US1678843A - Ironing machine - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1928. 1,678,843

E. E. ARNOLD IRONING MACHINE Filed-nec. 2s. 1921 4 sneets-sheet 1 Fll3.1-

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W/TNESSES /N VEA/TUR IM @MF4 July 31, 192s. 1 678,843

E. E. ARNOLD IRONING MACHINE Filed Deo. 23. 1921 4 sheets-sheet 2 F I E Z.

, y 411 MWWW July 3l, 1928.

1,678,843 E. E. ARNOLD IRONING MACH INE Filed Dec. 25% 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGA-f F IELB.

WHA/fases July 31, 192s.

W/ TNESSE S E., E. ARNOLD IRONING MACHINE .Filed Deo. 23, l 1921 4 Shets-Sheet 4 /N VEA/TOR cu-g Q. QAM! @www Wmv/MW Patented July 31, 1928.

UNITED STAT-Es.

invasa en riazirr-v oFFiceE. y

EDWIN E. ARNOLD, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, .AS-SIGNOR TO TESTING-HOUSE 'ELECTRIC @c MAN UFACTURING, COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

incisi-Ne MACHINE.

Application sied December 23, i921. Aserial No. 524,532.

This invention relates to ironing machines and has for an object to produce a machine which is more effective for the purposes in: tended and is'easier to operate than other machines now in use and known to me.

The ordinary domestic ironing machines consist of a stationar1v iron and a rotating padded roll. The rol is ordinarily so ary,ranged that it is pressed against the iron While rotating and is 'moved away from the iron for the purpose of adjusting articles to be ironed or for the purpose of releasing articles in the process of being ironed. uch

machines are usuall so arranged that rotation'of thepadde roll is stopped when the roll is moved away from the iron. In some machines, the movement of the roll toward and away from the iron is accomplished by hand, whereas in others the roll is held against the iron by foot pressure exerted through the 4vagencyof a pedal. In either case considerable effort is expended by` the operator during the ironing operation. An object of' my invention is to produce. an ironin machine in which lmotor-driven means unc er the control of the operator are `employed for the purpose of shifting the 'position of the padded roll with relation to the iron. Y 1

A further object is tol produce a more effective iron for domestic ironing machines than those now in use and known to me. A still further object is to produce an ironing machine in which automatic means are employed for regulating the temperature of the iron.

A further Objectis to produce a machine employing a thermostatic heat regulating mechanism in which simple and effective means are 'employed for varying the adjustment of the thermostatic mechanism for the purpose of varying the temperature of the iron at the will of the operator.

These and other vobjects which will be made more apparent throughout the rfurther description of my invention are attained by means of apparatus herein described vand illustrated in the drawingsaccompanying and forming a part hereof. v

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ironing machine embodying my invention, portions being shown in section for convenience of illustration. Fig. 2 is aV fragmentalsectional elevationof the machine shown in Fig. l, and illustrates the mechanism employed for rotating the roll roll and iion. Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the'line 3-3 of Fig..2. Fig. 4 is a fragmental Arear view of an iron embodying my invention shown in connection with thermostatically controlled mechanism for delivering fuel to the burner associated with the iron; a portion of the back plate of the iron is shown broken away and removed and a portion yof the thermostatically controlled mechanism is shown in section for convenience of illustration. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 5.' Fig. 6 is an end View of the iron shown in Fig. 4, associated with a diagram'- matic representation ofaroll. Fig. 7 is. an intermediate. transverse section of the ironl shown in Fig. 4 associated with a diagrammatic representation of a roll'. Fig. 8 is a section through a modified form of ironing shoe showing an electric, thermostatically controlled heating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the iron 7 is of the usual external appearance and is rigidl mounted on the frame 8 of the machine.- A padded roll 9 is mounted on links 10 in such a way that it is capable of being rotated and also of vbeing swung toward and away from the iron without throwing its operating gears out of engagement. As shown, the links' 10 are pivotally mounted on a shaft 1l which forms a part of the operating mechanism and extends longitudinally of the vroll 9. The' roll is provided with the usual shaft 11 meshes with and *drives the` gearv 95 12. The axis of the pinion 13 coincides with the pivotal axis of the links 10, consequently, the gear 12 rolls around the pinion 13 during the operation of vswinging the roll to-f ward and away from the iron and the gear 12 is always in mesh with the pinion.

