Improvements in or relating to Bath Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct.. 1895-Accented, 7th Dec., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Bath Apparatus.
We, MICHAEL JOHN LYONS and LEVI BEEMER, Gentlemen, domicile.],
respectively at 2723 West Serond Street, and corner Main Street and Fifty
Seventh Avenue, West Duluth and both citizens of Duluth in the County of
Saint Louis and State of Minnesota, 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
statenient :-
Our invention relates to bath brush and sponge holding and water distributing
apparatuses used as adjuncts of bathing tubs or tanks; and it consists in certain
novel means as hereinafter described, whereby a bather can, while in the bath tub,
direct water upon his body and manipulate the brush or sponge so as to thoroughly
rub the back, sides, and front of his body; the brush or sponge being supported
on a hinged, vibrating yoke within which he can turn about at will. It also
consists in certain novel means whereby the bather can, at will, apply electric
currents through the sponge to his body during the bathing operation, and thus
increase the efficiency of the bathing operation. It also consists in novel means
whereby the water is automatically shut off when the bather allows the brush or
sponge holder to assume its normal vertical position, and is let on when he adjusts
said holder to a horizontal, or nearly so, position, thereby preventing the incon-
venience of flooding the bath-room in the event of the bather forgetting to shut off
the supply of watch beer be allows the brush or sponge holder to assume a
vertical, or nearly so, position.
It also consists in certain novel details of construction, combinations, and
arrangements of parts as will appear from the following Specification and
accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the devices embodying our invention, the
yoke being raised, or vertical;
Figure 2 represents a side elevation of the same, placed in proximity to a bath
tub, the yoke being lowered, or horizontal;
Figure 3 represents a detail central vertical section through a sponge holder
which is to be substituted for the brush holder as occasion demands;
↓
Figure represents a detail top plan view of the brush clamp, the dotted lines
indicating the brush;
Figure represents a modified form of bracket support;
Figure 6 represents a support in form of a standard;
Figure 7 represents a detail side elevation of the milled joint between the
operating handle and the outer end of the yoke;
Figure 8 is a broken detail view of the brush holder; it being provided with a
perforated branch arm near the brush; in this view the lever and yoke are
adjusted to a horizontal position.
Figures 9 and 10 are detail views of a modified form of brush holder;
Figure 11 is a swivel or hinge joint connection for the yoke having an automatic
supply and cut off valve combined with it;
Figure 12 is a detail view of the stationary core or plug of the valve;
Figures 13 and 14 are sections of the valve in its two positions, shut and
onen

page_text: valve.
retan or the Dox or sent plate of the stationary core of the
Figure 16 is another detail view of the brush clamp and a portion of the yoke
with branch arm attached to it, and
Figure 17 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the
automatic cock more plainly.
A in the drawings, Figures 1 and 2, represents a bath tub B a supporting
bracket of our apparatus; a hollow yoke-carrying lever: D the hinge or
swivel connection between the bracket and the said lever, and Ea hollow
perforated yoke
The supporting bracket or standard B comprises a suitable attaching plate 6 ani
Bm, and a hollow vertical cross head, at the onter end of said arm and
rigid with the bracket. The hinge or swivel connection D is composed of two
segmental members d and . The member d is provided with a hollow stem d'
which passes loosely through the hollow cross head, and is slightly flared at
its outer end to prevent its pulling out of the same. It is also provided with a
rubber butler the office of which will be hereinafter described. This member d
remains firm with the bracket and its branch arm and the cross head, but can
turn in the cross head.
The member is similar in shape to the member d, and is provided with a screw
threaded lever attiching stem d having a water supply pipe nipple . Sail
member is provide with an adjustable stop screw or budt d which is adapted to
come in contact with the rubber buffer d', 'und thus have its movement limited.
The twe members d d are connected by a hinge bolt which passes loosely
through their respective ends and is suitably secure in position. A spiral
spring d surrounds this bolt and bears with one end npn the mind, and with
the fer un nomber d', so that any longe movement on the hinge bolt of the
member dis un ler spring tension.
The hollow lever is strewed into the stem d' at one en 1, and is provided a
the opposite end with a T pipe-joint hasing a cock therein. The respective
halves of the hollow yake E are secured in the ends of the T joint c. Said yoke E
and the joint care provided in their sides with perforations through which the
water esrapes in streams thus forming a shower bath. The outer end of one arm
of the yoke is enlarged and bifureate, and it and the inner end of the handle E
are apertured at P, and said apertured ends are milled on their inner faces and
secured together by a bolt and thutub mut e; see Figure 7.
"
It will be seen from the aforegoing that the handle E' can be turned or
adjusted on the holt by loosening the thub nut ; and the handle locked in
the desired adjusted position by again tightening the thumb nut.
Both the handle
3
and the end of the yoke carrying the same are provided with nipples around their
apertures, and upon these nipples a flexible pipe I is litted so that water is carried
from the hollow yoke to the hollow handle. The other arm of the yoke is provided
near its extremities with an enlarged apertured split head provided with lugs e
said lugs being scoured together by a bolte and thumb mut. This end of the
yoke is provided with an angular hollow perforated extension which extends
forward under the bend so that a spray is provided under the brush or sponge
that is to be clamped in said head. This extension is either rigidly attached t
the end of the yoke or may have a jointed valvular connection so that the
supply to said extension may be cut off at will by turning back said extension;
see Figures 1 and b. If the connection is valvular, the principle of construction
illustrated in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 17 may be adopted.
A scrubbing brush support F is adapted to be mounted in the split head by
means of a stud with which it is provided. This support consists of a yoke
shaped piece to the middle of which said stud is attached. The respective ends
of the yoke are provided with blocks. The block is provided with a screw
threaded aperture through which a clamping thumb bolt is passed. This bolt

