Improved Spring Lever Washing Machine.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 13th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Spring Lever Washing Machine.
We MARTHA KERR of 13 Balmoral Road Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster Washing Machine Manufacturer and JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM of 34
Cawdor Street Liverpool aforesaid, Grocer 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:-
Our claim is for an "Improved spring lever washing machine" with suckers
made of rubber, composition, or other pliant and suitable materials, inside a metal
cone. We also claim an improved method of fixing the spring attachment
connecting the lever used in working the washing machine, and thereby obtaining
increased power and saving of labor.
The sucker formerly used in washing machines of a similar description was
composed solely of metal, which caused damage to the clothes in process of washing
by cutting with the sharp edges of the metal forming the suckers and cone, and
also by rust forming on the metal of the suckers and cone when not thoroughly
dried and cleaned after use.
We now claim that by forming the whole of the suckers of rubber composition
or other pliant and suitable material and by placing a rim of rubber, composition or
other pliant and suitable material round the bottom edge of the cone where it
would come in contact with the clothes in process of washing it will prevent the
clothes being cut or destroyed by the sharp edges of metal as in former machines
of a similar description. We also claim that our invention will prevent any
chance of the clothes being spoiled by rust or in any way damaged by coming in
contact with the cone or suckers of the washing machine. The edges of the
suckers may, instead of being formed of rubber, be made of metal with a rounded
or flat surface and the edge of the cone may be extended or doubled inwards with
a rounded or flat surface and the edges of the cone and suckers galvanized or
coated with any known preparation or composition to prevent rust. We claim that
by this method also cutting and rust will be prevented.
The improved method of attaching the lever spring A. from which the power is
derived and also of the rod B. supporting the main lever C. and the lever rod
attachment D. claimed by us is as follows:-
The collars E. E. of the lever rod attachments F. F. through which the rod B
supporting the main lever C runs are made fixtures by means of which the rod B is
prevented from going beyond a fixed depth. By raising the rod B. slightly out of
the lever rod attachment F. by which it is fixed to the washing machine G. the
person using same will be enabled to swing the cone H, containing the suckers I,
over the side of the tub of the machine and out of his or her way while removing
the clothes after washing.
We also claim that by placing the lower flange and collar of the lever rod
attachment D (the said flange and collar being in one piece) in the centre or half
way down on the outside of the tub thus shortening the distance between the
lower flange and collar D and the short arm of the main lever C greater power is
obtained with a saving of labour.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
ion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what our
laim is
1. Improvements in and relating to "spring lever washing machines" as herein-
before cat out

page_text: 2. The use of rubber, composition, or other pliant and suitable material for
forming inside of cone H and suckers I and protecting with similar materials
the sharp edges of coue H and suckers 1 to prevent cutting and rust of clothes
in process of washing.
3. For the same purpose as No. 2. to make the said suckers I and edges of
cone H of metal with flat or rounded surfaces to prevent cutting the clothes in
process of washing. And to galvanize or coat same with a composition or
preparation to prevent rust.
4. An improved method of attaching the lever spring from which the power is
derived and also of the rod supporting the lever and its attachments to the
washing machine enabling the user to swing the cone and suckers over the side of
the machine.
5. An improved method of attaching and shortening lever spring and thereby
increasing power and saving labour.
Dated this 26th day of March 1896.
MARTHA KERR.
JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM.