GB2272878A - Apparatus for tilting a container - Google Patents

Abstract

A base 10 is supported on a level surface by legs 12 having adjustable feet 14. A support frame 18 is pivotally mounted on the base to receive a beer barrel or similar container, and a spring 24 acts to tilt the support frame 18 as the barrel empties. The base is provided with hinge members 46 for pivotal attachment to the said surface so that the base and support frame can be rotated to an upright position for loading a barrel. <IMAGE>

Description

TILTING APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for tilting a container such as a beer barrel, cask, drum or the like. The apparatus comprises a base, a support frame for receiving the container and being pivotally connected to the base for angular movement relative to the base, and spring means acting between the base and the support frame such that as the weight of the container is progressively reduced upon emptying, the inclination of the support frame increases to tip the container.

Such apparatus will be referred to below as "apparatus of the kind set forth".

BACKGROUND Apparatus of the kind set forth is disclosed in GB 603 677, GB 727 328, GB 774 520, GB 603 677 and GB 2 232 654 A.

Such apparatus is often used in public houses for tilting a beer barrel in order to increase the flow rate as the barrel empties. The tilting also ensures that all the useable contents are drawn off from the barrel, but the tilting must be gradual to ensure that any sediment in the bottom of the barrel is not stirred up.

Generally, the full barrel must be manually manoeuvred onto the apparatus, but in the case of larger barrels this is usually a job for two or more people.

It has been proposed in GB 220 816 and GB 2 203 719 A to arrange for the support frame to be tilted to a vertical position relative to the base, enabling the barrel to be directly engaged with the support frame whilst in an upright position. The barrel can then be tilted with the support frame to a generally horizontal position. This greatly simplifies the task of loading the barrel onto the apparatus, but on the other hand, there is a danger of the apparatus trapping the operators fingers when the support frame engages the base.

An aim of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide a form of tilting apparatus which allows the container to be easily loaded but which reduces the risk of trapping the hands and fingers of the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes apparatus of the kind set forth, in which the base is arranged to stand on the same level surface upon which the container also stands prior to loading onto the apparatus, and the base is provided with second pivotal connection means for pivotally coupling the base to said surface so that the base and support frame can be pivoted together to an upright loading position for engagement with the container.

The first and second pivotal connections are preferably spaced from each other, the first pivotal connection being raised above the second.

In order to further minimise the risk of the base trapping part of the body when lowered, the base preferably includes legs so that it is raised above the said surface leaving a gap beneath the base. The legs may have feet which are of adjustable height for levelling purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view of barrel tipping apparatus of the invention, and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The apparatus comprises a rectangular base frame 10 which is supported on a floor or other substantially level surface by legs 12 arranged at the four corners of the frame. The legs include screw-adjustable feet 14 for making small levelling adjustments to the base.

At one end of the base frame 10 there are two spaced upstanding pivot arms 16 which receive one end of a generally rectangular support frame 18 located above the base frame 10. Spaced, transversely extending cradle bars 20 and 22 are upstanding from the upper surface of the support frame 18, on which a beer barrel can rest. The support frame 18 is pivotally connected to the pivot arms 16, and a coil spring 24 acts between the base frame 1 and the support frame 18 to move the support frame from a generally horizontal position as shown in Fig. 2 to an upwardly inclined position as shown in Fig. 1.

A bar 26 projects from one end of the support frame, between the pivot arms 16, to carry a pair of C-shaped hook members 28. The hook members are mounted on a slide 30 (Fig. 2) which is slidably received on the bar 26 and can be locked in position on the bar by a clamping screw 32. At the opposite end of the support frame 18, a further C-shaped hook member 34 is slidably received in a guide 36 secured to the underside of the frame 18. A detent pin 38, secured to the support frame 18 by a chain or similar element 40, can be inserted through the guide 36 and any one of a series of holes 42 in the hook member 34, to hold the hook member in position. The spacing between the hook members 28 and 34 can thus be adjusted for different size barrels.

The legs 12 adjacent to the pivot arms 16 are provided with a hinge member 46 for attachment to the floor or other substantially level surface on which the base stands in use. To load a barrel onto the apparatus the base and support frames 10, 18 are pivoted to an upright position about the hinge 46, and the hook members 28 and 34 are adjusted to engage the top and bottom rims of the barrel. The apparatus is then returned to a horizontal position about the hinge 46.

During this process the base 10 can be held by the operator, and since it is raised above the ground by the legs 12 there is no danger of trapping the hands or feet. As the barrel is emptied the reducing weight allows the spring 24 to urge the support frame 18 away from the base 10 to an upwardly inclined position.

A safety ratchet 48 is pivotally coupled to the side of the support frame 18 to engage a pin 50 on the base 10 under gravity. The ratchet allows upward pivotal movement of the support frame, but prevents downward movement unless manually rotated out of engagement with the pin 50. This prevents the support frame and barrel from bouncing on the spring 24 when partially emptied.

It will be appreciated that the same effect could be achieved by a frictional engagement between the base and support frame, e.g. within the pivotal connection ofsarms 16, or by a dashpot or other damper connected between the suport frame 18 and base 10.

The apparatus could be used with any barrel-like cask, drum or other similar container.

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus of the kind set forth, in which the base is arranged to stand on the same level surface upon which the container also stands prior to loading onto the apparatus, and the base is provided with second pivotal connection means for pivotally coupling the base to said surface so that the base and support frame can be pivoted together to an upright loading position for engagement with the container.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the second pivotal connection means is mutually spaced from the first pivotal connection between the base and the support frame, and, when the base stands on the said surface, the second pivotal. connection means is disposed at a lower level than the first pivotal connection.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the base is provided with legs which raise the base above the said surface leaving a gap beneath the base.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, in which the legs have feet which are of adjustable height.

5. Apparatus substantially as described with reference to the drawings.