AN IMPROVED AUTOMATIC SMOOTHENING OR IRONING MACHINE FOR LAUNDRIES AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Heslop of 66 Coleman Street in the City of
London, Engineer, and John Martin of 11 Palmerston Buildings London
aforesaid Merchant for an Invention of AN IMPROVED AUTOMATIC
SMOOTHENING OR IRONING MACHINE FOR LAUNDRIES AND OTHER PURPOSES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Heslop and John
Martin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th December
1883.
AN
MATTHEW HESLOP of 66 Coleman Street in the City of London. Engineer. and
JOHN MARTIN of 11 Palmerston Buildings, London aforesaid Merchant
IMPROVED AUTOMATIC SMOOTHENING OR IRONING MACHINE FOR LAUNDRIES
AND OTHER PURPOSES
An invention for an improved "Automatic Smoothening or Ironing Machine
for Laundries and other purposes" capable of general use and adoption; in
appliances for moving the smoothener or iron automatically in any direction; in
appliances for heating the same by means of steam or hot air, or gas or electricity
and maintaining a continuous or uniform degree of heat or varying it as desired
thereby avoiding scorching or soiling the articles and saving time and labour in
the process of smoothening or ironing; in the prevention of loss of heat by
radiation or conduction by coating or covering the smoothener (excepting the
smoothening surface) with a non-conducting material thereby checking the action
of heat rays (otherwise so oppressive and fatiguing) upon persons engaged in the
process of smoothening or ironing and rendering the operation more healthy and
one of greater ease comfort and coolness; in the construction of a chambered or
hollowed smoothener or iron for receiving the said heating and other appliances;
in the construction of a chambered or hollowed oscillating or reciprocating bar or
arm for moving or stopping the said smoothener and passages for containing and
conveying the said appliances or agents for heating the same; in the construction
of a universal compound slide rest to obtain the said motions of the smoothener
and for receiving the said arm and other appliances with shifting centres of
Davis C37

page_text: motion and adjustable bearings or slides for effecting these purposes; in the
construction of a table or rest or other suitable appliances for receiving a moving
or fixed blanket or other suitable material to smoothen or iron thereon; in
combining these appliances for effecting the purposes of the invention
These improvements have for their object:-
:-
1. The construction of a simple and efficient machine for Laundries and other
purposes capable of smoothening or ironing linen or other articles automatically
by suitable mechanical appliances instead of by hand labour.
2, The improvement of moving the smoothener or iron in any direction to suit
the article being smoothened or glossed and the adaptation of appliances for
effecting the same.
3. The heating of the smoothener by means of steam or hot air or gas or
electricity and maintaining a continuous or uniform degree of heat or varying it
as desired
4. The saving of time and labour and preventing scorching or soiling the articles
being smoothened or glossed
5. The prevention of loss of heat by radiation or conduction and rendering the
process of smoothening or ironing more healthy and one of greater ease comfort
and coolness and less oppressive and fatiguing
6. The adaptation of a table or rest and a moving or fixed blanket to smoothen
or iron articles upon automatically
For the purposes of our invention we construct a chambered or hollowed
smoothener or iron of suitable shape made of gun metal, iron or other metal or
suitable material and capable of receiving the said appliances for passing currents
of steam, hot air, gas or electricity through the same.
To the upper part thereof we connect the end of a chambered or hollow
oscillating or reciprocating bar or arm and through the inside or centre of such bar
or arm we pass two or more insulated tubes or wires each of which is connected
with the chambered or hollowed portion of the said smoothener forming steam or
air-tight joints, the other ends of the said tubes or wires pass out of the other end
or at some other suitable part of the said arm and are connected or coupled up
with a steam or hot air pipe or boiler, a gas main or gasometer, or an electric
battery cell or current of electricity by suitable appliances for conducting a current
or supply of the same through the said arm and smoothener. We provide the
said tubes or wires with valves, cocks or other suitable appliances for regulating
the quantity, pressure or force and intensity of the current and consequently the
degree of heat or temperature of the same.
To heat the said smoothener or iron we employ steam, hot air or gas, in which
cases the supply or currents are regulated and conveyed by the said tubes or
passages through the same When we employ electricity we cause a current to
pass through the said wires or resistance coils or other conducting media in the
said hollow portion of the arm and smoothener.
We construct the external part of the smoothener (except the smoothening
surface) with a coat or cover of non-conducting material to prevent waste of heat
by radiation or conduction.
