IMPROVED MACHINES FOR WASHING SKEINS OF COTTON, LINEN, WOOL, OR SILK."
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Davies, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn,
in the County of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City
of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of
IMPROVED MACHINES FOR WASHING SKEINS OF COTTON, LINEN, WOOL, OR
SILK." A communication from abroad by Alexandre Marie Fortuné
Tulpin, of Paris, Engineer.
Sealed the 3rd February 1863, and dated the 26th August 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Davies at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th
August 1862.
I, GEORGE DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of
Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVED MACHINES FOR WASHING SKEINS OF COTTON, LINEN, WOOL,
OR SILK," (a communication to me from abroad by Alexandre Marie Fortuné
Tulpin, of Paris, Engineer,) to be as follows:-
These machines are applicable either as portable machines, or they may be
fixed on a watercourse with either a constant or variable level. When
intended to be used in the workshop, and not fixed on a watercourse, the
machine is constructed as follows:-Upon a cistern or vessel having an

page_text: inclined bottom of either metal or wood (and furnished at its upper end with
a compartment to contain the feed water, and at the opposite end with two
sluices for the ejection of the same) is fixed the framing of the machine
supporting a sliding cross beam carrying a suitable number of bobbins, upon
which bobbins the skeins are placed in such a manner that their lower part or 5
loop hangs in the water of the cistern. The bobbins are caused to revolve
continuously by means of an endless belt passing over a pulley actuated by
means of a worm and wheel, and bevil gearing driven by the main or crank
shaft at the same time that the cross beam which carries them is caused to
slide to and fro by means of a connecting rod driven by a crank on the said 1
shaft, and thus a compound movement similar to that used in hand washing is
imparted to the skeins. The pin of the crank above-named is so constructed
as to be capable of sliding in the crank, so that the amount of movement
given to the cross beam may be readily adjusted. The whole machine is
driven by the direct application of a small steam engine to the crank
shaft.
The principal noval features of the machine consist, firstly, in the similitude
of the mechanical movements thereof to ordinary movements of the band
washing.
Secondly, in the adaptation to the portable machine of a cistern or vessel
with an inclined bottom constructed of wood or metal instead of the natural
watercourse, and in the arrangement on the said cistern of all the mechanism
forming a complete machine occupying only a small space in the workshop,
and capable of being removed at will, and at a small cost.
Thirdly, in the employment of a greater or lesser number of bobbins placed
in either one or two lines, the cistern being made to correspond.
Fourthly, in the mode of transmitting from a continuous circular motion
of an alternating movement to the cross beam which carries the bobbins,
and especially the mode of attaching the connecting rod to the said cross
beam.
Fifthly, in the application of a continuous circular motion to the bobbins by
means of an endless cord, and also the mode of driving this cord.
Sixthly, in the adaptation at the highest end of the bottom of the cistern of a
special compartment intended to receive the feed water, and of two regulating
sluices at the opposite end for the ejection of the water.
Seventhly, in the employment of a sliding crank which allows of the
regulation at pleasure of the stroke of the cross beam carrying the bobbins.
Eighthly, in the direct application of a steam engine to the said machine.
Ninthly, these machines can also be placed on a natural watercourse with

page_text: either a constant or variable level by modifying in the latter case the system
of suspension, and attaching to this system the gearing for driving the bobbins,
which is forced to follow the ascending or descending movement of the suspen-
sion beam or cross bar carrying the bobbins, which movement is obtained either
by the employment of two racks put in motion by two pinions fixed on the same
shaft and actuated by a wheel which can be put in or out of gear at pleasure
by means of a ratchet and click, or the ascending and descending of the
suspension beam may be effected by means of a winch with chains attached to
the said beam. The gearing itself attached to the suspension beam is
forced to follow its ascending and descending movements, the pedestals support-
ing the same being unfastened, and the latter are fixed firmly to the side
frames of the machine as soon as theposition of the suspension beam has been
determined.
Tenthly, in the general form and arrangement of the said machine for
variable levels which present the great advantage of mobility or regulation
at pleasure of its system of suspension at the same time that the endless cords
are kept at the same tension.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Davies, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th February 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex, and
No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me
the said George Davies, Her special licence that I, the said George
Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said George Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for

