Improvements in Washboards.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washboards.
I, JAMES TAYLOR SARGENT Manufacturer, residing at 1194 East Madison
Avenue in Cleveland, in the County of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio, and United
States of America, 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:-
The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in rubbing faces
for washboards, and consists, generally stated, in so arranging the projections
which form the rubbing face, that the hands of the operator are caused to move
transversely of the rubbing face at the same time that they move vertically, and
it further consists in constructing the rubbing face of the washboard with a series
of bulb-like projections or swells having their apices depressed.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this Specification,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a washboard having my improved rubbing
face;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the rubbing face;
Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, showing a modified structure
of the rubbing face, having V-shaped ribs arranged between the rows of
projections;
Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 4, showing a further modifi-
cation of the rubbing face, in which the bottoms of the depressions or recesses
in the swells or projections are perforated;
Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a washboard, showing a further modification in
the form or construction of the projections forming the rubbing face;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the construction shown in Fig. 7, the plane of
section being indicated by the line x-x, Fig. 7; and
Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a portion of a rubbing face showing a further
embodiment of my invention.
In the practice of my invention, the frame of the washboard is constructed in
the usual or any suitable manner. In the zinc or other metal sheet forming the
rubbing face, raised portions in the form of swells, projections, crimps, or ribs, are
formed by stamping or rolling. The raised portions in the middle of the sheets
are arranged in lines or rows horizontally, or approximately at right angles to the
direction of movement of the hands of the operator, as shown in Figs. 3 to 9
inclusive. Raised portions at the sides of the sheets are arranged in lines or
rows, inclining upwardly from the ends of the horizontally raised portions.
It is preferred to construct the raised portions in the form of a series of bulb-
like projections or swells 1, having their apices forced inwardly, thereby
forming depressions or pockets 2, whose walls increase the effective area of the
rubbing face. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the bottoms of the depressions in the
swells or projections may be perforated. This construction of the swell or
projection affords the same effective rubbing area as the swell or projection
having the imperforated depression, and in addition thereto, provides an effective
drainage.
It is preferred to arrange the bulb-like projections or swells as shown in
Fig. 3, .e., in a series of rows, the rows in the middle portion of the sheet
being arranged approximately at right angles to the direction of movement of
the hands of the operator, while the end portions of the rows are inclined
upwardly. In order to further increase the rubbing surface, V-shaped ribs 3,

page_text: may be arranged between adjacent rows of the conical swells or projections, and
approximately parallel therewith.
As shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the arrangement of the raised portions, whereby
the double movement of the hands of the operator may be obtained, can be carried
out by means of a series of ribs 4, which are approximately V-shaped in cross
section. The upper wall of the rib 4, or that one facing the head of the board, is
given a comparatively sharp inclination, while the lower wall is considerably
longer, and its inclination is much less than that of the upper wall. In the lower
walls are formed a series of scallop like depressions 5, deepest at their lower
ends. The formation of these depressions produces a series of short, vertical
ribs 6, between adjacent horizontal ribs. The rubbing area is further increased
by the formation of a series of angular depressions 7, in the apices of the ribs 4,
thereby dividing the ribs 4 into series of angular knobs or projections.
In Fig. 9, is shown a series of pyramidal swells or projections 8, arranged in
rows, the middle portions of which are horizontal, or approximately so, while the
end portions of the rows have an upward inclination.
By reason of the upward inclination of the end portions of the rows of projec-
tions or raised parts, the hands of the operator, as they move down the board, are
caused to move towards each other, and as they move up the board or rubbing face,
are caused to separate. This transverse movement will be effected without the
conscious exertion on the part of the operator.
While preferring to arrange the bulb-like swells or projections in horizontal and
inclined rows, as described, such arrangement being, as I now believe, the most
effective, the bulb-like projections or swells having depressions or recesses in their
apices, and the bottoms of said depressions or recesses being perforate or imper-
forate, may be arranged as shown in Fig. 1, i.e., in horizontal rows, the bulbs or
projections in one row being in line with the spaces between such bulbs or
projections in adjacent rows. In other words, so much of the invention as
relates to the formation of a rubbing surface, by means of bulb-like projec-
tions or swells, is not limited to any specific arrangement of such swells or
projections.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A rubbing face for washboards provided with raised portions which in the
middle of the sheet are arranged in horizontal lines or rows, and at the sides of the
sheet are in lines or rows inclining upwardly from the ends of the middle lines or
rows, substantially as set forth.
2. A rubbing face for washboards provided with a series of bulb-like projections
or swells having their apices depressed, substantially as set forth.
3. A rubbing face for washboards provided with a series of bulb-like projec-
tions or swells having their apices depressed and perforated, substantially as set
forth.
4. A rubbing face for washboards having a series of bulb-like projections or
swells and V-shaped ribs or crimps, the swells or projections having depressed
apices and arranged, in horizontal rows in the middle portion of the sheet and at
the sides of the sheet in rows at an angle to the middle rows, V-shaped ribs or
crimps being arranged between the rows of swells or projections, substantially as
set forth.
5. A rubbing face for washboards having a series of bulb-like projections or
swells arranged in rows, and a series of alternating ribs or crimps, the swells or
projections having their apices depressed, substantially as set forth.
Dated the Second day of March, A.D. 1896.
JAMES TAYLOR SARGENT.