to the mouth of the measure and the other ends to the trunnions, but we
may fix it in any known suitable manner.
We
One of the trunnions previously mentioned, preferably the one on the right hand,
is elongated, and projects sufficiently beyond its bearing to allow of a hand wheel
or handle being placed thereon, in order to enable the measure to be tilted over
when filled, and its contents turned into a glass, held by the operator to receive it.
The point at which the ring with its projecting trunnions is fixed to the measure,
is so situated that when empty, the measure will hang with its mouth uppermost
under the spout of the supply tap, in readiness for re-filling.
To ensure the measure returning promptly to its normal position again when
emptied, a weight is placed under the bottom of the measure. This also tends to
steady the turning action, and acts as a check against any tendency on the part of
the operator to turn over the measure too suddenly.
We have found that it is often necessary to have a bracket so constructed that
the measure can be adjusted in position with regard to its distance from the spout
of the supply tap; the reason for this being that a bracket and the trunnion
bearings made in one piece would only suit taps of certain dimensions. In order to
be able to fit the same bracket to any tap, and in every case to have the same
distance between measure and spout, we may construct a bracket in the following
manner :-
Fixed to the back portion of the tap, where it abuts on the main supply
vessel, we attach a piece of metal of any suitable shape, having its underneath
portion in the form of a horizontal sleeve or tube. Through this sleeve or tube
is passed a piece of metal rod, of round section, the protruding pieces of rod
at each end of the tube being equal in length. Each protruding piece is now

page_text: bent at right angles to the before-mentioned tube or sleeve, thus forming the
two arms of the supporting bracket. The said sleeve or tube is provided with
1 set screw or its equivalent, which permits of the arms of the bracket being fixed
when set to any desired angle. On each of the sloping arms of the bracket
which are straight, is fitted a clip, these clips being so constructed, that their
position along the arms may readily be altered. The upper portions of these
movable clips are provided with plain bearings, in which the trunnions of the
before-mentioned supporting ring can freely rotate. It is obvious, therefore,
that by altering the angle of the bracket to the horizontal, and also the position
of the clips on the bracket arms, the turning or tilting axis of the measure can
be brought into its correct position relatively to the spout of the supply tap ;
thus, taps varying in size and pattern may easily be fitted with this attachment.
We do not confine ourselves to constructing an adjustable bracket as already
stated, but may make a bracket, the arms of which consist of two pieces of flat or
rectangular section, having slots cut at intervals on their upper surfaces in which
the before-mentioned trunnions can rotate.
Dated this 4th day of April 1895.
ALFRED EMERSON JANES.
HENRY ARTHUR RULE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Tilting and Emptying Liquid
Measures.
We, ALFRED EMERSON JANES, of 5, Crofton Road, Camberwell, and HENRY
ARTHUR RULE, of Addington Villa, Addington Square, Camberwell, in the
County of Surrey, Engineers, 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 :-
Our invention relates to the tilting and emptying of liquid measures, such for
example as the measures generally used by publicans for retailing small quantities
of spirit and similar liquids, and has for its object the provision of means whereby
the chance of spilling the liquid in serving it to the customer, is greatly lessened,
and much time is saved in operating the measure; in addition to which the
measure cannot be mislaid, or damaged by falling on the ground, and when not
in actual use it serves as a catch for any drops which may escape from the
supply tap.
And in order that our invention may be the better understood, we now proceed
to describe the same, reference being had to the drawings hereunto annexed, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus, showing it fitted to the tap of an
urn of the pedestal type.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus, showing it fitted to the tap of an
urn of the hanging type.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of the adjustable bracket, showing supporting sleeve
for bracket-arms, sliding clips on same, and set screw for maintaining bracket-arms
at any desired angle.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 7 is a front elevation of one of the clips, showing set screw for maintaining
clip in any desired position on the bracket-arm.
Figure 8 is a front elevation of a bracket in which the angle of the arms is fixed,
having slots cut at intervals in the arms.

