Improvements in or relating to Machinery for Washing Clothes and other articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1898-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machinery for Washing Clothes and
other articles.
I, ALEXANDER WEBBER, of Center Street, Winthrop, in the County of Suffolk,
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the United States of America, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;-
This invention has for its object the production of a simple, cheap and efficient
washing machine of that type wherein the clothing or other articles to be washed
are agitated in a tub by means of a rotatable stirrer depending from the cover
of the tub.
This invention also relates to clothes or like washing machines which comprise
essentially a tub or vat in which the clothes are to be washed, a rotatable stirrer
therein, and mechanism for operating the stirrer preferably, first in one direction
and then in the other direction.
The stirrer operating mechanism of this latter modification is bodily removable
from the tub and is of novel construction, designed to give the greatest effective-
ness combined with ease of manipulation, as in the great majority of cases washing
machines are operated by women.
A novel form of stirrer also forms a part of this invention and means for
instantly connecting or disconnecting the stirrer and its operating mechanism.
Referring to mechanism having an oscillatory stirrer: The tub may be con-
veniently mounted on suitable supports having a top arranged relatively to the
side walls to leave, a deep, continuous projecting rim, which is adapted to support
a wringer, which is preferably attached to the rim whose height maintains the
wringer at the proper height.
The tub may have the top inserted without any opening, to completely close
the upper end, to leave the projecting rim and thereafter with a suitable saw,
an opening is cut in the top or head for the introduction and removal of
the stirrer.
A suitable cover is preferably hinged to a strengthening piece attached to
the top the stirrer shaft being rotatably mounted in said cover and held in place
by flanges or collars, the sleeve-like head of the shaft having a spring supported
transverse bar held in vertical slots, the sleeve and bar forming one member of
a detachable coupling for the stirrer actuating mechanism.
A stirrer or "dolly" may be carried by and longitudinally movable on the
stirrer shaft.
By turning back the cover the stirrer can be lifted completely out of the tub
and giving free access.
It is usual to roughen, corrugate or rib the bottom of the tub, in order to co-

page_text: operate with the stirrer in the thorough agitation of the articles to be washed,
but so far as I am aware the ridges or ribs have heretofore been rigidly secured
to the tub bottom in close contact therwith.
The bottom warps more or less by use, and as a result, the nails or other
fastenings are loosened or pulled out, the ribs becoming displaced, and tending
to injure the articles to be washed.
Close ribs furnish lurking places for dirt and retain water, but by placing
a grid in the bottom of the tub, the ribs of the grid being raised from the tub
bottom, the water freely washes beneath the grid and prevents lodgement of dirt,
and the water runs off.
A holder comprising a head having a depending shank, which is passed through
the tub bottom and secured by a nut, the upper side of the head having a series
of slightly wedge-shaped ridges or arms radiating from a central hub is provided
if desired.
The holder is made of brass or other suitable metal to support the inner ends
of ribs which radiate from the holder and form the grid, the inner ends of the
ribs being reduced or tapered.
A washer is then placed over the inner ends of the ribs secured as by a
suitable screw into a threaded hole in the hub.
The head of the holder raises the inner ends of the ribs from the tub bottom,
and their outer ends rest on supports of rubber or other suitable material, the
outer ends of the ribs being against the wall of the tub when their inner ends
are forced into place. A staple or other suitable fastener is driven into the tub
wall to permanently hold each rib in place.
The grid thus made presents a roughened support for the articles in the tub to
rest upon, and the ribs co-operate with the stirrer in the cleansing action upon
such articles.
The stirrer actuating mechanism, comprises a supporting frame, gears carried
thereby, and a shaft or stud rotated by the gearing and adapted to be detachably
connected with the stirrer shaft, the actuating mechanism being bodily removable
from the cover of the tub.
The stirring frame may be a casting, comprising a base having three down-
wardly extended feet, outturned at their lower ends portions of the feet extending
under undercut catches secured to the cover, an extension of the foot being engaged
by a suitable retaining screw mounted in the casting, also secured to the cover.
The frame is upturned at its rear side, and has at its upper end a round stud,
projecting from its front face and adapted to receive thereon an actuating or
driving gear.
