Improvements in Washing Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1892-Accepted, 2nd July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing Machines.
I, LEVI ROBINSON LEE, of Riseholme, near Lincoln, Farm Foreman, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in machines for washing clothes, and has
for its object to so construct such machines that they shall be simpler and more
efficient in their action than those heretofore in use.
For the purpose of my invention I employ an outer fixed receptacle or trough,
preferably semi-circular in cross section, into which an inner moveable crate or cage,
also preferably semi-circular in cross section, is fitted or pivotted so as to be capable
of swinging or rocking within the outer receptacle or trough.
The outer receptacle or trough, which receives the water and articles to be
washed, is provided with ribs or bars extending along its inner surface. Some of
these ribs or bars may be of flat or rectangular section and be fixed, whilo others,
which may be free to revolve, are of round or circular section. These ribs or bars
may be so arranged that the flat ones alternate with the round ones.
The moveable or rocking crate is composed of a number of ribs or bars which
may be similar in section and be arranged alternately in like manner to those
employed in the outer receptacle or trough, the rectangular ribs or bars being fixed
and the circular ones being free to revolve.
The articles to be washed are placed between the rocking crate and the outer
receptacle or trough, and the said crate may be so pivotted in the outer receptacle
or trough that when rocked, during the operation of washing, the distance between
the crate and the inside surface of the outer receptacle or trough is less at the end
of each rocking movement of the crate than when the crate is in its central position.
By this means the articles being washed are more evenly disposed and are kept in a
better position for more thorough and easy washing, as well as prevented from
becoming collected together in unmanageable heaps.
The rocking motion may be imparted to the rocking crate by a handle, or other
suitable means; which may be driven by hand or power.
.
The bottom of the rocking crate is preferably hinged so as to permit the articles
to be introduced and withdrawn from the machine without the necessity of removing
the crate from the outer receptacle or trough.
Dated this 31st day of August 1891.
ERNEST DE PASS,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 6, Victoria Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing Machines.
I, LEVI ROBINSON LEE, formerly of Riseholme, near Lincoln, and now of
19 Gray Street, Lincoln, Farm Foreman, 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, reference being had
to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say :-
This invention relates to improvements in machines for washing clothes, and has
5 for its object to so construct such machines that they shall be simpler and more
efficient in their action than those heretofore in use.

page_text: For the purpose of my invention I employ an outer fixed receptacle or trough,.
preferably semi-circular in cross section, into which an inner movable crate or cage,
also preferably semi-circular in cross section, is fitted or pivotted so as to be capable
of swinging or rocking within the outer receptacle or trough.
•
The outer receptacle or trough, which receives the water and articles to be
washed, is provided with ribs or bars extending along its inner surface. Some of
these ribs or bars may be of flat or rectangular section and be fixed, while others,
which may be free to revolve, are of round or circular section. These ribs or bars
may be so arranged that the flat ones alternate with the round ones.
The movable or rocking crate is likewise provided with a number of ribs or bars
which may be similar in section and be arranged alternately in like manner to those
employed in the outer receptacle or trough, the rectangular ribs or bars being fixed,
and the circular ones being free to revolve.
The articles to be waslied are placed between the rocking crate and the outer
receptacle or trongh, and the said crate may be so pivotted in the outer receptacle
or trough that when rocked, during the operation of washing, the distance between
the ribs or bars of the crate and those of the outer receptacle or trough is less at
the end of each rocking movement of the crate than when the crate is in its central
position. By this means the articles being washed are inore evenly disposed and
are kept in a better position for more thorough and easy washing, as well as
prevented from becoming collected together in unmanageable heaps.
The rocking motion may be imparted to the rocking crate by a handle, or other
suitable means, which may be driven by hand or power.
The bottom of the rocking crate is preferably hinged so as to perinit the articles
to be introduced, and withdrawn from the machine without the necessity of
removing the crate from the outer receptacle or trough.
In order that my said invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect, will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section and Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the improved
washing machine which, in the example shown, is adapted to be worked by hand.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine as it appears when out of use,, and
Fig. 4 is a plan of the rocking crate or cage.
A is the outer fixed receptacle or trough which consists of semi-circular end
pieces a, a, connected together by side rails a* and longitudinal ribs or bars a¹, a²,
and of a sheet metal semicircular bottom a. This outer receptacle or trough holds
the water and the articles to be washed, and is rigidly supported on legs a standing
out from the end pieces a.
Within the said outer receptacle or trough is pivotted the rocking crate or
cage B, which is likewise composed of semicircular end pieces b, b, also connected
together by longitudinal ribs or bars b¹, b².
The end pieces a, a, are formed with vertical slots a³ into which enter pivots or
trunnions, standing out from the end pieces 6, when the crate is placed within the
outer receptacle. These pivots are so arranged that when the crate B is rooked,
during the washing operation, the distance between the ribs or bars of the crate
and those at the bottom of the outer receptacle becomes less as the crate approaches
the end of each of its rocking movements.
The longitudinal ribs or bars a, b, are cylindrical while the others a, b, are
rectangular (see Fig. 2).and the rectangular ribs or bars a³, h2, are fixed while the
cylindrical ones a, b, are free to revolve. By arranging the ribs or bars in this
manner and pivotting the rocking crate as above described, a much more effective
washing, and greater case in working the machine are obtained.
Some of the longitudiual ribs or bars 6, 6, do not extend into the end pieces b,
but terminate in pivotted segmental pieces, so that when the pivotted stops 6*
are turned up, the segmental pieces b*, together with their longitudinal ribs or bars,
can be turned into the position indicated by dotted lines at Fig. 2, and thus form
an opening through which the articles can be taken out when washed, without the
necessity of removing the rocking crate,

page_text: The rocking motion is imparted to the crate by means of the arms or uprights o
which are slotted at their upper ends to receive the ends of the cross rod c³, and
these arms are detachably connected to the semi-circular end pieces b so that when
the machine is out of use, they can be removed and laid within the machine so as
not to occupy any unnecessary space. I may also provide the machine with a lid
or cover d, which is cut away at d', d, so as to permit of its being fitted onto the
top of the outer receptacle or trough (as seen at Figure 3) when the arms or
uprights c are removed. In this manner the machine can readily be converted into
a useful ironing or other table which will be found of considerable advantage.
In order to render the arms or uprights readily detachable, I have shown them
at Figure 1, provided with pios e which enter corresponding holes formed in the
end pieces b of the rocking crate. But instead of employing these means, I some-
times use the arrangement shewn on an enlarged scale at Figure 5, in which e is a
square lug projecting from a plate e firmly secured to each of the end pieces b,
and f, is a metal socket, carried by the lower end of each of the arms or uprights c,
and capable of being readily dropped onto the lug e. The length of the lugs e is
such that they do not project above the level of the outer receptacle or trough, and
consequently do not interfere with the lid or cover d when it is placed upon the
trough after the arms or uprights c are removed.
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. In a washing machine in which a semioircular crate or cage is free to be
rocked within an outer fixed receptacle or trough, providing the rocking crate or
cage, and the fixed receptacle, with semi-circularly arranged longitudinal ribs or
bars, some of which are cylindrical and free to revolve, while others are rectangular
and stationary, the said crate or cage being so pivotted that the distance between
its ribs or bars and those at the bottom of the outer receptacle, becomes less as the
crate or cage is rocked in either direction, substantially as herein before described
and shewn, and for the purpose set forth.
2. My improved washing machine, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn by the annexed drawings.
snewn by the annexed drawings.
Dated this 28th day of May 1882.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 6, Victoria Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.