page_text: is provided at its inner end with a ball which fits into a ball socket in a
clamping block; see Figures 1 and 4.
It will be seen from the aforegoing, that the block f' can have a swivel movement
against the brush that is clamped between it and the block so as to accommodate
itself to the side of said brush.
cup
A sponge cup G is also adapted to be mounted in the split head by means of a
hard rubber insulating stud with which is provided, an insulating washer-like
flange insulating the bottom of the cup from the end of the yoke. The
comprises a shallow oval cup or receptacle gl provide near its upper end with
thumb screws 2 by which a cap is secured in position. This cap is provided
with a central aperture, and side slots in order to allow said cap to be
slipped down over the edge of the cup after the sponge has been place in position.
After the cap has been secure 1 by the thumb screws g², the sponge is pulled partly
through the aperture so as to protrude outside the cap. The cup is provided
with a binding post to which one wire K of an electric ciruit is attached.
A binding post is attached to the bracket B and has connected to it the other
wire K of the circuit. It will thus be seen that when the device is in use the wet
When it is
sponge will act as the anode and the operating handle as the cathode.
not desired to use the electrical portion of our device, one of the conducting wires
is disconnected from its binding post.
The arms of the yoke are provided with short pendent flexible aprons H secured
thereto by clamps ; the peripheries of said aprons being provided with wire
stiffening so that they will remain always in the proper position to prevent the
spray from the opposite side of the yoke from being thrown onto the floor or the
walls. Any suitable water supply pipe is attached to the nipple a³.
In the modifiel form of support shown in Figure 5 the bracket comprises a
plate ma stemm secured thereto and provided with a socketed enlargement m
and thus permits the apparatus to have a lateral swivel movement.
In Figure 6 we have shown the standard form of support which is formed at its
upper end with a suitable socket for receiving the stud m². A drip cup O
Fig. 1 may be mounted on the lever C, so that when the device is in its raised
position it will catch the drip and when lowerel will discharge the same into
the tub.
In Figures 9 and 10 we have shown a construction of brush or sponge holler M
whereby water may be supplied direct to the brash in the line of the bore of the
yoke. In these views M' represents a slot for the in luction of water from the yoke
to the brush while the brush is in either a vertical or horizontal position. Mis a
cover over the brush; the back of the brush under said cover being punctured
the
with spray holes W; M³ is a stop to act against stops W on the brush to kep
slot Min brush stud M³ in line with water vent M of the brush arm. A cock
for cutting off the water from the brush may be applied to the yoke near the
brush.
In Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 and 17 we have shown a construction whereby
the supply and cut off of the water to the spraying holes and brash and sponge
can be automatically controlled. N is a stationary valve core attached to the
segmental hinge piece ; and N is a branch supply pipe commeted by one of its
ends with the yoke and formed with a valve sleeve Ninto which the valve core is
fitted. This sleeve has a hose connecting end N** below its sleeve. The valve
core N is constructed with a way N and a drain passage N; a drain passage N°
is also provided in the valve sleeve Nas shown. By turning the yoke up or
down the valve sleeve turns upon the stationary valve plug, and the supply and
cut off is controlled automatically. N is a box or seat for attaching the valve
core to the swivelling hinged portion d. This seat may be east solid with said
portion or suitably attached. The dotted lines are intended to represent a recess
for accommodating the end of the pin hinge of the machine.
The utility of this modification lies in this.-It has been found that some careless

