Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 14th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1896
I STANLEY RIDINGS Boiler Maker 36 Castle Street Haulgh Bolton Lancashire
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The ordinary clothes rail, which is an apparatus used for the purpose of thereon
hanging clothes used for domestic purposes in order that they may be well aired
before being put to use, is a device generally made as follows:-Three, or more,
connected rails, usually made of wood are suspended by means of cords running
over pulleys attached to the ceiling and in such a way and manner that the said
clothes rail may be readily hoisted up so as to be out of the way of the occupant
or occupants of the room, generally the kitchen of a dwelling house, by means of
the said cords running over pulleys, conveniently fixed in the ceiling and allowing
the ends of the cords to hang downward towards a fastening to secure them thereto
fixed in the wall in such a way and manner as to be readily convenient to the
hands of the person who wishes to either hoist upwards or let downwards the
apparatus above referred to. To more particularly describe the ordinary apparatus
now in use, the rails, or bars referred to in the foregoing are connected together
by means of end rails. Two pieces of wood usually secured to the end rails or to
the extreme end of each of the two outside rails and also secured to themselves
in such a way as to form in shape a triangle and to the apexes of which and each
a cord is fixed, forms the usual shape of the common kind at present in use.
Sometimes, however, the two cords are secured each to the corners of each end
rail. The cord attached to that end of the apparatus furthest away from the
loosely hanging cords is fixed, and then runs over a pulley secured in the ceiling
perpendicularly to the end of the rails. The cord passing over the said pulley
is made to travel across the entire length of the clothes rail and over another
pulley fixed in a similar manner; from thence the cord is continued for a little
way and finally passes over a third pulley, the loose end of the cord being allowed
to hang down. The cord at the other extreme end of the rail passes over a pulley
secured to the ceiling as similarly described, and then directly on to another pulley
a little way from the clothes rail and is also prolonged so as to hang down loosely
in the way and manner as described in connection with the first cord. This form
of clothes rail has been found very inconvenient, and sometimes dangerous in use,
as the weight of the clothes rail, when loaded, makes it very inconvenient to and
also entails a considerable amount of hard labour on the part of the person
operating the same. The great weight of a loaded clothes rail has also been
known to occasion serious accidents on account of the cords by some misjudgment
on the part of the operator slipping or overcoming the calculated strain by the
person operating it. In such case owing to there being no mechanical safeguard,
the clothes rail bas followed the natural act of gravitation by running the cords
off their pulleys by its own weight and, as a consequence, falling on to the floor
or on the heads of any person or persons who happen at the time to be under.
As the usual course is to attach this apparatus within very close proximity to the
fire place in order to quicken the drying process, it frequently happens that there
is great danger, when such accidents as above referred to occur, of fire being the
result, the more especially if no person happens to be about at the time. In
addition to the dangers caused by the nature of the accidents above referred to,
the cords themselves owing to constant strain, friction and wear, by running over
the pulleys, are often liable to snap, in which case, as there is no certain mode of

page_text: protection to guard against such an accident, the constant danger to both individual
and property by apparatus of this nature is obvious.
In order to secure easy handling and easy operating, as also to prevent the
possibility of the dangers above referred to, it is proposed in this invention to so
improve and construct a clothes rail that it cannot by any possibility fall down
to the ground of its own weight, or make it laborsome to hoist up or lower down
the same, even when loaded with clothes. For this purpose it is proposed to
construct a clothes rail in the way and manner hereinafter described.
An ordinary set of rails may be employed, but without the four end pieces as
above referred to, to the apexes of which, when in position, the cords_are
attached, but the rest of the rail would be preferably made as follows:-Four
pieces of wood or metal are secured together so as to form when fixed a rectangle
in shape. At suitable distances other rails may be fixed to the same, and running
across that portion of the rectangle which has the greatest length. If desirable,
and to add to its greater strength, one or two cross pieces may be secured thereto.
