An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Disinfecting, Cleansing, Colouring, or Whitewashing Ceilings and Walls of Dwellings and other Buildings.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st June, 1891-Accepted 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Disinfecting, Cleansing,
Colouring, or Whitewashing Ceilings and Walls of Dwellings
and other Buildings.
We JAMES LAWs of 7 Roseville Terrace Leeds in the County of York Clothiers
Assistant and ARTHUR HURD of 59, Roundhay Road, Leeds in the said County,
Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved method of and apparatus for dis-
infecting, cleansing colouring or whitewashing the ceilings and walls of dwellings
and other buildings and comprises say for use on ceilings a trough like instrument
for containing a disinfecting, cleansing, colouring or whitewashing material in a
liquid state. At each end of the said trough a brush is fitted somewhat clastically
so as to project slightly above the edge of the trough, these not only get into the
corners but impart a finish to the ceiling. About the middle of the trough is placed
a circular brush or roller, by preference a roller covered with felt, knitted or woven
fabric or other suitable material that dips into and takes up the liquid matter as it
rotates by the action of being passed by an operator along a ceiling, other rollers
(one at each side of the firstnamed roller) are mounted parallel thereto and may be
wholly covered with similar material as the central roller or may have a series of
clastic rings thereon and act as guide rollers as well as for preventing too great a
pressure of the circular brush or central roller as the case may be, and the brushes
above referred to upon the ceiling. Outside the trough is fitted with a suitable
handle for manipulating the same or a suitable swivelling handle of indefinite length
may be attached thereto to enable an operator to reach corners difficult of access.
To enable old ceilings to be cleansed and scraped we mount a scraper at one or both
ends within and parallel with and in a similar manner to the brushes (and which is
or are removable at pleasure,) and pass the instrument along as for colouring etc.
using water only in the trough.
To enable the instrument to be used on the walls, that is vertically, we make a
slight modification in the trough by partially surrounding the central roller which
we sink deeper into the trough so as not to touch the walls, its office being to take
up the liquid and place it upon another roller which is more prominent than the
central one and bears against and places the liquid upon the wall and by its
movement thereon imparts motion to the said central roller.
This trough is also equipped with a brush or brushes and a scraper or scrapers
and a guide roller in the same manner as the instrument for the ceiling and for
similar purposes.
Dated this 5th day of September 1890.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Disinfecting, Cleansing,
Colouring, or Whitewashing Ceilings and Walls of Dwellings
and other Buildings.
We, JAMES LAWS of 7 Roseville Terrace, Leeds, in the County of York,
Clothiers' Assistant, and ARTHUR HURD of 59 Roundhay Road, Leeds, in the said
County, Plumber, 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 has reference to an improved method of and apparatus for dis-

page_text: infecting, cleansing, colouring or whitewashing the ceilings and walls of dwellings
and other buildings, and comprises for ceilings an instrument of trough form for
containing a disinfecting, cleansing, colouring or whitewashing material in a liquid
state.
In the centre of the trough is placed a circular brush or roller; by preference a
roller covered with felt, kuitted or woven fabric or other suitable and absorbent
material, that being partly immersed in the liquid matter and as it rotates by the
action of being passed by an operator along a ceiling, takes up the said matter and
deposits it thereon. At each end of the said trough but apart from the liquid
material a brush is fitted somewhat elastically so as to project slightly above the
edge of the trough and the periphery of the circular brush or roller, these besides
getting into corners impart à finish in the ceiling. Other roller-, (one at eath side
of the abovenamed roller) are mounted parallel to the said roller and may be wholly
covered with similar material thereto or may have a series of elastic rings thereon
and act as guide rollers as well as for preventing too great a pressure of the circular
brush or central roller as the case may be nul of the brushes above referred to
upon the ceiling. Outside the trough is fitted with one or more handles for
manipulating the same, or a suitable forked and swivelling handle of indefinite
length may be attached to the apparatus to enable an operator to reach part-
difficult of access and without the use of steps or scaffolding. To enable old ceilings
to be cleansed and scraped we mount a scraper at one or both ends within and
parallel with and in a similar manner to the brushes, and which is or are removable
at pleasure) and pass the instrument along as for the other described purposes and!
either with or without water in the trough. For cleaning painted or varnished
surfaces a felt pad or pads is or are provided at one or both ends in place of the
brushes and soap and water or other cleansing liquid used. We sometimes dispense
with the roller above referred to on each side of the central brush or roller thereby
shortening and lightening the apparatus and rendering it easier to handle.
