IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO IRONING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, THOMAS BRADFORD, of 140, to 143 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex;
Laundry Engineer, c/o Day Davies & Hunt, Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn, in
the same County, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN OR APPLICABLE TO IRONING MACHINES" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in or applicable to ironing
machines, and it has been devised with the object of improving the construction or
arrangement of such machines in such a manner as that the operation thereof may
be better and more easily effected and with more perfect control by the operator
than is obtainable in existing machines.
.
The improved machine is constructed with a suitable framework made of wood,
or of iron, or of both combined, and upon which there is suitably secured an ironing
cylinder or box made of iron, steel or other suitable metal, and which may be made
of a square, rectangular, or other desired shape in. cross section, with one or more
ironing surfaces of a flat, circular, concave, convex, or grooved, plain or ornamental
formation, and which may be used for plain or ornamental ironing, calendering, and
finishing of body and table linen and other materials, and also for such purposes as.
embossing velvets or other fabrics.
This ironing cylinder or box is secured to the said framework in such a manner
as that it does not partake of the reciprocating motion hereinafter referred to as
imparted to other parts of the improved machine, or of any vertical motion, or
of any other motion than an adaptability of being shifted endwise, or otherwise
so that any one of its ironing faces may be brought into ironing position, and then
for the time locked therein and firmly secured whilst the ironing proceeds, or until.
desired, or until such surface loses its effective temperature, when the cylinder, can
be again shifted or turned so that another and sufficiently heated ironing face thereof
is brought into ironing position.
The ironing cylinder is heated internally by gas, or by steam or by other suitable
heating agent, in such a manner as that while any one of the flat, circular, concave;
convex, grooved or other ironing surfaces is in action and is consequently being
gradually cooled and rendered less effective for its purpose by the damp, linen,
another or others of the said ironing surfaces is or, are being heated to the required
heat or temperature by the gas or other heating agent employed, such heat as may
radiate, from the ironing, surface or surfaces, being heated or as may escape from the
-

page_text: open ends of the ironing cylinder being utilized for partially drying the surface of the
starched linen or article to be ironed to prepare it the better for being ironed, and
for this purpose a light open wire work shelf or bracket is provided and fixed over
or partly around the upper part of the ironing cylinder and upon this shelf or
bracket the said articles are or may be placed; but when using steam or any like
heating agent for heating the ironing cylinder, its ends are suitably closed, and the
heat is equally distributed to the different parts of the cylinder, the radiated heat
being utilized for partially drying the articles to be ironed in the manner immediately
herein before indicated.
Thus, according to the present improvements, the cooling action of the damp
linen in being ironed is for the time concentrated upon one part or ironing surface
of a stationary heated ironing cylinder, the other parts or surfaces of which are
during such time being re-heated and kept up to the required or most effective
temperature and can be instantly turned into ironing position, whereas in existing
machines employing a revolving heated ironing cylinder, the cold damp linen has
its effect upon and is continually abstracting the heat from the whole surface of the
ironing cylinder as each part is continuously being successively presented to it, and
hence there is less difficulty in the present improved machines of keeping the heat
of the ironing cylinder or of some part or parts thereof. which can be instantly
brought into practical operation up to the most effective temperature for ironing.
A further novel and important feature of the improved machine consists in the
application thereto immediately under such ironing cylinder of one or of a series of
spring boards, which may be of various shapes or sizes suitable to or dependent
upon the size or shape of the linen or other material or articles to be operated upon,
and which boards, or any one or more of which are suitably secured at the
inner ends to an inner adjustable frame arranged and adapted so as to slide or.
receive a reciprocating, horizontal motion' inside the above referred to outer frame-
work in the direction of the length thereof and transversely of and under the said
ironing cylinder: These spring boards are or may be covered with the usual ironing
blanket and calico or linen cloth, which is or may be made like a sleeve or sleeves
of suitable shape to slip on to the said board or boards, and so that they can be
readily removed, or secured so that the reciprocating action the spring boards
partake of with the said reciprocating frame shall not crease the said sleeves when
pressed, as hereinafter referred to, against the ironing or polishing cylinder.
This sliding frame, to which the said spring ironing boards are secured, is or may
be actuated by means of an eccentric or crank shaft, or of a disc plate with a stud
sliding therein, or by other suitable means which would permit of the stroke or
traverse of the réciprocating frame being readily adjusted or regulated to whatever
length may be most desirable for the class of work to be ironed.
The modus operandi of the improved machine differs from that of previously.
constructed or existing ironing machines, and is hereinafter described. It has
already been explained, that the ironing cylinder is fixedly secured during the time
that any of its ironing surfaces or any part thereof is in practical operation, and
except when (upon the operation of the machine being for the time stopped) it is
required to be shifted, so that another ironing surface of part thereof is brought
into operation, and which is or may be effected by hand when desired, or automati-
cally at any set or alterable periods, and by simply shifting the ironing cylinder
endwise, or otherwise, or by turning it over, or round, so that the flat, circular, or
convex side, or any side or part of the ironing cylinder can be brought into and
locked or secured in position immediately over the spring boards, upon any one or
more of which the linen collar or other article to be ironed and finished is laid by
the attendant, and then brought into contact with the heated surface of the iron by
the simple act on the part of the attendant of lifting up the, loose or unsecured end
of the spring board or boards until it comes into contact with the heated surface of
the iron, and then exercising upon it, at will, first the lesser, and then the greater
pressure required or most advantageous, the spring board or boards continuously
moving to and fro under the said heated iron together with the said frame, but the
..

