Improved Rack for Drying or Airing Clothes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 11th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 24th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Rack for Drying or Airing Clothes.
I, JOHN BENJAMIN WEST, the younger, of Edmund Street, Seedley, Salford,
in the County of Lancaster, Pattern Card Maker, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is designed to provide a light portable and ornamental rack upon
which to spread clothes for the purpose of airing and drying and one which can
also be folded into small compass when required to be packed.
It consists essentially of a rack constructel of bamboo cane with a number of
longitudinal bars and two (or more) cross bars the longitudinal bars being so
attached to the cross bars that they can turn or swivel thereon so that they may be
placed to lie flat together and the whole suspended from pulleys affixed to a ceiling
or other convenient support to permit of the rack being raised or lowered as may
be required.
In carrying out the invention I take a number of bamboo canes and place them
from about four to five inches apart on two (or more) cross pieces also of bamboo
so as to form the rack. These are secured by screws passed through them with a
washer between them-or otherwise by suitable clips or the like to allow of a
swivelling movement. This swivelling movement or attachment permits of the
longitudinal pieces of bamboo being placed or laid close together without detaching
or separating them so that the rack may be folded into small compass for the
convenience of packing or storing.
In large sized appliances a second rack similarly constructed may be suspended
by a cord or chain below the first one.
A cord chain or the like is attached to the rack extending above its upper side
and two (or more) pulleys of suitable construction are affixed to a ceiling beam or
other support.
The cord or chain is passed over the pulleys and the rack is suspended therefrom
and may be raised or lowered thereby and secured at any distance from the floor
or ground.
Dated this 9th day of July 1895
Improved Rack for Drying or Airing Clothes.
I JOHN' BENJAMIN WEST Junior of 57 Edmund Street, Seedley, Salford in the
County of Lancaster Manufacturer of Domestic Appliances (formerly Litho-
grapher) do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention is designed to provide a light portable and ornamental rack, upon
which to spread clothes for the purpose of airing or drying and one which can also
be folded into small compass when not in use or when required to be packed.

page_text: It consists essentially of a rack constructed of bamboo canes, with a number of
longitudinal bars, and two cross bars, the longitudinal bars being so attached to
the cross bars that they can turn or swivel thereon so that they may be placed to
lie flat together and the whole suspended from pulleys affixed to a ceiling or other
convenient support to permit of the rack being raised or lowered as may be
required.
Figure 1 is an exterior view shewing rack in position.
Figure 2 is an exterior view shewing rack closed.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation shewing swivelling joint.
Figure 4 is an end elevation part in section shewing method of securing cords
to rack.
-
Each part in the above figures is represented by the same reference letter.
In carrying out the invention I take a number of bamboo canes A and place
them from about four to five inches apart on two cross pieces B, one at each end,
also of bamboo, so as to form the rack. These are secured by screws C being
passed through a hole at the end of the longitudinal bars A and firmly screwed
into the cross bars B, with a washer D, between them so as to allow of a free
swivelling movement. This method of fixing together permits of the longitudinal
pieces of bamboo being closed together without detaching or separating them so
that the rack may be folded into small compass Figure 2 for the convenience of
packing or storing away when not in use.
Cords E for suspending the rack are attached to the cross bars B in the following
manner: A hole F is bored into the cross bars about four inches from each end,
as far as the hollow in the bamboo, the cord is then passed through the bored hole
and hollow, to the end of cross bar. It is then knotted G and drawn back against
the bored hole out of sight being thus secured without showing the knot, the cord
is slipped also over each end of cross bars to make doubly secure H.
The rack is then 'balanced by holding this cord about centre where a loop J is
tied so as the rack will hang level when suspended from ceiling pulleys.
A small narrow strip of iron K, with a hole made through each end is fixed on
one of the central bars A, near cross bar B and can be slipped over the head of
screw L Figure 1, on cross bar B to keep the rack open when suspended.
In large sized appliances a second or more racks similarly constructed may be
suspended by cords below the first one.
Two or more pulleys of suitable construction are affixed to a ceiling beam or
other support.
A cord is passed over them and tied through the loops J, of cords
already attached to cross bars. The rack may be raised or lowered thereby and
secured at any distance from floor or ground by fastening cord on a cleat hook
which should be fixed in a convenient position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. I claim the method of securing the longitudinal bars with the cross bars with
screws and washers to allow of a free swivelling movement substantially as set
forth.
2. I also claim the arrangement of a strip of iron attached to longitudinal and
cross bars to keep the rack open when in use substantially as set forth.
3. Again I claim the method of securing the suspending cord to the cross bars
substantially as set forth.
Dato this plot day of ML 1000
JOHN BENJAMIN WEST, JUNIOR,
57 Edmund Street, Seedley, Salford.