IMPROVEMENTS IN WRINGING MACHINES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of Huglies
and Son, Patent Agents, 128, Chancery Lane, London, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRINGING MACHINES."A com-
munication from abroad by Charles Henry Hudson, of the Citý,
County; and State of New York, United States of America
Sealed the 12th March 1869, and dated the 18th September 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thomas
Hughes at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his,
Petition, on the 18th September 1868.
I, EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son,
Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRINGING MACHINES,"
a communication to me from abroad by Charles Henry Hudson, of the
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America, to be
as follows:-
This Invention consists, first, in the use of one or more endless belts
or bands of india-rubber hung on rollers in such a manner as to

page_text: permit the articles from which it is desired to remove the water to
be passed either between two belts or between an outside roller and
a belt when one belt is used, substantially as herein-after set forth.
Second. In the combination with one or two belts of four rollers so
arranged that the articles to be wrung in passing between the two
belts, or between the single belt and two of the rollers placed outside
of the belt, shall be twice wrung or subjected to pressure to remove the
water, as herein-after set forth.
Third. In the combination with an endless belt or endless belts of
india-rubber and three or four rollers arranged substantially as herein-
after set forth of cog wheels or gearing wheels of equal size on two
of the said rollers, which wheels mesh into each other, whereby the
two belts or the single belt and the outside roller are made to move
together at the same speed, and all tearing strain is thus removed from
the articles wrung, while at the same time there is no liability of the
gearing wheels coming out of gear.
Fourth. In so arranging the said belt or belts and the said rollers
that the operation of pressing or wringing shall be performed by a
third or a third and a fourth movable roller operating or pressing upon
the two geared stationary rollers, and not. by the two geared rollers
pressing upon each other or upon the belt immediately between them,
substantially as herein-after described.
Fifth. In the combination with the said endless belt or band in a
wringing machine of a tightening roller so placed that it shall bear
against that portion of the said endless band or belt which is not in
contact with the rollers.
Sixth. In the combination with the jaws or prongs (one of which
descends within and the other without the vessel or tub to hold the
wringer in place) of a wedge which is thrust between a portion of the
wringer frame and the tub, thereby securely fastening it in position.
Seventh. In a new and improved spring, constructed by inserting
radial rods or strips of wood or steel into a centre piece of metal properly
bored or channeled out to receive the said rods or strips, the said
spring being intended to be applied to the bearings of either or all of
the movable rollers in the wringer as may be desired to increase their
pressure, as herein-after set forth.

page_text: Eighth. In packing or covering the rollers within the belt with a
suitable yielding material, such as felt or woollen yarn, to increase their
capacity to receive and pass large articles between the rollers, as herein-
after set forth.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a
wringing machine embodying substantially all the said improvements
except the spring and the packing for the rollers; Fig. 2, a vertical cross
section of the same through the centre; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the
spring; and Fig. 4, a side elevation partly in section shewing one of the
rollers with a packing of felt or other suitable material.
A, B, C, and D are the rollers, and E and F are two endless belts of
india-rubber; G and H are cog wheels on the rollers A and D, which rollers
are hung in stationary bearings. The movable rollers B and C are allowed
to recede from the stationary rollers A and D, to permit large articles to
pass through between the rollers, and their journals slide up and down in
the slots I and J for that purpose. K and L are the tightening rollers;
these may have adjusting screws fitted to their bearings to increase or
decrease their pressure on the belts at will. The power to drive the
machine is applied to the shaft of the roller D which drives the belt F
and is communicated by the gear wheels G and II to the roller A which
drives the belt E. The operation of wringing or pressing out the water
is mainly performed, first between the rollers A and C, and second
between the rollers B and D. The spring shewn in Fig. 3 may be
applied to either or all of the rollers A, B, C, and D, if desired. This
spring consists of a metallic centre M containing suitable holes or
grooves into which the radial rods N and O are placed. This forms a
strong and durable spring, which may be readily repaired when broken
by removing the broken rod and inserting a new one in its place.
The roller shewn in Fig. 4 may be used or not as desired, but when
large articles are to be wrung it is considered useful. The shaft or core
P is cut away as shewn to permit the packing to be thicker in the
middle than at the edges, and the packing Q is also raised in the middle
for the same purpose. To fasten the machine to the tub, the jaws or
prongs R and S of the frame of the wringing machine are placed the
one within and the other without the tub, and the wedge T is thrust
forcibly down by means of the knobs or handles U between the tub and
cross bar V of the frame. The knobs are on the outside of the frame
and are connected to the wedges by rods which pass through slots X in

