IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WASHING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Bingham Alliott, of Bloomsgrove Works, Radford,
in the County of Nottingham, Mechanical Engineer, and Oswald Barnsdale, of
Daybrook Laundry, Daybrook, in the same County, Laundryman, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WASHING MACHINES."
Scaled the 24th July 1877, and dated the 15th May 1877.
caled the 24th July 1877, and dated the 15th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Bingham Alliott and
Oswald Barnsdale at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th
May 1877.
JAMES BINGHAM ALLIOTT, of Bloomsgrove Works, Radford, in the County of
Nottingham, Mechanical Engineer, and OSWALD BARNSDALE, of Daybrook Laundry,
Daybrook, in the same County, Laundryman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TILE CONSTRUC-
TION OF WASHING MACHINES."
Our improvements relate to that class of washing machines in which the goods to
be washed are placed in a wash vessel revolving upon an axis placed horizontally or
nearly so, and are equally applicable whether the said revolving wash vessel has a
second or outer casing or not, and also whether the said revolving wash vessel is
circular or otherwise.
For the sake of clearness we will describe the improvements as applied to a wash
vessel having a second or outer casing which is stationary, and in which the water
is contained, and having its inner or revolving vessel cylindrical.
The periphery of this inner cylinder we usually construct of open metal grating
or grid work suitably supported and stiffened, so that the water can freely enter and
leave the vessel, while the goods to be washed are retained within it.
In the inner or revolving wash vessel we fix a division plate, which we prefer to
make of copper or galvanized iron, but which may also be made of wood or other
suitable material. This division plate extends across the diameter of the revolving
wash vessel, dividing it approximately into two semi-cylindrical vessels. The said
division plate acts as a double shelf for conveying the goods or articles contained in
each half of the revolving wash vessel from the bottom to near the top as the vessel
revolves, and is also for the purpose of guiding the said articles in their descent as
they fall from the upper to the lower part of the revolving wash vessel, and so

page_text: prevent them from becoming twisted or entangled in thus falling. We also provide
the said division plate with a recess or spoon at or near either extremity in order to
carry the clothes to a higher position before allowing them to fall than would be
the case if the said division plate were simply a plane surface drawn through the
axis of the revolving wash vessel.
In a part of the periphery of each of the divisions into which the revolving wash
vessel is thus divided, and by preference close to the division plate, we provide a
door for the purpose of introducing and removing the articles to be washed.
We attach to the said division plate at either extremity, and near to the said
doors, a loose revolving roller, which prevents the articles from catching or tearing
while being put into or withdrawn from the wash vessel.
For the purpose of bringing each half of the revolving wash vessel into a suitable
position, and retaining it there while being filled or emptied, we attach to one end
of the driving shaft or axle, by preference the end of which the driving pulley or
handle is attached, a worm wheel and worm; these we prefer to make so as to turn
the machine in the same direction as that in which it usually revolves, and to
arrange so that when the machine is at work they shall be automatically thrown
out of gear with the shaft, and come automatically into gear with it when the worm
is turned in the way required for driving the machine in the proper direction.
We usually provide the outer or stationary casing with a close fitting cover of
such strength that the water within may, if desired, be boiled under a slight
pressure of steam during the process of washing. This cover is provided with a door
corresponding with those in the revolving wash vessel, and so closed as to form a
tight joint when the machine is at work.
In those arrangements in which there is no outer casing the revolving wash vessel
is a close vessel inade of metal plates or of wood, so that it can hold the water as
well as the articles to be washed. It is provided with suitable inlets and outlets for
the water, and, if desired, also for steam; and also with doors for putting in and
removing the articles to be washed. The division is made as in the wash vessel
already described, but in this caso we usually perforate the division plate so as to
allow the water to pass freely from one part or division of the apparatus to the other,
while in the other case we usually do not perforate the division plate.
