A PORTABLE MANGLE OR MACHINE FOR MANGLING, SMOOTHING, AND PRESSING ALL KINDS OF MANUFACTURED SILKS, LINNENS, COTTONS, WOOLLENS, PAPERS, AND WEARING AFPAREL, AND EVERY OTHER THING WHICH IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO SMOOTH, PRESS, OR MANGLE
Year: 1792

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PHILIP LE
BROCQ, of No. 3, Lambs Buildings, Temple, Clerk, Master of Arts, do send
greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Fifth day of July, in the thirty-second year of His reign, did givo
unto me, the said Philip Le Brocq, His especial leave, that I, the said Philip
Le Brocq, during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of the Kingdom of Great
Britain called England, the Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, my Invention of "A PORTABLE MANGLE OR MACHINE FOR MANGLING,
SMOOTHING, AND PRESSING ALL KINDS OF MANUFACTURED SILKS, LINNENS, COTTONS,
WOOLLENS, PAPERS, AND WEARING AFPAREL, AND EVERY OTHER THING WHICH IT
MAY BE NECESSARY TO SMOOTH, PRESS, OR MANGLE;" in which said Letters Patent
there is contained a proviso, obliging me, the said Philip Le Brocq, under my
hand and seal, to particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing, and cause the same, to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within one calendar month next and immediately after the date of
the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, relation being thereunto
had, may more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in pursuance of the said proviso, I, the said Philip
Le Brocq, do hereby declare that the several Plans or Drawings hereunto
annexed contain the several parts necessary for the construction of and also a

page_text: compleat form of my said Invention, and that the said several Plans or Drawings,
with the references thereto herein-after mentioned, contain a particular
description and do ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and which
description is as follows, that is to say :-
The Portable Mangle consists of the following parts:-A frame of wood,
having four sides, the width of which is perpendicular and the length hori-
zontal. They are joined at the ends at right angles, each of them being
parallel to that which forms the opposite side. Two of these parallel sides
are at least two inches, and may be more. in thickness, it being necessary that
they should be very strong, because the whole stress of the power depends
upon them. The two other parallel sides which join those at right angles
are principally intended to steady the machine, and to form it in the shape of
a flat rectangular box. The sides, on which the stress of the power depends,
have each of them in the inside, and exactly opposite to each other, and in the
middle of the side longitudinally, a groove, into which is inserted a bearing
groove of iron open at one end, and shut at right angles at the other. This
bearing groove is screwed to the wood, and the upper part of it flush with it.
The shut end of it is nine inches, or more or less, from the left-hand end of
each of the strong sides of the frames. One side of the bearing groove of
iron, when only two rollers are used, as shall be hereafter described, is much
longer than the other, the longer side being the lower, and the shorter side the
upper. Close to the end of the short side a groove is made in the wood, and at
right angles with that end and terminating on the edge of the strong side of the
frame upwards, with a view to admit downwards the gudgeon of a roller until it
rest on the lower and long side of the iron bearing groove, ready to be moved
into it and pressed horizontally. One roller of wood, three inches in diameter,
more or less, reaching horizontally and at right angles from one strong side of the
frame to the opposite side, and falling in between them at right angles, has driven
through its conter longitudinally an iron axis projecting one inch at one end, and
this projection is also one inch in diameter, and turned round in a lathe into
the form of a cylinder. At the other end a similar projection, two inches in
length and continuous to it, one inch square, of iron, for the reception of a
wheel of cast iron, and still continuous to it, one more inch in length and the
same in diameter, and turned in a lathe into the shape of a cylinder; the first-
mentioned projection, cylinder or gudgeon is introduced and brought close to
the inside end of the bearing groove of iron which is not open and is intended
to revolve in it. The two round projecting or cylindrical inches at the other
end of the roller are to pass through the corresponding inside end of the
iron bearing groove, and through the side of the frame into which the bearing
groove is inserted, so that when the roller revolves the square part continuous

