Improvements in Washboards.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 23rd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washboards.
I, JAMES TAYLOR SARGENT Manufacturer, residing at 1194 East Madison
Avenue in Cleveland, in the County of Cuyahoga State of Ohio and United
States of America, 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 invention described herein relates to certain improvements in washboards,
and has for its object the provision of a soap support or receptacle which will serve
as a protector for the clothes of the operator and the soap from water, which is
splashed up during the washing operation. It is a further object of said invention
to provide for the adjustment of such combined protector and soap receptacle to
such position as to permit of the compact arrangement of a number of washboards
one upon another, for the purposes of storage or transportation.
It has heretofore been customary to utilize the cross bar at the upper end of the
rubbing face as a soap support, but such construction is objectionable for the reason
that on account of the narrowness of the support the soap is liable to drop off, and
alsu for the reason that water in washing is continually splashed upon the soap
causing a great waste of the latter. In my improved washboard a comparatively
broad and safe support is provided and the soap is entirely protected thereby.
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a simple embodiment of the invention as applied to
double faced washboards. The washboard consists of the side bars 1, head piece 2,
cross bar 3, brand board 4 and rubbing faces 5. Holes 6 are formed in the side
bars a suitable distance below the head piece for the reception of the dowel pins 7
on the board or protector 8. This board is made of sufficient width to project such
a distance to prevent water splashed in washing from passing above, and forms in
conjunction with the brand board 4 and side bars an efficient receptacle for the
soap. As the soap rests upon the hoard, it is protected thereby from constant
contact with water and will therefore remain hard and firm. As holes 6 are formed
in both edges of the side bars, the board of protector can be adjusted to a position
of use above either of the rubbing faces. When it is desired to arrange a number
of the washboards one upon the other for storage or transportation, the board or
protector is placed upon one of the rubbing faces where it will be held by the
adjacent washboard.
In the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the washboard is constructed
as hereinbefore described, but in lieu of employing a removable and reversible
board or protector 8, the latter is permanently mounted on a pivotal pin 9, so
arranged as to be reversible from a position of use on one side of the washboard to
a corresponding position on the opposite side. In the construction shown in
Figs. 3 and 4 a slot 10 is formed in the brand board 4 about midway of its height,
for the passage of the board or protector from side to side. The pivot 9 is held in
position by means of slots or notches in its ends engaging the adjacent edges of
the brand board, as clearly shown in the sectional elevation in Fig. 4. In the
construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the upper edge of the brand board is cut away,
thereby forming the slot 10 immediately below the head piece 2 in which the
pivct pin 9 is secured. In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the soap
receptacle is formed by the board or protector 8, and the upper portion of the
brand board, while in Figs. 5 and 6, the receptacle is formed by the board or
protector and the head piece 2, which is preferably increased in height for the

page_text: more effectual retention of the soap. In order to hold the board or protector in
operative position above either face, a groove is formed in the under side of the
protector for the reception of the edge of the lower portion of the brand board, as
shown in Figs. 3 and 4, but in Figs. 5 and 6, the groove is formed in the upper
side of the protector for the reception of a rib on the under side of the head piece.
In order to permit the engagement and disengagement of the two parts or members
of the lock, the protector has a vertical movement along the pivot pin, and a
spring 11 surrounding the pin holds the two members of the lock together in
normal position of the protector.
Figs. 7 and 8 are a perspective and a sectional elevation respectively of a further
modification of my improvement. In this construction, as in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive,
a slot is formed through the brand board, for the movement of the protector or
board 8, from the operative position above one of the rubbing faces, to a
corresponding position above the other face. On the ends of the protector are
secured plates 12, provided with curved slots 13, through which pass pins 14, and
project into the side bars. The slots and pins serve to support and guide the
protector as it is shifted from side to side. In order to hold the protector in its
different positions of use, grooves 15 are formed in its under side, and along its
outer edge for the reception of the upper edge of the lower portion of the brand
board 4, when the protector has been shifted to operative position. While this
construction of lock will prevent any accidental shifting of the protector from side
to side, it will not hold the protector in the desired angular relation to the brand
board. To maintain the protector in the desired angular position, notches 15 are
formed in the side plates 12, at the ends of the slot 13, for the reception of the
pins 14, when the protector drops down so as to effect the engagement of the lower
portion of the brand board with one or the other of the grooves 15, in the under
side of the protector.
