Year: 1888

page_text: I THOMAS CAIN of Schaller in the County of Sac and State of Iowa in the
United States of America, Farmer 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 object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved hand washing
machine which will obviate all unnecessary labour and wear upon the clothing and
which will economize the time required for cleansing the same.
A further object of my invention is to provide a machine of this class possessing
advantages in point of inexpensiveness, durability, ease and convenience in operation
and general efficiency.
Referring to the drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved washing machine
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a bottom or plan view.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view.
Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view.
Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views illustrating the valve.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A designates a bar forming the handle from which extend downwardly near each
end, bars B B at the lower ends of which are secured transverse tubes CC: A
transverse tube is thus formed at each end of the washing machine and at each end
of said tubes C are provided downwardly extending auxiliary tubes c carrying at
their lower ends conical shells D. Suitable bracing strips E are provided to connect
and brace the pair of conical shells at each end of the washing machine and these
strips are approximately V shape in cross section. The ends of the auxliary tube c
preferably project some distance within the conical shells D.
I prefer in the construction of the device to form the bars A and B B of tubes as
shown, this tubular construction insuring greater strength.
A longitudinal tube F extends from one transverse tube to the other and braces
.

page_text: and connects the same, the ends of this longitudinal tube, opening, as shown into the
transverse tubes C for which purpose the latter may be provided with openings o
orifices c² at the ends of the longitudinal tube.
It will be noted that the top portion of the tubes C forms (as shown at c³) in con-
nection with a partition et at the ends of the longitudinal tube Fa wall or partition
entirely separating the tubes F and from the upright bars or tubes B B so that
there is no communication whatever between the tubes F C and B B and the air and
water does not enter the handle portion of the washer.
A vertically disposed valve box G is provided centrally upon the connecting tube F
and is preferably cylindrical in form. The valve box is located around an opening g
in the tube F and communication thus established between the valve box and
tube.
A bottom 2 is also provided in the valve box which forms the valve seat and is
located somewhat above the opening in the tube F. In said bottom is provided a
central orifice or opening g³ for the passage of the air. By means of the construction
and arrangement just described the water and suds which pass upward into the
tube F when the machine or pounder is rocked are prevented from entering the valve
box G and choking the valve air therein.
The air valve is formed by a plate H, which rests normally upon the bottom g².
This plate is caged or retained in position by means of transverse bars or cross
arms I provided in the valve box near its top. A cylindrical cap piece J fits over
the corresponding valve box and covers the same. A circumferential series of
openings is provided at the top of the cap for the passage of air these openings
being preferably formed by a slit, the under edge of which is bent inwardly as shown
at j.
In operation the wash tub is filled one half or two thirds full of clothes and the
suds are then poured over the clothes in the usual manner.
smaller number of articles may be washed if desired. To cleanse the clothes the
It is obvious that a
machine or pounder is then placed upon the clothes and a rocking motion is produced
by means of the handle to cause the conical shell at the respective ends of the
machine to alternately press the clothes and rock up and down.
An air pressure is thus produced which forces the suds or water through the fabric
and cleanses the clothes with but a small expenditure of labour and minimum wear
upon the clothes.
During the operation of the device the air passes from the conical shells, through
the tubes and into the connecting tube F and as the device is rocked, the respective
pair of shells at the ends of the machine are alternately raised and the air being shut
off by the valve causes the water to be forced through the clothing by the air pressure,
a vacuum being formed at the base of the conical shells. By the operation of the
valve mechanisin just described by which the air is shut off at the proper time, all the
air pressure is utilized.
The purposes of my invention are to utilize the complete air suction and obviato all
objections to pounder washing machines of the class described, these purposes of my
invention being effected by means of the construction embodying a longitudinal con-
necting tube opening into the transverse tubes at the ends of the machine and provided
with the centrally located valve which is alternately opened and closed as the machine
is rocked during the operation of washing.
The valve box and valve mechanism may if desired be of any suitable construction
and the general construction may be varied in other details as may be found convenient
and advisable. For instance the cross arms may be dispensed with and a vertically
disposed sliding plate may be set in the cylindrical valve box to act upon and retain
the plate H in position.
The construction shown and described however embodies the most improved forms
of my invention.
I do not therefore limit myself to the exact construction, arrangement and operation
shown and described but reserve the right to all such modifications as fall within the
spirit and scope of my invention.

page_text: 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. A washing machine comprising the transverse tubes at the ends and the
longitudinal connecting tube provided with a valve substantially as set forth.
2. The transverse tubes at the ends carrying upon their auxiliary end portion the
conical shells and the longitudinal connecting tube opening into the end tube and
carrying the valve mechanism substantially as set forth.
3. A washing machine comprising a handle, bars depending therefrom the transverse
tubes secured with the lower ends of said bars and carrying the conical shells and the
longitudinal tubes connecting the transverse tubes substantially as set forth.
4. A washing machine comprising a handle, the bars depending upon the same
transverse tubes secured to the lower ends of said bars, conical shells secured
upon the auxiliary ends of said transverse tubes and the bracing strip connecting
said conical shells substantially as set forth.
5. A washing machine comprising the transverse tubes the ends of which open into
and carry the conical shells and the longitudinal connecting tube having its ends
opening into the transverse end tubes said longitudinal tube being provided with an
opening surrounded by a valve box having a bottom located somewhat above the
longitudinal tube and provided with an opening and valve mechanism in said valve-
box substantially as set forth.
6. In a washing machine of the class the longitudinal connecting tube carrying the
valve box provided with the perforated bottom somewhat above the tube, the plate
forming the valve and the transverse retaining bars substantially as set forth.
7. A washing machine consisting of the transverse end tubes carrying conical shells
the longitudinal connecting tube, the cylindrical box opening into said longitudinal
tube and having the perforated bottom somewhat above the same the plate forming the
valve the transverse bars retaining the plate and the cap provided with the described
perforations substantially as set forth.
8. A washing machine comprising the transverse end tubes, the longitudinal
connecting tube and the described valve mechanism substantially as set forth.
9. The valve mechanism comprising the vertically disposed sliding retaining plate
as described.
10. The walls or partitions 3, at the junction of the longitudinal tube with the
transverse tubes, whereby all communication between said tubes and the bars forming
the handle portion is entirely shut off, and the air or water does not pass into the
handle portion as set forth:
11. The improved washing machine constructed and operated substantially as herein
shown and specified.
31 1
1000