IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Peel and John Brown, both of Birstal, near Leeds,
in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING
MACHINES."
Sealed the 6th November 1877, and dated the 18th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Peel and John Brown
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th May 1877.
WILLIAM PEEL and JOHN BROWN, both of Birstal, near Leeds, in the County of
York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES."
This Invention relates to improved machinery or apparatus to be used in the
washing of clothes, which can, by the use thereof, be effected with greater facility
than hitherto, and in about one-third the time generally taken, requiring a less
consumption of soap, and preventing the wear of or injury to the clothes, as the
necessity for hand-rubbing them is obviated.
The improved machine or apparatus is constructed with a metal cylinder fitted
with a piston having suitable packing, and from which rises a piston rod through a
cap suitably secured at the top of the cylinder, the piston being prevented working
round in the cylinder by a feather on its rod. The piston and cap at opposite
points are fitted with hooks, over which are drawn india-rubber springs which have
a normal tendency to draw up the piston, which is prevented from being drawn up
too high or from damaging collision with the cylinder cap by a collar on its rod
surmounted by an india-rubber washer. The cap is pierced with a few holes so
that air shall have free access to and from the space above the piston to allow of
the latter working freely. Across the bottom of the cylinder are stretched cross
bars which prevent the piston being pushed beyond the cylinder, and the clothes in
the washing tub or vessel being drawn up the cylinder by the action of the piston
in its return stroke after being pressed down. The lower part of the cylinder is
fitted outside with a cone, the space between which and the cylinder is filled up by
an annular plate.
In using the improved apparatus it is placed so as to rest on the clothes in the
tub containing the soapsuds or cleansing water; the piston rod is then depressed by
band until it reaches the bottom of the cylinder; the apparatus is then lifted clear

page_text: of the water, and, the pressure on the piston rod being removed, the india-rubber
springs draw up the piston a few inches in the cylinder, and the cylinder gets again
charged with air. This operation is continuously repeated; each descent of the
piston forces the air from the cylinder into the water, causing great commotion
thereof, and sending the water through the clothes. The strokes of the piston
should be made steadily to be of the greatest effect.
The utility of the cone with its annular plate is that it covers a larger surface of
the tub than the cylinder, and that it spreads the air more in the tub, so as to have
the greatest effect in the water, sending it forcibly through the clothes, and speedily
cleansing them, their positions being continually changed by the action of the piston.
The advantages of the improved apparatus are that it enables the washing of
clothes to be effected with greater facility than hitherto, in much less time, with a
less consumption of soap, and without injury to the clothes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Peel and John Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th November 1877.
WILLIAM PEEL and JOHN BROWN, both of Birstal, near Leeds, in the County of
York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES."
This Invention relates to an improved machine or apparatus to be used in the
washing of clothes or other articles, which, by the use thereof, can be effected with
greater facility than hitherto, and in about one-third the time generally taken,
requiring a less consumption of soap, and preventing wear of or injury to the
clothes, as the necessity for hand-rubbing them is obviated.
The improved machine is illustrated on the accompanying Drawings in Figures 1
and 2, which are respectively a sectional elevation and a sectional plan. It is
constructed with a metal cylinder 1 fitted with a piston 2, having suitable packing 3,
and from which rises a piston rod 4 which passes through a cap 5 secured at the
top of the cylinder by wire springs 7, the piston being prevented working round in
the cylinder by a feather S on its rod. The piston and cap at opposite points are
fitted with hooks 9, over which are drawn india-rubber springs 10 which have a
normal tendency to draw up the piston, which is prevented being drawn up too
high or from damaging collision with the cap by a collar 11 on its rod surmounted
by an india-rubber washer 12. The cap is pierced with a few holes 13 so that air
shall have free access to and from the space above the piston to allow of it working
freely. Across the bottom of the cylinder are stretched cross bars 14, which prevent
the piston being pushed beyond the cylinder, and the clothes in the washing tub or
vessel being drawn up into the cylinder by the action of the piston in its return
stroke after being pressed down. The lower part of the cylinder is fitted outside
with a conc 15, the space between which and the cylinder is closed by an annular
plate 16. In lieu of the springs 10 a helical wire spring 6 may be applied between
the cap and the handles 17, as shown in dotted lines.
In using the improved machine it is placed so as to rest on the clothes in the tub
containing the soapsuds or cleansing water; the piston rod is then depressed by
both hands by means of the handles until it reaches the bottom of the cylinder, as
shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, after which the apparatus is lifted clear of the
water, and, the pressure on the piston rod being removed, the springs draw the
piston a few inches up in the cylinder, which again gets charged with air. This

page_text: method of operation is continuously repeated, each descent of the piston forcing
the air from the cylinder into the water, causing great commotion thereof, and
forcibly sending it through the clothes, speedily cleansing them, their positions being
continually changed by the action of the piston, the strokes of which should be
made steadily to be of greatest effect.
The utility of the cone with its annular plate is that it covers a larger surface of
the tub than the cylinder would, and that it spreads the air more in the tub, so as
to have the greatest disturbing effect upon the water.
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, we would remark in conclusion that we claim as of our Invention,
the construction of apparatus to be used in the washing of clothes or other articles,
substantially as herein-above described and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet
of Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Peel and John Brown, have hereunto
set our hands and seals, this Fifteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
WILLIAM PEEL. (L.S.)
JOHN BROWN.
(L.S.)