IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINES USED FOR WASHING, WRINGING, AND MANGLING, PART OF WHICH PROVISIONAL SPFICATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Bradford, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
MACHINES USED FOR WASHING, WRINGING, AND MANGLING, PART OF WHICH
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Bradford at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th November 1881.
" IMPROVE-
THOMAS BRADFORD, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINES USED FOR WASHING, WRINGING,
AND MANGLING, PART OF WHICH INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHURNS."
The improvements that relate more especially to washing machines consist of a
rectangular or other shaped washing vessel with a solid partition extending its
entire length, thereby forming two compartments; the vessel itself I propose to
fit with a water-tight lid or cover of a peculiar construction hereafter described.
The longitudinal division, which I propose to make of wood or metal, is a fixture
and perfectly plain, an open space for the flow of washing ley being left directly
under this division, and also a similar space directly over this division and under
the lid. At right angles with the plain division 1 propose to place a series of deep
corrugations that is equal to the depth of the space left between the bottom of the
division and the bottom of the vessel, and between these corrugations the washing
ley will flow from one division of the vessel to the other, the linen remaining in
the compartment in which it is placed.
I propose to construct the lid in such a way that it will fill up the spaces
between the top, inside of the washing vessel, and the upper edge of the plain
division, so that while it allows the water or washing ley to flow freely from one
division to the other the linen is retained in the compartment in which it is
placed.
The improvements relating more especially to churns consist of a similarly
constructed vessel with a similarly formed plain division made of wood, or other
suitable material, but differing from the washing machine in this respect, that the

page_text: space between the upper and lower sides of the interior of the washing vessel and
the upper and lower edge of the division are left quite open and perfectly clear
of any obstruction, so that the hand can be passed through at any part. When a
rotating motion is given to the vessel by hand or other motive power, this central
division or fixed louvre being in the centre of motion coincident with the two
centres upon which the vessel revolves, causes a remarkably easy and most effective
churning agitation, differing entirely from that of any other churn hitherto made;
and, further, in addition to exercising this effective agitation, also accomplishes in
a more efficient manner than hitherto obtained the collection and solidification of
the small granulations of butter as they form during the churning process. I also
propose to adapt to the washing machine a novel arrangement of reversing gear by
which the washing compartment, or vessel or vessels, can be made to move a given
number of revolutions in a forward direction, and then to reverse a given number
of times in a backward direction. For this purpose I key or fix upon the axle of
the washing vessel a worm driving a worm wheel (or a bevil or spur pinion driving
a bevil or spur wheel); and upon the upper or outer face of the wheel I have pins,
projections, or cams so arranged that in revolving they act against the lower arm
of a lever and cause it to oscillate upon its central stud. This lever is connected
to the driving strap or straps, and on the upper end thereof is an oblong box or
receiver containing a cannon-ball, shot, or rolling weight. As soon as the lever is
carried past the centre in either direction by either of the pins, projections, or
cams on the worm, bevil, or spur wheel, the ball rolls from one end of the box to
the other, and by its additional weight assists the lever in moving the strap or
straps from one pulley to the other. And thus, as the pins, projections, or cams in
revolving move the lever first in one direction and then in the other the direction
of revolution of the washing vessel is changed likewise, and according to the ratio
between the worm, bevil, or spur pinion and its relative wheel this change takes
place only once.in any given number of revolutions.
I further propose to apply a similar reversing motion to two or more rollers for
wringing, mangling, and calendering machines.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Bradford in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th May
1882.
THOMAS BRADFORD, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINES USED FOR WASHING, WRINGING,
AND MANGLING, PART OF WHICH INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHURNS."
That part of my Invention which relates more especially to the construction of
washing machines will be readily understood on reference to the annexed Drawing,
in which Fig. 1 is an elevation (drawn partly in section), Fig. 2 a plan view, and

