Improvements in Ironing and similar Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1896
Dale v Application, GOTU NOV., 1993
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1896-Accepted, 14th Nov., 1896
Improvements in Ironing and similar Machines.
I THOMAS HENRY WILLIAMS, of "Claremont," Crieff Road, Wandsworth
Common, in the Parish of Wandsworth, in the County of London, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to & consists of improvements generally in ironing &
similar machines.
In carrying the same into practical effect I mount the ironing roller, or calander
cylinder-or both as the case may be-in a suitable frame or frames and in addition
to the rotary motion of the said roller or cylinder I impart thereto an axial
alternating reciprocating motion by means of a suitably modified "Hooke's joint,"
or an equivalent device; or by means of two or more discs (which may be
adjustable) or their equivalent, mounted or formed on the axis or axil of the said
roller or cylinder & set obliquely thereto and in such manner as to work freely
with a suitably devised connector or anchorage, whereby the said ironing roller or
calender cylinder (or both as the case may be) is, or are, constrained to move to &
fro in the direction of its, or their, axis, or axes, while revolving.
The friction drum which operates the ironing table is mounted in suitable
bearings, which Jatter work in slots or guides preferably formed in or fitted to the
aforesaid frame or frames in such manner that the axes of the said drum and
ironing roller lie in the same vertical plane or centre line throughout the entire
range of adjustment of the said drum. On the said bearings I fit or otherwise form
suitable brackets or frames to which are attached (or formed in one piece therewith)
suitable guides in which works the aforesaid ironing table.
For adjusting the pressure on the articles to be ironed the said friction drum
together with the ironing table & its guides are preferably raised & lowered by
suitably formed cams or their equivalent (acting upon the bearings of the said
friction drum) which are mounted on suitable pivots or bearings formed on or
attached to the principal framing of the machine. The said cams are operated by
means of a worm & wheel or other suitable and convenient device.
The said friction drum is geared to the driving pinion on the main shaft of the
machine by means of a wheel mounted on the axil of the drum and an intermediate
or "floating" pinion. This "Hoating" pinion is carried on links, or their equivalent,
in such manner as to permit its free movement round the said driving pinion and
drum wheel at constant radii from their respective axes or centres. The said
ironing roller is driven by a wheel mounted thereon, gearing directly into the
said driving pinion. This arrangement permits of the said drum being adjusted
without its wheel becoming engaged with or gearing into the wheel on the said
roller.
1 preferably make the aforesaid driving shaft hollow a part, or the whole, of its
length & mount thereon two loose pulleys which are free to revolve between
suitable collars on the shaft. Between these pulleys I also mount a friction
cone which is connected to and rotates with the said shaft and is free to slide
thereon, so as to engage either of the said pulleys which, also, are provided with
corresponding friction cones.
The said sliding cone is actuated by means of a rod, within the shaft, which is
connected to and operated by a foot or other lever. The pulleys are driven in

page_text: opposite directions by means of an open and a crossed strap. This arrangement
permits of the machine being set in motion, reversed, or stopped with ease at the
will of the operator.
Dated the 23rd day of November 1895.
Improvements in Ironing and similar Machines.
I, THOMAS HENRY WILLIAMS of "Claremont," Crieff Road, Wandsworth
Common, in the Parish of Wandsworth, in the County of London, Civil Engineer,
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 :-
This invention relates to and consists of improvements generally, in ironing and
similar machines, and has for its objects a closer imitation of hand ironing, whereby
a more perfect gloss and finish is imparted to the articles being ironed, and a more
rapid and convenient manipulation of the machine; thus conducing to a higher
quality of work and a greater output than has hitherto been attainable with
machines of this class.
1 carry my invention into practical effect in the manner illustrated by the
accompanying drawings, in which :-
Fig. 1, (Sheet 1) is a side elevation of an ironing machine constructed in
accordance with my said invention.
Fig. 2, (Sheet 1) being an end elevation of the same.
"
Fig. 3, (Sheet 1) is a side elevation of the tooth gearing which is provided
with an intermediate " floating' pinion and links and which is hereinafter more
particularly described.
Figs. 4, and 5, (Sheet 2) are respectively an end and side elevation of the
modified "Hooke's joint" by means of which an axial reciprocating motion is
imparted to the ironing roller, or cylinder, and which is also hereinafter more fully
described.
Fig. 6, (Sheet 2) is a side elevation of a modification of the ironing roller
reciprocating device, which consists of discs set on, and obliquely to, the axis of
the said ironing roller, as hereinafter more particularly described.