page_text: o it may clear the frame on the outside; the continuous remaining inch is to
evolve in an iron box affixed and inserted into another board parallel to that
hrough which the projecting part of the iron axis passes, and on which a cast-
ron wheel is affixed. This third board is, excepting in thickness, precisely of
he same dimensions as the two strong ones in which the iron bearing grooves
re inserted, and is joined at right angles with the two other sides of the
rame, and is distant from the strong board to which it is nearest and parallel
about one inch, just sufficient, however, to admit the cast-iron wheel above
mentioned perpendicularly, and also another small cast-iron wheel of the same
thickness as the other, but only one third of it in diameter, the larger being
one foot more or less, and the smaller, the cogs of cach inclusive, four inches
more or less in diameter. The cogs of one wheel fall into those of the other,
and the smaller wheel turns the larger, and consequently the concentric roller
on the axis of which it is affixed; the small iron wheel has passing through its
center, where it is one inch square, also an iron axis, which projects on
each side one inch in length and is one inch in diameter, and turned round
in a lathe cylindrically; each of these cylindrical projections is introduced into
an iron box in which it revolves, which iron box is inserted in each of the
parellel boards one inch distant from cach other; and opposite one of the
cylindrical projections of the axis of the small wheel has continuous to it, and
externally of the outer parallel board, another inch in length of iron, and
square, for the reception of one end of a winch of iron, and also continuous to
it, and terminating the axis on that side, nearly one inch in length, formed into
the thread of a male screw for the reception of a nut or female screw intended
to press and keep the winch steady. The winch has at the other end a wooden
handle of a convenient length at right angles with it. The winch may be one
foot in length, more or less, as may be found most convenient; parallel to the
wooden roller, having an iron axis as above described, is another roller or more
of larger diameter, which may be four, five, or even six inches, as best answers
the purpose. The larger roller or rollers (the one already described being at
least one third smaller) has or have also an iron axis, similar to that above
described, excepting that at each end the axis projects one inch cylindrically.
The gudgeons of the larger roller or rollers are intended to fall in a horizontal
position through the perpendicular groove into the horizontal iron bearing groove
at cach end; then to be pressed forward till the first large roller touches
the other ruller, which is not intended to be taken out; the larger roller or
rollers is or are taken out at pleasure, to roll round it or them smoothly and
evenly cloths, linnens, and whatever, in short, is to be pressed or mangled. The
wooden groove into which the iron bearing groove is inserted in each strong
side of the frame, is continued further on beyond the perpendicular groove

page_text: which falls into it at right angles, and towards the right band of a person
standing to turn the winch, for at least seven inches and a half or more, as is
found requisite, into the continuation of each of these horizontal grooves. The
ends, reduced on cach side to fit it, of a wooden bar are inserted, so as to be
moveable horizontally from the termination of the grooves towards the larger
roller or rollers; the wooden bar is four inches wide at least or more, and from
two inches and a half to three inches thick, as most convenient, and lies parallel
to the wooden rollers, having iron axes and the greatest distance from the
nearest of them, and it is about four inches or more. On each reduced or
flattened end of the bar moveable in the groove is a rectangular flat piece of
iron screwed on at the end, and on the left side of the bar, each sile about
three inches long, and having a projecting heel of iron continuous to it, and at
right angles with the bar, and at least three inches and a half long or more,
and one inch square, exactly fitting the iron groove and moveable in it. The
heel of each of these rectangular pieces of iron is intended, by being moved
forward towards the gudgeons of the rollers in the iron' bearing grooves, to
press, by means of a screw hereafter to be described, the rollers towards each
other; parallel to this moveable wooden bar is another, in every respect similar
to it, excepting in the following particulars, viz': that it is longer, for the
purpose of being morticed at each end into the strong sides of the wooden
frame, and that it has no rectangular piece of iron and steel. This bar is sta-
tionary at the right hand of the other, and about half an inch distant from it
when the moving bar is quite at the right-hand end of the groove. Exactly
in the center of this fixed bar is a horizontal aperture passing quite through,
and capable of admitting an iron screw of three quarters of an inch or more
in diameter. This aperture is continued through a plate of iron screwed on
the morticed wooden bar on the left hand, and is one inch and a half, more or
less, thick in the middle, and gradually diminishes in thickness towards each
end, where it is one quarter of an inch, more or less, thick. This iron plate is
one inch and a half or two inches wide, and five or six inches long; the thick
part of it, in the middle through which the screw passes, is a female screw
exactly fitting it. To the screw, which is seven or eight inches in length,
more or less, is affixed an iron winch; on the right hand, at right angles
with the screw, and at right angles with the winch, is a handle four inches
in length, more or less; by means of this winch and handle the screw is
turned with the hand from East to West through the South, and made to
press on a plate of iron affixed on the moveable wooden bar, two inches in
length, one inch and a half wide, and in the centre half an inch thick, more
or less, where is a small concavity for the reception of the end of the screw,
and diminishing towards each end in thickness to one quarter of an inch.

