Improvements in Washing Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 11th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing Machines.
I, LEHMAN WEIL, Manufacturer, of 1681, Madison Avenue, in the City of New
York, County and State of New York, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in washing machines, and the objects
thereof are to provide a device of this character adapted for effective use in con-
nection with any common tub and for being folded into small proportions when
not in use.
Washing machines now in public use are bulky, cumbersome and short-lived,
and when they are not in active use cannot be stored without taking up consider-
able space, which is not always available for the purpose. My machine is so
constructed as to obviate these disadvantages. It is durable, operative and effectu-
ally and rigidly connected as to its several parts when assembled, while at the
same time it may be readily disassembled, collapsed and folded for the purposes
of packing, shipping and storing.
The invention consists primarily in the employment of a fixed rack which is
a segment of a circle and a rocking rack working within and concentric with said
fixed rack.
A further feature is the employment of rods and nuts connecting the members
of said rack and of said rocker.
Another feature is the employment of padded clamps and legs adapted to
prevent injury to the tub.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the
annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the device.
Figure 2 is a plan view.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the clamp and cushion.
Figure 4 is a vertical cross section of one leg and cushion.
In applying my invention, I employ the fixed rack A, comprising the two
side members A'A' and the parallel bars A2 A2. Said parallel bars are preferably
of wood, square in cross section with their ends slightly tapered to engage
sockets A3 formed in the side members A¹, each socket consisting of four legs or
spurs forming an integral part of said side members A¹. Also formed integral
with the side members A¹ A¹ are the legs BB, the bases of which are preferably
covered with cushions C, of rubber or other like material stretched on or vulcanized
on or otherwise fastened to said legs, as shown in Figure 4.
The walls DD of said fixed rack A are closed and constructed of metal of
corrugated form, said corrugations being preferably parallel and vertical,
whereby when the rocker is operated, the portions of clothes CX-
tended laterally beyond the edges of the rocker cannot leave the fixed rack,
out the said extended end portions of the clothes being washed, are thoroughly
[Price 8d.]

page_text: cleansed by contact with the corrugations of the fixed rack. Fixed to said side
walls are the sockets. E E, adapted to receive the trunnions of the rocker 1. The
side members of said rack are held together by means of the bolts A+ A+ and the
Fitted in one end of each side
nuts AA connecting said side members.
member A or as is preferred, in both ends, and adapted to screw through said side
members are the thumb screws GG, adapted to clamp the rack in fixed position
within the tub. To prevent injury to said tub, said clamping thumb screws GG,
is provided at its end with a truncated conical base G, riveted or pivoted to said
screw and which is covered with a cushion G2, preferably of rubber or other like
material, secured to said base in any approved manner.
Within the said fixed rack A is situated the rocker F consisting of two side
or trun-
members FF, each provided with an outwardly projecting spur
nion, FF, adapted to fit in and rock in the sockets E. Adjacent to said
trunnion are the sockets F3, into which the removable operating lever or
handle H is adapted to slide. Said lever H consists of side members H' having
tips of metal h, adapted to fit into the sockets F3 and are connected by one or
more cross bars H² H2. This handle can be readily removed when the machine
is not in use if desired. The said side members of said rocker are provided with
sockets FF into which the parallel bars F5 F5 are adapted to fit and the parts are
rigidly held toegther by means of the rods F6 and nuts F7 connecting said side
members. The upper cross bar of the rocker has a coating A7 of rubber to prevent
injury thereto by contact with faucets when the device is used in connection with
a stationary tub.
To knock down this structure, the nuts are removed and the rods drawn out
when the structure will fall apart. To put together again, the bars are entered
in the sockets, and the rods run through their respective holes and the nuts
screwed on.
I am aware that it is not new to use a fixed rack of segmental form and a
rocker working concentrically thereto and do not claim such broadly as my
invention.
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. A collapsible washing machine, comprising a rack with legs thereon
adapted to rest within a tub, said rack being segmental in cross section and com-
posed of end walls and cross bars, the said end walls being serrated or corrugated
upon their inner surfaces; and a rocker journaled by means of extended trun-
nions in vertical grooves or sockets in the end walls of the said rack, the said
rocker having a removable operating handle attached thereto, substantially as
shown and described.
2. As a new article of manufacture, in a collapsible washing machine, the
combination of a rack adapted to rest within a tub, with a rocker journaled in
the end walls of said rack, the said rack being composed of closed end walls having
interior corrugations thereon and cross bars or slats and cross bolts and nuts for
maintaining the end walls and cross bars in rigid engagement with each other,
substantially as shown and described.
3. As a new article of manufacture, a washing machine adapted for use in
connection with an ordinary tub and embodying a fixed rack which is segmental
in cross section and is composed of end uprights, walls and cross bars whose ends
engage sockets of said walls, the said end walls being corrugated upon their
interior surfaces and being connected to each other by means of cross bolts.
whereby the rigidity of the structure is maintained and the cross rods are securely
retained within the said sockets in combination with a rocker journaled in the
end walls of the said rack, said rocker comprising end frames of segmental
contour and cross bars or rubbers, said bars engaging sockets in the. end frames
of the said rack, the end walls of the rack being held together by cross bolts

page_text: and a removable handle for operating the rocker, substantially as shown and
described.
4. In a washing machine, a segmental fixed rack consisting of corrugated side
members having sockets therein and parallel bars connecting said side members
and engaging the said sockets, and removable bolts and nuts connecting and
holding said structure together, thumb screws adapted to hold the rack in position
in the tub and legs supporting the device, said legs being provided with cushions
adapted to prevent injury to the tub, and said thumb screws having rubber caps
upon their outer ends, the side walls of said rack being corrugated and provided
with sockets to accommodate the rocker trunnions; with a rocker consisting of side
members provided with quadrangular sockets, parallel rubbing bars fitted into
said sockets, removable rods and nuts connecting said side members and holding
the structure together, supporting trunnions adapted to fit into the sockets on
side walls of the said fixed rack and upon which the rocker swings, a removable
handle, said handle consisting of side and cross pieces, said side pieces being
adapted to slide into suitable sockets on said rocker side members, substantially
as shown and described.
Dated this 10th day of October 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.