Power is applied to the pinion 13 by means of a Worm 14, a Worm wheel 15, and a clutch 16. As shown in Fig. 3the worm wheel 15 is splined on a sleeve 17 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 11 and is adapted to be -moved to different longitudinal positions along the shaft by means of a linger 18. One end of the sleves 17 is shown provided with a clutch member such I 13 to -form the clutch y16. The other end of the sleeve is provided with a clutch member s uch as teeth which co-operate with similarly formed teeth on a collar 20, rigidly mounted on the shaft 11, to formV a .clutch 19. With this arrangement the Worm wheel 15 will drive the pinion 13 or the shaft 11, depending upon the longitudinal position of the sleeve 17 on the shaft 11. When the sleeve 17 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, in which the clutch 16 is effective, the worm Wheel 15 is operatively connected to the pinion 13 and is therefore effective in rotating the roll 9. `When the sleeve 17 is moved to a position such that the clutch 19 is rendered effective, the worm Wheel 15 is no longer capable of transmittin power to the pinion 13 but drives the sha t 11, sin'c'e it is 'operatively coupled to that shaft through the4 agency of the sleeve 17, the clutch 19 and the collar 20. p The finger 18 is preferably bifurcated at its louter end to form a yoke which engages a groove formed in the sleeve 17. As shown in Fig. 3it is mounted on a longitudinally .shiftablc bar 21 which may be controlled by apedal 22 (Fig. 1) through the agency of' a flexible connection'23 and a motion reversing lever 24, the arrangement being such that when the pedal is depressed, the fingerV 18 is shifted to a position which moves the sleeve 17 out of operative engagement with the pinion 13 and into operativeengagement with the collar20. As shown, the bar 21 is mounted in suitable bearings carried by the frame 3 and is normally held in a position such that the sleeve 17 is operatively connected to the gear 13 through the agency of the clutch 16.- This is accomplished, in the illustrated embodiment by means of a coil spring 25, which surrounds the bar and iS located between one bearing block of the bar and a collar 27 rigidly secured to the bar. The finger 18 is yieldingly held against the ycollar 27 by means of a coil spring 28 which operates between the boss of the finger and a collar 29 rigidly secured to the bar.

The shaft 11 carries an element such as cam member or disc 30 Which operates to swing the roll toward and away from the iron. The operation of the cam member 30 is manually controlled through the agency of the pedal 22 and the'bar 21. This member 30 is rigidly'mounted on the shaft 11 and rotates with it when the Sleeve 17 is operatively coupled to the collar 20. Any means such as a crank pin and connecting rod may be employed for imparting swinging motion from-this disc 30 to the roll 9, but as shown pin 31 is mounted on the disc 30 and performs the function of a crank pin in that it shifts the position of a bell crank 32 pivotally mounted on the frame 8, as the disc 3Q revolves with the shaft 11. As shown, the pin 31 projects through a slot formed in one end'of the bell crank 32 and the oscillatory motion of the bell crank is imparted to it by this pin-and-slot connection. The other end. of the bellcrank operates to swing the roll 9 about its pivotal suport. :liccomplished by'means of a coil spring 33 which operates between the free end of the bell crank and the upper 'end of the-link 10. As shown, a spring block 34 is pivotally connected to the free 'end of the bell-crank and a similar spring block 35 is pivotally connected to the swinging end of the link 10. AThe spring 33 is so formed and so mounted on the spring blocks 34 and 35 that it is capable of operating as a tension spring for the purpose of yicldingly holding the. r'oll 9 against the iron or as a strut for the purpose of moving the roll away from the iron. AS the cam member 30 turns from the position shown in Fig. 1, the lower end of the bell crank isdepressed by the action of the pin 31 in the slot. of the bell crank. This movement of the bell crank first relieves the tension of the spring 33 and then shifts the roller 9 away from the iron by causing the spring 33 to operate'as astrut.

In addition to shifting the sleeve 17 the bar 21 also performs the function -of a cam lock bar in'that it cooperates with the cam member 30 in such a way as to lock that member in determinedpositions and on the other hand the cam member automatically controls the. shifting of the bar in response to the pressure of the coil spring 25. As shown, the member 30 is provided with a notch 36 located adjacent the periphery thereof. A slot 37 diametrically opposed to the notch 36 is also formedv in the member 30.` The notch is adaptedy to vengage the projecting end of the bar 21 and to hold the bar in an intermediate position in which the clutch members 16 and 19 are both rendered inoperative so that the rotation of the worm wheel 15 neither transmits power to the pinion 13 nor to the shaft 11. This notch is also so located with relation tothe pin 31 on the cam member 30 that when it is in engagement with the bar 21, the roll 9 is held in the extreme position away from the iron. The slot 37 is so located with relation'to the pin 30 that when it is in engagement with the `bar 2l, and the roll 9 is held fin ironing contact with the iron. In addition, the slot 37 permits the bar 21 to move tothe extremeposition in response to the pressure ofthe spring 25 and to thereby render the clutch 16 effective in operatively connecting the worm wheel and the pinion 13.