page_text: Figure 9 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 10 is a front elevation of a bracket made in one piece, having a slot at
the extremity of each arm.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 12 is a front elevation of trunnion-ring and measure, with hooked springs
for securing the measure in position.
Figure 13 is a front sectional elevation of trunnion-ring and trunnions, measure,
adjustable spring hooks for securing measure in position, detachable weight for
bringing measure to its normal position, and hand-wheel for tilting and emptying
measure.
Figure 14 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 15 is a plan of the detachable weight.
To carry our invention into effect we pass the back or spigot portion of the tap
which enters the main supply vessel A, through the hole B of a tongue of metal C,
the lower part of which tongue terminates in a sleeve D. The tongue portion C
abuts against the flange of the tap, after the spigot has been passed through. The
tongue C has two prongs E E which enter the bung of the vessel, thus preventing
any side movement of the bracket. The sleeve. D has a hole F through which
passes a rod, which is afterwards bent so as to form the bracket-arms G G, said
bracket-arms being of equal length. The sleeve D is provided with a set screw H,
thus allowing the angle of the arms to be varied and afterwards fixed in position.
Each of the arms G is provided with a clip J, the arms passing through holes K
(Figures 5 and 6). The upper portions of the clips J J form bearings LL, in
which the trunnions M M, forming part of the trunnion-ring P, can freely rotate
when actuated by the hand-wheel N. The lower portion of each clip J is split
(Figure 7), so that on tightening the screw O, the clip firmly grips the rod or
arm G, and is thereby prevented from shifting.
It will thus be seen that by varying the angle of the bracket-arms, and also the
position of the clips on the arms, the measure Q which is held by the trunnion-
ring P and hooks S S, can be brought into its correct position, relatively to the
spout of the tap. By these means this bracket can readily be applied to
taps of various shapes and sizes. In the case of a larger quantity of liquid
being required, the set screw H is loosened, whereupon the bracket-arms G G
together with the measure Q, swing back, thus allowing of free access to the spout
of the tap.
In Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings, we show a bracket in which
the angle of the arms, which support the before-mentioned trunnions and ring, is
fixed. In this form the tongue-piece C through which the spigot portion of the
tap passes, terminates at its lower extremity in a slot B'. Into this slot is inserted
a strip of metal G', which is bent so as to form the arms G' G. At intervals
along each of the arms and opposite to each other, we form slots G2 G*. In
these slots the trunnions M M rotate when actuated by the hand-wheel N.
In Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings, we show a bracket in
which the part C and bracket-arms G G are constructed in one piece, slots G' G³
being formed at the extremities of the arms, in which the trunnions M M rotate.
The internal diameter of the trunnion-ring P is turned to a taper, so as to
fit the sloping sides of the measure Q. To prevent the measure from falling out
of the ring, when tilted over in the act of emptying, we employ two springs T T
(Figure 12), their upper extremities terminating in hooks S S which hook into the
measure Q, while their lower extremities are attached to the trunnions M M, one
spring to each trunnion. On pulling the springs T T upwards the measure can be
withdrawn from the ring P.
In Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings, an alternative arrange-
ment of springs for retaining the measure Q in position in the ring P is shown.
In this arrangement we employ two rods RR, one on each side of the measure.
These rods which pass through the trunnion ring P, have their upper portions
terminating in hooks S S, their lower portions being formed. with a screw thread.

page_text: These hooked rods R R are provided with springs T¹ T' which abut against the
underneath part of the trunnion-ring P, the screwed parts of the hooked rods being
provided with nuts U U, which, when screwed up compress the springs T¹ T
thereby causing the measure Q to be firmly pressed into the trunnion-ring P. By
these means a measure of greater or less capacity-or in other words, a measure
varying in its length from top to base-can be put into the same trunnion-ring, the
difference in length being taken up by screwing the nuts U U, up or down, according
to whether the measure required to be used is larger or smaller than the one which
is already in use. To release the measure from the hooks S S, to allow of cleaning,
or of inserting one of different size, the hooked rods R R are pushed up from
underneath, thereby further compressing the springs T¹ T', in consequence of which
the hooks S S are lifted and released from their engagement in the mouth of the
measure, allowing the same to be easily withdrawn.
