Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
'
I, JAMES TAYLOR SARGENT, Manufacturer, residing at 1194 East Madison
Avenue in Cleveland, in the County of Cuyahoga State of Ohio and 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 :-
:
The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in washboards,
and has for its object a construction and arrangement of the protector, whereby
not only the clothes of the operator, but also the soap may be protected from the
water splashed up during washing.
The invention consists, first, in so mounting the protector on the washboard
frame, that it may be adjusted to a position of protector and soap box use adjacent to
the cross-bar, and also so folded or turned to wards the washboard as to permit of a
number of washboards being arranged one upon the other, forming a compact
package for storage or transportation; second, in so mounting the protector as to
render it capable of being adjusted to a position of protector and soap box use
adjacent to the cross-bar, and to a position of protector use only adjacent to the
head piece of the washboard frame; third, in so mounting the protector as to
render it capable of performing the triple functions above recited on both sides of
a washboard frame; and fourth, in uniting the protector and brand-board so as to
form an integral structure, which may be capable of adjustment for use on either
side of a double faced washboard.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this Specification,.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washboard having my improvement applied
thereto, and showing the protector yieldingly supported in operative position by a
spring; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same;
Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the protector supported in operative position
by a positive stop and adapted to be turned down by a spring;
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan, and Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation, the planes of section
being indicated by the lines IV-IV and V—V, Fig. 3, respectively;
Fig. 6 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section showing, a
modification of the protector support and the protector being adapted to be shifted
to folded position by hand or gravity, and Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the
same, the plane of section being indicated by the line VII-VII; Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of washboard illustrating a modification
of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 7, and Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of the
sanie, the plane of section being indicated by the line IX-IX, Fig. 6, showing
the protector in operative position by full lines, and in folded position by
dotted lines;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a single faced washboard having the protector
so mounted thereon as to be capable of performing the triple function of a
protector for the clothes and a protector for the soap and clothes of the operator,
and affording a receptacle for the soap; Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of the
same, showing the protector in one position by full lines, and in the other position by
dotted lines:

page_text: Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a washboard having a protector so mounted
thereon as to be capable of being swung from one side to the other of the wash-
board, and in both positions operating as a soap receptacle and a protector for the
clothes of the operator; Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of the same, the plane of
section being indicated by the line XIII-XIII, Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a washboard showing the protector reversible
from one side of the board to the other over the head piece and adjustible to
positions of use adjacent to the head piece and to the cross-bar; Fig. 15 is a
sectional elevation of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the
line XV-XV, Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is a view of a washboard partly in elevation and partly in section,
showing the protector reversible from side to side under the head piece; Fig. 17 is
a sectional elevation of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the
line XVII-XVII, Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 is a front elevation of a washboard, showing the protector and brand-
board united together, forming an integral structure, and adapted to operate as a
protector and a receptacle for the soap; Fig. 19 is a sectional elevation of the
same, the plane of section being indicated by the line XIX-XIX, Fig. 18;
Fig. 20 is a front elevation showing the combined protector and soap
receptacle applied to double faced washboards; and Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation,
the plane of section being indicated by the line XXI-XXI, Fig. 20.
In the practice of my invention the washboard is constructed in the usual manner,
and consists of side bars, 1, head piece 2, cross bar 3, brandboard 4, and rubbing
face 5, which is braced or supported by the back board 6. The side bars are
provided with bearings, preferably in the form of holes 7, for the reception of
trunnions 8, at the inner corners of the protector 9. These bearings are so located
with reference to the cross bar 3, that the protector can be turned or folded
towards the rubbing face for the purpose of permitting of a compact arrangement
of a number of washboards, one upon the other, for storage or transportation.
In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the protector is yieldingly held in
position to form, in connection with the brand-board, a soap receptacle, and serve
as a protector for the soap and the clothes of the operator. Any suitable form or
construction of spring may be employed for supporting the protector in position
for use, such, for example, as that shown in the drawings, consisting of a spring of
resilient wire 10, coiled one or more times around one of the trunuions and having
one end secured to the protector, while the opposite end is secured to a stationary
part of the washboard, e.g. one of the side bars. In order to hold the protector in
proper angular relation to the rubbing face and brandboard, a stop consisting of a
block or strip of wood 11, is attached to one of the side bars so as to project into
the path of the protector, when shifted by the spring.
