US2300175A - Washboard clamp - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 27, 1942. s, RADQQ 2,300,175

WASHBOARD CLAMP Filed April 3. 1941 gwumbo'a Myri l 5; Ha aer Patented Oct. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,300,175 WASHBOARD CLAMP Myrtle S.Rader, Centralia, Ill.

Application Atpril 3, 1941, Serial No. 386,717

4 Claims.

, This invention relates to a novel clamp attachment for washboards and more particularly to an attachment including one or a plurality of clamp elements disposed on the back side of the upper portion of a conventional washboard which are adaptedto engage the outer side of a wall of a tub, beneath the tub rim, for releasably holding the washboard in adjusted positions in the tub.

More particularly, it is an aim of the inven tion to provide a face plate having fastenings for securing it across the upper portion of the back side of a washboard and to which one or a plurality of spring clamps are connected and which spring clamps are adapted to releasably and yieldably engage the outer side of a tub wall for securing the washboard on the inner side thereof and in an adjusted position within the tub.

Still another aim of the invention is to provide a spring clamp having a portion shaped to engage under the rim of a tub and forming a fulcrum therewith.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of the back side of a conventional washboard with the attachment applied thereto,

Figure 2 is an edge view in elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a portion of a wash tub, a portion of the washboard and the clamp attachment mounted on the board and engaging the tub, and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the attachment provided with a single clamp for use on smaller sizes of washboards.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, I designates generally a portion of a conventional wash tub having an upwardly and outwardly sloping side H which is provided at its top with a rim or beading I2; and I3 designates generally a portion of a conventional washboard. These parts are of conventional construction and form no part of the invention but are illustrated and described merely for the purpose of illustrating the application of the invention, designated generally I4.

The invention I4 comprises a clamp attachmerit for washboards and, in the embodiment thereof as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, includes an elongated plate I5 of a length substantially equal to the width of the washboard I3 and which is disposed across the back side thereof and adjacent the upper edge of the washboard I3 and which is attached thereto, adjacent the ends of the strip or plate I5 by means of nut and bolt fastenings I6.

The attachment I I also includes a pair of clamp elements, each designated generally I61: and which are of corresponding construction. Each of the clamp elements I6a is provided adjacent its upper end with a recess H which opens outwardly of its inner side. An expansion coil spring I8 has one end suitably secured in the recess I1 and its opposite end suitably secured to the outer side of the plate I5. Each of the clamp elements IGa, as best illustrated in Figure 1, extends downwardly substantially below the plate I5 and is disposed laterally thereof. The clamp elements Ifia are each provided with a reduced portion on its inner side, designated I9, which extends from its upper end to adjacent its lower end. Below the reduced portion I9, the clamp element I6a is provided with an inner side portion 20 the upper end of which combines with the lower curved end of the restricted portion I9 to form a hook shaped portion 2|. The clamp element Ilia, at its lower end, is provided with an upwardly and inwardly inclined inwardly bowed portion 22. As seen in Figure l, the clamp elements I6a are provided with lower ends 23 which are reduced in width.

The clamp elements I6a are disposed in spaced apart relationship to one another and in spaced apart relationship to the ends of the plate I5 and the side edges of the washboard I3.

To apply the washboard I3 to the tub ID, the washboard is inserted into the tub with its upper end projecting therefrom and disposed over the side II. The two clamp elements IBa are then grasped, with theiindex fingers engaging the portions 22, which form finger holds, and the thumbs pressing against the outer sides of the upper ends of the clamp elements Ilia. It will be apparent, that an inward pressure with the thumbs and an outward pull with the index fingers will cause the lower ends 23 of the clamp elements Ifia to be moved away from the washboard I3 so that the clamps I6a can be positioned on the outer side of the wall II with their hook portions 2| engaging under the rim or beading I2. The hook portions 2| by engagement with the rim I2 will form fulcrums for the clamps Ilia so that when they are released the springs I 8 will force the upper ends of the clamps 16a outwardly causing their lower ends to be swung inwardly toward the wall ll so that the inner face portions 20 will engage the outer side of the wall II directly beneath the rim I2. It will be noted that the portions 20 are inclined to conform to the inclination of the wall I I when the clamps |6a are in their normal, clamping positions so as to engage flush thereagainst. The clamps [6a hold the back side of the washboard l3 in tight engagement against the front, inner side of the wall I I to prevent the washboard from moving relatively to the tub l0. It will likewise be obvious that an inward pressure on the upper end of each of the clamps Ilia combined with an outward pull on the lower ends of the clamps will readily release them from engagement with the rim I2 so that the washboard l3 can be removed from the tub I0.

In Figure 4, an attachment I4 is illustrated, and which is adapted for use on a small size washboard l3 and which is identical in all respects to the attachment l4 except that the attachment I4 is provided with a single clamp element I B which is disposed intermediate of the ends of the plate l5.

Various other modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to as only preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed.

I claim as my invention: 1. An attachment for washboards comprising an elongated clamp member, the inner side of said clamp member, adjacent itsupper end, being reduced, a recess formed in said reduced portion and opening outwardly thereof, adjacent the upper end of the clamp, an expansion coil spring having one end secured in said recess and its opposite end secured to the back side of the upper portion of a washboard, said inner side of the clamp being provided with a hook portion formed by the lower end of said reduced portion and adapted to engage under the rim of a tub and forming therewith a fulcrum to cause the lower portion of the clamp to engage against the outer side of the tub for holding the washboard in an adjusted position therein.

2. An attachment as in claim 1, said clamp element having an inner side, disposed below said hook portion and inclined to correspond to the inclination of the wall of the tub for engaging flush thereagainst.

3. A device as in claim 1, said clamp element being provided with an upwardly and inwardly curved lower end, forming a finger grip, adapted to be engaged by the finger for moving the clamp to a released position.

4. An attachment as in claim 1, in which the securing means comprises a plate disposed across the back side of the upper portion of the washboard, fastenings for clamping said plate to the washboard, and said spring being secured at its last mentioned end to the outer side of said plate for connecting said end to the washboard.

MYRTLE S. RADER.

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