GB2285617A

GB2285617A - Barrel tilting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2285617A
Application number: GB9325721A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Woolley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-16
Filing date: 1993-12-16
Publication date: 1995-07-19
Also published as: GB9325721D0

Abstract

A support frame 18 for receiving a container B is pivotally mounted on a base 10 for angular movement relative to the base. A gas spring 28 acts between the base and the support frame such that, as the weight of the container is reduced upon emptying, the inclination of the support frame increases to tip the container without risk of bouncing. The support frame is coupled to the base 10 by pivot arms 14, 16 intermediate between the ends of the support frame 18, and the base and support frame are provided with a first stop 24 which determines the position of the support frame prior to tilting. A second stop 36 determines the tilted position to further reduce the risk of bouncing. Alternative allachment points 30, 38 are provided for the gas spring. <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.

BACKGROUND In public houses for example, various forms of tilting apparatus are sometimes used to tilt a beer barrel in order to remove as much of the useable contents as possible, but great care must be exercised to ensure that any sediment in the bottom of the barrel is not disturbed to cloud the beer. Once tapped, the contents of the barrel must be used within a relatively short period. Thus, if any disturbance takes place after tapping there is usually insufficient time for the contents to settle before the beer is spoiled, and the remaining contents are therefore wasted.

Existing forms of the apparatus generally include a barrel-support frame which is pivotally mounted on a base, and a conventional mechanical coil spring acts to gradually tilt the support frame and barrel as the contents are removed.

However, due to the nature of the springs which are currently used, there is a range of angles through which the support frame has a tendency to bounce, and great care must therefore be taken to ensure that such bouncing does not occur otherwise the sediment will be disturbed.

An aim of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide a form of tilting apparatus which removes, or at least substantially reduces, the risk of the contents of the container being disturbed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes tilting apparatus comprising a base, a support frame for receiving a container and being pivotally mounted on 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 reduced upon emptying, the inclination of the support frame increases to tip the container, the apparatus being distinguished by the fact that the spring means comprises a gas spring.

In this specification the term "gas spring" refers to devices of the kind which include a rod secured to a piston which moves within a cylinder. The cylinder contains a pressurised gas which is compressed by the piston when the rod and piston move into the cylinder, which in turn tends to urge the rod back out of the cylinder. The cylinder may also contain a quantity of oil to lubricate the seals. The characteristics of these devices are such that when their loading falls below a certain trigger level they will extend smoothly to tilt the support frame without risk of bouncing.

The support frame is preferably pivotally coupled to the base at a position which is intermediate between the ends of the support frame.

The base and support frame are preferably provided with first stop means which determines the position of the support frame prior to tilting.

In order to further reduce the risk of bouncing, the gas spring is preferably arranged to tilt the support frame to a position in which second stop means become engaged to prevent further tilting.

The support frame is preferably provided with alternative attachment points for the gas spring, for use with different sizes of container.

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 side elevation of barrel tilting apparatus of the invention, shown in a non-tilted condition, and Figure 2 is a similar side elevation of the apparatus shown in a tilted condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The apparatus comprises a base frame 10 of generally rectangular outline which, in use, may be mounted on a rack or other suitable support structure.

Part-way along the base frame 10 there are two spaced upstanding pivot arms 16 which support a generally rectangular support frame 18 above the base frame 10. Spaced, transversely extending cradle bars 20 and 22 are upstanding from the support frame 18, on which a beer barrel can rest. A pair of depending pivot arms 14 4 are secured part-way along the support frame 18, which are pivotally connected with the pivot arms 16 so that the support frame can move angularly above the base frame 10. The support frame can rest in a generally horizontal position on a first stop 24, mounted at the rear end of the base frame.

An arm 26 extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear end of the base frame to serve as an anchorage point for pivotal attachment of a gas spring 28. The opposite end of the gas spring is pivotally and releasably secured to a first anchorage lug 30 mounted at the rear end of the support frame 18.

The gas spring includes a rod 32 secured to a piston (not visible) which moves within a cylinder 34. The cylinder contains pressurised nitrogen gas which is compressed by the piston when the rod and piston move into the cylinder. The increased gas pressure in turn tends to urge the rod out of the cylinder.

When a barrel B is loaded onto the support frame 18, the weight of the barrel is sufficient to maintain the support frame in a horizontal position (Fig. 1), resting on the first stop 24. With small barrels manual pressure may be necessary to return the support frame to horizontal. The piston and rod are thus retracted into the cylinder, compressing the internal gas. After loading the barrel, the apparatus is left in this condition for at least 24 hours to allow the contents to clear, following which the barrel is tapped by insertion of a suitable outlet tap T. When a certain proportion of the contents have been drawn off, the loading on the gas spring will fall below the operating threshold and the gas spring will slowly and smoothly extend to tilt the support frame and barrel. The support frame will eventually come to rest by engagement with a second stop 36 mounted at the front end of the base 10.

(See Fig. 1.) The entire tilting process only takes a few seconds, and the characteristics of the gas spring are such that there is no tendency for the support frame to bounce during tilting.

The apparatus can also be used with smaller barrels, which will exert less loading on the gas spring, by releasing the gas spring from the first anchorage lug 30 and re-securing it to a second anchorage lug 38 positioned between the first lug 30 and the pivot arms 14.

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

Claims

1. Tilting apparatus comprising: - a base, - a support frame for receiving a container and being pivotally mounted on 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 reduced upon emptying, the inclination of the support frame increases to tip the container, the apparatus being distinguished by the fact that the spring means comprises a gas spring.

2. Tilting apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the support frame is pivotally coupled to the base at a position which is intermediate between the ends of the support frame.

3. Tilting apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the base and support frame are provided with first stop means which determines the position of the support frame prior to tilting.

4. Tilting apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the gas spring is arrange. to tilt the support frame to a position in which second stop means become engaged to prevent further tilting.

5. Tilting apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the support frame is provided with alternative attachment points for the gas spring.

6. Tilting apparatus substantially as described with reference to the drawings.