page_text: "IMPROVED MACHINES FOR WASHING SKEINS OF COTTON, LINEN, WOOL, OR SILK,"
being a communication to me from abroad by Alexandre Marie Fortuné
Tulpin, of Paris, Engineer, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said George Davies, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Davies, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, and on reference to the accompanying Drawings, that is
to say:-
These machines are applicable either as portable machines, or they may be
fixed on a watercourse, with either a constant or variable level. When
intended to be used in the workshop, and not fixed on a watercourse, the
machine is constructed as follows:-Upon a cistern or vessel having an
inclined bottom of either metal or wood, (and furnished at its upper end with
a compartment to contain the feed water, and at the opposite end with two
sluices for the ejection of the same,) is fixed the framing of the machine sup-
porting a sliding cross beam, carrying a suitable number of bobbins, upon
which bobbins the skeins are placed in such a manner that their lower part
or loop hangs in the water of the cistern. The bobbins are caused to revolve
continuously by means of an endless belt passing over a pulley actuated by
means of a worm and wheel, and bevil gearing driven by the main or crank
shaft, at the same time that the cross beam, which carries them is caused to
slide to and fro by means of a connecting rod driven by a crank on the said
shaft, and thus a compound movement similar to that used in hand washing
is imparted to the skeins. The pin of the crank above named is so con-
structed as to be capable of sliding in the crank so that the amount of move-
ment given to the cross beam may be readily adjusted. The whole machine
is driven by the direct application of a small steam engine to the crank
shaft.
The principal novel features of the machine consist, firstly, in the
similitude of the mechanical movements thereof to ordinary movements of the
hand washing.
Secondly, in the adaptation to the portable machine of a cistern or vessel
with an inclined bottom constructed of wood or metal, instead of the natural

page_text: watercourse, and in the arrangement on the said cistern of all the mechanism,
forming a complete machine, occupying only a small space in the workshop,
and capable of being removed at will, and at a small cost.
Thirdly, in the employment of a greater or lesser number of bobbins
placed in either one or two lines, the cistern being made to correspond.
Fourthly, in the mode of transmitting from a continuous circular
motion of an alternating movement to the cross beam, which carries the
bobbins, and especially the mode of attaching the connecting rod to the said
cross beam.
Fifthly, in the application of a continuous circular motion to the bobbins by
means of an endless cord, and also the mode of driving this cord.
Sixthly, in the adaptation at the highest end of the bottom of the cistern
of a special compartment intended to receive the feed water, and of two regu-
lating sluices at the opposite end for the ejection of the water.
Seventhly, in the employment of a sliding crank, which allows of the
regulation at pleasure of the stroke of the cross beam carrying the bobbins.
Eighthly, in the direct application of a steam engine to the said machine.
Ninthly, these machines can also be placed on a natural watercourse with
either a constant or variable level, by modifying in the latter case the system
of suspension, and attaching to this system the gearing for driving the bobbins
which is forced to follow the ascending or descending movement of the
suspension beam or cross bar carrying the bobbins, which movement is obtained
either by the employment of two racks, put in motion by two pinions fixed on
the same shaft, and actuated by a wheel, which can be put in or out of gear
at pleasure by means of a ratchet and click, or the ascending and descending
of the suspension beam, may be effected by means of a winch with chains
attached to the said bean. The gearing itself attached to the suspension
beam is forced to follow its ascending and descending movements, the pedestals
supporting the same being unfastened, and the latter are fixed firmly
to the side frames of the machine as soon as the position of the suspension
beam has been determined.
Tenthly, in the general form and arrangement of the said machine for
variable levels, which present the great advantage of mobility or regulation at
pleasure of its system of suspension at the same time that the endless cords
are kept at the same tension.
Such being the nature and object of the said Invention for " Improved
Machines for Washing Skeins of Cotton, Linen, Wool or Silk," I will now
proceed to describe more in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may
be-performed or carried into practical effect, which will be readily understood

