Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 4th June, 1898
Figure 3 is a section.
The box of the washing machine 6 is adjusted upon the supports a at the proper
working height, say at a height of about 90 C.M. This box can be made of wood
or of tin plate, or any other suitable material, and is connected with the supports by
means of screws and nuts, or other suitable means.
The construction of the box could also be attained by a combination of the above.
mentioned materials, such as having a wooden box lined with tin plate, or with
iron plate covered with zinc or enamel.
In the box are placed the two cross pieces c and c connected together to form
a frame. Between these is stretched strong sail cloth c¹¹, and there oscillates
at a very small distance the washing drum proper d. This latter is supported upon
an axle e which revolves in bearings fixed in the box, and is preferably provided
beneath with longitudinal ribs of suitable shape and depth. To one end of the
axle e where it projects out of the box b is attached the crank f. To this is secured
the draw bar g which is prolonged downwards. This drawbar is connected at its
lower end to the treadle board h, which lies at an angle to the washing machine,
and can oscillate upon the pivots i and . If the user therefore places one foot in
front and the other behind the said pivots i and i¹, and imparts to his body a
rocking motion the treadle board will be set in oscillating motion, and thereby
impart motion to the washing drum d by means of the draw bar g and the crank f.
Moreover there are adjusted above the box at both sides thereof and secured firmly
thereto the two double armed levers k and k¹. These have their centres of revolu-
tion at m and m¹, and it is possible by means thereof to press the cross pieces c c¹
revolving upon their axles n and n¹ and connected together to form a frame,
against the washing drum d. In this arrangement the amount of the pressure can
be varied by moving the weight 1; if the weight be removed and the lever k
O lifted up, the frame can sink so far that between the cross pieces cc¹, the sail
cloth stretched thereon, and the washing drum, a space is formed into which the
linen to be washed can be inserted.

page_text: The pressing device might also be so arranged that the cross pieces c are secured
rigidly in the washing machine box, and the washing drum d caused to move in a
suitable manner by means of levers and counterweights.
The washing drum d can also be constructed of wood, tin plate, or other suitable
material, and the other parts of the machine may be of any suitable material for
the purpose.
The operation of the washing machine is as follows:
The box b is filled to a sufficient height with the soap solution, and the linen
placed between the sail cloth and the washing drum d, the counterweight /
being either removed or raised. After this, the pressure device, namely, the
lever, with the weight 1, is again applied. The operator places himself with
one foot before, and the other foot behind the pivots i and ', and causes by a to
and fro motion of the body, and actuation of the corresponding foot the oscillation
of the washing drum d to and fro, so that the linen placed between it and the sail
cloth is rubbed and cleansed. During this the operator has both hands at
liberty, and can work as he may be disposed with the linen, putting in fresh pieces,
taking out that already washed, and so forth. This illustrates the main advantage
of my invention.
As above stated the choice of the material and small constructional alterations in
the construction do not affect the principle of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A washing machine with treadle mechanism characterized by having a
washing drum the projecting axle whereof is provided with a crank outside the
washing machine box, and moves to and fro over a stretched sail cloth placed
between two connected cross pieces in the form of a frame within the washing
machine box, under the control of a pressure device consisting of levers and
weights; the motion of the said washing drum being given by means of a draw
bar and the aforesaid crank, in the manner that the operator sets the treadle plate
in oscillation by standing thereon with one foot behind the suspension point, the
other in front thereof, moving his body alternately to and fro thereon.
2. The improved washing machine constructed and operating substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.