The base of the frame has an opening to. receive a removable shaft having a
transverse notch said shaft being reduced at its upper end to enter a hole in
the flattened extremity of the stud, the shaft thus having its bearings in the stud
and in the base of the frame and projecting below the latter a sufficient distance
to enter the head and engage the cross bar movable therein, to thereby couple
the removable shaft and the stirrer shaft together.
Before the shaft is inserted in its bearing, it receives the hub of a second gear
to rest on the top of the base of the frame and meshing with the actuating gear.
This second gear and removable shaft are fastened in any suitable manner.
The handle secured to the actuating gear, when swung or oscillated rotates
the prime gear, first in one and then in the other direction, and the inter-meshing
gear and its attached shaft will thereby be rotated first in one and then in the
other direction.
This rotation of the removable shaft imparts a like movement of rotation to
the stirrer shaft and stirrer, so that the clothing or other articles within the tub
will be agitated or rapidly drawn through the water in opposite directions to
cleanse them.
The feet of the supporting frame for the actuating mechanism elevate the base
thereof sufficiently to accommodate the coupling member on the stirrer shaft.

page_text: and the actuating mechanism as a whole may be swung back on the clips or
catches when the clamping device is loosened, to remove the actuating mechanism.
When the actuating mechanism is held in position on the cover, it will be
moved by and with the latter when said cover is swung up to disconnect the
actuating shaft, from the stirrer shaft.
The frame for the actuating mechanism being made in a single piece, is very
rigid, strong and cheap, and is of comparatively light weight to carry.
The fixed stud-the bearing for the actuating gear, is also made to serve as a
bearing for the upper end of the removable actuating shaft which is detachably
connected with the intermediate gear.
Washing machines preferably have detachable supporting legs.
The tub may have suitable open holders or brackets, to insert the ends of the
legs in.
An efficient device for attaching the legs to the tub in a firm and rigid manner,
while permitting their rapid and easy removal when desired, is thus constituted.
Threaded bolts mounted in the tub wall and extended outwardly receive on
their threaded outer ends retaining or clamping nuts, which bear upon outer
faces of legs, each leg at its upper end having a notch or slot to receive the bolt.
Preferably a notched plate of metal is secured to the outer face of the leg at
its upper end, to receive the thrust of the clamping nut and strengthen the leg.
A metal shoe is secured to the lower end of each stave of the tub in which
one of the bolts is mounted, said shoe having a conical recess or hole, entered
by an upturned conical lug secured to the inner face of the leg, and forming a
seat for the lug, which may form part of the head of a bolt, extended through
the leg and rigidly held in place by a nut on the outer face, the lug being held
by the head slightly away from the face of the leg.
To apply a leg its lug is inserted in the hole of the shoe while the upper bevelled
end of the leg is passed beneath the clamping nut, the bolt entering the slot as
the leg is pushed up into place.
The clamping nut is then screwed up tight, pressing the leg firmly against the
wall of the tub, while the lug supports the weight of the tub and the greater the
downward pressure the more tightly and firmly will the leg be held in place.
To remove the leg the clamping nut is loosened and the leg drawn down and
away.
The lug cannot become wedged into the hole of the shoe.
Referring more particularly to mechanism having a rotatable stirrer:
A suitable tub is provided with cover and aperture for admission and withdrawal
of clothes, or articles and a lid preferably hinged and having a fastening.
The lid has an opening crossed as by annular plates secured to the outer and
inner sides of the lid, forming bearings for the stirrer and its shaft.
The stirrer may be a horizontal wood frame having arms with depending blades
or fingers, the stirrer having a long hub of metal, the interior of the hub and a
hole in the frame being made square or polygonal to receive the correspondingly
shaped lower end of the stirrer shaft.
The hub has an inturned flange and retaining plate secured to the stirrer shaft
to move that stirrer up and down thereon without exposing the shaft below the
stirrer.
This prevents the clothes from being wound about the stirrer-shaft and torn or
strained, while the vertical movement of the stirrer enables it to adapt itself to
the quantity of clothes in the tub.
The stirrer if entirely of wood is apt to float in the tub, and if a greater depth
of water is present than the depth of the mass of clothes, the stirrer might not
engage the latter at all, but the metal hub to the stirrer increases its weight and
sinks it to the level of and so as to engage the clothing.
