Improvements in Washing Boards.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 16th Mar., 1895
Improvements in Washing Boards.
We, ALEXANDER DRUMMOND of 5 Watson Lane, Glasgow, Glass Merchant,
and THOMAS HARRISON, of Craig-a-Vad, Belfast, Barrister-at-Law, 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 mainly relates to that class of washing boards for domestic use
wherein the rubbing surface is formed of a sheet of glass or porcelain and it
consists in so constructing the boards that the rubbing surface, when broken or
damaged, can be readily removed and replaced by a new surface. The surface is
also held firmly in place between elastic cushions by means of removable spring
spars.
The present invention is a development of Turner & Drummond's Patent
No. 226814.
The annexed drawings show a glass washing board constructed in accordance
with the invention.
Fig. 1 is a back view.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line - Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line y-y Fig. 2 looking towards the lower end.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section showing the method of removing the rubbing
surface.
As will be seen there is fitted at the back of the washing board one or more
wooden sparse which have placed or fitted on them rubber or cork rubber or cork
rings d against which the glass sheet b rests. Rubber or cork wedges or strips or
pieces of rubber tubing e are fitted between the face of the glass sheet and the
recessed side pieces a' of the frame for the purpose of protecting the face of the
sheet b.
The ends of these spars c, under this invention, are tapered and are also made
with slits c. The upper and lower cross bars a³, a² of the frame are recessed or
grooved, as shown, for the reception of the wood spars c and the rubbing surface b.
The upper bar a³ is fixed as usual but the lower one a' is capable of turning on
the screws which serve as pivots. As will be seen at Fig. 3 this bar a' is checked
or recessed at each end, at g, so as to lock securely into the recessed side pieces a²,
when it is in the normal vertical position.
With this arrangement when it is desired to remove the rubbing surface 6 and
replace it by a new surface all that is necessary is to withdraw the spars c and
then turn the cross bar a' into the position shown at Fig. 4 whereupon the sheet b
can be readily lifted out and replaced. In Fig. 4 the glass sheet is shown as being
lifted up for removal.
The spars owing to the springy nature of the split ends retain their hold in the
recessed bars a³, a³ and at the same time press the rubbing surface b against the
cushions e.
The spars are removed by merely turning them round from the vertical to a
diagonal position so as to be clear of the recesses in the bars a², a³.
The arrangement is also suitable for the ordinary zinc boards.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
consider novel and desire to claim is :-
A washing board having removable spring retaining spars (c) and a movable
recessed cross bar (a²), substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 4th day of February 1895.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.