page_text: the side of the frame. The front wall or plate W has an oval opening
through it to permit the articles to be wrung to pass into the machine.
This opening does not extend to the ends of the rollers, so that the said
articles are prevented from being caught and entangled in the journals
or other parts of the machine. One of the belts, as E, and a correspond-
ing roller, as B, may be dispensed with, and still a large part of the
advantages of the machine would remain.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 18th March 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents,
123, Chancery Lane, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Edward Thomas Hughes,
Her special licence that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward
Thomas Hughes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, 'should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRINGING MACHINES," a communication to me from
abroad by Charles Henry Hudson, of the City, County, and State of
New York, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and 'ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the 'Great Seal

page_text: Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement (that is to say):-
The said Invention consists, first, of one or more endless bands or
belts of india-rubber hung on rollers in such a manner as to permit the
articles from which it is desired to remove the water to be passed under
pressure either between two such belts or between an outside roller and
a belt when one belt is used, as herein-after set forth.
Second. In the combination with one or two of said belts of four
rollers so arranged that the articles to be wrung in passing between
the two belts, or between the single belt and two of said rollers placed
outside of said belt, shall be twice wrung or subjected to pressure to
remove the water, as herein-after set forth.
Third. In the combination with an endless belt or endless belts of
india-rubber and three or four rollers arranged as herein-after specified
of cog wheels or gear wheels on one or both ends of each of two of the
said rollers, the teeth of which wheels mesh into each other, the said
wheels being of the proper size to cause the two belts or the single belt
and the outside roller or rollers to move together at the same speed,
whereby all tearing or rubbing strain is removed from the articles to be
wrung, while at the same time there is no liability of the gearing wheels
running out of gear.
Fourth. In so arranging the said belt or belts and the said rollers that
the operation of pressing or wringing shall be performed by a third
or a third and a fourth movable roller operating or pressing upon
one or both of the geared rollers, and not by the two geared rollers
pressing upon each other or upon the belt immediately between
them.
Fifth. In the combination with the said endless belt or band in a
wringing machine of a tightening roller so placed that it shall bear
against that portion of the said endless band which is not in contact with
the rollers on which the said belt is hung.

page_text: Sixth. In the combination with the jaws or prongs between which
the tub is received of a wedge which is thrust between a portion of the
wringer frame and the tub, thereby securely fastening the wringer in
position.
Seventh. In a new and improved spring made by inserting radial rods 5
or strips of wood or steel into a centre picce of metal properly bored or
channelled out to receive them, the said spring being applicable to the
bearings of either or all of the movable rollers in a wringer as may be
desired to increase their pressure.
Eighth. In making the outer corner of the slots or channels against ]
which the said. rods. or strips bear when the spring is compressed of
a curved form, to prevent the said rods or strips from breaking.
Ninth. In forming the lower one of the said bands or belts on which
the clothes lie with flanges or raised portions at its edges, between
which flanges the upper belt or rollers are made to fit, the said flanges ]
forming a gutter or channel for conducting the water away from the
bearings of the rollers.
Tenth. In packing or covering the rollers within the belt with a
suitable yielding material, such as felt or woollen yarn, to increase their
capacity to receive and pass large articles between them.
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the
wringer showing the side at which the clothes issue after being operated
upon; Figure 2 is an end view of the same showing the gearing wheels
in position; Figure 3 is a vertical central cross section of the same;
Figure 4 is a side view of a packed roller showing the packing in
section; Figure 5 is a vertical central section of one end of a similar
roller showing a metallic bearing; Figure 6 is a cross section of the
two endless belts showing the flanges or raised portions on the lower
belt; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the improved spring; Figure 8
is an edge view of the same, the ends of the spring rods being broken
off; Figure 9 is a side view in detail of a portion of the spring in which
the rods are bent and continued through the centre piece without being
crossed and halved together as in Figures 7 and 8.
and I own fare endless helts of