To each corner of the rectangle is fixed a cord to act and operate over pulleys
fixed in the ceiling in the way and manner which will be more particularly described
hereinafter. At each side or top of and in the centre of the longest and outer
part of the rectangle is fixed a piece of wood or metal, in the shape of a semi-
circle, the rounded portion being uppermost. From the centre portion of these
and running across from the one to the other, is placed an axle bar made of wood
or metal, the said axle being a fixture. At the centre and inner portion of the
sides of the fixed rail, a pulley of wood or metal with a deep groove is fixed on
the said axle, and, on the outer side of the said pulley and running through the
centre of the axle is a hole, the object of which is to allow one of the suspending
ropes to pass through. At the end of the fixed rail furthest away from the loose
end of the cord hereinafter described, and at each corner of the said rail is fixed
a cord, the said cords being carried upwards and over the pulley placed perpen-
dicularly over the end of the rail and in the ceiling. The cords are then carried
downward and through the holes in the axle above referred to over two other
pulleys similarly fixed in the ceiling, and from thence are attached to the remaining
iwo corners of the said rail at the other end. At the bottom of the groove of the
pulley is permanently fixed the end of an additional cord, the said cord passing
perpendicularly upwards and over a pulley fixed in the ceiling, and from
thence over another pulley likewise fixed in the ceiling, but at a little distance
forward from the other pulley, and is then allowed to hang down loosely
of its own accord. It is intended, however, that this single cord be secured, when
the rail has been hoisted upwards, to any convenient fastening in the wall situated
in proximity to it. When the clothes rail is allowed to ascend upwards, the cord
permanently fixed to the pulley above referred to automatically winds around
within the same.
Another way, and even preferably, of fixing the two cords above described is by
making one cord suffice for the purpose. This would be in the form of an endless
band, which would be secured to each of the four corners of the said rail and
allowed to pass through the holes in the axle above referred to. The advantage
of such an arrangement would principally consist in the avoidance of the number
of knots in the cords which would he necessary if the first named method of fixing
the ropes was employed. It would also serve to lessen friction and consequent
wear of the ropes, combined with even greater safety. In either of the above
cases it may be here named, that, when the clothes rail is hoisted upwards the cord
or cords automatically winds around the axle, automatically unwinding when the
rail is allowed to descend. It will be obvious that in this invention there is a
better distribution of the whole weight of the clothes rail than in the old form.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that only one cord is allowed to
hang loosely instead of two cords as in the old and well known form of clothes
rail; this makes the apparatus less risky in use, and better to control. In addition
to this, it will be readily seen that, owing to the weight of the clothes rail being

page_text: mainly sustained by the four fixed cords previously referred to, and in the way
and manner of construction as described, very little effort and labor on the part
of the operator ensures its easily and conveniently being hoisted upward or lowered
downward by the person operating the same.
It will also be readily seen from the above description, that the dangers incident
to the old form of clothes rail for the reasons referred to when describing the
same, are practically obviated by the fact that the new and improved clothes rail
herein described is sustained by double instead of single cords, and also by reason
of the sustaining weight being further assisted by the extra cord and owing to the
extra support and strength, ensured by the cords passing through the holes of the
axle bar. In fact, if it were necessary and advisable, a boy or girl could operate
it with safety, even when fully loaded with clothes.
The above named advantages, as also the reasons given in the practical
demonstration of the same, can further and easily be scientifically understood by the
rules aud applications of well known laws in mechanics.
Dated this 19th day of December 1894.
Improvements in Clothes Rails.
J STANLEY RIDINGS Boiler Maker 36 Castle Street Bolton 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 :--
The ordinary clothes rail, which is an apparatus used for the purpose of thereon
hanging clothes used for domestic purposes in order that they may be well aired
before being put to use, is a device generally made as follows:-Three or more,
connected rails, usually made of wood, are suspended by means of cords running
over pulleys attached to the ceiling and in such a way and manner that the said
clothes rail may be readily hoisted up so as to be out of the way of the occupant
or occupants of the room, generally the kitchen of a dwelling house, by means
of the said cords running over pulleys, conveniently fixed in the ceiling and
allowing the ends of the cords to hang downwards towards a fastening to secure
them thereto fixed in the wall in such a way and manner as to be readily con-
venient to the hands of the person who wishes to either hoist upwards or let
downwards the apparatus above referred to.
use.
