GB2271550A

GB2271550A - Automatic tilting barrel stand.

Info

Publication number: GB2271550A
Application number: GB9221467A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas John Major; Michael John Cooper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-13
Filing date: 1992-10-13
Publication date: 1994-04-20
Also published as: GB9221467D0

Abstract

A barrel stand has, attached to a base by-a pivot; a tilting frame on which a full barrel is positioned. As liquor is drawn off and the weight decreases a spring 9 raises the frame until prevented from further movement by nut 11, positioned on spindle 10. The position of the nut can be adjusted on the spindle, and this determines the final position of the frame. Minimises the wastage of beer, etc., from the barrel. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC TILTING BARE$ STAND This invention relates to sn automatic tilting barrel stand with finite adjustment to exactly control the percentage of ullage.

In commercial premises barrels for liquor are supported on an immobile base so that the barrel lies horizontally.

The liquor is drawn off until the level of the liquid is below that of the tap, which is situated in the end of the barrel. This means tht a quantity of liquor is wasted - i.e. thc liquid below tap level.

Attempting to manually tilt the barrel and place wedges beneath the rear of the barrel often results in sediment mining with the liquor.

According to the present invention there is provided a tilting barrel stand comprising a rectangular base frame with adjustable legs, a rectangular frame superposed on the base with means to attach the front of the frame near the front of the base with a pivot, means at the front and rear of the frame to prevent the barrel sliding forwards or rolling sideways, means to raise the rear of the frame automatically as the contents of the barrel are drawn off, being adjustable to determine the final Dosition of the near-emty bnrrel, and hence the amount of ullage.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in hitch: Figure 1 shows in profile the stand as it would be with a full barrel in position.

Figure 2 shows the stand as it would be with near empty barrel in position.

Figure 3 shows the front of the stand.

Figure 4 shows the rear of the stand.

Referring to the drawings the stand comprises a rectangular frame base I with adjustable legs 2 (the legs being adjustable by, for example, a screw thread turning into the base).

A rectangular frame 3 is attached near the front of the base with a pivot 4. The barrel rests on top of the frame 3 and a fixture 5 at the front end of the frame prevents the barrel from sliding forwards, and fixtures 6 prevent the barrel from rolling sideways, these fixtures being situated at the front and rear of the frame.

A socket shaped protusion 7 on the rear of the frame 3 corresponds to a socket shaped protusion 8 on the rear of the base I. Between these protusions a spring 9 is insetted, held in place by a spindle IO which passes through the spring and. each protusion. The spring is secured by a nut II and washer I2 at the bottom, and by two nuts I3 at the top (one nut being inside the socket shaped protusion 7 and not short).

"hen a full barrel is placed on the frame the spring is compressed and the frame 3 is horizontal. As liquid is withdrawn and the barrel becomes lighter the spring extends, pushing the rear of the frame 3, and hence the rear of the barrel upwards. By adjusting the nut II the final position of the barrel cnn be dotermined and hence the amount of ullage.

Claims

I. A tilting barrel stand comprising a rectangular base frame with adjustable legs, a rectangular frame superposed on the base with means to attach the front of the frame near the front of the base with a pivot, means at the front and rear of the frame to prevent the barrel sliding forwards or rolling sideways, means to raise the rear of the frame automatically as the contents of the barrel are drawn off, being adjustable to determine the final position of the near-empty barrel, and hence the amount of ullage.
2. A tilting barrel stand as claimed in Claim I wherein expandable means is provided to raise the rear of the superposed frame as the weight on the frame decreases.
3 A tilting barrel stand as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the expendable means is provided at the rear of the stand remote from the pivot.
4. A tilting barrel stand as claimed in any previous claim wherein is means to arrest the movement of the expandable means.
5. A tilting barrel stand as claimed in any previous claim wherein the means to arrest the movenient of the expandable means is adjustable to determine the final position of the frame.
6. A tilting barrel stand substantially as described herein with reference to Figures I-3 of the accompanying drawing.