When it is desired to stop the roll 9 and to move it out of engagement with the iron, the pedal 22 is momentarily depressed an In the apparatus illustrated, this is v ieu amount suliicient to Withdraw the end of the shaft 21 from engagement with the cam member 30. This movement of the bar rst releases the clutch 16 and then-operatively couples thegsleeve 17 to the collarl 20 by rendering the clutch 19 effective and the Worm -Wheel to drive the shaftll. As soon as the Worm wheel is operatively coupled to the shaft 11, the cam member 30, in rotat ing in response to the rotation of the shaft 11, moves the slot 37 lout of line with the end of the bar and thereby prevents'the end of the bar 21 from again entering the slotand holds the bar in the extreme po ition in Which .the Worm Wheel is operativel coupled to the shaft 11. Under these circumstances,` the cam member 30 continues to rotate until the notch 36 moves under the cam bar 21 which has, during the rotation of the member 30, been yieldingly pressed into engagement with the lateral face ofthe member by the spring 25. As soon as the end of the cam bar drops into the notch 36 the shaft 11 ceases to rotate since the clutch 19 is ren' dered ineiiective as a power transmitting l the present invention isV provided with an y element, and the cam member is held stationary by the engagement of the bar 21 with the notchl 36. Incidentally, the movement of the cam 30 from the position in which the slot 37 is engaged by the cani bar to'the position in which the notch 36 is e'ngaged by the bar swings the roll 9 away from the iron through the agency of the bell crank 32. When it is desired to move the roll 9 back into engagement with the iron 'and to cause it torotate, the pedal 23 is momentarily depressed, thereby Withdrawing the cam bar from the notch 36 and locking the sleeve y17 to the collar 20. This causes the cam member to rotate, moving the notch 36 out of line with the end of the bar 21 and consequently prevents the bar from moving back in response to the pressure of the spring 25.- The motion of the cam member continues until the end of the bar 21 drops into the notch 37, and there shifts the sleeve 17 ythrough the neutral' position to the extreme position in which the clutch- 16 /is rendered operative. During this movement of the cam member, the bell crank 32 is shifted so as to move the roll 9 into engagement with the iron and subject the spring 33 to strain. i l

It will, of course, be apparent that-each end of the roll l9 is provided with a bell crank 32 and spring 33, so that the pressure of the roll against the iron andthe swing fill of the roll is uniform throughout the length of the roll. Itis, of course, unnecessary to duplicate the cam lock bar 21 and the associated notch 36 and slot 37 but a disc carrying a pin 31, such as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is preferably employed at the other end of the roll and the pin operates the bell crank 32 at'A that end of the machine. mounted on the shaft 11'.

It will also-,be apparent that suitable bearings are provided for the shaft llrand that the pivoted ends of the links 1 0 maybe provided With frigid' supports or bearingsV for lthe purpose of relieving the overhung p0rtion of the shaft 11 of the strains occasioned by the roll 9. It Will also be apparent that some means such a's stationary abutments secured to the frame 8 may be employed for preventing longitudinal movement of the Worm wheel 15.

In the drawings, I have shown the sleeve 17 journaled in a bearin .ring 38 which is rigidly supported 0n the rame y8 and which This disc is also forms an abutment for holding the Worm ironing surface 40 which extends throughout the length of the padded roll 9.and conforms moreor less to the contour of the surface of the roll 9 engaged by it. In ironing dampened articles the 'drying action and consequently the effectiveness of the ironing is occasioned by the fact that the Water or moisture carried by the articles is almost immediately. converted into steam en being subjected to the heat of the iron. It

will be apparent that the ironing operation Will be rendered more elfective if means are provided for venting the steam or vaporv thus formed. In my improvediron, I formv the ironing surface, or the surface of the iron adjacentAto theroll, so that the steam and vapor is vented to the atmosphere immediately after its formation. In this respect,`

my `iron diiiers from irons vordinarly em-` ployed in connection with domestic man les since, in such machines, the ironing sur ace subtends a relatvely large are of the added roll and is' held, more or lessi firm -y vinto l engagement with the surface o the material or articles ironed by the pressurelo'f the roll.