To enable the instrument to be used on walls, that is vertically, we make a slight
modification in the trough so as to sink the principal roller deeper therein, this roller
does not come into contact with the wall, its office being to take up the liquid and
place it upon another roller which stands forward from the trough so as to bear
against and place the liquid upon the wall and by its movement thereon is caused
to rotate and impart motion to the said central or principal roller which is thus
caused to take up the liquid in which it is partially immersed. A guide roller is
provided near the lower part of the trough for steadying its movement and preventing
too great a pressure upon the wall and may either he covered with felt or have
elastic rings thereon for the purpose.
One or more fixed handles are attached to the trough by which the apparatus
can be used in places within convenient rench, for other places the abovenamed
forked instrument is applicable.
In the annexed drawings. Fig. 1, is a plan of the apparatus according to our
invention, adapted for ceilings, Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation, Fig. 3, an end
view shewing it mounted in the forked instrument with handle of indefinite length
to enable it to be used without steps or scaffold and to reach otherwise inaccessible
parts or corners. Fig. 4. is a side view in part also mounted in the said fork, on
the centres or gudgeons of which the apparatus can turn so as at all times to adapt
itself to the surface operated upon. Fig. 5, shews in sectional elevation the
apparatus in which the roller on each side of the main or central roller or brush is
dispensed with as previously referred to. Fig. 6, shows the modified form of the
apparatus for use on walls and similar surfaces. Wigs. 7, 8 and 9, are detail parts
above referred to and whose functions are hereinafter described.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in all the figures. is the trough for
containing the liquid material. a', are separate end compartments for the
reception of such of the detail parts shown in Fig. 7, 8, and 9, as inay be required —
,b, are scrapers for use in removing old material from a ceiling, or from a wall.—r, a
roller covered with felt or other suitable absorbent material, being partly immersed in

page_text: the liquid matter and as it rotates by the act of being passed to and fro along a ceiling
takes up the said liquid matter and deposits thereon.-c', c', are guide rollers, one
at each side of the roller c, these may be covered with felt or have india-rubber
rings, upon them for ensuring steadiness of action and preventing too great a
pressure of, upon the ceiling.-d, d, are brushes for smoothing the liquid material
after being laid on, these are furnished with springs d', so that they press gently
on the surface under treatment.-e, Figs 7 and 8, shew the previously mentioned
felt pads, of which there are two also furnished with springs e¹, and are used with
soap and water or other liquid for washing painted or varnished work, and when in
use take the place of the brushes d, d.- are handles for passing the apparatus to
and fro, in places easy of access. In places difficult of access the apparatus is
mounted on the centres or gudgeons of the forked instrument d³, previously
mentioned and shewn in Figs 3 and 4.-In the apparatus for walls of which Fig. 6.
shews the modified form adapted therefor in vertical section, there are two felt or
otherwise covered rollers, namely:-, for taking up the liquid and e, for receiving
it therefrom and placing it upon the wall, also another roller, covered with felt or
other suitable material, for steadying the apparatus during its movement up and
down, or it may be furnished with india-rubber rings near each end thereof for
easing the pressure of the roller c³, upon the wall. As in the case of the apparatus
for ceilings, this for walls is similarly furnished with scrapers b, brushes d, and felt
pads e, and for similar purposes.-The fork ³, is also applicable when required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is,
1. The herein described method of disinfecting, cleansing, colouring or white-
washing ceilings and walls of dwellings and other buildings, by transferring the
disinfecting or other material whilst in a liquid state from a suitable vessel by means
of a brush or roller carried by the said vessel and arranged to roll in contact with
the ceiling or wall to be treated, the said brush or roller receiving the liquid
material from the vessel either directly or through the intervention of another roller
as set forth.
2. For disinfecting or otherwise treating ceilings and walls as referred to in the
preceding claim, an apparatus comprising a casing with intermediate receptacles for
liquid, and end compartments for suitable appliances such as brushes, scrapers or
pads, and a brush or a roller covered with absorbent matorial, jourualled to rotate
partly within the intermediate compartment and transfer liquid material therefrom
to the surface to be treated substantially as herein before described.
3. Apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claim, constructed with
two rollers covered with absorbent material, one of these rollers being arranged to
rotate in liquid contained within the intermediate compartment and the other to
rotate in contact with the first mentioned roller and to project outwardly beyond the
casing substantially as herein described for the purpose specified.
4. Apparatus for use in disinfecting, cleansing, and otherwise treating ceilings
and walls, comprising a casing with intermediate and end compartments, one or
more liquid transferring brushes or rollers, appliances such as brushes, scrapers or
pads carried by holders located within the end compartments and each provided
with a spring or springs, and a handle or handles connected to said casing and
whether with or without a guiding roller or rollers, substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to and shown in the drawing aunexed.
JAMES LAWS.
ARTHUR HURD.
Dated List way or any
Witness,
THOS. E. CRAVEN, F.I.P.A.,
24, Victoria Chambers, Leeds.
JAMES LAWS.
ARTHUR HURD.