IMPROVEMENTS IN IRONING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN IRONING MACHINES." A communication from abroad
by Thomas Shires Wiles, of Albany, in the State of New York, United States
of America.
Sealed the 12th February 1878, and dated the 14th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th November 1877.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN IRONING MACHINES."
[A communication from abroad by Thomas Shires Wiles, of Albany, in the State of
New York, United States of America.]
The Invention relates to the construction of machines, in which damp articles of
cloth of different thicknesses in different parts can be dried and ironed with a
smooth lusterless surface or "domestic finish" by pressing the articles by and
between a heated smoothing iron and a soft ironing bed, which will yield and
conform to the thick and the thin parts of the articles, and will absorb moisture
driven out of the damp articles while being pressed between the ironing bed and
the heated smoothing iron.
The ironing bed is of a soft yielding and more or less elastic nature, and consists
of any suitable felted or woven fabric or material, with a surface covering of muslin
or other suitable fabric that will absorb moisture given off from the damp articles
of cloth being ironed on the bed. The smoothing iron, which has a smooth face
shaped to fit against the ironing bed, and which is made of cast iron or other
suitable metal or material, and is to be heated while in use by burning therein jets
of mixed gas and air, or by any other suitable means, is attached to a carrier which
slides in suitable ways or guides in the frame, so that it can be lowered on to or
raised from the ironing bed. Or the smoothing iron may be fast to the frame and
the ironing bed may be mounted on the carrier.

page_text: In ironing damp articles of cloth it is highly important that the articles should be
pressed during exactly equal and suitable periods of time, and with equal force at
each pressing contact, in order to secure a proper uniform drying and smoothing
action upon the articles at each successive pressing operation, without liability of
scorching or over-heating the articles.
As a good means for securing this result with some subordinate advantages, knee-
jointed levers, which are jointed at one end to the frame, and at the other end to
the carrier, are used, and they are connected by a rod with a crank on the rotary
driving shaft, so that thereby the uniform rotation of the driving shaft shall
cause the smoothing iron and ironing bed to be pressed one against the other, and
separated repeatedly with a gradually increasing and decreasing force during a con-
siderable period of time at each contact, and thereby compress, dry, and generally
finish with a smooth lustreless surface damp articles of cloth placed between them,
and shall also give more time to the attendant to conveniently remove the dried
and smoothly pressed article and insert a damp one.
The ironing bed may be in the form of a circular table which revolves on a
vertical axis mounted on an arm projecting from the frame, and a stationary stock
fixed to the frame serves to support the bed against the pressure of the smoothing
iron; or the ironing bed may be in the form of an endless apron extended around
pulleys, supported by the frame of the machine and over a stock as before described.
Or the ironing bed may take the form of rollers of various shapes, mounted on a
shaft having its bearings in the frame of the machine, corresponding to the various
shapes of the articles to be ironed, in which case the ironing surface of the smooth-
ing irons will be made to correspond.
One of the pulleys above mentioned is adjustable by a screw or other means, so
as to give proper tension to the endless apron bed.
The continuous ironing beds may be moved by hand or automatically; in the
latter case they will be connected to a ratchet and pawl movement which may be
actuated by the rising and falling of the carrier.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th May 1878.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN IRONING MACHINES."
A communication from abroad by Thomas Shires Wiles, of Albany, in the State of
New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to machinery in which damp articles of cloth of different
thicknesses in different parts can be dried and ironed with a smooth lustreless
surface or "domestic finish" by pressing the articles by and between a heated
smoothing iron and a soft ironing bed, which will yield and conform to the thick
and the thin parts of the articles, and will absorb the moisture driven out of the
damp articles while being pressed between the ironing bed and the heated smoothing
iron.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation; Fig. 2, a plan view of
the machine complete; Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the machine taken at the lines
z, 2, in Figures 1 and 2, and elevation of parts on one side of the section; and
Fig. 4, a vertical section taken at the line y, y, in Figures 2 and 3, and elevation of
parts in front thereof.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation, and Fig. 6 a sectional elevation, showing modifications
of the same machine; and Fig. 7 is a broken plan; and Fig. 8, a sectional elevation
of some parts of a machine that embodies a portion of the same Invention.
In these Figures, in which similar parts are marked by like letters, A is the frame
which supports the other parts.
The ironing bed B is soft, yielding, and more or less elastic; it consists of any
suitable felted or woven fabric or material, with a surface covering of muslin or
other suitable fabric that will absorb moisture given off froin the damp articles of
cloth which are being ironed on the bed; the smoothing iron C has a smooth face,
shaped to fit against the ironing bed, and which is made of cast iron or other suitable
metal or material, and is to be heated while in use by burning therein jets of mixed
gas and air, or by any other suitable means.
In the machinery represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8, the smoothing iron C
is attached to a carrier D, which slides in suitable ways or guides x in the frame A,
and so that by moving the carrier D in one direction the smoothing iron will be
thereby moved toward and pressed against the ironing bed B, and by moving the
carrier in the opposite direction the smoothing iron will be separated and removed
from the ironing bed.
In Figures 5 and 6 the smoothing iron C is fast on the frame A, and the ironing
bed B is mounted on the carrier D, so as to be thereby moved toward and pressed
against the smoothing iron, and removed therefrom. The pressing, drying, and
smoothing action on the damp articles of cloth is the same whether the smoothing
iron be moved so as to be thereby pressed against and separated from the ironing
bed, or the ironing bed be pressed against and removed from the smoothing iron, or
the iron and bed be both moved, and thus pressed together and separated. In
either case each carrier D can be in the form of a pivotted lever or other suitable
vibrating or reciprocating stock, instead of a stock fitted to slide in or on ways or
guides.
In ironing damp articles of cloth by pressing the same between a heated smoothing
ron and a yielding moisture absorbing bed, it is highly important that the articles
be pressed by and between the ironing bed and smoothing iron during exactly equal
and suitable periods of time, and with equal force at each pressing contact, in order
to secure a proper uniform drying and smoothing action upon the articles at each
Successive pressing operation without the liability of scorching or overheating the
articles.
To accomplish that object the carrier D of the smoothing iron or ironing bed is

page_text: connected with a rotary driving shaft by means of a cam, excentric, crank, and rod,
or other suitable mechanical device, so that the uniform rotation of the driving shaft
shall cause the automatic pressing together and separation of the smoothing iron
and ironing bed repeatedly at and during uniform periods and intervals of time, and
with the same pressing force at each contact, and so that by changing the rotary
speed of the driving shaft the duration of each pressing together and separation of
the smoothing iron and ironing bed will be increased. or lessened as shall be desirable
in order to properly dry and smooth (without scorching) damp articles of different
thicknesses.
As a means for securing that result (and subordinate advantages) the rotary
driving shaft E is connected with the carrier D of the smoothing iron C or ironing
bed B by a crank F on the driving shaft; knee-jointed levers G, G¹, jointed at one
end to the frame A, and at the other end to the carrier D and a rod H connecting
the crank with the genicular levers, as represented in the Drawings, so that thereby
the uniform rotation of the driving shaft E shall cause the smoothing iron and
ironing bed to be pressed one against the other, and separated repeatedly with a
gradually increasing and decreasing force during a considerable period of time at
each contact, so as to thereby compress, dry, and gradually finish with a smooth
lustreless surface damp articles of cloth placed between the ironing bed and smoothing
iron; this will also cause the smoothing iron and ironing bed to be separated during
a longer interval between each two pressing contacts so as to permit a person to then
conveniently remove the dried and smoothly pressed article, and insert a damp one.