In the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10, which are perspective and sectional
elevations respectively, is shown a form or modification of invention, having the
board or protector 8 made of approximately double the width of the protector
shown in the preceding figures, and secured to the lower edge of the brand board 4.
This brand board is provided at its upper corners with trunnions 16, which are
mounted in slots in the inner faces of the side bars 1, for the purpose hereinafter
stated. This construction and arrangement of the brand board and protector,
permits of the adjustment of one-half of the protector above one of the rubbing
faces, and the other half above the other face. In order to hold the protector in
positions for use above either face of the washboard, grooves 17 are formed in the
under side of the protector, and along hoth edges thereof, for the reception of the
sharpened edge of the cross bar 3. The two members of the lock consisting of
the cross bar and the grooves in the under side of the protector, are held in
engagement by the spring 18 arranged in the groove in the under side of the
bead piece 2, and adapted to force the brand board and protector downward, so as
to effect the engagement of the two members of the lock, as stated, such downward
movement of the brand board and protector being permitted by the slots in the
inner faces of the side bars. When it is desired to arrange a number of the
washboards one upon the other for transportation or storage, the protector is
shifted to middle position, so that its edges will project only a slight distance
beyond the side bars, such distance being less than the distance from the rubbing
faces to the edges of the side bars.
In Figs. 11, 12, and 13, which are side and sectional elevations respectively, is
shown the application of my improvement to single faced washboards. The
protector 8 is provided at its inner corners with trunnions adapted to fit in suitable
sockets formed in the side bars, and located at such a distance from the head piece 2,
as will permit of the protector being folded up against the brand board and, when
adjusted to position for protector use, will form, in connection with the brand board
a soap box or receptacle. The protector is held in operative position to form the
soap box and perform its function as a protector, by means of a spring 19, attached

page_text: to the frame of the board in such manner that its free ends would bear upon the
protector when turned around, and prevent its being folded up against the brand
board, and can be pressed inwardly, so as to allow the protector to be folded up
for transportation or storage. The protector is prevented from turning down
sufficiently far to allow the escape of the soap from the receptacle, by the bearing
of the rear end of the protector against the brand board, the trunnions being located
a short distance from the rear edge of the protector. In lieu of the means described
for holding the protector in operative position, a groove 20 may be formed in one
of the side bars in such position that when the protector is turned down to operative
position, it can be moved longitudinally, so that one of its edges will engage said
groove, and be held thereby until moved longitudinally in the opposite direction,
as clearly shown in Figure 13.
In Figs. 14, 15, and 16, which are sectional elevations, and Fig. 17 which is a
perspective detail, is shown the application of the modification illustrated in
Figs. 11, 12 and 13 to double faced washboards, wherein two independently
movable protectors 8 and 8° are employed. These protectors are provided with
trunnions fitting within suitable sockets in the side bars, and are so arranged in
relation to each other, that their rear edges will bear one against the other when
one of the protectors, as 8, is adjusted to position of protector use, and the other
protector 8 is folded up against the brand board, so that the folded protector 8"
will serve as a stop to prevent the protector 8 from dropping down beyond operative
position. This construction will permit of both protectors being folded up against
the brand board, one on each side thereof, but when one of the protectors is shifted
to operative position, the other protector cannot be shifted to a corresponding
position on its side, of the brand board, without at the same time causing the first
protector to turn up against the brand board. The construction shown in Fig. 15,
is a modification of that shown in Fig. 4, and one in which one of the protectors
will serve as a brand board, while the other is in position for protector use.
In
this construction, the protector which is folded up, will serve as a lock for the other
protector, preventing its being turned down far enough to prevent the soap to drop
out, and the protector which is in operative position, will prevent, by reason of its
rear edge bearing against the lower edge of the folded protector, below its pivotal
point, the latter from being turned down to operative position, until the first
protector has been folded up. In this construction wherein one protector operates
as a brand board, a stop 21 is attached to the under side of the head piece, to
prevent the protectors, when being folded up, from passing entirely through the
brand board space.
If desired, the protectors may be formed with V shaped end pieces 22, so as to
entirely enclose the soap, in which case the protectors will not fold flat against the
brand board, but they will move inwardly sufficiently far to permit of the soap
receptacle being protected by another washboard when a number of them are
arranged one upon the other for their transportation or storage.
