Tapping apparatus for golden gate type beer keg openings

Claim 1

A tapping apparatus for beer kegs having a golden gate type dispensing opening, said opening consisting of an annular stepped sleeve integrally formed with said keg and including a reduced diameter opening at the axially inner end thereof communicative with said keg, an internally threaded portion at the axially outer end thereof, and an intermediate diameter internal smooth bore portion disposed therebetween, said smooth bore portion and said reduced diameter opening defining therebetween an annular shoulder at the axially inner end of said sleeve, the tapping apparatus comprising: a removable keg unit, adapted for slidable disposal into said keg, comprising a stepped annular member including a plurality of external smooth bore portions of different diameter disposed axially along said member and an annular flange disposed thereon between selected one of said portions, said annular member having a diameter at one end thereof for insertion into said keg which is less than the diameter of said reduced diameter opening, said annular flange having a diameter less than that of said intermediate smooth bore portion of said sleeve, with the axially outer end of said annular member having a diameter less than that of said threaded portion of said sleeve and forming a stepped annular space therebetween, said annular flange adapted for movement into sealing engagement toward said annular shoulder, sealing means disposable between said flange and said shoulder to provide a fluid tight seal for said keg unit in said dispensing opening, said keg unit further comprising a liquid passage extending axially therethrough and terminating in an axial opening at each end for draining beer externally of said keg, a gas passage extending axially therethrough and terminating in an axial opening at each end for admitting gas to the interior space of said keg, said liquid passage opening and gas passage opening disposed side by side and valve means disposed in said gas and liquid passages for opening and closing said passages; and a separate stepped annular coupling member, including a smooth annular stepped bore, adapted for slidable disposal over said keg unit and engagement with said annular flange, and having a first external threaded portion for disposal in said annular space between said annular sleeve and said annular member and engagement with said internal threaded portion of said sleeve for removably securing said keg unit in said sleeve, and a second external threaded portion of reduced diameter for engagement with a keg tapping unit, said keg unit being adapted to be held stationary with respect to said keg opening during tightening of said coupling member.