The stirrer shaft is made partly cylindrical to receive a spring bearing at its
upper end against a transverse slide member guided in vertical slots.
An annular shoulder on the cylindrical part of the shaft below certain slots
rests on a bearing while a collar is held on the shaft below and adjacent the

page_text: bearing by a suitable set screw and by removing the latter and the retaining plate
the stirrer shaft may be withdrawn.
The stirrer operating mechanism is mounted on a bracket of suitable shape,
having a bearing, an overhanging arm, feet, and a forwarding extended foot, the
feet being adapted to enter socket pieces on the lid, while an open socket receives
the foot, a screw or thumb nut bearing against the foot and holding the operating
mechanism.
Slotted ears form a part of the top of the bracket and a cross head is adjustably
secured to or from the overhanging arm which is transversely slotted or made
open to accomodate a gear fast on a crank shaft mounted in a bearing on the
crosshead, said shaft having a suitable handle arm.
A large driving gear meshing with the crank shaft gear is mounted on a stud
rotatable in the bearing, said driving gear having on its face a bevel gear in
mesh with two smaller bevel gears rotatably mounted on a shaft longitudinally
movable and rotatable in bearings in the overhanging arm and foot of the bracket.
The lower end of the shaft is notched or recessed to engage the slide member
of the stirrer shaft making a detachable connection between the operating and
stirrer shafts which automatically couples and uncouples upon application or
removal of the operating mechanism to the tub, the spring retaining the slide
member in engagement with the shaft as the latter is moved longitudinally.
Rotation of the driving gear rotates the bevel gears forming part of a clutch
in opposite directions.
Like collars or sleeves are mounted on the said shaft and rigidly held thereto,
said collars being provided with oppositely bevelled annular flanges.
The hub of one of said clutch gears rests against the lower bearing and a collar
is hollowed out to receive a spring surrounding the operating shaft between the
collar and the upper end of the hub of the gear to retain the latter seated. A
collar is similarly recessed to receive a spring between the collar and the hub of
the upper gear maintaining the latter against the underside of the upper bearing.
These gears are provided on their inner faces with projections, preferably covered
with rubber or non metallic material, to be engaged singly by pins on their
adjacent collars said pins being sometimes provided with rolls one of which is
mounted on the outer end of the pin to reduce friction.
If one collar is brought into engagement with its adjacent gear and the other
collar held from engagement with its gear the shaft will be rotated in one direction,
and when the position of the collars is reversed the shaft will be rotated in the
opposite direction, the stirrer coupled to said shaft partaking of such rotation.
The collars thus act as movable members of a clutch mechanism, to control
the direction of rotation of the actuating operating shaft.
A cam surface is suitably mounted to rotate with the large driving gear the
main portion of the cam being a circular arc, the extremities dropping towards
the centre.
Rotation of the large driving gear causes the flange of one and then the other
collar to engage centrally inclining portions of the cam and then the circular
portion, so that when the collar is moved into engagement with its gear the
longitudinal movement of the shaft will withdraw the collar from engagement
with its gear and vice versa.
•
The circular portion of said cam maintains the engaged collar in operative
engagement with its cooperating gear.
One collar is disengaged from its gear just as the other collar is brought into
engagement with its gear, so that there is no jump or jar of the mechanism as
the driving shaft is rotated first in one and then in the other direction.
Yielding projections aid in avoiding shock, and reduce the noise to a minimum,
while antifriction rolls reduce the power required to operate the clutch mechanism.
The operating mechanism may be instantly removed bodily from the tub by
loosening a screw.
A larger or smaller gear put on the crank shaft increases or decreases the speed.

page_text: The acting mechanism may be operated when the shaft is not in vertical position,
so that any other desired position for said mechanism may be employed.
Dated the 21st day of February 1898.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Machinery for Washing Clothes and
other articles.
I, ALEXANDER WEBBER, of Center Street, Winthrop, in the County of Suffolk,
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the United States of America, Manu-
facturer, 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 has for its object the production of a simple, cheap and efficient
washing machine of that type wherein the clothing or other articles to be washed
are agitated in a tub by means of a rotatable stirrer depending from the cover
of the tub.
This invention also relates to clothes or like washing machines which comprise
essentially a tub or vat in which the clothes are to be washed, a rotatable stirrer
therein, and mechanism for operating the stirrer preferably, first in one direction
and.then in the other direction.
