IMPROVEMENTS IN SELFADJUSTING GANTRYS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Lockwood, of Sheffield, in the County of York,
Spring Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELFADJUSTING
GANTRYS."
Sealed the 29th July 1879, and dated the 1st February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Lockwood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st February 1879.
WILLIAM LOCKWOOD, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Spring Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SELFADJUSTING GANTRYS."
This Invention relates to improvements in selfadjusting gantrys for barrels, and
has for its object the production of a simple, effective, and cheaply constructed
gantry having a selfadjusting motion to raise the barrel gradually as the contents
are drawn off; and it consists chiefly in making a light framework, by preference
of spring steel, so arranged that certain portions of the said framework being curved,
hardened, and tempered, act as springs, and gradually raise the part of the frame on
which the barrel rests as the contents are drawn off. An auxilliary spring attached
to the frame under the barrel prevents any oscillation or vibration.
The gantry being by preference made entirely of spring steel, is very durable,
light, and easily moved about.

page_text: IMPROVEMENTS IN DELFADJUSTING_UANTRYD..
My said Invention relates to the construction of selfadjusting gantrys for
gradually tilting or raising the back end of barrels of ale, beer, or other liquids as
the contents are drawn off, and it consists chiefly in constructing the framework of
the gantry of steel, so that certain portions of the said framework being curved or
otherwise suitably shaped may act as springs, which being compressed by the
weight of the full barrel exert an upward pressure, and as the barrel becomes
lighter by the withdrawal of a portion of its contents the weight is overcome by
the strength of the springs, and the hinder portion of the barrel is gradually and
proportionately tilted up, thus allowing all the contents to be drawn off.
auxilliary spring or spring-stay attached to the back of the rising part of the
frame prevents any oscillation or vibration of the barrel.
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The gantry being constructed of steel can be made very light, and therefore can
be easily moved about and is very durable.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Fig. 1 of the Drawings is a perspective elevation of a gantry constructed according
to my Invention. A, A, are the two parts of the frame from which most of the
elevating power proceeds; B, B, are the cross bars on which the barrel rests; C is
the spring stay.
Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view, but showing it compressed.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that there may be various modifications made in the shape of
the framework or the curve of the springs without departing from the spirit of my
Invention, but what I-consider to bo novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The construction of self adjusting gantrys of, steel in which certain
portions of the framework act as the elevating, springs for the purpose of tilting up
the barrel which it supports, thereby doing away with separate and distinctive
springs, substantially as described and illustrated.
Secondly. The general construction and arrangement of the parts of a selfadjusting
gantry, substantially as described and illustrated.
Thirdly. The use of a spring stay for the purpose of stopping any vibration or
oscillating movement of the barrel in combination with the spring framework,
substantially as described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Lockwood, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty first day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand.eight hundred and seventy nine.
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