To more particularly describe the ordinary apparatus now in use, the rails or
bars referred to in the foregoing are connected together by means of end rails.
At each end of the clothes rail are two pieces of wood usually secured to the
end rails or to the extreme ends of the outside rails and also secured to them-
selves in such a way as to form in shape a triangle and to the apexes of which a
cord is fixed, this forming the usual shape of the common kind at present in
Sometimes, however, the two cords alone are made to act in the above
manner by each being so tied as to form a triangle at each end of the clothes
rail. The cord attached to that end of the apparatus furthest away from the
loosely hanging cords is fixed to it and then runs over a pulley secured in the
ceiling perpendicularly to the end of the rail. The cord passing over the said
pulley is made to travel across the entire length of the clothes rail and over
another pulley fixed in a similar manner, then the cord is continued for a little
way and finally passes over a third pulley, the loose end of the cord being
allowed to hand down. The cord at the other extreme end of the rail is likewise
fixed to the apparatus and then passes over a pulley secured to the ceiling as
similarly described and then directly on to another pulley a little way from the
clothes rail and is also prolonged so as to hang down loosely in the way and
manner as described in connection with the first cord. This form of clothes rail

page_text: has been found very inconvenient and sometimes dangerous in use, as the weight of
the clothes rail when loaded, makes it very inconvenient to, and also entails a
considerable amount of hard labor on the part of the person operating the same.
The great weight of a loaded clothes rail has also been known to have occasioned
serious accidents on account of the cords by some misjudgment on the part of
the operator slipping or overcoming the calculated strain by the person operating
it. In such case, owing to there being no mechanical safeguard, the clothes rail
has followed the natural act of gravitation by running the cords off their pulleys
by its own weight and, as a consequence, falling on to the floor or on the heads of
any person or persons who happen at the time to be under. As the usual course is
to attach this apparatus in very close proximity to the fireplace, in order to
quicken the drying process, it frequently happens that there is great dauger, when
such accidents as above referred to occur of fire being the result, the more
especially if no person happens to be about at the time. In addition to the
dangers caused by the nature of the accidents above referred to, the cords them-
selves owing to constant strain, friction and wear by running over the pulleys, are
often liable to snap, in which case, as there is no certain mode of protection to
guard against such an accident, the constant danger to both individual and
property by apparatus of this nature is obvious. In order to secure easy handling
and easy operation as also to prevent the possibility of the dangers above
referred to, it is proposed in this invention to so improve and construct a clothes
rail that it cannot by any possibility fall down to the ground of its own weight,
or be difficult to hoist or lower the same, even when loaded with clothes. For
this purpose it is proposed to construct a clothes rail in the way and manner
hereinafter described.
An ordinary set of rails may be employed, but without the four wood end
pieces as above referred to, to the apexes of which, when in position, the cords
are attached, but the rest of the rail would be preferably made as follows:-
Four pieces of wood or metal (as f. f. Fig. 2) are secured together so as to form
when fixed a rectangle in shape. At suitable distances other rails may be fixed
to the same, and running across that portion of the rectangle which has the
greatest length. If desirable and to add to its greater strength cross pieces
(as i. i. Fig. 2) may be secured thereto. To each corner of the rectangle is fixed
a cord to act and operate over pulleys fixed in the ceiling in the way and manuer
which will be more particularly described hereafter.
At the centre of each of the long and outer rails is fixed a bearing of wood or
metal (e Fig. 1). From these and running across the clothes rail is placed an
axle bar (Fig. 2) made of wood or metal the said axle being free to revolve
between the bearings. At the middle of the axle a pulley of wood or metal
(d. Fig. 2) with a deep groove in the centre of face is fixed, and through the
centre of the axle on each side of the pulley) are two holes (shown in Fig. 3) the
object of which is to allow the suspending ropes (c. c. c. c. Fig. 3) to pass thro'.
