Improvements in Taps for Casks and the like.

27,027. Chaplin, M. J. Dec. 27. Tapping.-Taps for beer casks and the like are connected to the casks by the insertion of the discharge pipes. The tap comprises a barrel 4, Fig. 2, the small lower section of which passes easily through the annular flange 3 of the bushing 2. The tubular projection 5 is fitted with a nipple 6 to be connected to the source of pressure. On the outside of the barrel is a sleeve 7 with an enlarged lower end and an internal rib 8, which is forced downwards by the screw cap 10 to compress the gasket 9. Two locking- members 12, Fig. 7, with inclined flanges 13 are supported by the shoulder 11, remaining normally in an inclined position so that the projections 14 on their lower ends do not project through apertures in the lower section of the top barrel 4. The weight of the gasket seat 15, which has a peripheral groove and radial holes 16 to admit the compressed gas, and of the gasket 17 further serves to hold the locking-members in this position. When the tap is to be used, the cork closing the bung-hole is partly pushed in by the tap, the discharge pipe 19, Fig. 3, is inserted to complete this and force the locking-members outwards till the projections 14 engage the underside of the flange 3, and the joints between the tap and the cask and the tap and the pipe are tightened by means of the cap 10.