We mount the said hollow oscillating or reciprocating bar or arm (which moves
the smoothener) with internal tubes and wires upon a universal compound slide
rest in such a manner as to admit of the said smoothener being adjusted or
regulated as desired to a varying oscillating, reciprocating or circular motion in a
horizontal plane, the said slide rest being jointed for elevating or depressing the
said smoothener in a vertical or inclined plane or direction while acting on the
said slide rest as a pivot or centre of motion.
We make the said hollow arm iron or steel or other metal.
The part of the slide rest or moving centre of motion which receives the
oscillating or reciprocating bar or arm is so formed as to admit of a backward and
forward motion in a longitudinal direction by acting on levers, cranks, or wheels
made for such purpose

page_text: The arın is raised or lowered by means of a treadle, lever, screw, wheel or other
suitable appliance with moveable or fixed centres of motion worked automatically
or by foot or hand
The universal compound slide rest is adjusted and fixed to or may form part
of the general frame of the machine which is made of iron or other suitable
material.
The opposite end of the arm to which the said smoothener is connected passes
through a lever or other suitable appliance containing a slot or slide with a
moveable eye adjustable for the purpose.
This lever or appliance is connected with a small rocking shaft which gives it
motion which motion is transmitted to the arm, and while moving it is capable of
sliding backwards and forwards or oscillating thereby causing a variable motion of
the arm and smoothener
Upon the same shaft we fix another lever in an opposite direction with a stud
and roller near the end to render the action as frictionless as possible. This roller
works in the groove of a cam with a suitable throw and when the cam rotates the
levers and other appliances are put in motion and convey a similar motion to the
arm and smoothener.
We also employ a slide rest in transmitting the motion of the cam to the arm
and may actuate the levers or other appliances by a crank, screw, 'wheel or lever in
place of a cam.
When more than one smoothener is to be worked by the same machine we
employ a compound duplicate slide rest and fix the driving arms at alternate right
angles to each other. We also duplicate the appliances which vary the position of
the said rest.
We connect the centre slide rest and moveable levers by means of a bracket or
connecting bar to which we attach appliances to act automatically or by foot or
hand appliances provided for such purpose to effect a change of position or motion
of the arm and smoothener in a longitudinal direction and to adapt them to the
position of the article being smoothened or glossed.
For the purposes of our invention we make an ironing table or smoothening
rest which may be fixed to or form a part of the general frame of the machine.
We make it of wood or metal or other suitable material and it may be stationary
or moveable on rollers or slides or revolve on a pivot or axis to suit the article to
be smoothened.
The table or rest may be faced plain, perforated fluted or grooved to facilitate
the escape of vapours or moisture generated in the process of ironing or
smoothening.
We also employ a moveable or fixed ironing blanket or other suitable cloth or
material to cover the said table or rest for the purpose of ironing or smoothening
upon. It is made in the form of a belt, endless band, disc or other suitable shape
and mounted upon rollers or other suitable moving appliances or fixed and
connected with the frame of the machine or table and adapted to the required
position of the article and movement of the smoothener.
The table or rest and ironing blanket, cloth or material are adjusted to the
required position by screws, levers, springs, or wheels, which may be actuated by
prime motors automatically or by suitable foot or hand appliances
We make the parts of the said machine of gun metal iron, steel or other suitable
metal or wood or other convenient material as may be desired for the purposes
thereof.
The motive power may be manual (by foot or hand) or steam, air, gas, water,
electricity or other convenient agent

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Matthew Heslop and John Martin in the Patent Office on the
13th June 1884.
MATTHEW HESLOP of 66 Coleman Street, in the city of London, Engineer, and
JOHN MARTIN of 11 Palmerston Buildings, London, aforesaid Merchant
"AN
IMPROVED AUTOMATIC SMOOTHENING OR IRONING MACHINE FOR LAUNDRIES
AND OTHER PURPOSES
"
This invention relates to an improved smoothening or ironing machine for
laundries and for general use.
The invention has several special features 1 An appliance for moving the
smoothener or iron automatically in any direction; 2 An appliance and means for
heating the same and for maintaining a continuous or uniform degree of heat or
varying it as desired (thereby avoiding scorching or soiling the articles and saving
time and labour in the process of smoothening or ironing); 3 Means for the
prevention of loss of heat by radiation or conduction, 4 A chambered or hollowed
smoothener or iron for receiving the heat, 5 A chambered or hollow oscillating
or reciprocating bar or arm for moving or stopping the said smoothener and with
passages for containing and conveying the heating agent; 6 A universal compound
slide rest to obtain the necessary motions of the smoothener and for receiving the
said arm and other appliances with shifting centres of motion and adjustable
bearings or slides for effecting these purposes; and 7 a table or rest for receiving
a moving or strained blanket or other suitable material to smoothen or iron
thereon; the whole so combined and operated as to render the process more
healthy and one of greater ease comfort and coolness to the operator.
