US408339A - Clothes-line stretcher - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

S. DOBBS. CLOTHES LINE STRETGHERV Patented Aug.l6, 18891..

NoI 408.339.

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UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

SENECA DOBBS, OF ROCHESTER, NEV YORK.

CLOTH ES-LINE STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,339, dated August 6, 1889.

Application ledduly 23, 1888. Serial No. 280,776. (No model.)

To all whom it may' concern:

Be it known that I, SENECA DOBBS, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Clothes-Line Stretchers; and' I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the drawings accompanying this application.

The object of my invention is to arrange two or more parallel clothes-lines together and stretch them at once and by the same fixtures, which are simply hung over hooks at the opposite ends. The lines are tightened at one operation by simply turning` a cranked shaft having reels attached at its opposite ends.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is .an enlarged elevation of the ratchet and its attachments.

A A indicate the two clothes-1ines, which extend longitudinally parallel to each other at suitable distance apart and are attached at their opposite ends to the fixtures hereinafter described;

B is a shaft at one end of the lines, provided at opposite ends with fixed spools or reels a a, on which the lines wind when the shaft is turned. This shaft is provided at its ends with hangers h b, turning freely thereon and provided with rings c c or other similar devices by which they can be hung on hooks d d, attached to a post or other support. The shaft B has a crank @,on which is a loose handle f. A similar loose handle f is located on the straight part of the shaft at the left of the crank.

g is a ratchet fast to one end of the shaft B, and 7L is a pawl or detent pivoted to the hanger b and engaging with the ratchet.

C O are two rings at the opposite end of the attachment, to which the other ends of the clothes-lines are attached. These rings engage with two open hooks 7.: k, attached to a post or other suitable support at that end of the line.

To attach the lines in place, the rings C C are hungon the hooks k 7c, and the lines are then drawn out by taking hold of the handle f of shaft B and carrying the shaft B to the opposite point of attachment. As the shaft B is carried back it turns to allow the cords to unwind from the spools. The hangers b b are then hung on the hooks d d, and the lines are then tightened by taking hold of the handles f f and turning the crank e till the proper tension is attained. The pawl 7L, engaging with the ratchet g, will hold the lines strained. To wind up the lines again, the hangers b l) are detached from their hooks and the crank turned, the operator following up as fast as the lines are wound. When wound up, the device occupies very compact space. Two or more lines may be used, as desired.

The object of this invention is to enable two or more parallel lines to be used and c0n nected with one set of iiXtures, thereby gaining great length of line, with compactness of space occupied vwhen extended, and facilitating the operations of connecting them with and disconnecting them from theirhangings. The advantage is apparent, as the lines can be placed comparatively near together and not interfere, while the clothes are kept so separated as to obtain all the benefits of the free circulation of air. In winter, when hung outof-doors, there is less trouble in making pathways through the snow, as two lines can be readily reached from one side.

The device is very convenient in straightening the lines and holding them taut andin winding' the lines up compactly when not in use.

Having described my invention ,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combinatioinwith a set of clothes-lines A A, of the rings O O at one end and the cranked shaft B, the spools a a, the ratchet g, pawl 7L, and hangers b Z), forming the wind ing-fixture, at the other end, the whole arranged to operate in the manner and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I haave hereunto signed my naine in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, SENECA DOBBS.

Witnesses:

R. F. OseooD, P. A. Cos'rrcH.

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