Our Invention further relates to a combined washing machine and boiler for
heating the water. In this case the revolving wash vessel is made, as already
described, of metal grid work, or with perforated sides, or in any other well-known
manner, as is usual when a revolving wash vessel is used, having an outer vessel or
casing for holding the water, and we make the outer vessel or casing of
material suitable for fixing over a fire or flue, and so use the apparatus for the
purpose of a combined washing machine and boiler.
form and
Sometimes we make the inner or revolving wash vessel easily removable, so that
the water and clothes may be boiled either in the said revolving wash vessel or in
the outer case only, which is thus used as an ordinary boiler.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Bingham Alliott and Oswald Barnsdale in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 15th November 1877.
JAMES BINGHAM ALLIOTT, of Bloomsgrove Works, Radford, in the County of
Nottingham, Mechanical Engineer, and OSWALD BARNSDALE, of Daybrook Laundry,
Daybrook, in the County of Nottingham, Laundryman. "IMPROVEMENTS
WASHING MACHINES."
IN
Our improvements relato to that class of washing machine in which the goods to
be washed are placed in a revolving wash vessel, and are equally applicablo whether
the said revolving wash vessel has a second or outer casing or not, and also
whether the said revolving wash vossel is circular or otherwise.
Such being the nature and object of our said Invention, we will now proceed to
describe the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried
into practical effect, and in order that the same may be clearly understood wo
have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative theroof, and have marked.
the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the
following explanation thereof:-
For the sake of clearness wo will describe the improvements as applied to a wash
vessel having a second or outer casing which is stationary, and in which the water
is contained, and having its inner or revolving vessel cylindrical.
Figure 1 in the annexed Drawing represents a vertical transverse section of a
washing machine of this kind constructed according to our Invention; and Figure 2
is a side elevation of the same shewn partly in section.
a, a, is the outer stationary casing, and b, b, the inner revolving cylindrical vessel.
The periphery of this inner cylinder we usually construct of open metal grating or
grid work suitably supported and stiffened, so that the water can freely enter and
leave the vessel while the goods to be washed are retained within it.
In the inner or revolving wash vessel we fix a division plate c, c, which we prefer
to make of copper or galvanised iron, but which may also be made of wood or other
suitable material. This division plate extends across the diameter of the revolving
wash vessel, dividing it approximately into two semi-cylindrical vessels. The said
division plate acts as a double shelf for conveying the goods or articles contained in
each half of the revolving wash vessel from the bottom to near the top as the vessel
revolves, and is also for the purpose of guiding the said articles in their descent as
they fall from the upper to the lower part of the revolving wash vessel, and so
prevent them from becoming twisted or entangled in thus falling. We also provide
the said division plate with a recess or spoon c*, cx, at or near either extremity in
order to carry the clothes to a higher position before allowing them to fall than
would be the case if the said division plate were simply a plane surface drawn
through the axis of the revolving wash vessel.
In a part of the periphery of each of the divisions into which the revolving
wash vessel is thus divided, and by preference close to the division plate, we
provide a door d, d, for the purpose of introducing and removing the articles to be
washed.
We attach to the said division plate at either extremity, and near to the said
doors, a loose revolving roller e, which prevents the articles from catching or
tearing while being put into or withdrawn from the wash vessel b, b.
For the purpose of bringing each half of the revolving wash vessel into a suitable
position opposite to the door f, f, in the outer casing a, a, and retaining it thére
while being filled or emptied, we attach to one end of the driving shaft or axle g, g,
(by preference the end to which the driving pulley h, h, or the handle is attached) a
worn wheel i, i, and worm k, k; these we prefer to make so as to turn the machine
in the same direction as that in which it usually revolves, and to arrange so that
when the machine is at work they shall be automatically thrown out of gear with
the shaft, and come automatically into gear with it when the worm is turned in the

page_text: way required for driving the machine in the proper direction. This arrangement
will be best understood on referring to the enlarged detached view, Figure 3.