The stirrer operating mechanism of this latter modification is bodily removable
from the tub and is of novel construction, designed to give the greatest effective-
ness combined with ease of manipulation, as in the great majority of cases washing
machines are operated by women.
A novel form of stirrer also forms part of this invention and means for
instantly connecting or disconnecting the stirrer and its operating mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of a washing machine embodying my invention';
Fig. 2 is a vertical diametrical sectional view thereof on the line xx, Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the stirrer actuating mechanism, detached:
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the supporting frame for the stirrer actuating
mechanism.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the holder for the inner arms or ribs of the grid, to
be described;
Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the centre of the grid, with the retaining device
therefor, and
Fig. 7 is a perspective detail of a portion of one of the leg retaining devices,
to be described;
Fig. 8 is a front elevation, with the tub in section and broken out to save space,
of a washing machine embodying my invention,
Fig. 9 is a right hand side elevation of the stirrer and its operating mechanism.
Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the stirrer operating mechanism, taken
on the line rx Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view enlarged, of the upper end of the stirrer shaft and
coupling.
Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view thereof, broken off at its lower end, and
Referring firstly to the arrangement of mechanism shewn in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive
and having an oscillatory stirrer or dolly" (see partly Figs. 1 and 2) I have
"

page_text: shown the tub A as conveniently mounted on suitable legs or supports A* and
having a top A let into the side walls at some distance from the top thereof to
leave a deep, continuous projecting rim A2, which is adapted to support a wringer
in usual manner.
The wringer may be attached to any part of the rim and the height of the
latter serves to maintain the wringer at the proper height above the top of the tub.
In constructing the tub the top A' is inserted without any opening, to completely
close the upper end, in order to enable me to leave the projecting rim A², and
thereafter with a suitable saw, an opening A³, Fig. 2, is cut in the top or head
for the introduction and removal of the stirrer.
A suitable cover A is shown in Fig. 1 as hinged to a strengthening piece A5
attached to the top A¹, the stirrer shaft a being rotatably mounted in said cover
and held in place by flanges or collars 2, 3, the sleeve like head A¹ of the shaft
having a spring supported transverse bar a² held in vertical slots a³, the sleeve a¹
and bar a forming one member of a detachable coupling for the stirrer actuating
mechanism.
"
A stirrer or dolly." D is carried by and longitudinally movable on the stirrer
shaft a.
By turning back the cover A' the stirrer is lifted completely out of the tub
and free access may then be had to the latter.
It is usual to roughen, corrugate or rib the bottom of the tub, in order to
cooperate with the stirrer in the thorough agitation of the articles to be washed
but so far as I am aware the ridges or ribs have heretofore been rigidly secured
to the tub bottom in close contact therewith.
The bottom warps more or less by use, and as a result, the nails or other
fastenings are loosened or pulled out, the ribs becoming displaced, and tending
to injure the articles to be washed.
So, too, the close ribs furnish lurking places for dirt and prevent the water
from running out of the tub after use.
I have overcome the objections named by placing a grid in the bottom of the
tub, the ribs of the grid being raised from the tub bottom, to permit the water
to freely wash beneath the grid and so prevent lodgment of dirt, and the water
will run off freely when the tub is emptied.
Referring to Fig. 2, I have shown a holder comprising a head b having a
depending shank 61, which is passed through the tub bottom A6 and secured by
a nut 6, the upper side of thechead having a series of slightly wedge shaped ridges
or arms 63 Figs. 5 and 6, radiating from a central hub b³.
The holder is made of brass or other metal not liable to rust or corrode, and it
supports the inner ends of a series of ribs C which radiate from the holder and
form the grid, the inner ends of the ribs being reduced or tapered, as at c, Fig. 6,
to enter tightly between the radial projections 62 of the holder.
A washer 6 is then placed over the inner ends of the ribs and tightly secured
by a suitable screw 10, screwed into a threaded hole 65 in the hub 63.
The head b of the holder raises the inner ends of the ribs from the tub bottom,
and their outer ends are shown as resting on supports c³ of rubber or other suitable
material, the outer ends of the ribs being pressed tightly against the wall of
the tub when their inner ends are forced into place in the holder.