It is preferable to so construct and arrange the toggle levers G, G', connecting
rod H and crank F with the rotary shaft E and carrier D, that in pressing the
smoothing iron against the elastic ironing bed, or the ironing bed against the
smoothing iron, the centre joint of the toggle levers shall pass a little beyond a
plane, joining the end bearings of the toggle levers, as indicated at w, in Fig. 3,
whereby the pressure between the smoothing iron and the elastic ironing bed is
considerably increased in duration, with but little variation in intensity. As a
means of regulating such pressure an adjusting screw v is arranged (as shown) with
or without the intervention of a powerfully elastic relief medium u, as represented
in Fig. 6.
As regards the above-described mechanism, the yielding moisture absorbing bed
can be larger or no larger than the face of the smoothing iron, and stationary,
so that only one and the same portion thereof shall support the damp articles
of the cloth for the action of the heated smoothing iron. In such cases that portion
of the ironing bed will commonly soon become so moist that the articles will
not be sufficiently dried at one pressing, and consequently the smoothing
iron and moist ironing bed will then require to be occasionally pressed together
and separated without any damp article between them, in order to thereby quickly
dry the bed. If the article Q (being ironed) is larger than the face of the smoothing
iron, such article after having a part thereof pressed smooth, and dried by and
between the smoothing iron and ironing bed must be separated from the bed, and
moved along separately, so as to bring the impressed part of the article directly
between the bed and the smoothing iron in completing the pressing, drying, and
smoothing of the article.
To overcome that defect the ironing bed is made of a greater extent than
the smoothing iron, and is moveable; the bed is mounted on ways or in any
suitable manner, so that in the intervals while the bed is not being pressed by the
smoothing iron, a person can easily move the bed, so as to thereby remove (from
opposite the smoothing iron) that portion of the bed which has just become moist or
wet by a damp article having been pressed between it and the smoothing iron. In the
same act a different and dryer part of the ironing bed will be brought (with or without
an article thereon to be ironed) directly opposite to the smoothing iron.
As regards the mechanism herein-before described, the yielding moisture-absorbing
ironing bed can be in the form of a table, or of any suitable shape or extent; it is
preferable, however, to have the ironing bed not only of greater area than the face

page_text: of the smoothing iron, and moveable laterally in respect thereto, but also of a con-
tinuous or endless form, so that when it is not in contact with the smoothing iron,
a person can readily turn the continuous ironing bed step by step in its endless
direction, so as to thereby bring each successive portion thereof in regular order
opposite to the smoothing iron repeatedly by merely turning the bed step by step
in one and the same direction only. As each succeeding part of the ironing bed
shall become moist by having a damp article pressed between it and the smoothing
iron, the moisture will by this means generally evaporate from each part equally
before the same shall be again brought opposite to the smoothing iron in the rotation
of the bed. In order that a series of suitable damp articles of greater, no greater,
or less extent than the face of the smoothing iron may be successively placed on the
continuous bed, and thereby presented and submitted to the action of the smoothing
iron, the bed must be turned step by step in only one direction.
The continuous ironing bed can be of any suitable shape, and either fast on or
separate from the part or parts by which it is supported against the pressure of the
smoothing iron.
In Figures 7 and 8 the ironing bed B is in the form of a circular disc I, having a
vertical axis t about which the bed can be turned by hand, or by mechanical devices,
and a stationary stock J serves to support the bed against the pressure of the
smoothing iron.
This circular ironing bed is generally useful, and is especially suitable for use in
ironing collars or articles that are of a semicircular form, as indicated at s in Fig. 7.
It is, however, preferable for general use in ironing articles of various shapes, to have
the ironing bed B in the form of an endless apron K extended around pulleys L, L',
and over a stock J, as shown at Figures 1, 3, 5, and 6. The stock J will support.
the apron bed K against the pressure of the smoothing iron C, so that the endless
apron bed can be turned step by step (when not in contact with the smoothing iron)
by turning one or both of the pulleys L, L', by hand or otherwise, and so that the
endless apron bed may form a travelling table-like support for the articles imme-
diately before and after being submitted to the action of the smoothing iron. In
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the pulley L' is mounted to turn on a stud that is fast on
a slider that can be adjusted between the guides g on the frame A, by a screw p,
so as to thereby give proper tension to the endless apron bed.