In the constructions shown in Figs. 18, 19 and 20, which are sectional elevations,
the protectors 8 and 8, are formed integral with each other, so as to move in
unison, and are provided at their points of junction, with suitable trunnions adapted
to fit within sockets formed in the inner faces of the side bars 1 of the washboard
frame, said sockets being arranged in line, or approximately in line with the brand
board 4. It is preferred to so construct the two protectors, that they will be at,
or nearly at right angles to each other, so that when one of said protectors is
adjusted in proper relation with one of the rubbing faces, the other protector will
lie between the side bars, parallel or approximately parallel with the brand board.
In the construction shown in Fig. 18, the bearings or sockets for the trunnions of
the protectors, are arranged below the brand board, and the latter projects down
between the two protectors, so that when one of the protectors is adjusted to
position for use, it will form, in connection with the brand board, a soap receptacle,
while the other protector will bear against the then rear side of the brand board,
and serve to hold the other protector in operative position.

page_text: In the construction shown in Fig. 19, the brand board is made of a width equal
or approximately equal to half the distance between the head piece 2 and cross
bar 3, and the protectors are pivotally mounted just above the brand board. In
this construction, when one of the protectors is adjusted to position for protector
use, the other protector will operate as a brand board, filling the space between
the brand board and head piece. The protectors are held in operative position by
means of springs 23 attached to the under side of the head piece, and constructed
to engage one edge of the protector, when it is adjusted to position for brand
board use, and thereby hold the other protector in position for protector use. It
will he readily understood by those skilled in the art, that, (as in Fig. 20,) the brand
board need only project a short distance below the upper edge of the protector,
which is turned up into the brand board space, as such protector will then operate
as a brand board, and the two protectors will form the soap receptacle. Or, if
desired, the brand board need not project below the upper edge of such protector, in
which case a lock similar to that shown in Fig. 19 will be employed for holding
the protector in operative position. By the term "integral " as herein applied to
the two protectors, is meant a structure in which the two boards or members
forming the protectors, are so inseparably united, joined or connected together as
to move in unison, the invention not being limited to a construction in which the
two members are cut or formed from one block or piece of material.
In the construction shown in Figs. 21 and 22, which are front and side elevations,
respectively, the protector 8 is pivotally connected to the washboard frame so as to
be reversed over the head piece, by straps 24, firmly attached at one end to the
ends of the protector, while the opposite ends are pivotally connected to the frame
of the washboard. On the inner edge of the protector is secured a board 25, in
such manner as to project on both sides of the protector, and the board is preferably
made of such a width as to project on each side of the protector a distance
approximately equal to the width of the protector itself. It will be observed that
the protector and one portion of the back board 25, when the former is adjusted to
operative position above one of the faces, will form a receptacle for the soap, and,
when the protector is reversed to the opposite side, it, in connection with another
portion of the back board, will form a similar receptacle. In both cases, the
receptacle is above the protector, so that the latter will protect the soap from contact
with the water. When the protector is in operative position above one face, the
portion of the back board below the same will bear against the frame of the
washboard, and thereby hold the protector in p sition, while the portion of
the back board above the protector will serve as a support for the body of the
operator.
It is characteristic of the several forms or embodiments of my invention herein
shown and described, that a soap receptacle is formed by the protector, and that
such protector will, in all cases, protect not only the clothes of the operator, but,
also, the soap, from the water which is splashed up in the washing operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination with a washboard, of a protector movably mounted so as to
be shifted to and from a position of use, and when shifted to a position to form a
support for the soap and a protector for the soap and the clothes of the operator,
substantially as set forth.
2. In a double-faced washboard, the combination of brand board and a
protector, said protector reversible from position of use above one face to a
corresponding position above the other face, and arranged between the cross-bar
and head-piece of the board a sufficient distance below the head-piece to form,
with the adjacent parts of the board, a soap receptacle, as shown in Figs. 1 to 10
inclusive, substantially as set forth.
3. In a double-faced washboard, the combination of a brand board having an

page_text: opening therethrough, and a protector reversible through the opening in the brand
board, said opening being located at such a distance below the head of the board
that the protector will form, with the adjacent parts of the board, a soap box or
receptacle, as shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, substantially as set forth.