A staple or other suitable fastener as c³, is driven into the tub wall to permanently
hold each rib in place at its outer end.
The grid thus made presents a roughened support for the articles in the tub
to rest upon, and the ribs cooperate with the stirrer in the cleansing action upon
such articles.
The stirrer actuating mechanism as herein shown, comprises a supporting
frame, gears carried thereby, and a shaft or stud rotated by the gearing and
adapted to be detachably connected with the stirrer shaft, the actuating mechanism
being bodily removable from the cover of the tub, as will be described.
Referring to Fig. 4, I have shown the stirring frame for the mechanism as a

page_text: casting, comprising a base d having three downwardly extending feet d¹, d²,
out-turned at their lower ends at 7 and 8, respectively, the portions 8 of the
feet being adapted to extend under slightly undercut catches 20, suitably
secured to the cover, while the extension 7 of the foot is engaged by a suitable
retaining screw 22 mounted in the casting 21, also secured to the cover A+.
Referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the two feet d² extend in the same direc-
tion and substantially in parallelism from the rear of the frame, while the foot d¹
extends in the opposite direction from the front of the frame.
The frame is upturned at its rear side at d³, and has at its upper end a round
stud d, projecting from its front face and adapted to receive thereon an actuating
or driving gear g.
The base of the frame has an opening d therein, see Figs. 2 and 4, to receive
a removable shaft f having a transverse notch f¹ in its lower end, see dotted lines
Fig. 3, said shaft being reduced at its upper end at f to enter a hole d in the
flattened extremity d' of the stud d', the shaft f thus having its bearings in the
stud and in the base of the frame and projecting below the latter a sufficient
distance to enter the head a¹ and engage the cross bar a movable therein, to
thereby couple the shaft f and the stirrer shaft a together.
Before the shaft f is inserted in its bearing do, the hub of a second gear y¹ is
slipped over the shaft, said gear resting on the top of the base of the frame and
meshing with the actuating gear.
The gear g and shaft are fastened together in any suitable manner, herein
shown as by a cottar pin 30, Figs. 1 and 3, to pass through a hole in the hub and
a corresponding hole in the shaft.
Obviously when the handle H, which is secured to the actuating gear, is swung
or oscillated, the said gear y will be rotated on the stud, first in one and then
in the other direction, and the intermeshing gear gl and its attached shaft f will
thereby be rotated first in one and then in the other direction.
This rotation of the shaft f imparts a like movement of rotation to the stirrer
shaft and stirrer D, so that the clothing or other articles within the tub will be
agitated or rapidly drawn through the water in opposite directions to cleanse
them in well known manner.
The feet of the supporting frame for the actuating mechanism elevate the
base & thereof sufficiently to accomodate the coupling member a¹ on the stirrer
shaft, and the actuating mechanism as a whole may be swung back on the clips
or catches 20 when the clamping device 22 is loosened, to thereby remove the
actuating mechanism bodily from the tub.
When the actuating mechanism is held in position on the cover, it will be moved
by and with the latter when said cover is swung up to disconnect the actuating
shaft f, as it may be termed, from the stirrer shaft.
The frame for the actuating mechanism being made in a single piece, is very
rigid, strong and cheap, and is of comparatively light weight, making it con-
venient to carry around.
The fixed stud which forms the bearing for the actuating gear, is also made
to serve as a bearing for the upper end of the removable actuating shaft f which
is detachably connected with the intermediate gear gl as has been described.
Washing machines are usually provided with preferably detachable supporting
legs, which are removed when it is desired to move the apparatus from one part of
the house to another.
The tub is provided in most instances with a suitable number of open holders
or brackets, into which the bevelled upper ends of the legs are inserted, but if the
legs are made readily detachable they will not fit tightly in the holders and the
tub will wabble, or be so unsteady as to be dangerous.
I have herein shown a simple and efficient device for attaching the legs to the
tub in a firm and rigid manner, while permitting their rapid and easy removal
when desired.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown threaded bolts mounted in the tub
"

page_text: .
wall and extended outwardly therefrom to receive on their threaded outer ends
retaining or clamping nuts k, which are adapted to bear upon the outer faces
of the legs A, each leg at its upper end having a notch or slot. a30 to receive the
bolt.