page_text: This plate is screwed on, and inserted in the right-hand side of the move-
able bar, the center being exactly opposite to the left end of the .screw;
affixed to the lower parts of the frame horizontally, are boards glued toge-
ther, forming a bottom like that of a square or rectangular box. A lid
also similar to that of a box of the above form is properly fastened on the.
upper part with hinges, and, having a lock to it, the machine may be locked
up when not in use, to prevent dust from falling into it, and also to conceal the
parts. Each of the rollers has at each end an iron ferule driven longitudinally
into the wood at a small distance round the iron axis to keep it tight; and over
it is a plate of brass or other metal screw to the end of each roller, and
embracing the gudgeon. When the portable mangle is to be used for pressing
or mangling cloths, linnens, or anything else, the larger roller is taken out,
the cloth, linnen, or whatever is to be mangled, is spread on a table, and then
wound round the roller neatly, closely, and smoothly. The gudgeons of the
rollers are then dropped through the perpendicular into the horizontal groove,
and by turning the screw in the manner above described, the cloth, linnen, &c.
is pressed close in a line between the two rollers; any degree of pressure may
be thus communicated. The person who is to use the mangle then turns tho
winch by laying hold of its handle from the left hand to the right through the
zenith, by which means the two rollers act with a constant pressure one against
the other, and every part of the cloth or linnen is smoothed or mangled; and,
when sufficiently mangled, is taken out with the larger roller. Another way
of using the portable mangle is by admitting one end of the cloth or linnen,
&c., folded smooth and flat between the two rollers, then pressing them close
by means of the screw in the manner above described, and making them
revolve, by turning the winch affixed to the axis of the smaller wheel, until the
other end of the cloth, linnen, &c., is nearly passing between the rollers, then
turning the winch in a contrary direction, the cloth, linnen, &c., will be drawn
and pressed between the two rollers until the end of it first pressed is nearly
passing between the rollers. The winch is then to be turned in the former
direction, and so on alternately, when the end of the cloth or linnen, &c., is
nearly passing through the rollers. Rollers are made of various kinds of wood,
brass, or other hard materials. Those made or only covered over with brass,
nicely turned and smoothly polished, give a fine gloss to the cloth or linnen
which is mangled by means of them. Portable mangles are made of various
sizes, or of any size to suit the convenience and the various purposes of those
who use them.
The above is the exact and accurate description of a portable mangle,
with two rollers only; but when three rollers are to be used it is necessary
that the smaller roller on the axis of which is affixed the larger .cast-

page_text: iron wheel, be the middle one, and have a larger roller parallel on each side;
in which caso the larger roller, which is on the left hand of the small one, has
its gudgeons resting on the lower parts, and pressing against the inside ends of
the iron bearing groove, or, in other words, the gudgeons of this larger roller
occupy the same place as those of the smaller roller do when only two rollers are
used. When three rollers are used, the small one in the middle, having the
larger cast-iron wheel affixed on its axis, it is necessary that, obedient to the
pressure occasioned by turning the screw, the two wheels be at liberty to move
together with the rollers towards the left without derauging their relative juxta-
position. This is accomplished by means of two confining iron grooves, consisting
cach of two parallel pieces shut at each end at right angles, the opening of each
being equal in width to the diameter of the cylindrical part of the iron axis on
cach side of each of the wheels, and in length in the opening equal to the distance
which the outermost side of the axis of one of the wheels is from the outermost
side of the axis of the other when duly placed for the smaller wheel to turn with
case the larger. At each inside termination of each of these confining grooves
aro the cylindrical parts of the iron axes of the wheels on each side passed, and
touch it at right angles. To prevent the cogs of the smaller wheel from falling
too far into those of the larger, a small swell in the inside of the confining groove
close to the right-hand side of the cylindrical part of the smaller wheel arises
upwards, so as to keep the axis on the left hand always close to the inside termi-
nation of the confining grooves; the iron confining grooves are then introduced
horizontally, one into the outer part of the thick side of the frame, and the other
into the parallel board opposite, between which the wheels revolve, so as to be
just flush with each board, and casily moveable in it horizontally from the right
hand to the left, and vice versa, as far as is necessary to press the rollers closo
together, or to keep them at a distance, when necessary for the admission of
cloth, linnen, &c., to pass between or round them. It is necessary to observe,
that two or more rollers may, if necessary, be used on each side of the small
one, that the machine may be inclosed in an outer covering or case of any
kind, shape, or size whatever, and in imitation of any piece of furniture, or any
thing else which fancy and taste suggest. There are several modes of using
the portable mangle with advantage; each of the larger rollers may be taken
out by drawing the gudgeons through the perpendicular wooden grooves
upwards, and then the cloth, linnen, &c., may be rolled round them, smoothly
closely, and neatly upon a table, after which they are replaced in their forme
position in the machine, screwed close, and then turned round by means of the
winch, till the cloths, linnen, &c., be sufficiently mangled; they aro then agai
taken out, the cloth, linnen, &c., unrolled, and so the operation may go on
Or without taking out the rollers the cloth or linnen, &c. may be smoothly an

