Improvements in Washing Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1897-Accepted, 9th Oct., 1897
Improvements in Washing Machines.
I, LEHMAN WEIL., Bookkeeper, of 1681 Madison Avenue, New York, in the County and
State of New York, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in washing machines, and the object thereof
is to provide a device of this character adapted for use in connection with a common
set or stationary tub of the class generally used in modern buildings. The machine is
so constructed that it can be stored or retained within the tub while it is not in use,
whereby the lid of the tub can be readily closed. The device is simple in construction,
inexpensive and durable, and it can be readily disassembled for the purpose of shipping
or storing.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the
annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification.:
Figure 1 is a cross sectional elevation, showing the device set up for use within.a
stationary tub.
Figure 2 is a plan view thereof; and
Figure 3 is a detailed sectional elevation, taken on the line x-x of Fig. 1.
In the practice of my invention, I provide primarily, a concave rack, A. This said
rack comprises end uprights, A¹, and cross bars, B, the said cross bars being extended
at an angle. These bars are composed of hard wood and they are square in cross
section.
Extended respectively from one side of each of the uprights A' is an arm, A2, these
said arms being extended tangentially from the segmental portions of the uprights
for the purpose of meeting the inclined wall 2 of the tub 1. These arms are also
connected by means of square cross bars, B1, whereby a complete rack for containing
the clothes is supplied within the tub, the said rack filling up almost the entire space
thereof to prevent any of the clothes from reaching the bottom of the tnb.
The outer end bars, B¹, are extended at right angles to the uprights, whereby a
secure structure is provided, and to maintain the bars in tight and secure engagement
with the uprights, lugs a are extended from the inner faces of said uprights to form
sockets a' for retaining the end of the bars and they are held securely in place by
means of screws a², extending into the ends thereof, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3
of the drawings, and to maintain the rack in an upright position within the tub, legs A³
are extended downwardly from the uprights A¹.
The rack is further secured by means of a clamp C extended at the edge of the
inclined wall 2 of the tub and is held in position by means of a thumb-screw c.
Oppositely located vertical grooves, D, are formed in the inner surfaces of the
uprights A and these grooves engage with projecting pins, of a swinging framework
or rubber, E. This said rubber comprises segmental end sections, E and cross rods, F,
the said rods being extended at an angle opposite to the rods B, and they are held
within angular grooves, b¹, formed in the lower edges of the frames E¹, angular
flanges e² being extended inwardly from the said grooves for the reception of screws

page_text: or nails 3 for securely holding the rods in place.
This said rubber is further
strengthened by means of segmental strips, e, secured to the upper surface of the
rods F, and the rack A is also strengthened by similar strips, es. These strips prevent
the clothes from being forced through the cross rods.
A cross-bar, e, is also extended between the frames E¹ for the purpose of adding
strength to the device. These said frames are respectively provided with dovetailed
grooves, g, for engagement with projecting ends, g¹, of a removable handle, G, this
said handle being adapted for operating the rubber.
In the operation of this device, it is set up within the tub 1 and securely fastened
thereto by means of the clamps, C. The clothes to be washed are then placed on the
ribs or bars B, and the rubber is then pressed down thereon and oscillated until the
clothes are thoroughly agitated and cleansed.
By the use of this device, it is obvious that an operator can have a continuous
supply of water during the operation of washing which may be readily discharged
through the ordinary outlet of the tub, whereby a constant supply of clean water is
maintained and the operation of washing clothes is greatly facilitated. I am aware
that an oscillating rubber has been used before in a washing machine in combination
with a portable tub and framework for retaining the clothes, but I believe my specific
arrangement and combination of parts is new.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. As a new article of manufacture, a washing machine adapted for use in
connection with an ordinary stationary tub, comprising a rack which is segmental in
cross section, said rack being composed of end uprights and cross bars extended at
an angle, and an oscillating vertically sliding rubber, comprising segmental end frames.
and cross bars extended at an angle opposite to the angle of the cross bars of said
rack, and means for oscillating the rubber and for connecting the rack to a tub,
substantially as shown and described.
2. As a washing machire, the combination, with a stationary tub, of a rack mounted
within said tub and a vertically sliding oscillating rubber comprising segmental end
frames and cross ribs or rods which are square in cross section, and a removable handle
for operating the rubber, and means for attaching the rack within the said stationary
tub, substantially as shown and described.
3. As a washing machine, the combination of a series of cross rods or ribs
extended at an angle and connecting two uprights of segmental contour, and a
swinging and vertically movable rubber, comprising end frames of segmental contour
and cross rods extended at an angle opposite to the angle of the series of cross ribs
connecting the two said uprights; with a stationary tub, and means for connecting
the device to said tub, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 8th day of July 1897.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.