page_text: collar or other article thereon to be ironed only coming in contact with the heated
surface of the iron during the exercise of this lifting or upward pressure, and
entirely at the will of the attendant, and the moment the attendant's fingers release
their hold or pressure of the loose end of the spring board, it drops with the collar
upon it down upon a rest underneath it and forming part of the sliding frame
carrying the spring board, free and clear from and of the hot iron above it.
This lifting finger pressure is more especially valuable. in the smaller sized
machines, for small work, but in the larger machines intended for heavy, work the
spring board or boards may be lifted-up.to. the- ironing surface of the superposed
heated cylinder by the simple arrangement of a lever with friction rollers, actuated
by inclining the body to and fro, as required, or otherwise; or for the purpose of
obtaining this lesser and greater pressure when the attendant is required to be
seated, other equivalent devices or convenient means may be used operated by the
foot, and by preference by the heel thereof, so as to enable the attendant to sit
firmly with the whole of one foot and the sole of the other foot on the floor, the
heel of the latter foot resting upon the lever or equivalent means used until the
application of pressure is required, and then bearing thereon as required.
Dated this 14th day of October 1884
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,,
Agents for the Applicant..

page_text: •
COMPLEIE
DIECIFICATION.
I, THOMAS BRADFORD, of 140 to 143, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Laundry Engineer, c/o, Day, Davies & Hunt, Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn,
in the same County, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO IRONING MACHINES," and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in or applicable to ironing
machines, and it has, been devised with the object of improving the construction or
arrangement of such machines in such a manner as that the operation thereof may
be better and more easily effected and with more perfect control by the operator
than is obtainable in existing machines.
The improved machine is illustrated on the accompanying drawings, in side
elevation in Fig; 1; and in plan view in Fig, 2; and is constructed with a suit-
able framework, 1, made of wood, or of iron, or of both such materials combined,
and upon which there is mounted in suitable standards, 21, an ironing cylinder or
box, 2, (hereinafter termed an "iron,") inade of iron, steel or other suitable metal,
and which may be made of a square, rectangular, or other desired shape in cross
section, with one or more ironing faces, 3, of a flat, circular, concave, convex,
grooved, plain or ornamental formation, and which may be used for plain or
ornamental ironing, calendering, and finishing of body and table linen and other
materials, and also for such purposes as embossing velvets or other fabrics.
The iron, is secured to the said framework in such a.manner as that it is capable
of being shifted endwise, or otherwise so that any one of its ironing faces, 3, may
be brought or turned into ironing position, and then for the time locked therein
and firmly secured by a lever, 4, or other suitable means whilst the ironing proceeds,
or until desired, or until such face loses its effective temperature, when the iron can be
again shifted or turned so that another and sufficiently heated ironing face
thereof is or may be brought into ironing position. This may be effected by hand,
when desired, by the means, 22, represented, or automatically at any set or alter-
able periods, and by simply shifting the iron endwise, or otherwise, or by turning
it over, or around, so that the flat, circular, or convex side, or any side or part of
the iron can be brought into and locked or secured in position.
.
The iron is heated internally by gas, steam, or other suitable heating agent,
supplied by a pipe, 5, provided with a cock, 6, or other suitable means of control,
in such a manner as that while any one of the said ironing faces is in action and is
consequently being gradually cooled and rendered less effective for its purpose
by the damp-linen, another or others of such ironing faces is or are being heated
to the required heat or temperature by the gas or other heating agent employed, and
such heat as may radiate from the ironing face or faces being heated or as may
escape from the open ends of the iron may be utilized for partially drying the
surface of the starched linen or articles to be ironed to prepare it or them the
better for being ironed, and for this purpose I provide a light open wire work shelf
or bracket of any suitable formation, and fix it over or partly around the upper

