Improvements in Washing Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 22nd May, 1896-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Washing Machines.
I WILLIAM MCCURDY STEVENSON, of 76, Guildford Street, London, W.C.,
Teacher of Music, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to that class of washing-machines, wherein the cleansing
of the clothes is effected by a vibrating slatted rubber and slatted end racks,
pivotted to the interior of the sud-box or tub and connected to the rubber to
receive therefrom a reciprocating motion to agitate and press the clothes placed
between said rubber and racks to facilitate the removal of the dirt therefrom.
In carrying the invention into practice, I provide a rectangular or other sud-box
or tub, to the sides of which, upon the interior, I journal a rubber, such rubber
consisting preferably of two metallic rings or discs, having a series of slots or
pockets on their inner side to receive the ends of the slats extending from one ring
or disc to the other, which rings or discs are rivetted together by means of a rod
in the centre thereof.
Journals project from the ends of the rubber aforesaid and have their bearings
in the sides of the sud-box or tub. The rubber is provided with vertical handles
to give the necessary vibrating motion, such handles being capable of ready
removal if desirable.
To a convenient part of each handle, or to each of the rings or discs aforesaid
are pivoted the ends of two horizontal arms, the said pivots passing through the
over-lapping ends of the arms.
The said ends of the horizontal arms are provided with a number of perforations
to allow of adjustment.
The other ends of the horizontal arms aforesaid are connected to or formed
integral with slatted end racks.
Connecting-rods are pivoted at their lower ends to the lower ends of the slatted
racks aforesaid, the upper ends of such connecting-rods being pivoted in bearings
to the interior of the sides of the sud-box or tub.
The sud-box or tub is preferably provided with legs or supports, which may be
capable of ready removal, and with an outlet for drawing off the water.
Provision may be made for supporting a wringer or the like upon the said
sud-box or tub.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1895.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Washing Machines.
I WILLIAM MCCURDY STEVENSON of 76 Guildford Street London W.C.
Teacher of Music 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 refers
particularly to that class of washing machine in which the "wash" is cleansed

page_text: by being placed in a box filled or partially filled with soap and water and acted'
upon by a movable rubbing or squeezing device.
And in order that this invention may be readily understood I will describe same
with reference to the accompanying drawings and figures and letters of reference
marked thereon. In said drawings
Fig. 1. Sheet 1, represents in longitudinal sectional elevation a washing machine
constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 7. Sheet 3, is an end sectional
elevation of the same;
Fig. 2. Sheet 1, a side view of the end casting upon the movable rubber.
Fig. 3. Sheet 2; is an elevational view of the reverse side of the end casting
shewn in Fig. 2:
Fig. 4. Sheet 2, is a side view of the end casting upon the side racks.
Fig. 5. Sheet 2, is a detail view of a portion of the adjusting arm which in
connection with a portion of the arm formed integral with the end of side rack
illustrated in Fig. 4. permits of adjustment of the distance apart of the side racks
and, the central rubber;
Fig. 6. Sheet 2, shews one of the hangers upon which the side racks aforesaid are
swung; and
Fig. 8. Sheet 3, is a plan of the two portions of the adjusting arm fitted together.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
A represents the suds box standing on legs a a. B is the central rubber
journalled at B (see Figs. 2 and 3) in bearings upon the inner side of the suds
box A. Said rubber consists of two metallic discs or rings having a series of slots
or pockets on their inner side to receive the ends of the slats a extending from
one disc or ring to the other. Said rings are united by means of a rod B³ (see
particularly Fig. 3) in the 'centre. An arm 6 Figs. 1, 2, and 7 projects upwards
from each ring and is continued outside the box A where the two arms are connected
by a rod b⋆ Figs. 1 and 7 thus forming a 'handle by means of which the rubber is
rocked upon its bearings B' Figs. 2, 3, and 7.
CC Figs. 1, 4, and 7 are the side racks each formed of two end castings and a
series of slats a'. The inner sides of these end castings are provided with slots for
the reception of the ends of the slats. A tie rod C connects each two end castings
of the side racks together. Integral with these racks are arms C¹ (extending
almost at right angles to said racks C) provided with perforations or apertures:c
(see particularly Fig. 4.) to receive spurs or projections 63 formed upon the portion
of the adjusting arm shewn 'separately in Fig. 5. The end 6 of this arm C
is in pivotal connection with the central rubber and it will readily be seen
that by inserting the spurs 6 in selected openings c in the arms C' the side rucks
may be drawn towards the rubber box B, or be placed further away from isame,
so as to properly adjust their distance apart to accommodate a small wash
or a large one. The side racks are suspended upon hangers D (see Figs.-1, 6,
and 7) which have their upper ends pivotted in bearings d within the suds box A.
When by movement of the handle 6 an oscillating motion is given to the central
rubber B the side racks C being connected therewith are also operated being
drawn in turn first towards and then from the rubber B.
In Fig. 1 of the drawings one side rack C is shewn drawn up towards the rubber
and the other pushed away from it.
Whilst thus placed it will be seen that the "wash” upon one side is being closely
rubbed and squeezed and that on the other will be afforded space in which to be
readjusted after having been subjected to the said rubbing and squeezing process;
and this operation goes on alternately first on one side and then the other, until the
wash is completed.
'Having now particularly 'described' and 'ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I'declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In washing machines the suds box provided with a central rocking rubber

page_text: actuated by a suitable handle and having a cylindrical rubbing surface formed of
slats; and side racks on either side thereof, having rubbing or squeezing surfaces
also formed of slats, which side racks swing on hangers pivotted at their upper
ends within the suds box, and are in pivotal connection with said central rubber by
means of horizontal arms suitably perforated to permit of lateral adjustment; all
arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn.
2. In washing machines the arms C³ pivotted to the end discs or rings of the
central rubber and formed with projections or spurs 6 fitting into perforations in
the horizontal arms of the side racks, in combination with a suds box A provided
with a central rocking rubber B, and side racks C on either side swinging on
hangers D and provided with perforated horizontal arms C¹, all substantially as and
for the purposes herein before described and shewn.
Dated this 22nd day of May 1896.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.