Improvements in Washing US
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 12th Jan., 1895
Improvements in
Washing US
I, CHARLES ELLIS HALLS of 74, and 75, St. George Street E. London, Ships
Lamp Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
This invention relates to an improved washing machine and is intended to provide
a simple and inexpensive arrangement, by means of which the clothes may be
thoroughly washed without danger of injuring them, the apparatus adapting itself
to widely varying thicknesses.
In carrying out my invention 1 employ a bath or trough of suitable shape, in
which the water for washing is placed. At the bottom of this bath is fitted a tap
by which the water may be run off. The washing machine fitted to the bath by
means of suitable clamps at each side, and a hearing in which a spindle operating
the mechanism is carried. On this spindle is fitted a large roller, fluted or grooved
round its whole circumference. On this large roller a number of smaller plain rollers
bear carried in a frame at each end, the frame being capable of rocking about a
centre formed by a pin carried at the end of a strong curved spring. This spring
is connected to the spindle above mentioned at its other end and is fixed to a cross
bar connecting the two clamps together. The frame and set of plain rollers are
thus pressed on the surface of the fluted roller, so that when the latter is turned,
the small rollers will be also revolved, the clothes to be washed being passed between
the large roller and the set of small rollers. Owing to the form of the spring and
to the rocking motion of the frame, any thickness of material is allowed for, and the
pressure is evenly distributed over the whole, whether the thickness of clothes be
regular or not. A shield is carried by each frame covering the ends of the rollers,
and ensuring that the clothes pass properly through the apparatus, also preventing
any splashing which might otherwise occur, while the clothes are passing through.
The apparatus is worked by means of a handle of ordinary construction at one end
of the spindle.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the bath and washing apparatus, Fig. 2 is a plan of
the same,
Fig. 3 is an end view of the rollers and frame, and
Fig. 4 is a cross section of the apparatus.
A is the bath preferably of galvanised steel and of rectangular shape, with sloping
sides, with the brass tap a at one end, by which the water may be run off after
using. On the upper edge of the bath at each side is fitted the bearing a¹ formed
from a hooked plate riveted to the sides. This serves to carry the spindle B on
which is fitted the fluted roller C of large diameter. The apparatus is fixed to the
bath by means of the clamps D, which are adjusted in position and screwed to the
side. of the bath by means of a thumb screw d. After the spindle B has been placed
in the hearing plates, the clamps are connected across the bath by means of the
To this cross
cross strip or bar d', which connects the parts forming a rigid frame.
The lower
piece dare fixed the C shaped springs E, one on each side of the bath.
end of these springs is extended horizontally, and formed with a looped end which
is passed over the spindle B, thus connecting the parts together. The other end of
the spring is formed into a bearing for the pin f carrying the curved frame F, the
latter being provided with a lug on its upper side on which the pin is formed, out
of centre. This curved frame is thus permitted to rock about on the pin f and

page_text: adjust itself to uneven pressure.
These frames, one at each side, serve to carry the
plain rollers G, four of which, are shown, bearing with a pressure given by the
springs E on the fluted roller C, the frames F having bearings in which the pins g
fitted to the rollers can revolve. All the rollers are thus, free to turn on their own
axes and revolve when the roller C is turned by means of the handle 6 fitted on the
end of the spindle B..
On each frame is fitted the metal shield H shown clearly in Fig. 3 with the
notch to permit of the spindle B passing through, and also to allow of the shield
moving without interfering with the said spindle. This shield effectually prevents
any splashing from the sides of the rollers when the clothes are passing, and also
ensures that the latter pass properly between the rollers. As can be clearly seen
from Figs. 1 and 4, the rollers G and frame F are free to move in two manners.
They can be raised from the fluted roller when any articles are being passed throug
the apparatus, and should any uneven thickness be met with, one side can be raised,
the frames rocking about on the pins, thus ensuring an even pressure on all parts,
and permitting of a considerable thickness being passed through.
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 an improved washing machine, the combination of a large roller carried in
suitable bearings, with a set of small rollers bearing upon its surface, carried in a
rocking frame at each side, and caused to bear upon the main roller by means of
strong shaped springs, the whole being fitted to a suitable bath, substantially as
described and for the purposes specified.
1
(2.) In an improved washing machine, the combination with a large roller carried
in suitable bearings, of a set of small rollers bearing upon its surface, supported in
a rocking frame at each side, carried by a C shaped spring, the end of which forms
a bearing for the pin of the rocking frame, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
(3.) In an improved washing machine, the combination of a fluted or ribbed roller
carried in bearings on each side, with rocking frames to which is pivoted a set of
small rollers bearing upon the ribbed roller, and a C shaped spring carrying the
said frames, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(4.) In an improved washing machine, the combination with a fluted roller fitted on
a spindle carried in bearings at the sides of a bath of rocking frames on each end
carrying a set of small rollers bearing on the fluted roller supported at the end by a
C shaped spring, clamps at each side fixing the apparatus to the bath, and a cross
bar connecting the said clamps together and carrying the said C shaped springs,
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(5.) An improved washing machine consisting of a large fluted roller carried in
bearings at each side and turned by means of a handle, a set of small rollers carried
in rocking frames, and bearing on the main roller, C shaped springs supporting the
rocking frames, frame with clamps carrying the springs, and shields fitted to the
rocking frames and covering the ends of the rollers, substantially as and for
the purposes specified.
(6.) The improved washing machine, consisting of a bath with tap and bearings,
fluted roller carried in the said bearings, small rollers fitted in rocking frames
carrying shields, C shaped springs connected to the frames and clamps fixing the
apparatus to the bath, substantially as described and shown, and for the purposes
specified.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.