Preferably a notched plate of metal is secured to the outer face of the leg
at its upper end, to receive the thrust of the clamping nut and strengthen the leg.
A metal shoe m is secured, as by screws m³, Fig. 7, to the lower end of each
stave of the tub in which one of the bolts k is mounted, said shoe having a conical
recess or hole m¹ therein, to be entered by an upturned conical lug n secured to the
inner face of the leg A³, and forming a seat for the lug.
As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the lug forms part of the head n¹ of a bolt n³,
extended through the leg and rigidly held in place by a nut n² on the outer face,
the lug being held by the head n' slightly away from the face of the leg.
To apply a leg its lug is inserted in the hole m of the shoe m, while the
upper bevelled end of the leg is passed beneath the clamping uut k*, the bolt k
entering the slot a30 as the leg is pushed up into place.
The clamping nut is then screwed up tight, pressing the leg firmly against the
wall of the tub, while the lug n supports the weight of the tub, and the greater
the downward pressure the more tightly and firmly will the leg be held in place.
To remove the leg the clamping nut is loosened and the leg drawn down and
away.
The lug n cannot become wedged into the hole of the shoe, so that the legs
cannot be jammed or crowded to prevent ready removal when desired.
While I have shown the bolts kas passing entirely through the wall of the tub
and headed on the inside, I may use any other suitable form of bolt desired.
Referring more particularly to the mechanism having a rotatable stirrer; and
shown by Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive (referring particularly to Fig. 8) the tub B of
any suitable construction, is provided with a cover B and an aperture for the
admission and withdrawal of the clothes, and normally closed by a lid B2, pre-
ferably hinged at B3 and having a button or catch B*.
The lid has an opening B*, herein shown as crossed by annular plates B5, B6,
secured to the outer and inner sides of the lid respectively, and forming bearings
to support the stirrer and its shaft, which depend therefrom within the tub.
The stirrer is shown as a horizontal frame B10, preferably of wood and having
its arms provided with depending blades or fingers B, the stirrer having secured
to its upper side a long hub B₁ of metal, the interior of the hub and a hole in
the frame B being made square or polygonal to receive the correspondingly
shaped lower end 15 of the stirrer shaft.
Referring to Fig. 12 it will be seen that the hub has an inturned flange B¹³,
and a retaining plate B18 is secured, as by a screw 5 to the end of the stirrer shaft,
so that the stirrer may move up and down thereon, see dotted lines Fig. 8, without
exposing the shaft below the stirrer.
This is a very valuable and important feature, as the clothes are prevented from
being wound about the stirrer shaft and torn or strained, while the vertical move-
ment of the stirrer enables it to adapt itself to the quantity of clothes in the tub.
If the stirrer is made entirely of wood it will float on the water in the tub,
and in such case if there should be a greater depth of water present than the depth
of the mass of clothes, the stirrer might not engage the latter at all, but
by the addition of the metal hub to the stirrer as herein provided, the weight
of the stirrer is increased to such an extent that it will normally sink in the
water to the level of and engage the clothing no matter whether the latter is
large or small in amount.
As shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 11 the upper end of the stirrer shaft is made cylin-
drical at 14, and hollow, to receive a spring p, Fig. 12 said spring bearing at
its upper end against a transverse slide member B, guided in vertical slots B17.
An annular shoulder B¹ on the part 1 of the shaft below the slots B17 rests
on the bearing B³, while a collar B20 is held on the shaft below and adjacent the

page_text: bearing B by a suitable set screw 6, so that by removing the latter and the
retaining plate B18 the stirrer shaft may be withdrawn when desired.
The stirrer operating mechanism is mounted on a bracket D* of suitable shape,
having a bearing D¹, an overhanging arm D³, feet D³, and a forwarding extended
foot D, the feet D³ being adapted to enter socket pieces B7 on the lid B2, while
an open socket B8 receives the foot D', as clearly shown in Fig. 9, a screw or
thumb nut B bearing against the foot and holding the operating mechanism
firmly in place.