In the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a spring 10 is so arranged on one
of the trunnions and has its ends so secured to the side bar and the protector 9,
that the tendency of the spring will be to turn the protector down towards the
rubbing face and hold it in such folded position. In this construction the protector
is supported in operative position by a stop 11, mounted on one of the side bars as
to be movable into and out of the path of movement of the protector.
In the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the protector 9 is supported in
operative position by wires 12, having one end attached to the protector, while the
opposite ends engage notches 13, preferably formed in metal strips 14, attached to
the inner faces of the side bars. In order to permit of the protector being turned down,
slots 15 are formed in the metal strips, communicating with the notches, to allow
the bent upper ends of the wires to slide down and the protector to assume its
folded position.
In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the upper ends of the back board
and rubbing face are secured to and supported by the cross bar. The brand-
board is secured to the back edges of the head piece and side bars, and
projects a short distance below the cross bar which is tenoned in the side bars,

page_text: so that its median line of axis will co-incide, or approximately co-incide with a
plane passing through the axes of the side bars, so that as the cross bar is
made of a width less than that of the side bars, a slot, or opening will be
formed between the cross bar and brand-board for draining the water from
the soap.
The side and cross bars of the washboards are made of certain standard
dimensions, as for example, the side bars are about an inch and five-eighths, and
the cross bars about three-quarters of an inch in width. In the manufacture of
single faced washboards it is essential in the first place that the rubbing face and
side bars be arranged together in such relation to each other that portions of the
side bars project beyond the rubbing face so as to form rims along opposite edges
of the face, to prevent the water from flowing laterally off the face. In the second
place it is essential to provide a soap receptacle above the rubbing face. In order
to comply with these conditions without materially increasing the width of the
side bars and cross bar, the ends of the latter are secured to the side bars at
about the median line thereof, and the brand-board is attached to the rear edges
of the side bars. This construction provides ample width of rim along the edges
of the rubbing face, but the soap receptacle is very shallow, so that the soap is
retained in place with difficulty even when the washboard is in its inclined or operative
position, and it is certain to drop out when the washboard is shifted to or beyond
a vertical position. And further, when a cake of soap is placed on the cross bar,
whose front edge is flush with the rubbing face, it is constantly subjected to the
sluicing of the water thrown up along the face of the board in washing.
In order to overcome these objectionable features in the present form or
construction of washboard, a protector 7 is pivotally mounted in the side bars so as
to be capable of being shifted, and to project out beyond the plane of the
rubbing face sufficiently far to form an efficient soap support, and an efficient
barrier as against any upward movement of water thrown up in washing, beyond
the upper end of the rubbing face of the washboard. The protector is adapted
to be folded when not in use into the space between the head pieco and crossbar.
The protector is provided at its inner corners with trunnions 8, which are
mounted in holes formed in the side bars in such relation to the cross bar, that
when the protector is turned down to operative position it will take a bearing
in front of its pivotal axis upon the cross bar and be supported thereby in
position of use, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.
It is characteristic of the second improvement, as shown in Figs. 10 to 17
inclusive, that the protector is so mounted upon the washboard frame as to be
capable of being adjusted to a position adjacent to the head piece where it will
serve as a clothes protector only, and also to a position adjacent to the cross
bar where it will serve as a soap receptacle and a protector for the soap and
clothes of the operator. In order to attain these ends in a single faced wash-
board, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the protector 9 is provided at its ends
with supporting arms 8, which are pivotally mounted on the side bars 1 in such
relation to the head piece 2, and cross bar 3, that the protector may be adjusted to
a position of protector use adjacent to either head piece or cross bar. The
protector is held in its position adjacent to the head piece by any suitable form
or construction of catch, such as spring 15 attached to the head piece and provided
with a toe 16 adapted to engage a notch 17 in the protector. In this position the
protector will serve to prevent the splashing of water upon the clothes of the
operator.
