Improvements in Supply-controlling Taps or Cocks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1896-Accepted, 29th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Supply-controlling Taps or Cocks.
I JAMES JOSEPH WHITBY, of 31, Holly Street, Dalston, Dairy Farmer, 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:-
This invention relates to taps or cocks and has for object to provide a tap or
cock more especially for use with a milk-supply churn, in which tap or cock a
simple upward movement of a plunger valve will open same, the closing of the
cock or tap being effected in an automatic manner by gravitation.
And in order that this my said invention may be the more readily understood
and carried into practical effect, I have shewn same upon the accompanying sheet
of illustrative drawings wherein :-
Fig. 1. is a view of the complete tap or cock partly in section, and
Fig. 2. an elevation of same applied to a milk-supply churn.
Referring to the drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corre
sponding parts in both figures, a is the barrel of the tap or cock, which tapers
toward the bottom a'. A branch a projects from the lower part of the barrel a,
such branch being inclined as shewn, and screw-threaded at a³ sc as to screw into
the churn b, or the like.
This branch a constitutes the supply-pipe, and I preferably locate the point of
connection between same and the barrel a, almost immediately above the outlet a¹,
for a purpose that will hereinafter be pointed out.
Within the barrel a of the tap or cock is arranged a plunger valve c capable of
a free vertical movement within such barrel a, the said plunger valve being
substantially of the form shewn, and either solid or hollow for a part of its
length as shewn at c. In the latter case I recess the sides to form openings
through which any of the liquid which may be carried up by the said plunger
valve, can drain off.
The narrow portion of the plunger valve passes through an opening of
suitable size in a screw-cap d which closes the top of the barrel a, such narrow
portion being surmounted by a comparatively heavy knob or its equivalent c³.
The screw-cap d may have a milled periphery for convenience in turning same
with the fingers, or the periphery can be of hexagonal or other convenient form
(Fig. 2) to allow of a wrench or the like being employed to screw or unscrew
such cap.
In operation, the plunger valve c is raised, when it is desired to withdraw the
liquid from the vessel b, which action unseats the said plunger valve and allows
the liquid to flow out through the outlet a¹.
By having the supply opening near the bottom of the tap-barrel as before-
mentioned, the plunger valve need only be raised a short distance off its seat.
When the required quantity of liquid is withdrawn, the plunger valve c is
released, and falls down to its normal position or reseats itself, thereby instantly
shutting off the supply of liquid, as will be readily understood.
I do not confine myself to the precise construction of the tap or cock, shewn, but
may modify same in various ways that may readily suggest themselves, without
departing from the spirit of my invention.

page_text: 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 :-
1. The improvements in supply-controlling taps or cocks, substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore described and set forth by the drawings.
2. In a valve or cock, the employment of a plunger valve of either hollow or
solid construction, in conjunction with an approximately vertical barrel having the
outlet at the bottom, and closed at the top by a screw-cap having a central
opening, through which the top of the plunger or valve projects, said barrel
having an inclined supply branch communicating with the liquid-containing vessel,
all substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 7th day of July 1896.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.