I provide a depression in the ironing surface which is so located and arranged that the materialpassing across the iron vis l gradually relieved of the pressure of the roll as itmoves past the depression and is simulf taneously moved into an area which 1s in free and open communication with the atmos-l here throu h one or more vent passages.V

n the iron i lustrated, I have provided a depression 41 in the face of the ironv adjacent the roll 9, and I have p rovidedslots 42 through the, iron at a point adjacent they apex ofthe depression.` These slots are prefi erably narrow and extend in the direction of rotation ofthe roller and are preferably spaced apart a distance substantially equal to their Width. The series of yslots pref- 'erably extends from one end of the iron to` the other parallel to the axis of the roll 9, and establishes communicatibn between the I ironing surface of the iron'and a longitudinally extending chamber 43 which is vented to the atmosphere by one o^r more passages 44 which extend through the heating chamber of the iron and the cover plate 45 or rear wall of that chamber. The chamber 43 may be relatively shallow but is of suiicient volumetric capacity to readily convey the steam or vapor, liberated from thelmaterial l or articles ironed, to the-vent passages 44 l without building up pressures by reason` of vide a vent for steam or vapor which may be carried by them. The depression is preferably formed intermediate the inlet and outsurface so that let edges of the ironing with the roll is articles or material movin again subjected to full ironing pressure after passing the depression.

Theheating chamber ofthe iron is substantially similar to irons now in use. An-

elongated burner 46 extends throughout the length o-f the iron and is located near the bottom of the heating chamber which is enclosed between the ironing surface 4() andk the back cover 45. I preferably employ heat transmitting ribs 47 .on Vthe rear face *ceiving edge thereof.

of the iron. This is for the purpose of increasing` the heat absorbing' area of the iron and thereby rendering the ironniore effective as a heat conveying and ltransferring agent. As shown, thesewebs or ribs are located near the top of the iron on at a point where it is desirable' to support the subject the articles to be ironed to the greatest quantity of heat.v The ribs may be spaced-and proportioned'soas to give the best results from the standpoint of maximum heat conductivity. t

Another feature of my invention is to provide automatic means for controlling the temperature of the iron. This is accomplished in the apparatus illustrated by thermostati'cally controlling the operation of the fuel delivery valve in such a way as to maintain a maximum temperature at a point of the iron immediately adjacent to the re- As shown in the drawings, provide a. cored-notch or passage 48 in tlie'iron proper at a point adjacent its upper edge. This i notch or passage preferably extends the en-J tire length of the iron and is adapted toreceive a thcrmostaticelcmcnt such as a brass or bronze bai' 49 having a different coefficient of expansion from that of the material of l pansion orcontraction ofthe iron proper and the tliermostatic lelement 49 to the valve, it also performs the function of a motionmultiplyingdevice. For this reason the arm of the bell crank operatively coupled to the -valve 52 is considerably longer than the arm Aoperatively coupled to the element 49. As shown, a knife-edge connection is provided between the bell crank and the'element 49 and lostmotion between these two members 'is prevented or taken up by a spring 53. The element 49 carries the knife edges on a collar 54 and is provided with an extension 55 of reduced diameter which is threaded at its outer end toreceive a spring retaining and adjusting nut. A-coil spring surrounds the extension 55 and is located between the nut carried thereby and the bifurcated end of the bell crank which engages the knife edges. Ajsimilar construction is employed between the longer arm of .the bell crank' and the element employed for operatively connecting it to the valve 52. As shown in Fig. 4, the valve is of the plug or needle valve type and cooperates with al valve casing 56 having the usual inlet and outlet port and the usual valve seat formed' in the diaphragin.

The valve is shown provided with an integrallyformed squared headv 57 which is "drilled and tapped to receive the threaded end of a rod or link 58.4 The head 57 is located in a squared aperture 59 formed in an adjustable disc 50, the arrangement being such that the head may be moved to different positions with relation'to the disc 60 for the purpose of moving the valve 52 towardl or away from the valve seat-t.)- As shown, the disc is .providedwith a cylindrical extension located on one side thereof concentric with the aperture 58 and adapted 5to lextend into a corresponding socket formed inthe head of the valve casing 56. With this arrangement the disc 60. may be turned to dif- Qferent positions for the purpose of'changing.

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the relative adjustment between the head 57 and the link 58. In order to accomplish this conveniently, I have shown the disc provided with a handle 6l. It will be apparent that variations in the relative adjustment between the head 57 and the link 58 will vary the operation of the valve in response to 'the operation of the .thermostatici elements and that an adjustment of the disc which will, inl effect shorten the valve stem and adjust the thermostaticelements so thatN they will not close oli the fuel supply until higher temerature has been attained; likewise an ad-4 justment of the disc which will, in effect lengthen the valve stem, will occasion a clos,-

ing of the valve in response to a lower temperature. In `order to calibrate the ,adjust- -nient of the disc7 I provide a segment 62 on Qthe valve, casing and a cooperating pointer.