By releasing the protector from engagement with the catch, it may be turned
down to a position adjacent to the cross bar, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 11,
where it will serve as a soap support or receptacle and will protect the clothes
of the operator and also prevent water from being sluiced over the soap. It
will be observed that the catch 16 holds the protector in such position that it
practically forms a lateral extension of the head piece. When the washboards
are to be arranged one upon the other for transportation or storage, the protector
:

page_text: is released from the catch and pressed back under the head piece, in which position
it will be protected from injury.
In the construction shown in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive, the protector 9 is attached
to one end of arms 8, which have their opposite ends pivotally attached to the
side bars 1, and in such relation to the head piece 2 and cross bar 3 as to permit of
the protector being shifted from one side of the washboard to the other over the
head piece, and also, of its adjustment on each side of the washboard to. a position
of protector use adjacent to the cross bar. When in position adjacent to the cross
bar, the protector will form a support or receptacle for the soap, and will, also,
protect the soap and clothes of the operator from water splashed up in washing.
In the constructions shown in Figs. 14 to 17 inclusive, provision is made by means.
of a suitable catch or stop for holding the protector 9 in such position adjacent to
the head piece, that it will serve only as a clothes protector. A suitable form of
stop or catch for holding the protector in operative position adjacent to the head
piece consists of a V-shaped strip 18 arranged in a slot 19 in the head piece, with
an interposed spring 20 adapted to force the strip outwardly, so as to cause it to
engage ribs or grooves 21 along the edges of the protector. The strip and spring
are held in the slot with a freedom of outward movement by staples 22, with which
projections on the ends of the strip engage. In the construction shown in Figs. 16
and 17, the arms 8ª on the ends of the protector 9, are pivoted inside the side
bars 1, and in such relation to the head piece 2, and the cross bar 3, that the
protector may be shifted from side to side of the washboard under the head piece,
the washboard 4 being cut away under the head piece to permit of such reversal of
the protector. In this construction as in that shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the
protector is capable of adjustment to positions adjacent to the cross bar and head
piece on each side of the washboard, and the protector is held in the latter position
by any suitable form of catch, such for example, as that hereinbefore described.
If desired, the protector may be pivotally connected to its supporting arms, as
shown in Figs. 12, 13, 16 and 17, so as to permit of its being adjusted, when
adjacent to the cross bar, so as to project more nearly at right angles to the wash-
board. The protector is prevented from too great movement on its pivots by
means of pins 23 on the ends of the protector projecting into curved slots in the
supporting arms.
In Figs. 18 to 21 inclusive, the protector and brand-board are shown connected
together, forming an integral structure.
consists of the sides 24 and ends 25 and bottom 26, the latter being preferably
The box or receptacle thus formed
made concavo-convex. This box or receptacle which is preferably made somewhat
shorter than the distance between the side bars, is secured in position in such ›
manner that one of its sides will project over the rubbing face, forming a protector
adapted to prevent the upward splashing of water.
of the box or receptacle and the side bars are filled, or approximately filled, by.
The spaces between the ends.
blocks 27, in which are formed sockets for the reception of trunnions 28 on the
ends of the box, such construction being the preferred means for securing the box
in position. The box or receptacle is so proportioned relative to the opening in
the head of the washboard, that when placed in position, it will so bear upon the
head piece and cross bar as to be incapable of any material movement on its
trunnions. The angular arrangement of the box or receptacle in the washboard
frame is such, that its bottom, i.e., the brand-board, will be approximately
horizontal, and its sides approximately vertical, when the washboard is placed in
operative position in a tub, and will therefore form a secure receptacle for the
soap. By making the bottom or brand-board concavo-convex the soap will rest
upon its corners on the bottom, leaving a space underneath the soap into which
water will drain and from which it can escape by the opening 29. In applying
this form of my improvement to double faced washboards, as shown in Figs. 20
and 21, the box or receptacle is so proportioned as regards its length and that
of the opening in the washboard, that the box or receptacle can be shifted
longitudinally, the trunnion on one end being made of a length a little greater

page_text: than such longitudinal movement, and the socket in the filling block for the
latter trunnion is made of sufficient depth to permit of the insertion of the trunnion
for its entire length. This construction permits of the insertion of the longer
trunnion, the lateral shifting of the box until the shorter trunnion is in line with
its socket, and the final longitudinal shifting of the box to seat the shorter
'trunnion. While any suitable device may be employed for preventing an
accidental movement of the box as will unseat the shorter trunnion, it is preferred
to employ a spring 30, surrounding the longer trunnion and bearing at its ends
against the box and the end wall of the opening in the washboard. Ordinarily
the bearing of the edge of the box or receptacle against the under side of the head
piece will be sufficient to prevent any shifting of the box, but it is preferred to
employ a stop 31, secured to the under side of the head piece, as shown in Figs. 20
and 21, for preventing any rotation of the box on its trunnions. The box
constructed and mounted as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, can be removed and inserted
in operative position above either face of the washboard, and when so adjusted and
the board placed in operative position in a tub, will form a comparatively deep
receptacle for the soap.
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. A washboard, in combination therewith a protector pivotally mounted in the
washboard frame adjacent to the cross-bar and in such relation thereto as to
permit of being turned down towards the rubbing face from a position where it
will operate as a soap support and a protector for the soap and the clothes of the
operator, and a stop for supporting the protector in such operative position,
substantially as set forth.
2. A washboard having in combination therewith a protector pivotally mounted
in the washboard frame adjacent to and in such relation to the cross bar as to
permit of its being turned down towards the rubbing face from a position where
it will operate as a soap support and a protector for the soap and the clothes of
the operator, a spring for shifting the protector and a stop for supporting the
protector in operative position, substantially as set forth.
3. A washboard having in combination a frame consisting of side bars, head
piece and cross bar, a brand-board arranged at one end of a plane passing through
the axes of the side bars, a protector pivotally mounted in the side bars and
arranged to form in connection with the brand-board a soap receptacle above the
protector, and a stop for supporting the protector in position of use, substantially
as set forth.
4. In a washboard, a folding protector pivoted back of the front face or edge
of the cross bar and in suitable relationship to the brand-board and cross bar,
whereby' with the usual infolding capacity, it may also when unfolded or set in
operative position, rest upon and be supported by the cross bar, and form a part of
a soap box as well as a protector, substantially as set forth.
5. A washboard having in combination a protector movable from a position of
protector use adjacent to the cross bar to a position of protector use adjacent to
the head piece and adapted in the former position to serve as a soap receptacle,
substantially as set forth.
6. A washboard having in combination a protector pivotally mounted on the
side bars in such relation to the other portions of the washboard as to be capable
of being shifted from a position of protector use adjacent to the cross bar, where it
is adapted to serve as a soap support or receptacle, to a position of protector use
adjacent to the head piece, and a lock for holding it in the latter position,
substantially as set forth.
7. A double-faced washboard having in combination a protector movably
mounted on the frame of the washboard so as to be reversible from one side of the
washboard to the other and adjustable on each side to a position of protector use

page_text: adjacent to the cross bar in which position it is adapted to serve as a soap receptacle,
substantially as set forth.
8. A double-faced washboard having in combination a protector movably
mounted on the frame of the washboard so as to be reversible from one side of the
washboard to the other and adjustable on each side to a position of protector use
adjacent to the cross bar, in which position it is adapted to serve as a soap
receptacle, and to a position of protector use adjacent to the head piece,
substantially as set forth.
9. A washboard in combination with an integrally made soap box or receptacle
arranged in the opening between the head piece and side and cross bars in such
manner that its lower side will project above the rubbing face of the washboard,
thereby forming a protector, and the other part occupying the brand-board space,
substantially as set forth.
10. A washboard in combination with an integrally made soap box or receptacle
so arranged in the opening between the head piece and side and cross bars that the
bottom of the box will be approximately horizontal and its sides approximately
vertical, when the board is placed in an inclined operative position, the lower side
of the box projecting above the rubbing face to form a protector, substantially as
set forth.
11. A double-faced washboard in combination with an integrally made soap box
or receptacle adapted to be inserted from either side of the board into the opening
between the head piece and side and cross bars, in such manner that its lower side
will project above the rubbing face and form a protector and means for detachably
holding the box in position, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 7th day of January AD 1897