In order that the measure may quickly regain its normal position under the tap,
ready for refilling, we place a circular detachable weight V in the recess at the
bottom of the measure Q. This weight is in two separate halves. In the centre
of the entire weight, formed of the two halves, is a taper hole having a female
thread, into which engages a taper screw W. On screwing up the taper screw W,
the two halves of the said weight are pressed against the sides of the before-
mentioned recess of the measure Q, and are thereby prevented from falling out.
On unscrewing the screw W, the two halves of the weight fall out, and can easily
be placed in the under recess of a measure of different capacity, if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1st. In an apparatus for tilting and emptying liquid measures, a hanging bracket
having a tongue-piece through which passes the back or spigot portion of a tap,
said tongue-piece terminating in a sleeve, bracket-arms adapted to swing in said
sleeve which is provided with a set screw (for securing the bracket-arms at any
desired angle), sliding clips on said arms having their lower portions split, screws
for drawing said split parts together (for securing clips on bracket-arms in any
desired position), upper portions of said clips having bearings in which trunnions
carrying a trunnion-ring central in position between said swinging bracket-arms can
rotate, said trunnion-ring containing and supporting a measure, said measure being
turned over by a hand-wheel situated at the end of one of said trunnions which is
elongated beyond its bearing, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2nd. In an apparatus for tilting and emptying liquid measures, a hanging bracket
having a tongue-piece through which passes the back or spigot portion of a tap,
said tongue-piece terminating in a slot, a flat strip of metal inserted in said slot and
bent (so as to form the two arms of bracket), slots cut at intervals in said arms in
which slots the trunnions of a trunnion-ring central between the said bracket-arms
can rotate, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3rd. In an apparatus for tilting and emptying liquid measures, a hanging bracket
having the arms and that central part which connects the arms made in one piece,
the back or spigot portion of a tap passing through said central connecting part,
said bracket-arms having bearings one at the end of each arm in which the trunnions
of a trunnion-ring central between the said bracket-arms can rotate, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
4th. In an apparatus for tilting and emptying liquid measures, a trunnion-ring
containing and supporting a measure, said trunnion-ring being internally tapered
(to fit sloping sides of measure), springs for holding measure in said trunnion-ring,
the upper ends of said springs hooking on to the mouth of said measure, the lower
ends of said springs being attached to the trunnious, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
5th. In an apparatus for tilting and emptying liquid measures, a trunnion-ring
containing and supporting a measure, hooked rods hooking on to the mouth of said

page_text: measure, said rods passing through trunnion-ring, also said rods passing through
spiral springs, which spiral springs abut at their upper ends against the underneath
part of said trunnion-ring and abut at their lower ends against compressing nuts
screwed on to the lower ends of said hooked rods substantially as and for the
purposes described.
6th. In an apparatus for tilting and emptying liquid measures, a weight fitted
into the recess at the bottom of a measure, said weight being formed in two halves,
having a central taper tapped hole, and having a taper screw for engaging in said
hole, substantially as and for the purposes described.
7th. In an apparatus for tilting and emptying liquid measures, prongs attached
to the tongue-piece of a bracket, said tongue-piece abutting against the flange of
the back or spigot portion of a tap, said prongs penetrating the bung of the supply
vessel, substantially as and for the purposes described.
8th. The general combined arrangement and construction of parts forming our
improved apparatus for tilting and emptying liquid measures, substantially as
hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawings annexed.
Dated this 12th day of September 1895.
ALFRED EMERSON JANES.
HENRY ARTHUR RULE.