IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Woolfall, of Blackburn, in the County of
Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Woolfall at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd February 1880.
THOMAS WOOLFALL, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster.
IN WASHING MACHINES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention relates to that class of washing machines in which a dasher or
dolly is employed in performing the washing operation, and consists in an improved
arrangement of mechanism for actuating the dasher or dolly, whereby a more perfect
action is ensured.
In carrying out my Invention I mount a toothed pinion on the top of the dasher
shaft working in a toothed rack, this rack being suitably guided and connected by
means of a connecting rod to an adjustable crank on a suitable shaft, to which
revolving motion is imparted by bevilled gearing from the main driving shaft.
I am thus enabled to work the dasher more perfectly than has hitherto been
practicable, and with an adjustable motion.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Woolfall in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd
August 1880.
THOMAS WOOLFALL, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster.
IN WASHING MACHINES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention relates to that class of washing machines in which a dasher or
dolly is employed in performing the washing operation, and consists in an improved
arrangement of mechanism for actuating the dasher or dolly, whereby a more
perfect action is ensured.
And in order that this my said Invention may be more readily understood and
carried into practical effect, I have hereunto annexed a Drawing illustrative of my
improvements in washing machines, and will now proceed to describe the same,
reference being had to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a front view (partially broken to shew the internal construction) of a
washing, wringing, and mangling machine with my improvements applied.
Fig. 2 is a front view (similarly broken) of a washing-machine shewing another
modification of my improvements; Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of Fig. 2 across the
line α-b.
In carrying out my Invention I mount a toothed pinion A. on the top of the
dolly or dasher shaft B, which works with its lower extremity in a foot-step B¹, and is
thus capable of being lifted out of position so as to remove the dolly from the
machine when required. This toothed pinion A gears with a toothed rack C (seen
separately in Fig. 4), which is suitably guided in the cross head D, and provided
with an anti-friction roller E to ensure a more easy to and fro motion.
In the case of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1 I connect this toothed rack C
by means of a connecting rod F with a crank pin G, which is capable of being
adjusted to the greatest nicety in the slot H, formed in the crank I, and affixed in
position by the screw and nut J. This crank I being affixed at one extremity of a
shaft K, to which revolving motion is imparted (through bevil gearing, as
illustrated) by turning a winch handle L affixed to the Hy-wheel M, this fly-
wheel M and the bevil pinion N being mounted so as to revolve upon the main
driving shaft O, whilst the bevil pinion N gears with the bevil wheel Q, as
illustrated.
The action of this machine is as follows:-By turning the winch handle L
revolving motion is imparted to the shaft K, which, in its turn through the crank I,
imparts reciprocating or to and fro motion to the toothed rack C, and consequently
gives the desired revolving motion to the dolly or dasher shaft B in alternate
directions.
In the case of the machine illustrated in Fig. 2 the toothed rack C is caused to
reciprocate by being connected to a hand lever R, to which a to and fro motion is
imparted by the hand of the operator, but, if desired, this modification could also be
worked by a winch handle, as in Fig. 1, by modifying the bevil gearing accordingly.
It will be observed that in both the arrangements herein before described I am
enabled to work the dolly or dasher of washing machines with an adjustable motion
and in a more perfect manner than bas hitherto been practicable.
Instead of connecting the toothed rack to a revolving crank-pin the same could be
traversed to and fro by a mangle rack and pinion movement, but this I should
consider a modification of my Invention.
Having thus particularly described the nature of my said Invention, together
with the best methods with which I am acquainted for carrying the same into

page_text: practical effect, I wish it to be understood that the improvements are applicable to
all classes of washing machines employing dollys or dashers, and that I do not
confine myself to the precise details, relative proportions, or dimensions of the
various parts of the washing machines hereinbefore described and illustrated on the
accompanying Drawing, as the same may be considerably varied without departing
from the Invention, but what I do claim is,-
The improved mechanism for actuating the dolly or dasher of washing machines,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Woolfall, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
THOMAS WOOLFALL. (LS.)