page_text: on reference to the accompanying Drawings, and the following explanation
thereof, that is to say:-
Figure 1 is a front view of the machine, the cistern being shewn in section ;
Figure 2 is an elevation of the driving end, and Figure 3 is a plan view of
the apparatus with the upper beam broken so as to show the lower or sliding
beam. The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts of the
machine in all the Figures.
A, A, is a cistern or vessel of wood to contain the water necessary for
washing the skeins and to support the whole apparatus. The bottom of this
vessel is inclined so as to facilitate the discharge of any sediment. A longi-
tudinal partition placed in the middle of this vessel, divides it into two compart-
ments entirely independent of each other, which allows of the washing of skeins
of different colors at the same time.
a, a, compartments reserved for the admission of the water, which flows
therefrom in a sheet the width of the compartment so as to distribute itself
more evenly into the cistern; a¹, a¹, are valves or sluices to regulate the flow
of the water. This flow can take place from the top or the bottom of the
cistern, which allows of the ready discharge of floating bodies, or of sediment
that may form therein. B, B', mechanism for moving the valves a¹, a¹. The
gearing of the worm 6 and pinion 6' allows of the regulation of the opening of
these valves to the smallest degree. C, C¹, platforms fastened to the cistern,
and serving as foundation plates for the columns D, D', and the bracket I;
D, D¹, columns supporting the upper beam E, and guiding the lower one E'.
The column D¹ is provided with a pedestal d carrying the driving shaft J;
E is the upper beam supporting all the moveable parts of the machine; E¹ the
lower or sliding cross beam (carrying the bobbins H), the ends thereof sliding
between the columns D, D'; F, F, suspending rods jointed to the upper beam
at ff, and to the lower beam at f¹, f¹; G, G¹, brackets for connecting the
columns D, D', to the upper beam E; H, H, bobbins of copper or other
material on which the skeins to be washed are placed. Each of these bobbins
is furnished with a grooved pulley, round which an endless cord passes; I, a
bracket fixed on the platform D, and carrying the driving shaft J; J, the
driving shaft, communicating a rotating and alternating movement to the
bobbins; K, K, fast and loose driving pulleys; L, fly wheel, serving to
regulate the movement; M, a crank keyed at the end of the driving shaft,
and communicating an alternating movement to the lower or sliding beam E¹
by means of the connecting rod M'. This crank is furnished with a sliding
crank pin, which allows of a variation in the stroke or reciprocating movement
of the bobbins; N, N¹, bevil gearing connected by the shaft n, and giving a

page_text: continuous circular motion to the driving pulleys 0, 0¹. This movement
should be much slower for washing skeins of silk than for cotton. n', bracket
to support the shaft n; 0, 0¹, grooved pulleys driven by the shaft n, and
round which the endless cord makes a complete turn, in order to avoid
slipping; P, P, tension pullies for the endless cord; Q, Q¹, weighted rods
supporting the pullies P, P¹, and sliding in supports R, R; R', R¹, brackets
for carrying the pullies O, O'; S, S¹, S", beams on which the cistern is
supported.
The principal advantages of this machine are as follows:-
Firstly, the similitude of the mechanical movements to those of the hand,
give quicker, more regular, and consequently more perfect results in the
washing.
Secondly, the inclined position of the bottom of the cistern (when the latter
is used) favors the running off of deposits.
Thirdly, the application of the sluices allows of the removal of any deposits
as soon as they are formed, and also the removal from the top of any super-
natant body.
Fourthly, the supplying the feed water in a sheet.
Fifthly, the supporting all the mechanism on the cistern, whereby the
apparatus occupies very little space comparatively to the work which it
performs, two operatives being able with the aid of this machine to perform
the work of twelve working by hand.
Sixthly, it requires a very small amount of power, one man being able to
move it at the rate of fifty revolutions per minute.
Seventhly, the feeding thereof is exceedingly simple, as the skeins can be
placed and removed whilst the machine is in motion.
Eighthly, the skeins cannot become entangled during the operation, because
the pullies rise and fall together.
Ninthly, the stroke of the sliding beam which carries the bobbins can be
varied at will by means of the sliding crank pin, according to the nature of
the skeins to be washed.
Tenthly, the continuous rotary movement of the bobbins is also very
advantageous for the regularity of washing; this movement can also be
varied in speed at will by simply changing the bevel wheels.
Eleventhly, the application of endless cords in place of gearing to produce
this movement simplifies the machine greatly, at the same time that it renders
accidents much more rare (not to say impossible), and prevents completely
the chance of the skeins becoming entangled.

page_text: Twelfthly, the possibility of washing skeins of different colors by the appli-
cation of the division or partition placed in the middle of the cistern.
Thirteenthly, the application of a separate steam engine to each machine,
which allows of varying the speed of the machine according to the nature of
the skeins to be washed.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Davies, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
GEORGE DAVIES. (L.S.)