page_text: india-rubber; G and H are gearing wheels or cog wheels on the rollers
A and D, which rollers are hung in stationary bearings. The movable
rollers B and C are allowed to recede from the stationary rollers A and D
to permit large articles to pass through, and their journals slide up and
down in the slots I and J for that purpose. K and L are the tightening
rollers; these may have adjusting screws fitted to their bearings to
increase their pressure on the belts at will. The power is applied to the
shaft of the roller D by a crank or other suitable device, and is thus
communicated to the belt F. The cog wheels G and H meshing
together drive the roller A and belt E. The operation of wringing or
pressing out the water is mainly performed, first between the rollers A
and C, and secondly between the rollers B and D. The packed roller
shown in Figure 4 may be used or not, as desired, but when large
articles are to be wrung or pressed I consider it useful. The shaft or
core P is cut away as shown to permit the packing to be thicker in the
middle than at the edges, and the packing Q-is also raised in the middle
for the same purpose. The metallic journal A', Figure 5, may be
applied to either or all of the rollers A, B, C, and D if desired, and the
machine be thus made more durable and the friction on the journals
reduced. The belt F', Figure 6, has flanges or raised portions a formed
on its edges, so as to form a channel or trough for the water, and the
belt E fits in between these flanges, as shown. The spring shown in
Figures 7, 8, and 9, may be applied to either or all of the movable
rollers. This spring consists of a metallic centre M, containing suitable
holes or grooves into which the radial rods N and O are placed. The
inner corners 6 of the holes or slots into which the rods N and O are
fitted are curved, as seen in Figure 9, to prevent the breaking of the said
rods. A plate c is screwed to the face of the centre piece to retain the
rods in place. A strong and durable spring is thus formed, which may
be readily repaired when broken. To fasten the wringer to the tub the
jaws or prongs R and S attached to or forming part of the frame of
the machine are placed the one within and the other without the tub,
and the wedge T is thrust forcibly down by means of the knobs or
handles U between the tub and the cross bar V of the frame. These knobs
are on the outside of the frame, and are connected to the wedges by rods
which pass through the slots d. The front wall or plate W has an oval
opening through it to permit the articles to be wrung to pass into the
machine. This opening does not extend to the ends of the rollers, so

page_text: that the said articles are prevented from being caught in the journals
or other parts of the machine. The frame of the machine may be made
of the two end pieces of wood, to which are secured sides and top of
metal, and thus all warping of the parts be prevented; or the whole
may be made of wood, as shown. One of the belts, as E, and a
corresponding roller, as B, may be dispensed with, and still a large part
of the advantages of the machine would remain.
Having thus fully described the Invention, I claim,—
Having thus fully described the Invention, I claim,—
First. One or more endless bands or belts of india-rubber adapted
and applied to be used in a wringing machine, substantially as set
forth.
Second. The combination and arrangement of four rollers and one or
two belts in such a manner as to twice wring or press the clothes as they
pass through the machine, substantially as specified.
Third. The combination with one or more endless bands or belts of
india-rubber and either three or four rollers of cog wheels or gear wheels
on two of said rollers which mesh together to drive the said rollers,
substantially as herein-above set forth.
Fourth. The arrangement of one or more endless belts and either
three or four rollers in such a manner that the operation of wringing
or pressing the clothes is performed by the geared rollers operating upon
the movable rollers, and not by or between the geared rollers operating
upon each other, substantially as shown and described.
Fifth. The combination with an endless belt in a wringing machine
of a tightening roller, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The jaws R and S in combination with the wedge T, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. The combination with the centre piece M of the rods N, O,
forming a spring, substantially as specified.
2
Eighth. The curved form of the bearings 6 in combination with the 3
centre piece M and rods N, O, substantially as described.
Ninth. The combination with the belt F of the flanges or raised
portions a, a, substantially as set forth.

page_text: Tenth. The combination with the roller P, Figure 4, of the covering
or packing Q, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of March,
in the year of our Lord 1869.