In Figures 5 and 6, a heavy roller o loosely surrounds a guide stud n fast on the
slide D, and bears on the endless bed B, K, so as to thereby give tension to the
latter.
To avoid generally having a person to turn the continuous ironing bed one step
for each pressing together and separation of the ironing bed and smoothing iron,
there is combined with the continuous ironing bed and the device by which the
ironing bed or smoothing iron is pressed one against the other and separated, any
suitable mechanism by which the continuous ironing bed will be uniformly turned
a step while not in contact with the smoothing iron, so as to thereby present equal
different portions of the bed and of any suitable damp article thereon, to the
smoothing iron, at and by reason of each pressing together and separation of the
smoothing iron and ironing bed, however regularly or irregularly, or by whatever
means the smoothing iron and ironing bed shall be pressed together and separated.
It is commonly preferable to employ for that purpose a ratchet wheel M and a
driving pawl N connected with the continuous ironing bed and the carrier D, as
indicated in the Drawings.
In Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 the ratchet wheel M is fast on the shaft m of the
pulley L, and the driving pawl N is pivotted on a lever 7 which (in Fig. 4) is hung
on the shaft m. In the latter Figure the carrier D has fast thereon a lug k, which,
as the carrier rises, lifts a lever j that is pivotted at i to the frame A, and thereby
moves the lever l with the driving pawl N, and consequently turns the ratchet
wheel M, pulley L, and endless apron bed B, K, a step while the smoothing iron C
is being moved away from the ironing bed; and while the carrier D with its lug /
descends, the weight of the pawl N and levers 7, j, moves back the pawl N so as to

page_text: re-engage the latter with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, preparatory to again
turning forward the ratchet and apron bed as the carrier shall next rise.
In Figures 5 and the driving pawl N is weighted, and the lever to which the
pawl is pivotted has a fulcrum at h on the frame A, and extends under a projection g
on the carrier D, so that while the latter descends (in moving the endless bed B, K,
with its support J away from the smoothing iron C) the part g moves the lever 1,
and thereby moves the pawl N so as to turn the ratchet wheel M, pulley L, and
endless bedt B, K, forward a step, and while the carrier D rises to press the bed
against the smoothing iron, the weighted pawl falls back to again take hold of
other teeth of the ratchet wheel.
In Figures 7 and 8 the ratchet wheel M is fast on the shaft t of the circular
ironing bed, and the driving pawl N is pivotted on an arm which is hung on
the shaft t, and is pivotted to a rod f that is jointed to an elbow lever e.that
is pivotted at e¹ to the frame A, and has in one arm a slot d in which works
a pin lug c fast on the carrier D, so that as the latter is moved upward in
removing the smoothing iron from the ironing bed, the pawl is moved so as to
turn the ratchet wheel M and circular ironing bed a step. The pawl N is therefore
drawn back to engage with other teeth of the ratchet wheel by the movement
of the smoothing iron toward the ironing bed. In Figures 5 and 7, b is a detent,
which, when engaged with the ratchet wheel, prevents backward movement of the
latter.
The devices for automatically turning the ironing bed step by step (while not in
contact with the smoothing iron) may be put out of action by disengaging the
pawl N from the ratchet wheel M, so that the bed B can then be turned forward or not
at will by a person attending the machine, as is sometimes very important in ironing
articles of great or irregular thickness, which require the same part or parts to be
repeatedly pressed by and between the heated smoothing iron and ironing bed in
order to sufficiently dry and finish the articles.
The detent can also be disengaged or lifted off from the ratchet wheel M so as
to allow a person to move back the ironing bed conveniently and permit the
repressing of parts of the articles that shall not have been sufficiently dried and
finished by the previous pressing of the same between the ironing bed and smoothing
iron.
