Improvements in Ironing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 16th June, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ironing Machines.
I THOMAS BRADFORD of the Crescent Iron Works Salford in the County
of Lancaster Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
This invention relates principally to improvements upon the invention for which
Letters Patent No. 7366 dated June 2nd 1886, were granted to me and more
especially to the working or ironing surface of the curved, diagonally mounted irons
described in the Complete Specification of such Letters Patent and represented on
the drawings thereto annexed. The invention is also applicable to all such or
similar ironing machines as have a forward revolving motion only, but it is not
applicable to ironing machines which combine a to-and-fro or reciprocating motion
with the forward motion.
This part of my invention consists in rounding or bevilling off the first or nearest
edge of the working surface of each diagonal or longitudinal iron in such a manner
that the fabric in passing between the same and the revolving roller will not be
caught up between the said irons but ride over (or under) the same safely and
easily. This rounding or bevilling off of the leading edge of the irons also permits
of an increased space for carrying away the vapor generated by the heated irons,
the small and confined space for which purpose, has hitherto been an objection to
other ironing machines in use in consequence of the linen being injured both in
texture and color by the absence of such means of ventilation.
A further modification in my said ironing machine (No. 7366 of 1886) is that I
propose to place the hollow curved diagonal irons underneath the roller instead of
above the same as described in the said Specification, which affords a greater
facility for raising the roller up from off the irons for the purpose of cleaning or
polishing the latter, and I so mount the said roller that it is not possible, by reason
of inattention or neglect to cause danger or damage by over-lifting the same, and
this I propose to accomplish by means of an improved clutch-box, so constructed
that when required for raising or lowering the roller it must be held in position all
the time by the hand, foot or leg of the attendant, until the required limit of elevation
or depression is arrived at, when if the attendant does not release it the clutch-box
will automatically and irresistably throw itself out of gear and thus all risk of
danger or injury will be avoided.
Dahi 15th dow of Santamba 1800
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ironing Machines.
I THOMAS BRADFORD of the Crescent Iron Works Salford in the County
of Lancaster Engineer 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 relates principally to improvements upon the invention for which
Letters Patent No. 7366 dated June 2nd 1886 were granted to me, and more
especially to the working or ironing surface of the curved diagonally mounted irons

page_text: described in the Complete Specification of such Letters Patent and represented on
the drawings annexed.
This part of my invention is also applicable to all such or similar ironing
machines as have a forward revolving motion only but it is not applicable to
ironing machines which combine a to and fro or reciprocating with the forward
motion.
A second part of my invention relates to the position and arrangement of the
said curved diagonal irons, and a third part relates to a self-acting clutch-box for
the prevention of accidents.
The manner in which my said invention is to be performed or carried into
practical effect will be readily understood on reference to the annexed sheet of
drawings and the following explanation thereof.
Fig. 1. is an end elevation of so much of an ironing machine as is necessary to
illustrate my invention.
Fig. 2 is a section through the curved diagonal irons, and
Fig. 3. is a front view of the clutch box arrangement.
a. is part of the frame of the machine 6 is the revolving roller, and c the curved
diagonal irons.
The first part of the invention consists in rounding or bevilling off the first or
nearest edge of the working surface of each diagonal (or longitudinal) iron e as
shown at Fig. 2 in such a manner that the fabric in passing between the same and
the revolving roller in the direction of the arrow will not be caught up
between the said irons but will ride over (or under) the same safely and
easily.
This rounding or bevilling off of the leading edge of the irons also permits of an
increased space for carrying away the vapor generated by the heated irons the
small and confined space for which purpose has hitherto been an objection to other
ironing machines in use, in consequence of the linen being injured both in texture.
and color by the absence of such means of ventilation.
b
A further modification of my said ironing machine (No. 7366 of 1886) is that I
propose to place the hollow diagonal curved irons c underneath the roller b as seen
at Fig. 1. instead of above the same as described in the said Specification which
affords a greater facility for raising the said roller 6 up from off the irons c by
means of screws d (one at each side) for the purpose of cleaning or polishing the
irons, and I so arrange the lifting apparatus for the said roller that it is not possible
by reason of inattention or neglect on the part of the attendant to cause danger or
damage by over lifting the same.
This I propose to accomplish by means of an improved clutch box e (see Figs. 1
and 3) the edges of the teeth of which are so rounded that when required for
raising or lowering the roller b by means of the bevil gear f, worm gear 9 and
screws d, the sliding part e¹ of the clutch box must be held in gear with either one
or other of the bevil wheels fall the time by the hand foot or leg of the attendant
until the required limit of elevation or depression has been arrived at, when if the
attendant neglects to release the clutch box, the rounded edges of the teeth will
cause it to automatically and irresistably throw itself out of gear, and thus all risk
of danger will be avoided.
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 :-
In the class of ironing machines above referred to.
First. Bevilling or rounding off the leading edge of the hollow curved irons
whether placed diagonally or longitudinally.
Secondly. Placing the curved diagonal irons beneath the revolving rollers so that
the roller can be raised off the same when required, and
Thirdly. The combination with the gear for raising the roller of such ironing

page_text: machines of a sliding clutch box the teeth of which are rounded so that when the
limit of elevation or depression is reached the clutch box will automatically throw
itself out of action.
All constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings annexed.
Dated this 15th day of June 1891.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.