The worm, wheel i, i, is mounted loosely upon the axle g, g, and a ratchet.
wheel,, is keyed fast upon the same, a spring pawl m being attached to the worm
wheel. It will be evident that if the axis (, 9, (and the machine) revolve in the
direction of the arrow, the ratchet wheel 1, l, will turn therewith, but as the teeth
run away from the pawl m, no motion will be cominunicated to the worm wheel i, i,
but when the machine is at rest if the worm k, l, be turned by means of its handle n
(Figure 2), then the worin wheel i, i, will revolve in the direction of its arrow
(Figure 3), and the pawl m will force the ratchet wheel 1, l, round in the same direc-
tion, and thus the inner cylindrical vessel may be brought into the required
position.
We usually provide the outer or stationary casing a, a, with a close fitting cover
of such strength that the water within may, if desired, be boiled under a slight
pressure of steam during the process of washing. This cover is provided with a door
corresponding with those in the revolving wash vessel, and so closed as to form a
tight joint when the machine is at work. It is also usually fitted with a cock o, o,
for supplying steam, another 1, 2, for supplying water, a small safety valve 9, 7, and
a wash-out cock 7, r,. (Figure 2).
In those arrangements in which there is no outer casing the revolving wash vessel
is a close vessel made of metal plates or of wood, so that it can hold the water as
well as the articles to be washed. It is provided with suitable inlets and outlets for
the water, and if desired also for steam (the inlets for both steam and water being
arranged by preference in the driving shaft or axle), and also with doors for putting
in and removing the articles to be washed. It may also be fitted with a worm and
wheel, as described, for the purpose of bringing it into and retaining it in a suitable
position for having the clothes put into it or taken out from it. The division is made
as in the wash vessel already described, but in this case we usually perforate the
division plate so as to allow the water to pass freely from one part or division of
the apparatus to the other, while in the other case we usually do not perforate the
division plate. In other respects it so closely resembles the machine fitted with an
outer casing that no separate Drawing is needed to make the arrangement clear.
Our Invention further relates to a combined washing machine and boiler for
heating the water. This arrangement is represented in end elevation at Figure 4, and
in side elevation with the furnace in section at Figure 5. In this case the revolving
wash vessel is made, as already described, of metal grid work, or with perforated
sides, or in any other well-known manner, as is usual when a revolving wash vessel
is used, having an outer vessel or casing a, a, for holding the water, and we make
the outer vessel or casing of a suitable form and material, and fix it over a fire or
flue, and so use the apparatus for the purpose of a combined washing machine
and boiler.
In Figures 4 and 5 a, a, is the outer vessel or casing; r,, is the wash-out cock; q,
the safety valve; t, t, is the brickwork supporting the casing, and forming a
furnace; u, u, the fire-door; v, v, the fire-bars; and w, w, the flue leading to the
chimney.
Sometimes we make the inner or revolving wash vessel easily removeable, so that
the water and clothes may be boiled either in the said revolving wash vessel or in
the outer case only, which is thus used as an ordinary boiler. We usually effect this
by making the cover or upper part a, a, of the outer casing open on hinges, as
shewn at 8, 8, at the point where the axle carrying the inner revolving wash-vessel
passes through it; thus when the cover is opened the inner wash vessel with its
axle may be lifted out.
:
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 our Invention,-
1st. The general construction and arrangement of revolving wash vessel within a
fixed outer casing, substantially as described.

page_text: 2ndly. The general construction and arrangement of revolving wash vessel without
outer casing, substantially as described.
3rdly. The general construction and arrangement of division plate within a
revolving wash vessel, substantially as described.
4thly. The arrangement of worm and wheel, substantially as described, for moving
the revolving wash vessel into a proper position for filling or emptying and retaining
it there.
5thly. The arrangement of a washing apparatus, constructed substantially as
described (and represented in Figures 4 and 5), over a fire or flue, so that it may
serve the double purpose of a wash vessel and of a house boiler for heating
water, &c.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Bingham Alliott, on behalf of myself
and the said Oswald Barnsdale, have hereunto set my hand and seal, the
Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
JAMES BINGHAM ALLIOTT. (L.S.)