Ironing machines have been heretofore used with an internally heated smoothing
iron and a yielding moisture-absorbing ironing bed combined with a lever treadle or
like device, by means of which a person could press the smoothing iron against the
ironing bed and remove the same therefrom at will. In using such machines, the
degree and duration of each pressing contact, and the consequent drying, com-
pressing, and smoothing action of the smoothing and ironing bed on damp articles
between them would necessarily vary, according to the action of the person operating
the machine, so that the articles would be liable to be unevenly dried and variously
finished, or overheated and scorched, or injured, and in such machines the smoothing
iron or ironing bed was to be moved laterally, one along the other, while pressed
together, so as to thereby produce a polished surface or a glossy finish instead of the
smooth, even, lustreless surface or "domestic finish" made by the improved machine
by the mere pressing together and separation of the smoothing iron and ironing
bed automatically at and during uniform periods and intervals and with equal
pressure at each contact.
Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a machine, which is a modification of that just
described; Fig. 12, a central vertical section of the same.
Fig. 13, a plan view; and Fig. 14, a transverse sectional elevation.
Fig. 15 is a front elevation, and Fig. 16, a central sectional elevation of a machine
in which parts of the same Invention are embodied; and Figures 17 and 18 are
front elevations, and Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22, are sectional elevations of modified
forms of the ironing bed and smoothing iron, capable of use in the machine repre-
sented by Figures 15 and 16, and in that shewn in Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14.
-
In these Figures A is a frame which supports the other parts; B is the ironing

page_text: bed, baving a covering b of soft elastic felted or woven fabric or material with a
surface of muslin or suitable fabric that will absorb the moisture given off from the
damp articles which are being ironed on the bed; C is a smoothing iron, which has
a sinooth face shaped to fit against a part of the bed B, and is made of cast iron or
any suitable metal or material, and is to be heated while in use, as in the former
instance. The ironing bed B is in the form of a roller, or a section of a roller, of
any suitable shape, either cylindrical, polyhedral, or tapered, or conical. This bed
is mounted on a horizontal or nearly horizontal axis D, which supports the ironing
bed against the pressing action of the sinoothing iron, and so that the bed B can be
turned on the axis D and thereby present different parts of the surface of the bed to
the smoothing iron. E is a carrier adapted to support the smoothing iron C or the
axis D of the ironing bed, and to be moved up and down in or on ways c, Figures 13
and 14, on the frame A, and thus press together and separate the ironing bed and
smoothing iron. In the machine shewn by Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14, the
smoothing iron C is fast on the carrier E, and the axis D of the ironing bed
is mounted to turn in bearings in the frame A.
In Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, the smoothing iron C is fast on the
stationary framework, and the axis D (on which the ironing bed B is mounted) is
secured to the carrier E. A rotary driving shaft F is connected with the carrier E
of the smoothing iron by means of any suitable mechanical device, so that the
uniform rotation of the driving shaft shall cause the automatic pressing of the
smoothing iron against the ironing bed, or of the ironing bed against the smoothing
iron, and the separation of the same repeatedly and at and during uniform periods
and intervals, and with the same degree of pressure at each contact in order that
the compressing, drying, and smoothing action of the heated smoothing iron and
yielding moisture-absorbing ironing bed shall be the same at each successive pressing
together of the ironing bed and smoothing iron. As a preferred means for accom-
plishing that object the rotary driving shaft F may be connected with the carrier E
of the smoothing iron, or of the ironing bed by means of a crank G on the driving
shaft, knee-jointed levers H, H¹, connected at one end to the frame A, and at the
other to the carrier E, with or without an adjusting screw d and intervening elastic
medium e and a rod I connecting the crank with the knee-jointed levers.