page_text: closely folded, and one end of it introduced first between the middle and left-
hand roller, (if there be three rollers and no more,) then passing under the
middle roller it may again pass between the middle and right-hand roller-
upwards, and thus pressed close together by means of the screw, and making
the rollers to revolve first one way, till the other end of the cloth or linnen, &c.
be ready to pass between the two rollers between which the first end was
introduced, and then vice versa, until the end of the cloth or linnen, &c., first
introduced be ready to pass between the middle and the right-hand roller, and
so on alternately until it be sufficiently mangled. The cloth or linnen, &c.,
must be very smoothly and nicely folded, so that the edges be in this form
before it is introduced between the rollers. Two different pieces of cloth
or linnen may be mangled at a time, one being introduced between the middle
and right-hand roller, and the other between the middle and left-hand roller,
and pressed together; under and at the side of the rollers there must be suffi-
cient room for the cloth or linnen to pass and to settle as it passes between the
rollers.
The cheapest and least cumbersome case to the mangle is that which
imitates a flat rectangular box, having a bottom of deal or any other wood,
at a sufficient distance from the rollers, on which even the largest sheets or
any cloth or linnen of large dimensions may with ease be folded up, previously
to the introducing of one of the ends between the rollers. If there be two
rollers or more, on each side of the middle one, four or more pieces of cloth
or linnen, &c. may be mangled at the same time. One screw is sufficient
for any number of rollers: it is only necessary to observe, that in proportion
as the number of rollers is increased, the length of the strong sides and parallel
boards, and of the iron bearing, grooves, &c., are to be lengthened to make the
whole operation of mangling as convenient as possible. And to prevent cloth or
linnen, &c. from being injured by friction, two or more small wooden rollers, one
or two inches in diameter, having small gudgeons of iron, or any other metal or
wood, are placed on the upper part of the frame towards the end on the right,
and parallel to the pressing rollers, and two or more similar ones on the left, either
on the inside of the lid when open, or on the frame towards the end, if thero
be no lid. Over these, the cloth or linnen, &c., to be mangled, passes, and is
prevented from being injured by friction. But if all the pressing rollers be on
the right hand of the roller to which the large wheel is affixed, no small rollers
intended to prevent the cloth or linnen, &c., from being injured by friction, need
be placed on the left; the pressing rollers, whatever is their number, may all be
placed on the right hand of and parallel to that on the axis of which the
larger cast iron wheel is affixed, and in this case no confining iron grooves are
necessary, but the first moving roller, or that on the axis of which the larger

page_text: iron wheel is aflixed, has its gudgeons pressed close to the inside end of the
iron bearing groove, and makes all the other' rollers revolve on the right. The
frame of the portable manglo may be either perpendicular or horizontal. The
prossing rollers will be in the former case one above another, and in the latter
case side by side in horizontal parallels. When the frame of the portable
mangle is perpendicular, the cloth and linnen, &c., is wound round a small
roller of wood, placed one on each side of the lower pressing roller, ready to
bo introduced and drawn between the pressing rollers. On each side of the
frame, below the roller round which the cloth or linnen, &c., is wound, is fixed
a small flap of wood; on which the cloth or linnen, &c. falls as it passes between
the pressing rollers: The frame, when perpendicular, has a transverse piece of
wood at the bottom of each side of the frame to keep it steady.
In witness whereof, I, the said Philip Le Brocq, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of July, in the thirty-second
year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the
grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender
of the Faith, and so forth, and in the year of our Lord One thousand
seven hundred and ninety-two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered, by the
within-named Philip Le Brocq, iu
the presence of us,
EDWP ALLEN.
PH. (L.S.) LE BROCQ.
2
BERNARD GILL.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-seventh day of July, in 2
the thirty-second year of the reign of His Majesty King George the Third, the
said Philip Le Brocq came before our said Lord the King in His Chancery,
and acknowledged the Instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the several Statutes made in g
the sixth year of the reign of the late King and Queen William and Mary
of England, and so forth, and in the seventeenth and twenty third years of the
reign of His present Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Twenty-seventh day of July, in the year above written.