The cords of the clothes rail are placed as follows:-At or about each corner of
the clothes rail is fixed a cord, the said cords being carried perpendicularly
upwards each over a pulley fixed in the ceiling (shown at a. Fig. 1) the cords are
then carried downwards to the axle passed through the holes in the same and fixed
thereto. These cords are shown at c. c. c. c. Fig. 3. At the bottom of the groove
of the pulley d. Fig. 3 is permanently fixed the end of an additional cord g. Fig. 3)
which is wound several times around the said pulley the free end of the cord
passing over the pulleys (b. b. Fig. 1) fixed in the ceiling and is then allowed to
hang down loosely. It is intended, however, that this cord be secured when the
rail has been hoisted, to any convenient fastening in the wall situated in proximity
to it. When the clothes rail is made to asceud by the action of a person pulling
at the free end of the cord shown in Fig. 1. the cord permanently fixed to the
pulley (d. Fig. 1) unwinds at the same time causing the cords c. c. c. c. Fig. 3 to
wind on to the axle (k. Fig. 2) therefore causing the clothes rail to ascend.
The mode of lowering or hoisting the clothes rail (which is done by hand) is as

page_text: follows: The operator takes hold of the loosely hanging cord which is suspended
from the pulley (b. Fig. 1). Assuming the clothes rail to be at its lowest point
(and this is limited as it cannot fall to the ground of its own accord in consequence
of the cords (c. c. c. c. Fig. 3) sustaining it in suspension even when the loose end
of the cord (g. Fig. 3) is not secured) the operator on pulling the free end of cor.l
(shown in Fig. 1) causes the clothes rail to ascend by setting in motion the axle k.
Fig. 2, and thereby causing the cords (c. c. c. c. Fig. 3) to wind on to the axle
(k. Fig. 2), the loose cord is then secured to any convenient hook fixed in the wall
of the room near the apparatus. The reverse action of the above takes place
when the loose cord is allowed to ascend.
It will be obvious that in this invention there is a better distribution of the.
whole weight of the clothes rail than in the old form.
From the foregoing description it will be seen only one cord is allowed to hang
loosely instead of two cords as in the old and well known form of clothes rail.
This makes the apparatus less risky in use and better to control. In addition to
this, it will be readily seen that owing to the weight of the clothes rail being.
mainly sustained by the cords (c. c. c. c. Fig. 3) previously referred to and by the
arrangement of having the pulley and axle of different diameters very little effort.
and labor on the part of the operator ensures its easily and conveniently being
hoisted or lowered by the person operating the same. It will also be readily seen
from the above description that the dangers incidental to the old form of clothes.
rail for the reasons referred to when describing the same are practically obviated
by the fact that the new and improved clothes rail herein described is sustained by
double acting instead of single acting cords, and also by reason of the sustaining
weight being further assisted by the extra cord (g. Fig. 3). In fact, if it were.
necessary and advisable, a boy or girl could operate it with safety, even when fully
loaded with clothes.
The above named advantages, as also the reasons given in the practical.
demonstration of the same, can further and easily be scientifically understood by-
the rules and applications of well-known laws of mechanics.
To more particularly describe the invention above referred to, and with reference
to the drawings, the following explanation is given :-Fig. 1 a. a. are two of the four.
pulleys secured in the ceiling and which sustain the clothes rail by means of the
cords which run over them. b. b. are also two pulleys fastened in the ceiling,
the chief object of which is to allow the cord to run over them that winds the
mechanism up and down. c. c. shows the cords that wind and unwind around the
axle bar.
d. shows the wood or metal pulley placed in the middle of the axle bar (this may
also be called the leverage pulley) and on which the cord or rope that works on.
the pulleys b. b. winds and unwinds.
e. shows one of the two wood or metal brackets which are attached to the outer
sides of the rail and which act as supports for the axle bar. f. side of rail.
Fig. 2 d pulley (leverage pulley). k. axle bar. e. bracket. f. f. f. f. rails.
i. i. cross pieces to keep rails in position. Fig. 3 a. a. ceiling pulleys (see Fig. 1a).
b. ceiling pulley (see Fig. 1 b.) c. c. c. c. cords that wind and unwind around
the axle bar. d. leverage pulley. k. axle bar. e. e: brackets at outer sides of
rail. g. leverage pulley cord. f. f. middle rails. i. cross piece.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of the above invention
and the way and manner in which the same is performed, I hereby claim as.
follows:-
An improved form of clothes rail made and operated substantially in the way-
and manner herein described.