Longitudinally slotted ears e form a part of the top of the bracket and a cross
head is adjustably secured thereto by bolts e², nearer to or further from the
overhanging arm D2, which is transversely slotted or made open to accomodate
a gear fast on a crank shaft e mounted in a bearing on the crosshead, said
shaft having a suitable handle arm e
A large driving gear i meshing with the gear e³ is mounted on a stud 2¹ rotatable
in the bearing D₁, said driving gear having on its face a bevel gear in mesh
with two smaller bevel gears 25 and h, rotatably mounted on a shaft h2 longi-
tudinally movable and rotatable in bearings 1, 4, in the overhanging arm D²
and the foot D of the bracket, Figs. 8, 9 and 10.
The lower end of the shaft ha is longitudinally notched or recessed to engage
the slide member B16 of the stirrer shaft, making a detachable coupling or con-
nection between the operating and stirrer-shafts 2 and B14 which automatically
couples and uncouples upon application or removal of the operating mechanism
to the tub B the spring p retaining the slide member B16 in engagement with
the shaft has the latter is moved longitudinally, as will be described.
By rotation of the driving gear the gears and h will be rotated in opposite
directions, said gears forming part of a clutch mechanism.
Like collars or sleeves and o are mounted on the shaft h³, and held rigidly
thereto by means of set screws 7, 9, engaging the shaft, said collars being provided
with oppositely bevelled annular flanges 1, o¹, respectively.
The hub of gear h rests against the bearing 4 and the collar o is hollowed
out at o³ to receive a spring p³ surrounding the shaft h between the collar and
the upper end of the hub of the gear h, to retain the latter seated.
A collar is similarly recessed at 12 to receive a spring p³, between the collar
and the hub of the gear ♬ maintaining the latter against the underside of the
bearing 1.
The gears are provided on their inner faces with projections 26, h¹, respectively,
preferably covered with rubber or non-metallic material, to be engaged singly
by pins 3 or 3 on their adjacent collars and o, said pins being sometimes pro-
vided with rolls mounted on the outer end of the pin 3, to reduce friction.
It will be obvious that if one collar is brought into engagement with its
adjacent gear and the other collar held from engagement with its gear that the
shaft will be rotated in one direction, and when the position of the collars
is reversed the shaft will be rotated in the opposite direction, the stirrer coupled
to said shaft partaking of such rotation.
The collars thus act as movable members of a clutch mechanism, to control the
direction of rotation of the actuating shaft h³.
A cam surface 23 is suitably mounted to rotate with the gear i. the main
portion of the cam being a circular arc, the extremities dropping towards the
centre at Figs. 8 and 9.
Rotation of the gear i causes the flange of first one and then the other collar
to engage the portions of the cam 3 and then the circular portion, so that
when the collar 7 is moved, as in Fig. 10. into engagement with its gear 3, the
longitudinal movement of the shaft h³ will withdraw the collar o from engage-
ment with its gear h, and vice versa, as in Figs. 8 and 9.
The circular portion of cam 23 maintains the engaged collar in operative engage-
ment with its cooperating gear throughout its extent.
One collar is disengaged from its gear just as the other collar is brought into

page_text: engagement with its gear, so
that there is no jump or jar of the mechanism as
the shaft h2 is rotated first in one and then in the other direction.
The yielding projections
and h¹ aid in avoiding shock, and reduce the noise
to a minimum, while the antifriction rolls +, o, reduce the power required to
operate the clutch mechanism.
The entire operating mechanism may be instantly removed bodily from the
tub B by loosening the screw B⁹.
By putting a larger or smaller gear on the crank shaft e, in place of gear e³,
the speed may be increased or decreased, but with consequent increase or decrease
in the power necessary to be applied to the crank shaft.
Obviously the acting mechanism may be operated when the shaft h² is not
in vertical position, as herein shown, for any other desired position for said
mechanism may be employed without departing from the scope of my invention.
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. In a washing machine, a tub, a grid in the lower part thereof, comprising
substantially horizontal radiating ribs or arms having tapered inner ends, staples
to secure the outer ends of the ribs to the tub wall, and a common central holder
for the inner ends of the ribs, to maintain them from contact with the tub bottom,
said holder comprising a head having on its upper side a series of radiating,
slightly wedge shaped ridges, a shank depending from the head and adapted to
pass through the tub bottom, a retaining nut on the shank at the lower face of
the tub bottom, and a washer projecting over the inner ends of the ribs and
attached to the central portion of the head, to retain the ribs on the holder, sub-
stantially as described.
