Improvements in Washing Machines for Laundry, Dyeing, and similar Purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Oct., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing Machines for Laundry, Dyeing, and
similar Purposes.
EDWARD WILLIAMSON, CLAUD HAMMERTON (trading as W. Williamson
& Co.) Mechanical Engineers, 133, High Holborn, London, W.C. do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention embodies improvements in the construction of the reciprocating
type of washing machine generally known as the Williamson washer & described
fully in Patent No. 1836, A.D. 1859.
In order to minimize the amount of handling of the linen in the process of
transferring the same from the washer to any other machine or receptacle, we
construct a door or doors in the bottom of the machine, so hinged and balanced as
to allow when opened a free passage for the contents of the washer into any
suitable trolley or receiver placed beneath the said machine.
These doors (or a single door) when closed, form a portion of the bottom of the
washer & may be slung either from the centre of the machine or from the outside.
They are balanced by ordinary counterweights so as to be easy of manipulation &
so as to close automatically after the contents of the washer have fallen through.
The joint between the door & the rest of the washer-base is made with an inter-
vening ring of suitable elastic material & the whole is drawn tightly together by
means of a series of taper snugs, working against each other & controlled by a
lever, band wheel or other similar convenient piece of mechanism.
In place of the original outside crank-shaft with connecting rods to the press-
arms, we construct sliding bearings in the said press-arins and mount a crank shaft
in the main vertical frames of the machine, so as to pass through these said sliding
bearings; and thus obtain the reciprocating motion of the press direct, without the
intervention of the connecting rods hitherto used for this purpose.
In this way we obviate the use of the outside bearings & gearing & secure an
entirely self-contained driving gear.
This arrangement also enables the machine to be used equally well from either
side.
January 14th 1896.
EDWARD WILLIAMSON.
CLAUD HAMMERTON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing Machines for Laundry, Dyeing, and
similar Purposes.
EDWARD WILLIAMSON and CLAUD HAMMERTON trading as W. Williamson
& Co. Laundry Engineers of 100 High Holborn, London, W.C. late of 133 High
Holborn, W.C. 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 embodies improvements in the construction of the reciprocating

page_text: type of washing machine generally known as the Williamson washer and described
fully in Patent No. 1836 A.D. 1859.
In order to minimize the amount of handling of the linen in the process of
transferring the same from, the washer to any other machine or receptacle, we
-construct a door or doors in the bottom of the machine, so hinged and balanced as
to allow when opened-a free passage for the contents of the washer, into any
suitable trolley or receiver placed underneath the washer. In the illustrations
herewith A is the washer and B. B. are the opening doors hinged at C. and
balanced by springs at D. D. These springs may be replaced by suitable counter-
weights, where desirable.
These doors B. B. form a portion of the bottom of the washer and may be slung
either from the centre of the machine bottom; or from the outsides, as shewn
at C. C. or from the ends.
The joint between the door and the washer base is made with an intervening
ring of suitable elastic material and the whole is drawn tightly together by means
of a series of taper snugs F. F. working against each other and controlled
by a lever, hand wheel (G as shown) or other similar convenient piece of
mechanism.
In place of the original outside crankshaft with connecting rods to the press
arms, H.; we construct sliding bearings J. in the said arms, and mount a shaft K.
in the main vertical frames of the washer, so as to pass through these said sliding
bearings; and by cranks M. M. on this shaft we obtain the reciprocating motion
of the press (indicated by the dotted lines L. L.), direct, without the intervention
of the connecting rods hitherto used for this purpose. This arrangement, by
doing away with the outside gearing, permits of the machine being used from
either side & allows of its standing in less floor space. In the place of the
cranks M. M. on the shaft K eccentrics or cams may be used and the forms of the
.sliding bearings J. modified accordingly or dispensed with entirely.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The adaptation to the Williamson type of washing machine of opening and
closing bottom doors, with automatic closing and balancing gearing, substantially
as herein described.
2. The adaptation to the Williamson type of washing machine of a central
shaft fitted with cams, eccentrics or cranks, and working in suitable bearings in
the press arms of the machine, substantially as herein described.
3. The construction & arrangement of the machine substantially as herein
described & illustrated.
EDWARD WILLIAMSON.
CLAUD HAMMERTON.