Year: 1888

page_text: I, JAMES BLAND, of Marlborough Street, Keighley in the County of York, Black-
smith, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the provision of means whereby pressure can be
applied to the squeezing rollers of washing, wringing, and mangling machines, in a
simple and effective manner, by a new combination of mechanism much lighter it
construction than the ordinary spring and attachments thereto now in common use for
the purpose also to operate the washing drums in a more direct and simpler manner,
and to so construct the said drums that, the clothes placed therein are more agitated
and subjected to the cleansing influence of the water with fewer rotations of the drum,.
than is obtained with drums constructed in the ordinary manner.
I accomplish my object by placing on each end of the top roller axle a collar with
an arm projecting therefrom; I also place a similar collar on each end of the bottom
roller axle, or on a fixed stud near the same; and through each of these arms I form
slot holes, through each pair of which is passed a lever projecting either to the front or
back of the machine, where the end may be connected to another lever with which is
combined a spring and screw, or weight; or the spring and screw or weight may be
combined with the first named lever, in either case by the regulation of the said screws
or weights; pressure is put on the rollers corresponding with the compression or tight-
ness of the springs or position of the weights.
In order to operate the washing drum, I mount a shaft in suitable brackets attached
to or forming part of one end frame, the said shaft gearing with a suitable pinion, and
is provided with a disc or crank on the pin of which is mounted an arm provided with
a long slot, through which the drum axle passes, and is for the purpose of keeping a
ratchet on the arm in gear with a pinion secured on the drum axle.
I form the interior of the drum with two or more pockets arranged in such a manner
that, on the drum revolving in one direction, atmospheric air is taken beneath the water
line and there liberated; the air escaping therefrom drives the water through the
clothes and agitates the same ;, and on the drum revolving in the opposite direction,
the said pulley elevates the water, depositing it in showers on the clothes; thus keeping
the water agitated with a minimum amount of turning; the pockets being so arranged
that showering is almost continuous.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing, Wringing, and Mangling Machines.
I, JAMES BLAND, late of Marlborough Street, Keighley, in the County of York, but
now of 49 Leonard Street, Warrington, in the County of Lancaster, Blacksmith, do
heroby 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:
This invention has for its object the provision of means whereby pressure can be
applied to the squeezing rollers of washing, wringing and mangling machines, in a
simple and effective manner by a new combination of mechanism much lighter in
construction than the ordinary bow spring and attachments thereto now in common
use for such purpose. My object is also to operate the washing drums in a more
direct and simpler manner, and to so construct the said drums that, on clothes being
placed therein, they are more thoroughly agitated and subjected to the cleansing
influence of the water with fewer rotations of the drum, than when constructed in the
ordinary manner.
The invention consists in placing on each end of the roller axles, a collar having an
arm projecting therefrom, each arm having a slot hole in such position that, on placing
a lever through and combining the same with a spring or weight; pressure is applied
to the rollers corresponding with the tightness of the spring or amount and position
of the weights on the levers.
The washing drum is mounted somewhat in the ordinary manner, and is operated by
a pinion in gear with, a reciprocating toothed rack actuated by a crank or the like;
the interior of the washing drum being constructed with two or more pockets so
arranged that, when rotating in one direction, each pocket having its opening in the
direction of rotation, carrys atmospheric air beneath the water during one portion of
its rotation; and when the air is liberated, each pocket fills, and elevates water,
depositing it in showers during another portion of the rotation; thus keeping the
water agitated; the other pockets having similar openings, repeat the operation on
the reversal of the drums 'otion.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I will further describe the
same by aid of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 represents an end view
of a machine constructed according to my invention, the driving wheel and pinion
being removed for better illustration. Fig. 2 a front view of the driving end of the
machine and part of the tub or vessel for holding the water which is in section.
Fig. 3 an end view of a washing drum with a portion cut away in order to better
illustrate the interior, and Figs. 4, and 5, detail views of the end of a pair of rollers
with the collars and lever attachment for applying pressure.
The machine frame is designated by the letter A, and the squeezing rollers by B
and B¹, on each end of the respective rollers is placed a collar C, with an arm C¹,
projecting therefrom, and through each arm C, is cut a slot hole for the reception of
a lever D, which by preference is arranged to project towards the back of the machine

page_text: and there engages with a screwed bolt that extends through the spiral spring E, placed
in a recess formed. in the framework. A hand wheel F is screwed on each bolt, by
the regulation of which, pressure is put upon the roller axles; each arm (" of the
top roller B, acting as the fulcrum for the respective levers D, so that by turning the
hand wheels on the screws to compress the springs E, pressure is put on the
rollers B and B, corresponding with the compression of the said springs; or when
weights are applied to the levers D, in proportion to the position of the weights on
the said levers, which for the latter system are made longer than those shown."
:
The squeezing rollers B and B are operated by the combined wheel and pinion G,
being in gear with the pinion H, (forming part of driving wheel W) and wheel H₁,
the latter being secured on the bottom roller axle as hitherto aud when it is desired
to operate the washing drum J, the combined wheel and pinion G are moved to the
position shown, and there retained on the stud S by any well known means; the
wheel G then gearing with the driving pinion H, and wheel K, the latter being secured
on a short shaft on which is also secured a disc or crank L, placed within the hollow
guard or shield M.
On the pin of crank L, is placed one end of reciprocating rod N, the opposite end
at N1, being forked or provided with a long slot, through which passes the drum axle P,
for the purpose of keeping the toothed rack R in gear with the pinion Q, secured on
the said drum axle; so that on the rotation of crank L, the rod N reciprocates, causing
the drum J to rotate a regulated distance, first in one direction and then in the
other.
The drum J is provided with suitable openings, having hinged or removable lids L'
secured by any well known means; and on one or more lids I place pockets T, and T',
which may be of a length nearly equal to the width of the interior of the drum J., On
the said drum revolving in the direction of the arrow, the pocket T conveys with
it a quantity of air into the water, where it is liberated as the pocket approaches the
bottom of the tub or water vessel, and by rising to the surface, agitates the water
and clothes therein; the said pocket filling with water as the air escapes; the water
being raised to a certain height on the drum continuing its course, and deposited on
the clothes below; and on the drum revolving in the opposite direction, the pocket
again fills and is emptied on reaching the surface: the other pockets T', operating in
the same manner as pockets T, thereby passing air through the water at frequent
intervals, and depositing it in showers on the clothes; thus keeping the water agitated
with a minimum amount of turning; the pockets being so arranged that, the showers
are almost continuous.
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. The collars C and arms C¹ mounted on the roller axles combined with the lever D,
bolt and hand wheel F, and spring E, or weight equivalents, all arranged substantially
in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
2. A rotary washing drum J with which are combined pockets T and T for the
purpose hereinbefore set forth.
3. The combination of a washing drum J with a pinion Q engaging with rack R
secured to forked rod N, operated by a crank or equivalent, all arranged substantially
in the manner shown and for the purpose as hereinbefore described.
DL: 0 1 1 1000