In ironing some damp collars, cuffs, and other articles (of greatly different thick-
ness in different parts) by means of this Invention, it is important to have the ironing
bed B free to be turned on or with its axis D by hand in either direction when not
in contact with the smoothing iron, in order that some parts of the articles may be
pressed repeatedly, or more times than other parts, to properly compress, dry, and
finish all the parts of the articles. But in ironing articles of uniform thickness, or
those of which only a part of less extent than the face of the smoothing iron is to be
finished by the machine, it is generally important that the ironing bed should be
automatically turned a uniform step during each successive separation of the ironing
bed and smoothing iron, so as to thereby present a different and dryer part of the
moisture-absorbing ironing bed to the smoothing iron at each pressing contact, and
uniformly feed forward to the smoothing iron any suitable damp article properly
placed on the ironing bed. This object is effected by connecting the ironing bed B
with the carrier E by means of any suitable mechanical devices, but preferably by
means of a ratchet wheel J secured to the ironing bed B, and a driving pawl K
operated by the carrier E, substantially as represented in the Drawings.
In Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14 the ratchet wheel J is fast on the axis D, to which
the ironing bed B is fastened, and the driving pawl K is weighted and pivotted
on a lever f, Fig. 14, that is pivotted at g to the frame A, and is raised at
each upward movement of the carrier E in removing the smoothing iron from
the ironing bed by means of a stud h, Fig. 12, fast on the carrier so as to
turn the ratchet wheel J and ironing bed B forward a step. As the carrier E
descends with the stud h to press the smoothing iron against the ironing bed
the weight of the pawl K and lever moves back the pawl to take hold of
another tooth of the ratchet wheel.

page_text: In Figures 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, and 22 the ratchet wheel J is fastened to the
ironing bed B, which is mounted to be turned on the axis D; that is, fastened to the
carrier E. The driving pawl K is pivotted to a lever f¹, Fig. 15, which is
pivotted at gl to the frame A, and as the carrier E descends in moving the ironing.
bed away from the smoothing iron, a stud h' on the carrier turns the lever f¹ and
pawl K so as to thereby turn the ratchet wheel and ironing bed a step forward. As
the carrier ascends to press the ironing bed against the smoothing iron, the weight
of the pawl K. and lever f¹ moves the pawl backward to take hold of a tooth of the
ratchet wheel anew.
In Figures 13, 14, and 16 i is a detent which when engaged with the
ratchet wheel J, will prevent the backward turning of the ironing bed, but that
detent and the driving pawl K can be readily turned out of engagement with the
ratchet wheel, so as to permit a person to turn the ironing bed by hand in either
direction, as shall be desirable in pressing and drying various damp articles of
cloth.
In carrying out this Invention the roller-like ironing bed B (supported concentri-
cally on an axis D) may be of any suitable shape, and the face of the smoothing iron
C must conform to the ironing bed.. Thus, in Figures 18 and 22, the ironing bed B is
in the form of an octagonal roller, with plain flat sides, and the face of the corre-
sponding smoothing iron is flat, and shaped and-arranged to fit against each of the
sides of the ironing bed, which latter when in use is to be turned at each step a
distance equal to that occupied by one of its sides. This form of ironing bed and
smoothing iron is adapted for pressing and drying with a smooth lustreless surface
or "domestic finish" small flat articles or parts of articles that are no larger than
the face of the smoothing iron, like the turned-out corner parts of standing linen
collars for ladies and gentlemen.
In Figures 15 and 16 the ironing bed B is in the form of a cylindrical roller, and
the face of the smoothing iron is curved concavely, and arranged to fit against a part
of the surface of the ironing bed. This form is well adapted for general use in
pressing and drying with a smooth lustreless surface plain collars and cuffs, and
other articles of any desired length and suitable width, by pressing successive portions
thereof between the concave face of the smoothing iron and successive convex
portions of the cylindrical ironing bed.
.