page_text: Fig. 3 a view of one end of a washing machine constructed according to my
Invention; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the washing vessel detached.
The machine consists principally of a rectangular or other shaped washing
vessel a, a, with a solid partition b, b, extending its entire length, thereby forming
two compartments A and B. The vessel itself I fit with a water tight lid or
cover c, c, of a peculiar construction hereinafter described.
The longitudinal partition b, b, (which I make of wood or metal) is a fixture
and perfectly plain, an open space for the flow of the washing ley being left
directly under this partition, and also a similar space directly over this partition
and under the lid. At right angles with the plain partition b, b, I place a series of
deep corrugations d, d, the depth of such corrugations being equal to the depth
of the space left between the bottom of the partition b, b, and the bottom of the
vessel a, a, (see Figs. 1 and 4), and between these corrugations d, d, the washing
ley will flow from one division or compartment of the vessel to the other, the
linen remaining in the compartment in which it is placed.
The lid is constructed of a plain board with segmental pieces of wood fixed
transversely to its under side, so that when placed in position, as shown in Fig. 1,
the segmental pieces rest upon the upper recessed edge of the partition, and thus
divide the space left above it in the manner shown in Fig. 1, so that while the
water or washing ley is allowed to flow freely from one division or compartment
to the other the linen is retained in the compartment in which it placed.
The further object of the space above the partition and under the lid is to allow
of a sufficient opening being left for the free introduction of the hands and arms
and for the ready removable of the linen from either compartment of the washing
vessel.
In adapting this part of my improvements to churns I leave the recesses or
spaces above and below the longitudinal partition (which I make preferably of
wood) quite open and unimpeded by any obstruction so as to allow of the contents
of the one compartment passing freely to the other, and so as to allow of the hanű
being readily inserted. Or I may make the partition as a removable piece and
slide it down between angular supports fixed within and to the ends of the
churning vessel. Fig. 5 shews a longitudinal section of the churning vessel with
the plain fixed partition p, having clear openings q above and under it. Fig. 6
shews a perspective view of a plain removable partition recessed at the top and
bottom, and being shewn in position between its supports. Fig. 7 represents a
similar view except that the partition is here shewn as made with louvres at right
angles to the axis of rotation of the churn and so reversed as to cause converging
currents of the milk being churned from the one compartment to the other in
which such currents meet. Such louvres may however be made parallel with the
axis of rotation of the churn. Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of the churn with
the louvre partition in position.
This arrangement of partitioning the churning vessel with a removable central
partition combines the advantages of the transversely fixed partition shown in
Fig. 5 and of the vertical partition made in three removable pieces, as I have hitherto
constructed churns. There are several advantages derived from this improved
method of constructing the churning vessel with a single central removable and
changeable partition in lieu of with three removable pieces, as it more readily
allows of the plain partition being placed for churning cream, and of the louvre
partition being placed for churning milk, and it allows of the churning vessel being
more readily cleaned, which is a matter of great importance, and it further allows
of the churn being made with a much larger opening for the lid than is usual, as
shown in Figs. 5 and 8, and this gives still greater facilities for cleansing and for
all other purposes in which access to the interior of the churning vessel is required,
and is thus an important advantage.
Thus when the churning vessel is rotated by hand or otherwise the improved
partition causes a remarkably easy and most effective churning agitation differing
entirely from that of any other churn hitherto made, and further in addition to

page_text: exercising this effective agitation also accomplishes in a more efficient manner
than hitherto obtained the collection and solidification of the small granulations of
butter as they form during the churning process.
I also adapt to the washing machine a novel arrangement of reversing gear by
which the washing compartment or vessel can be made to move a given number of
revolutions in a forward direction, and then to reverse a given number of times
in a backward direction. For this purpose I key or fix upon the axle e, e, of the
washing vessel a worm f, f, driving a worm wheel g, g, or a bevil or spur pinion
driving a bevil or spur wheel.
Through the centre of this wheel (which is tapped with a screw thread) passes
a screw h, h, the upper end of which is made with a slotted head i, i, in which
works a pin attached to a fork k, k, keyed upon a rocking bar 1, 1, on which is also
keyed a lever m, m. This lever is connected to the driving strap fork n, n, and
on the upper end thereof is an oblong box or receiver o, o, containing a cannon
ball, shot, or rolling weight. As soon as the lever m, m, is carried past the centre
in either direction by the action of the screw h, k, the ball rolls from one end of
the box o, o, to the other, and by its additional weight assists the lever m, m, in
moving the strap or straps from one pulley to the other. And thus as the wheel g, g,
in revolving moves the lever first in one direction and then in the other, the
direction of revolution of the washing vessel is changed likewise, and according to
the ratio between the worm bevil and spur pinion and its relative wheel this
change takes place only once in every given number of revolutions.
Instead of employing a screw working through the boss of the worm wheel the
lower end of the lever m, m, may be acted upon by pins, projections, or cams
attached to the face of the worm wheel or to the bevil or spur wheel, as the case
may be.
I further propose to apply a similar reversing motion to two or more rollers for
wringing, mangling, and calendering machines.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention,―
First. The improved construction of washing vessel and lid as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the Drawing annexed.
Secondly. The modifications of the same herein before described and illustrated
by the Drawings annexed as applicable to churns.
Thirdly. The improved construction of periodical reversing apparatus for washing
machines as hereinbefore described and illustrated; and
Fourthly. I claim the same as applied to the rollers of wringing, mangling, and
calendering machines.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Bradford, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty third day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
THOMAS BRADFORD.
(L.S.)