For the purposes of our invention we construct a chambered or hollowed
smoothener or iron of suitable shape and made of gun metal, iron, or other suitable
metal or material capable of receiving passing currents of steam, hot air, gas or
electricity through the same.
To the upper part thereof we connect the end of a hollow oscillating or
reciprocating bar or arm and through the inside or centre of such bar or arm we
pass two or more insulated tubes or wires each of which is connected with the
chambered or hollowed portion of the said smoothener forming steam or air tight
joints, the other ends of the said tubes or wires pass out at the other end or at
some other suitable part of the said arm and are connected or coupled up with a
steam or hot air pipe or boiler, a gas main, or gasometer, or an electric battery, cell
or current of electricity by suitable appliances for conducting a current or supply
of the same through the said arm and smoothener. We provide the said tubes and
wires with valves, cocks or other suitable appliances for regulating the quantity,
pressure or force and intensity of the current and consequently the degree of heat
or temperature of the same to heat the said smoothener or iron.
When we employ electricity we cause a current to pass through insulated wires
or resistance coils or other conducting media in the said hollow portion of the arm
and smoothener, we may also use glass rods or tubes etc constructed in layers or
concentrically placed over each other to secure isolation.
We construct the external part of the smoothener (except the smoothening surface)
with a coat or cover of non conducting material to prevent waste of heat by
radiation or conduction. We mount the said hollow oscillating or reciprocating
bar or arm upon a universal compound slide rest in such a manner as to admit of
the said smoothener being adjusted or regulated as desired to a varying oscillating,
reciprocating or circular motion in a horizontal plane, the said slide rest being

page_text: jointed for elevating or depressing the said smoothener in a vertical or inclined
plane or direction, while acting on the said slide rest as a pivot or centre of
motion
The part of the slide rest or moving centre of motion which receives the
oscillating or reciprocating bar or arm, is so formed as to admit of a backward and
forward motion in a longitudinal direction by acting on levers, cranks, or wheels
made for such purpose.
The arm is raised or lowered by means of a treadle, lever, screw, wheels or other
suitable appliances with movable or fixed centres of motion worked automatically
or by foot or hand
The universal compound slide rest is adjusted and fixed to or may form part of
the general frame of the machine.
The opposite end of the arm to which the said smoothener is connected passes
through a lever or other suitable appliance containing a slot or slide with a movable
eye adjustable for the purpose.
This lever or appliance is connected with a small rocking shaft or a sliding bar
which gives it notion, which motion is transmitted to the arm and, while moving
it is capable of sliding backwards and forwards or oscillating thereby causing a
variable motion of the arm and smoothener. Upon the same shaft we fix another
lever in an opposite direction with a stud and roller near the end to render the
action as frictionless as possible. This roller works in a groove of a cam with a
suitable throw and when the cam rotates, the levers slides and other appliances are
put in motion and convey a similar motion to the arm and smoothener.
We also employ a slide rest in transmitting the motion of the cam to the arm
and may actuate the levers or other appliances by a crank screw, wheel, or lever in
the place of a cam.
When more than one smoothener is to be worked by the same machine we employ
a compound duplicate slide rest and fix the driving arms at alternate right angles
to each other we also duplicate the appliances which vary the position of the said
rest.
We connect the centre slide rest and movable levers by means of a bracket or
connecting bar to which we attach appliances to work automatically or by foot or
hand appliances for such purpose to effect a change of position or motion of the
arm and smoothener in a longitudinal direction and to adapt them to the required
position of the article being smoothened or glossed.
For the purposes of our invention we make an ironing table or smoothening rest
which may be fixed to or form a part of the general frame of the machine. We
make it of wood, metal or other suitable inaterial and it may be stationary
or movable on rollers or slides or revolve on a pivot or axis to suit the article
to be smoothened.
The table or rest may be faced plain, perforated. fluted or grooved to facilitate
the escape of vapours or moisture generated in the process of ironing or
smoothening.
We also employ a movable or fixed ironing blanket or other suitable cloth or
material to cover the said table or rest for the purpose of ironing or smoothing
upon. It is made in the form of a belt, endless band, disc, or other suitable shape
and mounted upon rollers or other suitable moving appliances or fixed and connected
with the frame of the machine or table and adapted to the required position of
the article and the movement of the smoothener.
