GB2279136A - Apparatus for dispensing liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus 10 for dispensing liquid e.g. beer or cider comprises a frame 11 for mounting on a bar and supporting a valve or tap 17 controlling flow of liquid from a pressurized source to outlet 22. The valve 17 has as operating element 23 moved in response to movement of handle 35 via a linkage including rod 32. A friction brake 41 has a rubber member 45 which engages rod 32 to control the opening movement of handle 35 against the effect of bias spring 38. The element 23 could be cam-operated and the bias spring could be located over rod 32. A resilient cushion for the end part of the return movement can be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID THIS INVENTION relates to apparatus for dispensing liquid, for example, beer or cider.

According to this invention apparatus for dispensing liquid comprises a valve for interposing between a source of liquid and a dispensing outlet, manually operable means for opening the valve on movement of the manually operable means in one direction from a valve-closed position, biassing means for opposing the said movement, and frictional means for controlling said movement.

The manually operable means may comprise a linkage connecting a handle to means operable on the valve, said friction means engaging the linkage. For example, a resilient member may engage an element of the linkage.

There may additionally be resilient cushion means for controlling the return movement.

The biassing means may be effective throughout the movement in the one direction.

The biassing means may comprise spring means.

The biassing means may be arranged for effecting the return movement.

The invention may be performed in various ways and three specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid dispensing apparatus, with part omitted for clarity; Fig. 2 is a section of part of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a modified pump; and Figs.4a, b, c show a cam arrangement.

A pump 10 is har.d-operated and is adapted for contollingflow of fluid under pressure, for example beer or cider.

The pump 10 includes a frame 11 comprising a top 12 for resting on a bar surface 15 and threaded members 13 adjustable up and down in a frame element 14 so as to engage the underface of the bar to hold the pump 10 in position.

A tap 17 includes an inlet 18 for connection to a supply line of the fluid under pressure, for example beer in a pressurized container, and an outlet 19 connected by a flexible pipe 20 to a discharge element 21 having an outlet 22. The tap 1? includes a valve member cooperable wit a valve seat. The valve member is movable trom a datum, closed, position by an operating member 23. The valve member is biassed to the closed position b a spring in the tap 1?.

A cross-member is rotatably mounted in the frame and is in the form of a rod 24 which has an internally threaded diametral bore cooperable with a threaded stem 25 on an element 26 having a roller 27 at one end for engaging the tap operating member 23.

The stem 25receives a nut 28 so that the element 26 can be adjusted lengthwise in the rod 24 to adjust the position of the roller 27.

The rod 24 has a further threaded diametral bore which receives a threaded stem 28a of an element 29.

A nut 30 is on the stem 28a so that the element 29 can be adjusted in position relative to the rod 24.

Pivoted at 31 to the element 29 is one end of a linkage rod 32 pivoted at the other end at 33 to an arcuate member 34 connected to a main operating handle 35 pivoted to the frame at 36. The rod 32 is in two parts 32a, 32b threaded together so as to be adjust- able in length.

A further, fixed, cross-member in the frame is a rod 37. A helical tension spring 38 is connected between the rod 37 and the member 34 on axis 33.

A brake or damDer 40 is associated with the rod 32. In the example shown the brake 40 comprises a housing 41 having a peripheral groove 42 in which is closely received the rod 37. The rod 32 extends through a bore 43 in the housing 41. The bore is enlarged at the upper end to for a recess 44 and an annular rubber member 45 is received in the recess 44 and embraces the rod 32 with an interference fit. A removable cap 46 holds the member 45 in position.

When the handle 35 is pulled in the direction of arrow A to move the rod 32 upwards, rotate rod 24 and move tap operating member 23 to open the tap or valve 1?, this pull is opposed by the biassing spring 38 which, when the pull on the handle 35 is released, returns the handle 35 to the datum, tap closed posit ion. This return movement is cushioned or braked by frictional engagement of the rod 32 and the rubber member 45 so that a smooth controlled return movement is obtained for the whole return movement.

The brake or cushion may take other forms. For example a resilient buffer means could additionally be provided which is engaged by the rod 32 towards the end of the return movement to provide control. The rubber member 45 could have a serrated inner surface. The member 41 could be compressible on the member 45 to adjust the frictional grip e.g. member 41 could be split and adjustable by a screw.

The parts 25, 26, 27 act as an adjustable cam. ~ The cam may be formed as a single piece.

The cam may be arranged so that during at least an end portion of the extent of opening movement of the handle, the cam permits closure of the tap 17 after a reverse movement of the handle through a predetermined extent, which reverse movement is less than that required to return the handle to the datum or initial position.

A stop 50 is provided at an adjustable position on the rod 32 to limit the movement of the handle 35 in the valve-opening direction.

In the modified arrangement of Fig. 3, a bias compression spring 80 extends between stop 50 and the underside of housing 41; spring 38 is omitted. The spring 80 is covered or located in a telescopic tube having telescoped parts 81, 82, the upper end 83 of the lower part 82 acting as a stop which limits movement by engaging the underface of housing 41 on compression of the spring 80.

Element 29 is made of two telescoped parts to reduce any fore-and-aft movement of the housing 41 during operation of the pump.

Figs. 4a - c show an example of the cam arrangement referred to. Element 26 is replaced by a cam system 90. The cam 90 is mounted on cross-member 24 and comprises a first part 91 held on the crossmember 24 at a selected adjustable angular position by a set screw 92. A circular disc part 93 is eccentrically pivoted at 94 in a slot 95 in the periphery 97 of the part 91. A leaf spring 96 or compression spring biases the part 93 outwards of the periphery 97. The datum position is shown in Fig.4a.

A stop pin 98 limits the angular movement of part 93 in one sense about pivot 94.

As the handle 35 is moved from the initial position the cross-member 24 is rotated and the part 93 moves element 23 to open the tap 17 and dispense liquid.

If movement of the handle 35 is stopped before the handle 35 has moved through a predetermined angle, say 45 , the tap 17 remains open and is closed when the handle 35 has returned to the initial position. If movement of the handle 35 is stopped after the handle has moved through more than the predetermined angle, the tap 17 remains open but if the handle 35 is then moved back towards the initial upright tap-closed position, then after a certain angular movement, for example 60 to 150, the part 93 is moved clockwise by the spring in the tap and the tap moves to the closed position, Fig. 4c.

There may be sone play in the valve 17 so that liquid begins to flow when the member 23 has moved a small amount from the initial position.

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for dispensing liquid comprising a valve for interposing between a source of liquid and a dispensing outlet, manually operable means for opening the valve on movement of the manually operable means in one direction from a valve-closed position, biassing means for opposing the said movement, and frictional means for controlling said movement.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, the manually operable means comprising a linkage connecting a handle to means operable on the valve, said friction means engaging the linkage.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, including a resilient member engaging an element of the linkage.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, including means for adjusting the friction means.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the biassing means is effective throughout the movement in one direction.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the biassing means comprises spring means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the biassing means is arranged for effecting the return movement.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the manually operable means comprises cam means.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, in which the cam means is adjustable.