2. Stirrer actuating mechanism for washing machines, comprising a frame
having a lateral base provided with a bearing hole and an upright extension,
an overhanging bearing stud extended forwardly from said extension and pro-
vided with a hole in its outer end, an actuating gear rotatable on said stud, an
actuating shaft having its bearings in the base of the frame and in the hole
in the stud, and an intermediate gear detachably secured to said shaft and
supported by the frame base adjacent the hole therein, substantially as described.
3. A frame for stirrer actuating mechanism, comprising a lateral base having
a hole therein, and depending supporting feet, and an internal upright at the
rear of the base having at its upper end an integral, forwardly projecting bearing
stud having a hole in its outer end above and concentric with the hole in the base,
substantially as described.
4. In a washing machine, a tub, a supporting leg therefor having a slot in
its upper end, a conical upturned lug on the leg, a shoe mounted on the bottom
of the tub wall and recessed to receive the lug, a threaded bolt mounted in and
extended outwardly from the tub wall to enter the slot in the upper end of the
leg, and a clamping nut on said bolt, to hear against the outer side of said leg
and hold it firmly against the outer wall of the tub, substantially as described.
5. In a washing machine, a tub, its cover, a stirrer shaft rotatably suspended
therefrom, a stirrer within the tub having depending arms or fingers a hub on
its upper side provided at its upper end with an inturned flange, the stirrer
shaft entering said hub, and a retaining plate secured to the lower end of the said
shaft, said plate being larger than the opening in the flange and adapted to
move longitudinally within the hub, the hub of the stirrer being of such length
as to at all times conceal the lower end of the stirrer, substantially as described.
6. In a washing machine, a tub provided with a cover, a rotatable shaft
suspended therefrom, and having a tubular longitudinally slotted upper end, a
sliding spring controlled coupling member movable in and guided by said slots,
and a vertically and freely movable stirrer on and rotatable with said shaft within
the tub, combined with actuating mechanism, including a rotatable longitudinally

page_text: movable actuating shaft, and a cooperating coupling member at its lower end,
to engage the sliding member and remain in engagement therewith during longi-
tudinal movement of said actuating shaft, substantially as described.
7. A stirrer operating mechanism for washing machines, comprising a longi-
tudinally movable, rotatable shaft having two gears rotatable thereon in opposite
directions, a common gear in mesh with said two gears and adapted to be rotated,
clutch members fast on said shaft, to cooperate with the gears thereon alternately,
and connections actuated by the common gear and between it and the shaft, to
move the latter longitudinally and bring one of the clutch members into engage-
ment with its adjacent gear before complete disengagement of the other clutch
member and its gear, substantially as described.
8. A stirrer operating mechanism for washing machines, comprising a longi-
tudinally movable, rotatable shaft, two gears freely rotatable thereon in opposite
directions, an intermediate gear in mesh with said two gears, clutch members
fast on said shaft and each provided with a projection to cooperate alternately
with projections on the adjacent loose gears, a spring between each of said gears
and clutch members, and means controlled by rotation of the common gear to
move the shaft longitudinally to thereby bring either of the clutch members into
engagement with its adjacent gear before complete disengagement of the other
clutch member and gear, substantially as described.
9. A stirrer operating mechanism for washing machines, comprising a longi-
tudinally movable, rotatable shaft having two gears rotatable thereon in opposite
directions, each gear having a yielding non metallic projection on its inner face,
a common gear in mesh with and to rotate said gears, pins movable with said
shaft and each provided with a roll, to cooperate with the projections on the gears
alternately, and means actuated by the intermediate gear to move the shaft longi-
tudinally and bring one of the rolls into engagement with the projection on the
adjacent gear before complete disengagement of the other roll and projection,
substantially as described.
10. In a washing machine, a tub having a grid in the lower part thereof com-
prising a series of horizontal, radially extended ribs above and out of contact
with the bottom, rigidly secured at their outer ends to the walls of the tub and
a holding device secured centrally to the tub bottom, and on which device the
inner ends of the ribs are fixed, substantially as described.
11. The constructions, or arrangements and use in combination, of the parts
of washing machinery, as set forth and shown by the drawings.
Dated the 21st day of Tuno 1000
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.