4. In a double-faced washboard, the combination of a brand board, a protector
reversible from position of use above one face to a corresponding position above
the other face and arranged between the cross-bar and head-piece of the board a
sufficient distance below the head-piece to form with the adjacent parts of the board,
a soap receptacle and a lock for holding the protector in operative position above
either face, as shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, substantially as set forth.
5. In a double-faced washboard, a protector reversible through the space
between the head-piece of the board and arranged a sufficient distance below the
head-piece to form, with adjacent parts of the board, a soa receptacle in
combination with a lock for holding the protector in position for use above either
face of the board, as shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, substantially as set forth.
6. The combinatio of a double-faced washboard, with a pivotally mounted
brand-board, and a protector attached to and projecting on both sides of the
brand-board, whereby it may be swung to position of use above either of the
rubbing faces, and form in connection with the brand-board, a soap receptacle
above the protector on either side of the board, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10,
substantially as set forth.
7. The combination of a double-faced washboard, with a brand-board, a
protector attached to and projecting on both sides of the brand-board, said brand-
board being movable so as to shift the protector to a position of use above either of
the rubbing faces of the board, and form in connection with the protector a soap
receptacle on either side, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, substantially as set forth.
8. In combination with a washboard, of a protector pivotally mounted in side-
bars at such a distance below the head-piece as to form, in conjunction with the
brand-board, a receptacle for the soap above the protector, and to be capable of
being folded into the brand-board space, and a stop formed by the brand-board
for holding the protector above the rubbing face in position for use, as shown in
Figs. 11 to 18 inclusive, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination, with a double-faced wash board, of two pivotally mounted
protectors arranged to form a receptacle for soap in connection with the brand-
board, when shifted to position cf use above the rubbing faces, said protectors
being arranged in such relation to each other, that one protector will be held in
operative position by the other protector, as shown in Figs. 14 to 19, substantially
as set forth.
10. The combination in a double-faced washboard, of two pivotally mounted
protectors arranged to be adjusted to position for protector use above the rubbing
faces, and, when so adjusted, to form, in connection with the brand-board, a soap
box or receptacle, and to be folded into the brand-board space, said protectors
being so arranged with relation to each other as to lock each other, the one in
operative position and the other in folded position, as shown in Figs. 14 to 20
inclusive, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination in a double-faced washboard, of a receptacle consisting of
two boards at an angle to each other, provided with trunnions and movable in
unison, said trunnions being so mounted in side bars as to permit one of the
protectors to be shifted to a position of use above one of the rubbing faces, thereby
forming a soap receptacle above the protector while the other protector will lie
within the opening in the frame above the cross-bar, as shown in Figs. 18, 19
and 20, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination in a double-faced washboard, of a soap receptacle consisting
of two boards at an angle to each other and provided with trunnions, said trunnions
being so mounted in the side bars as to permit of the receptacle being reversed
through between the side bars, whereby in one position of the receptacle one of the
sides will project at an angle above one of the rubbing faces, and the other side will

page_text: partially fill the space usually occupied by the brand-board, as shown in Figs. 19
and 20, substantially as set forth.
13. The combination in a double-faced washboard, of a soap receptacle consisting
of two boards at an angle to each other, provided with trunnions, said trunnions
being so mounted in the side bars as to permit of the receptacle being reversed
through between the side bars, whereby in one position of the receptacle one of
its sides will project at an angle above one of the rubbing faces, and the other side
will be parallel or approximately so, with the brand-board, and means for holding
the receptacle in its operative position, as shown in Figs. 18, 19 and 20, substantially
as set forth.
14. In combination with a double-faced washboard, a protector pivotally
connected to the frame of the board, and reversible over the head-piece from
position of use above one face to a corresponding position above the opposite face,
and a back piece movable and reversible with the protector, and projecting at an
angle on both sides of the protector, thereby forming a soap receptacle above the
protector in either position of the latter, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, substantially
:as set forth.
15. In combination with a washboard, a protector pivotally connected to the
frame of the board, a back piece on the protector projecting at an angle from the
upper side of the same, and a brace or support to hold the protector and back piece
in operative position, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, substantially as set forth.
Dated this Eighteenth day of February A.D. 1896.
JAMES TAYLOR SARGENT.