The table or rest and ironing blanket, cloth or material are adjusted to the
required position by screws, levers, springs or wheels which may be actuated by
prime motors automatically or by suitable foot or hand appliances.
The annexed drawings show on Sheet I how we arrange the several parts which
form the features of a machine and by which ironing smoothening glossing or other
like operation can be performed as before mentioned. Figure 1 is a side view.
Figure 2 a plan and Figure 3 a back end view. A is the frame, B the treadle,

page_text: C the shaft by which the necessary motion can be conveyed by the band D or
rigger a (if motive power be used) to the upper shaft E on which the arm vibrating
drum F is mounted. The pin riding in the groove of the drum F is attached to
the front end of the bar G whose opposite end is supported at H by the frame A.
The upper end of the pin travels within a slot of the bar I which is fulcrumed to
an adjustable block J moved in the guide J¹ at the centre of the frame. The slotted
bar I supports a block K which receives the pin of the ferrule K' said ferrule K¹
being suspended from the driving bar L on which the block K and ferrule K¹ can
be set to suit the desired oscillation of the smoothener as hereafter explained.
The driving bar L is attached to the lower end of the centre pin M of the arın
supporting carrier block N, said block N being arranged on two guide bars P, P, so that
it can slide to and fro thereon. The block N by which the smoothener arm Q is
carried, supports the centre pin M which pin has a ferrule R hinged upon it (as shown)
to admit of a vertical action therefrom at either end of the arm Q. The arm Qis
preferably a pipe containing the appliances provided with two passages j, k, through
its length for the entrance and exit of steam or other heating medium to and from
the smoothener S, this being connected by a ball and socket joint T (as seen more
particularly in the two sectional views (Figures 4 and 5) to enable the smoothener
to be turned round horizontally or inclined vertically by the handle U.
The front of the frame has a couple of brackets V V on which rests two
rollers W W for supporting and straining the endless blanket or band X, a table Y.
being fixed between them as the ironing board. Z is the handle by which the
rollers W W and blanket X can be moved as desired.
The slotted bar I can be set at any suitable radius by shifting the block J in
slide J' or the block K and ferrule K on the bar L and these working in conjunc-
tion with the oscillation of the pin at the end of the bar G in the groove of the
drum F produce a horizontal movement of the smoothener on the blanket in every
conceivable curvillinear direction within the radius or range determined by the
distance over which the smoothener is set to travel; any change of position or
range being governed by the person who holds the handle U who can adjust the
arm Q for that purpose. In Figures 4 and 5 b is the protective covering on the
smoothener to prevent the radiation of heat.
Figures 6 and 7 show views of a similar machine but of a different shape of
frame and with the guide bars P P fitted transversely, otherwise the mechanism is
substantially the same except that the slotted bar I is made plain and fixed to the
cross bar in slides over the drum F and the hinged ferrule R is provided with a
hand lever c to raise the smoothener from the blanket or to depress it, also to put
a pressure upon the smoothener while in motion.
Figures 8 and 9 show a modified arrangement of the appliances to accomplish the
before mentioned horizontal oscillatory curvillinear or reciprocating movement of
the smoothener.
In this method the guide bars P P are dispensed with and the arm of the
smoothener is moved by the slotted bar g under the action of the crank h of the
back shaft E, while the centre pin M, carried by the saddle d has only a turning
motion given to it by the driving bar L in conjunction with the sliding bars G
and I under the action of the eccentric f. By disconnecting the bars G and I from
the eccentric f the smoothener receives a reciprocating motion only from the slotted
bar g and crank h
Having now described the nature of our said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed We declare that We claim
First. The combination of parts and their arrangement for action for the purpose
described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the annexed drawings.
Secondly The modified arrangement of appliances as described with reference to
Figures 6 and 7 of the annexed drawings for the purpose set forth.
Thirdly The modified arrangement of appliances [described with reference to
Figures 8 and 9 of the annexed drawings for the purpose set forth.

page_text: As special features in connection with mechanical smoothening glossing or ironing
chines We claim
a The construction and appliances for and method of giving and regulating
motion in any desired direction to the smoothener or ironer as described
with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing.
b The method of and appliances for admitting and exhausting the heating
medium between the supply and the smoothener or ironer as described.
c The construction of, appliance for, and method of raising and depressing
or causing pressure on the smoothener or ironer as described with reference
to Figures 6. 7 and 8.
In witness whereof we the said Matthew Heslop and John Martin have hereunto
our hands and seals this Twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord One
usand eight hundred and eighty four.