page_text: bathers are liable to allow the yoke to rise to a vertical position before shutting
off the water, thereby causing the flow through the spray holes to deluge
the room.
This cannot occur with the automatic cut off valve, which while it
allows the water to flow through the yoke when the handle and brush arms are
about horizontal, it stops the flow immediately, when the handle and brush arms
rise, to a vertical or nearly vertical position. The utility of the means for supply
water upor
upon
the brush or sponge lies in getting a good and e instant flow of water
just at the point where the rubbing is being performed.
When the devices shown in Figures 1 to 8 are to be used, the brush or sponge
is attached to the arm of the yoke. The bather then turns on the water and
places himself between the arms of the yoke and grasps the operating handle and
moves it rapidly up and down with the brush or sponge in contact with his back,
front or sides. The water from the perforated yoke strikes his holy on three sides
and thus he is thoroughly washed without any effort on his part otherwise than to
turn and move the yoke up and down. The application of an electric current at
the time of washing we have found to be very beneficial, as the electric fluid
excites the blood to rapid action and causes that healthful glow of the skin during
the bath which is usually attained by friction incidental to brisk rubbing with a
towel.
If the device constructed with an automatic supply and cut off e ek is to be used,
the water is let on by simply uljusting the yoke to mealy a horizontal position,
and shut off by raising the yoke to a vertical position. And if a supply of water
to the brush, directly, is desired, a brush bobler and brush of a construction like
that shown in Figures 9 and 10 will be adopted in the construction of the
apparatus.
When the construction of brush holder shown in Figures S and 16 is used, the
perforated branch arin connection may be either fixed or movab!, and, if movable,
it may have a valvular connection which will operate autonically as a cut off, so
that by swinging the branch extension around from its operative position a certain
distance, the flow of water against it will be stopped, and by readjusting it the flow
let on.
This branch arm will be most useful if located below the brush, as in
Figure 16, so as to shower the body at points in close proximity to the brush.
When the drip cup O is provided between the yoke and the hinge connection, it
will serve for catching the drip, whenever the lever and yoke are in a raised
position, and will spill the same into the bath tub when the lever and yoke are
djusted to a position for use.
The lever might be provided with a clamp composed of two jaws and provided
with a set screw fastening by which to secure it to the top Hange or beal of the
bath tub; and to the upper ends of the jaws of this clamp the lever might be
connected by the spring hinge and swivel connection; or a ball and socket
joint connection. If the clamp is used the bracket or standard would not be
necessary.
The within described novel perforated spraying yoke and handle, and means for
conducting electric currents to the bather and for conducting water through the
brush and just below the brush might be usefully combined in an apparatus having
a weight instead of a spring for moving the lever and yoke upward ont of action,
and for assisting its return upward every time it is lowered by the bather.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a hollow
lever pivotally mounted on the same and having a suitable water inlet, and spray
outlets, a scrubbing device mounted on said lever, and a handle for operating said
lever, substantially as described.
2. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a hollow

page_text: lever pivotally mounted on the same and having a water inlet, suitable spray
outlets, and an automatic supply and cut off valve, and a scrubbing device
mounted on said lever, and a handle for operating said lever, substantially as
described.
3. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a hollow
lever pivotally mounted on the same and having a water inlet, & suitable spray
outlets, a scrubbing device mounted on said lever, and a handle for operating said
lever, and an electric supply having connection with the scrabbing device and said
lever, substantially as described.
4. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a hollow
lever pivotally mounted on the same and having a water supply inlet, and suitable
spray outlets directly to the brush or sponge, and to the human body, a spring
connecting said support and said lever, whereby the latter moves under spring
tension, a scrubbing device holder constructed to admit water directly to the brush
and an operating handle on said lever, substantially as described.
5. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a hollow
lever pivotally mounted on the same and having a suitable water inlet, and suitable
spray outlets, a spring connecting said support and said lever, whereby the latter
moves under spring tension, a scrubbing device and an operating handle on said
lever, and an electric supply having connection with the scrubbing device and said
lever, substantially as described.
6. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a hollow
lever pivoted thereon, and having a water inlet, a hollow perforated yoke connectel
to said lever, and an operating handle on one arm and a scrubbing device on the
other arm of said yoke, substantially as described.
7. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a hollow
lever pivoted thereon and having a water inlet, a hollow perforated yoke connected
to said lever, and an operating handle on one arm and a scrubbing device on the
other arm of said yoke, and an electric supply having connection with the scrubbing
Javing and ill, tantially
grid.
8. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination with a suitable support, a hollow
lever provided with a spring hinge, and water inlet, a stem on said hinge engaging
said support, so that said apparatus has a swivel action on said support, a hollow
perforated yoke connected to said lever, and an operating handle on one of the
ends, and a scrubbing device on the other end of said yoke, substantially as
described.
9. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination with a suitable support, of a lever
pivotally mounted thereon, a yoke on said lever, an operating handle on one end of
said yoke, a detachable sponge cup adapted to be attached to the other end of said
yoke, and consisting of a cup having an attaching stud and an aperture 1 detachable
cover adapted to be secured in position on the top of said cup, substantially as
described.
10. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination with a suitable support, of a
lever pivotally mounted thereon, a yoke on said lever, an operating handle on one
nd of said yoke, and a brush clamp adapted to be secured to the opposite end of
aid yoke and consisting of a clamping yoke having an attaching stud, a stationary
clamp block and an adjustable clamp block, substantially as describe 1.
11. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a spring
hinge having swivel connection with the sand support, a hollow lever connected to
aid binge and provided with a water inlet, a bollow perforated yoke connected to
said lever, pendent aprons on each side of said yoke, and a scrubbing device on one
of the arms and an operating handle on the other arm of sail yoke, substantially as
described.
12. In a bath brush apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a lever
pivotally mounted thereon, a yoke on said lever, an operating handle on one end of
said yoke, a detachable spouge cup having an insulating stil and adapted to be

page_text: attached to the other end of said yoke, and an electric supply having connection
with the scrubbing device and said handle, substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of October 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicants.