US337349A - Wash-board - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

v E. L. PRIDHAM.

WASH BOARD. v I

Patented Mar. 2, 18863.v

WITNESSES W 4 Attorney N. PET ERS. Plmtu-Limo m her, Washington. 0. C

NITED STATES Y ATENT OFFICE.

WASH-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,349, dated March 2, 1886.

Application filed October 22, 1885. Serial No. 180,584. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMMA L. PRIDHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wash-Boards, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in wash boards, and is designed, primarily, to lessen the labor attending the operation incident to washing clothes. Since this labor is performed by women, and they, by theirpeculiar physical constitution, are especially susceptible to injury from the difficulty and strain of the work, this invention was conceived with the idea in view that a device should be pro duced that should reduce the said labor to a minimum without in the least impairing the efficiency, but rather increasing the same; Such a device is shown in the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the device; Fig. 2, a partial rear view, and Fig. 3 a cross-section.

The sides A of the board are of peculiar shape, as will be seen from Fig. 1. At a point near the lower portion of the side the said side is wide, and from this point tapers in both directionsthat is, the lower taper forms the leg and the upper taper the main portion of the side. From one side to the other extends the back B, parallel to the upper or main taper, and at a sufficient distance from the edge of the same to receive and support the brushblock 0, containing the bristles D, flush with the surface of said taper edge. This construction raises the said bristles above the surface of the board proper. The widening of the sides of the board allows the placing of the rubbing-surface at such an angle as to relieve the strain, discomfort, and injury of the stooping position assumed in washing.

Experiment has proved that the bringing forward of the lower part of the brush-block five-eighths of an inch produces very satisfactory results in this direction, producing comfort where before was discomfort and injury. The bristles elevate the clothes above the surface of the block, and hence prevent them from coming in contact with the dirty water that flows from them and again enters the tub.

A back piece, E, attached to the back of the upper portion of the sides and extending a short distance below the upper edge of main back B, directs the flow of any water that may pass above the upper edge 'of the said piece B, and also serves the function of a soap-holder.

Hinged to the upper end of the board proper is a flap or splash-board, F, having an eye for the reception of the hook G on the back of the board. When in use this flap 6 is hooked, and is then in the position shown in Fig. l, at right angles to the board, and thus protecting the person working from the splashes of water that fly upward.

To the back B are attached the springs H, 0 consisting each of a spring-strip secured at the lower end, and being at the sides of the board. The free ends are coincident with elastic, buffers I on the piece E. This construction gives a uniform yield to the board when in use and the pressure incident to Wash ing is employed.

It will be seen from Fig. 3 that there is a space (designated by K) on each side of the brush-block. This space allows for the expansion and contraction of the said block when wet and when drying, and thus preventing the warping or twisting of the same.

I am aware that bristle brushes for a rubbing-surface and spring-supporting bearings are not broadly new in wash-boards, and

hence do not wish to be considered as broadly claiming the same.

An additional function of the splash-board is to support the body during the use of the 0 wash-board, it adding great-comfort to the operation, as the strain on the back is thus relieved.

I claim A wash-board consisting of a brush-block set at an angle to the length of the frame, and provided with expansion-spaces on each side, a splash-board hinged to the top of said board, and spring-strips secured at their lower ends to the back of the board, and at their upper [00 ends coincident with elastic buffers on the back, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMMA L. PRIDHAM.

Witnesses:

GEO. A. PRIDHAM, WILLIAM T. GABELL.

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