page_text: part of the iron, and upon this shelf or bracket the said articles are or may be
placed; but when it is intended to use steam or any like heating agent for heating
the iron, I make its ends of a closed-formation for causing the beat to be equally.
distributed to the different parts of the iron, and the radiated heat may be utilized
for partially drying the articles to be ironed in the manner immediately herein-
before indicated.
.
"
.
:
Immediately under the iron there is adapted or applied one or more fixed or
removable spring or rigid boards, 7, of any suitable shape or size suitable to or
dependent upon the shape or size of the linen or other material or articles to be
operated upon, and which boards, or any one or more of which, are suitably
secured at their inner ends; 8, to an inner adjustable frame or frames, 9, arranged
and adapted so as to slide or receive a reciprocating horizontal motion inside the
above referred to outer framework, 1, in the direction of the length thereof, and
transversely of and under the said iron, 2. The spring or rigid boards, 7, are or
may be covered with an ironing blanket, and calico or linen cloth, 10, as represented
in the drawings, or these materials may be made up like a sleeve or sleeves of
suitable shape to slip on to the said board or boards, 7, and so that they can be
readily removed, or secured so that the reciprocating action the boards, 7, partake
of with the said reciprocating frame, shall not crease the said sleeves, when pressed,
as hereinafter referred to, against the iron or polishing.cylinder, 2.
The desired reciprocating movements may be imparted to the frame, 9, by any
suitable means, such as by an eccentric or crank shaft, or, as represented; by a disc
plate, 11, and connecting rod, 12, connecting a stud 13, thereon with a bearing or
connection, 14, depending from the frame, 9, or other means which will give a fixed
stroke to the said frame and the parts it carries; or. by a slotted connecting rod or
slotted disc or other suitable means which would permit of the stroke or traverse of
the reciprocating frame being readily adjusted or regulated to whatever length may
be-most desirable for the class of work to be ironed.
Other removable boards may be placed transversely of the board or boards, 7, and
may be adapted to drop in between two transverse ribs thereon so that it or they may
be instantly placed and removed. These transverse boards are each intended to hold
say six collars or other like articles, which by being placed thereon and carried by
the reciprocating frame can be ironed at once, so that while one operative is
working the machine, another can be laying the collars or articles on another board
and removing those already ironed from the transverse board removed from the
frame.
The modus operandi of the improved machine differs from that of previously
constructed or existing ironing machines, and is hereinafter described. It has .
already been explained, that the iron remains stationary during the time that any
of its ironing faces or any part thereof is in practical operation, and except when
(upon the operation of the machine being for the time stopped) it is required to be
shifted, so that another ironing face or part thereof is brought into operation,
immediately over, the board or boards, 7, upon any one or more of which, or upon
the said removable transverse boards, the linen, collar, or collars, or other article to
be ironed and finished is then laid by the attendant, and is brought into contact
with the acting heated surface of the iron by the simple act on the part of the
attendant of raising the free end of the board or boards, 7, and then exercising
upon it, at will, first the lesser and then the greater pressure required or most
advantageous, while the said board or boards is or are together with the frame, 9,
continuously moving to and fro under the heated iron, the collar or collars or other
article thereon to be ironed only coming in contact with the heated surface of the
iron during the exercise of this lifting or upward pressure, and entirely at the will
of the attendant, as the moment the attendant's fingers or feet release their hold of
or pressure upon the free end of the board, it drops with the collar upon it down
5 upon a rest, 15, underneath it and forming part of the sliding frame, falling free
and clear from and of the hot iron above it.

page_text: In the smaller sized machines for small work the lifting of the boards, 7; may-be
advantageously effected by the fingers, but in the larger machines intended for
heavy work, as also in the smaller machines, if required, the board or boards, 7, may
be, lifted up to the heated iron by means of a lever, 16, and rod, 17, carrying
friction rollers, 23, immediately under the boards, 7, and which lever may be
actuated by the foot or for the purpose of obtaining this lesser and greater
pressure when the attendant is required to be seated, other equivalent devices or
convenient means may be used operated by the foot, and by preference by, the heel
thereof, so as to enable the attendant to sit firmly with the whole of one foot and
the sole of the other foot on the floor; the heel of the latter foot resting upon the
lever or equivalent means used until the application, of pressure is required; and
then, bearing thereon as required.
.
18, represents a lever and connected parts for shifting the belt from the fast to
the loose pulley, and vice-versâ, as desired, when the machine is driven by power;
and, 19, represents a hand wheel, and, 20, gearing for operating the machine. by
hand.
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. The application to ironing machines of the kind herein before described, of a
frame or frames arranged and adapted so as to slide or receive a reciprocating
horizontal motion along the framework of the machine and transversely of and
under the iron whether of the formation and arrangement herein before described
or of any other suitable formation and arrangement, and also formed provided or
adapted with one or more fixed or removable boards or means of or for carrying
the linen or other material or articles to be ironed in such a manner as to permit of
such articles being raised or lowered into and out of contact with the iron at the
will of the attendant, substantially in the manner hereinbefore described.
2. The general arrangement and combination of parts as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.