Fig. 7, (Sheet 3) is an enlarged sectional elevation of the frictional driving and
reversing device; also hereinafter more fully described.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
I mount the ironing roller a in a suitable frame or frames, 6 and band in addition to
the rotary motion of the said roller or cylinder a impart thereto an axial alternating
reciprocating motion by means of the modified "Hooke's joint" as illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 2, (Sheet 1) and Figs. 4 and 5, (Sheet 2); in which c is a suitable
crank, or disc, formed on or secured to the ironing roller a.
d is a crank pin which is fitted to, and is free to revolve in, the eye of the said
crank c; this pin d is pivoted, or connected, to a sleeve-link e by néans of a
knuckle joint as shown. The sleeve-link e is free to slide laterally on the guide
rod fand also to oscillate thereon during the rotation of the ironing roller a and
it's driving pinion h. The said guide rod fis anchored to the main frame 1 by
means of stanchions g and g¹, or equivalent brackets.
Although I prefer the particular construction of a modified "Hooke's joint" as
above described, obviously it is capable of other modifications, and in lieu of the

page_text: crank pin d and knuckle joint, a ball and socket connection may be employed.
Or I may use the device illustrated by Fig. 6 (Sheet 2) in which i and j are discs
mounted, or formed, on and set obliquely to the axis of the ironing roller a in sach
manner as to form a cam-groove. Within the groove and between the said discs
I mount a suitable friction roller k (shown in dotted lines) which is free to work
therein and to rotate on its pivot or pin l, thereby constraining the ironing roller a
to partake of the motion of the discs i and j and to reciprocate from end to end, or
longitudinally. The pin is secured or fixed to the main frame &¹ by means of a
suitable stanchion, or bracket g¹. The said discs are preferably made adjustable
for taking up wear and obviously the contour of their surfaces may be varied to
form an irregular groove, if it be desired to alter the number of reciprocations per
revolution of the ironing roller.
The friction drum m which operates the ironing table n is mounted in suitable
bearings p and p', which latter work in the slots or guides and formed in
or fitted to (as the case may be) the frame or frames 6 and 61 in such manner that
the axes of the said drum m and the ironing roller a lie in the same vertical plane
or centre line, throughout the entire range of adjustment of the said drum m.
the said bearings p and pl I fit, or otherwise form in one piece therewith, suitable
brackets or arms s and to which are attached or formed in one piece therewith,
suitable guides t and t¹ in which works the aforesaid ironing-table n.
On
For adjusting the pressure on the articles to be ironed the said friction drum m
together with the ironing-table n and its guides t and are preferably raised and
lowered by suitably formed cams u and u (or their equivalents), mounted on, or
formed in one piece with the shaft u" which act upon the lower ends of the said
bearings p and pl in manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, (Sheet 1). The shaft
which carry the said cams is mounted in suitable bearings formed on or attached
to the main frame or frames band b¹. The said cams are operated by means of a
worm and worm-wheel through the hand wheel v" and its shaft, or other
suitable and convenient device.
The said friction drum m is geared to the driving pinion w through the spur
wheel to which latter gears into and drives the pinion which is mounted on the
ironing roller a, in manner illustrated by the accompanying drawings. Or as an
alternative device the said drum m may be geared to the driving pinion to
through an intermediate or floating pinion tolli. In which case the said floating
pinion is mounted on links x and x, or their equivalents, in such manner as to
permit its free movement round the said driving pinion wl and drum wheel wat
constant radii from their respective axes or centres. The ironing roller a being
driven by its said pinion gearing directly with the driving pinion woll as illustrated
by Fig. 3, (Sheet 1).
This arrangement permits of the said drum m being adjusted by the aforesaid
canis u and w, or other equivalent means, without its wheel w¹ becoming engaged
with, or gearing into the said ironing roller pinion 4.
The driving pinion w (or w11) is mounted on a shaft y which work in suitable
bearings y and y, formed on or attached to the main frame or frames 6 and b, as
illustrated by Fig. 7, (Sheet 3), when the arrangement of driving wheels shewn in
Figs. 1 and 2, (Sheet 1) is employed. But when the arrangement of wheels
illustrated by Fig. 3, (Sheet 1) is adopted, 1 form the bearings y¹ and y" on the
sides of the main bearings and 1 of the ironing roller a, in which case the said
shaft y is made of a sufficient length to extend the whole width of the machine.
The shalt y is preferably made hollow a part or the whole of its length and thereon
1 mount two loose pulleys A and B which are free to revolve between the collar C
and the driving pinion u, independently of the said shaft. Between these puileys
I mount a friction disc D which is provided with two coned flanges or rims Ẹ
and F, and which is mounted on and turns with the said shaft y, while it is free to
slide longitudinally thereon so as to engage either of the said pulleys A and B,
the rims of which are coned internally to corre-pond with the flanges E and F of
the sand friction disc D. The triction disc D is actuated longitudinally by means

page_text: of the rod G, which is free to slide within the hollow shaft and turns therewith.