In Figures 17 and 19 the ironing bed B is in the form of a tapering roller. In
Fig. 20 it has a part j in cylindrical shape, and a contiguous part k in the form of a
frustrum of a cone. In Figures 12, 13, and 21, it has two parts tapered in opposite
directions, with the smallest ends toward each other, and contiguous in Figures
12 and 13, but separated by a cylindrical part 7 in Fig. 21. In each case the
smoothing iron C is shaped to fit against a circumferential portion of its respective
ironing bed B, and the variously tapered forms of roller-like ironing beds and
corresponding smoothing irons are adapted for pressing, drying, and finishing with
a smooth even surface collars and cuffs of various flaring shapes and in curved forms,
approaching those in which such articles are worn. For such use the roller-like
ironing bed B need not be a complete roller, but a section thereof, having a circum-
ferential surface of somewhat greater length than the length of the article to be
ironed, but it is generally preferable to have the ironing bed in the form of a complete
roller.
Having described the Invention of "Improvements in Ironing Machines," which
has been communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and having explained
the manner of carrying the same into effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me
by Letters Patent, as aforesaid,
First. The combination of a yielding moisture-absorbing ironing bed, a smoothing
iron adapted to be heated while in use and to fit against the ironing bed, a vibrating
or reciprocating carrier D for supporting and operating the smoothing iron or the
ironing bed, a rotary driving shaft and mechanism connecting the driving shaft
with the carrier, so that the uniform rotation of the driving shaft causes the
smoothing iron and ironing bed to be pressed one against the other, and separated

page_text: repeatedly at and during uniform periods and intervals, as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
Second. The combination of the smoothing iron, ironing bed of greater extent
than the smoothing iron, and made moveable, so that different parts of the ironing
bed can be thereby presented to the smoothing iron, with mechanism by which the
smoothing iron and ironing bed are pressed one against the other and separated
repeatedly at and during uniform periods and intervals, as herein set forth.
Third. The combination of the smoothing iron, the continuous or endless form of
moveable ironing bed (whereby all parts thereof can be presented in succession and
repeatedly to the smoothing iron by turning the ironing bed in one direction only),
with mechanism by which the smoothing iron and ironing bed are pressed one against
the other, and separated repeatedly at and during uniform periods and intervals, as
herein set forth.
Fourth. The combination of the smoothing iron, ironing bed (adapted to be
pressed one against the other and separated as described), with mechanism by which
the ironing bed is moved a step while not in contact with the smoothing iron, as and
for the purposes herein set forth.
Fifth. The combination of the smoothing iron, ironing bed, and mechanism by which
the smoothing iron and ironing bed are pressed one against the other and separated
repeatedly (at and during uniform periods and intervals as described, with
mechanism by which the ironing bed is moved a step, so as to thereby present a
different portion thereof to the smoothing iron, as herein set forth.
Sixth. The combination of the smoothing iron C with the ironing bed in the form
of a moveable endless apron K, with its supporting stock J and pulleys L, L¹,
carrier D for the smoothing iron or ironing bed, rotary driving shaft and devices
connecting the carrier with the driving shaft, as and for the purposes herein set
forth.
Seventh. The combination of the yielding moisture-absorbing ironing bed, in the
form of an endless april K,. and the smoothing iron C, with mechanism by which
the endless apron bed is turned step by step, so as to present a different portion
thereof to the smoothing iron, as herein set forth.
Eighth. The combination of the roller-like ironing bed B, mounted on its axis D,
and having a yielding moisture-absorbing covering, with a smoothing iron C, heated
as shewn, and adapted to fit against a circumferential portion of the ironing bed, the
whole combined, arranged, and operating as herein set forth.
Ninth. The combination of the roller-like ironing bed and the corresponding
smoothing iron (adapted to be pressed one against the other), with mechanism by
which the ironing bed while not in contact with the smoothing iron is turned step
by step by reason of each pressing together, and separation of the smoothing iron
and ironing bed, as described.
Tenth. The combination of the roller-like ironing bed, corresponding smoothing
iron, rotary driving shaft, with mechanism by which the uniform rotation of the
driving shaft causes the ironing bed and the smoothing iron to be pressed one against
the other, and separated at and during uniform periods and intervals, and with
mechanism by which the ironing bed is turned step by step by reason of each pressing
together, and separation of the smoothing iron and ironing bed, as herein set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One