The rod G is connected to the said disc by means of the pin H which passes
through the slots J formed in the said hollow shaft; the pin H also serving as a
driving key for the said disc and shaft. The disc D may be connected to the
rod G by other suitable and equivalent device. The pulleys A and B are
maintained in their relative positions by means of the washers K and K' and a
Buitable number of distance pins L, as shewn in Fig. 7, (Sheet 3). In lieu of this
device for keeping the pulleys apart, the central projecting flange of the disc D
may be dispensed with and the rims of the pulleys A and B may be of such width
as to permit of but slight clearance between them, thereby preventing their
accidental contact with the coned surfaces E and F of the said disc D. Or other
suitable and convenient device may be employed for the said purpose.
The pulleys A and B are driven in opposite directions by means of an open strap
on the one pulley and a crossed strap on the other pulley. The machine is driven
and reversed in the following mauner, (having regard to the relative positions of
the several parts as illustrated by Fig. 7, Sheet 3.) viz. :-The coned surface F
of the disc D is caused to engage the pulley B by means of the spring M acting
against the flange N of the rod G and the end of the driving shaft y in the manner
shown in Fig. 7, whereby the said disc D and the driving shaft y with its pinion to
partake of the motion of the pulley B. To effect a reversal the lever P, which is
mounted on the rocking shaft Q, is depressed by the foot of the operator thereby
causing the lever R, which is also mounted on the said shaft Q, to actuate the
lever S which is fulcrated to the bracket T and which in its turn operates the rod G
thereby causing the disc D to slide on its shaft and the coned flange to disengage the
pulley B which then becomes an idle pulley and at the same time the coned
flange E of the said disc D engages the pulley A which then imparts its motion
through the disc D to the shaft y and the pinion w which gears into the spur drum
wheel was herein before described.
The machine may be stopped by locking or otherwise securing the foot lever P
in such position as to maintain the said disc D centrally relative to the pulleys A
and B, whereby the said pulleys become disengaged and free to revolve on the
shaft y, independently of the disc as idle pulleys.
Obviously tooth, or friction, wheels may be substituted for the pulleys A and B,
without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
When the driving mechanism illustrated by Fig. 3, (Sheet 1,) is employed a
modification of the reversing levers becomes necessary and in such case I fulcrate
a bell-crank lever to the bracket T in lieu of the lever S and couple the same to
the foot lever P (which is suitably modified) by means of a suitable link or
connecting 1od.
Although the foregoing description and the accompanying illustrations
particularly relate to that class of ironing machines adapted to collars, cuffs, shirt-
fronts &c., yet it is obvious that the reciprocating device of the ironing roller a,
and other parts of my invention are equally applicable to that class of ironing (or
mangling) machines generally known as calenders.
I am aware that prior to the date of my application for Letters Patent, steam
calenders were provided with reciprocating cylinders and ironing beds, therefore
I do not broadly claim such as my invention; but to the best of my belief I
am the first and true inventor of ironing rollers having combined rectilineal,
reciprocating and curvilinear motions for machines of the type herein described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
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 improvements in ironing machines substantially as herein before described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In ironing machines of the tune hereinhofare
nextiouloul decoribed and

page_text: illustrated an ironing roller having combined longitudinal or rectilineal, recipro-
cating and rotary, or curvilinear motions.
3. In ironing and similar machines an ironing roller or cylinder in combinatio.
with the reciprocating devices substantially as described and illustrated by
Figs. 1 and 2, (Sheet 1,) and Figs. 4, 5 and 6, (Sheet 2,) of the accompanying
drawings.
4. In ironing machines of the type hereinbefore described and illustrated, an
ironing roller in combination with any suitable and convenient modification of the
reciprocating devices herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings, substantially for the purpose set forth.
5. In ironing machines of the type hereinbefore described, the drum m in
combination with the bearings and p¹, the brackets or arms and s¹ with the
guides t and t¹ working in the guides or slots rand and operated by the cams and
Bbaft u u' and u" by means of the worm and wheels, or their equivalents substantially
as herein described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
6. In ironing machines, the combination of wheels and links substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 3, (Sheet 1) of the accompanying
drawings.
7. In ironing machines the friction driving and reversing device in combination
with suitable levers or their equivalents for operating the friction or coned disc D,
substantially as herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2, (Sheet 1,)-
and Fig. 7, (Sheet 3,) of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1896.
THOS. H. WILLIAMS,
Inventor.