63 on the disc. brated in degrees and may be employed in setting the apparatus to maintaining the deto. As shown, the link is provided with an adjustable nut `or collar 68 and a coiled sired temperature of the iron. It will, of course, be understood that any convenient means may be employed for holding the disc in place on the valve casing and at the same time permittin it to rotate relatively therespring is located between the-collarand the disc 60.

In the illustrated embodiment the link 58 isprovided with an extension 64: which projects through an .elongated slot .in the end of the bell crank 51. A head 65 is rigidly secured tothe upper end of this extensionand is provided with knife edges which engage the bell crank arm on oppositesides of the extension. In order .to maintalnthe adjustment between theknife edges and the bell crank arm I, have vided the bell crank arm with a relatively shallow vV-shaped groove which 'is engaged by the knife edges. The lostv motion' 'be-' tween Vthe link 58'V and the/bell crankl is taken` upV orrevented by coil spring 66 which'surrou s the extension 64 and operates between a collar 67 formed onthe link that 'it nwill yield rea time 1t Lis preferably so .fitted into the elongated slot of the bell crank arm that it' prevents the link from turnin andthe lower face of 'the'bell crank arm. The extension 64 is preferably so ,formed ily to cross bending and a't the sa when thefdisc 60 is rotated 'to vary the a j ustment to the valve. Lost motion between thel link. 58 and the head 57 is taken br ea `and the adjustable collar-68 on the'link.

prevent thevalye '52 from` a coil spring 69 located between the In; order to com letely" closing oi the vv'luel supply'- to the.'v urner 46, I preferably provi e al re-` stricted orifice 70- 1n the diap The segment may be caliother end of the leverofl the ragm of the valvev which 'is so proportioned that it willA permita suicient quantity of fueltto pass to the 'burner to prevent the lameat the burner from going out even when `the valve is closed. It will beapparent that the springs 53, 66 'and 58a will preventinjury to the valve orI the valve set due to continued differential expansion of the thermostatic elements after the valve is closed.

In Figure 8 I have shown. a thermostatic device for controlling the low of current to an electric'heaterl a, with which the iron is equipped.

`The thermostatc element 49 b is secured at one end to the iron and projects at the other end as described in connection with the apparatus illustrated in Figure at. The di'erential expansion of this element, with relation to theiron, is employed-for varying the current flow through the heater. In

thejdrawing I have provided the carbon disc pile c located in an insulatingv support al and ,connected into the circuit heater.

The lever e .pivotally`mounted on the iron.-

rod 49 b are cold. As the iron `heats up' ressure on the pile is reduced prothe The

rat'

portlonately to the expansion of the thermo-` static elements and consequently-the currenty ow through the heater is proportionately proreduced. i

jAnother feature of my invention" is'4 thatv I I provide means for directing articles issuing from between the rol1.9 and/the iron' toward a table ,7l located on the front orl operators sidevof the machine. As shown lin-Fi 1, I provide anjinclined table 72 vunder the iron and the rolle.

imme iatel As the'articles leave the iron, they are di- Y rected by the inclination of this table toward the table 71 and therefore slide dcwn the table 72 instead of piling up on it. f

I also provide a 'table 73 on the frame K 8 of the machine which is so located adjacent to the top of the roll when the roll is on the extreme position away from the iron. 'j With this Yarran ement, the table 73 is conveniently locate be ironed -prior to the ironing when tliegroll k"is onthe extreme position away fromv the iron. '-,With this arrangement,- the-table 78 vis conveniently located for adjusting articles to be ironed prior tol the ironing operation as well as during the ironing. operatlon.

for adjusting articles to In operation, the operator starts the motor 74 after the burner 46 has been lighted and the iron is hot. Assuming that the roll 9 is in thel eXtreme position away from the iron and that the cam bar 21 is in engagement with the notch 3G of the cam Kmember 30, the .motor will runv idle since the "clutches 16 and 19 are in the neutral or ineffective' positions. After the articles to be ironed are adjusted in position with relation to the roll 9 and the iron7 the operator momentarily depresses the pedal 22, thereby rendering the clutchV 19 effective and at the same time disengaging the bar 21 from the notch 36. The rotation of the cam member 30 swings the roll 9 toward and into engagement with the iron and also prevents the cam bar from returning to the neutral position since the lateral face of the cam member holds the bar in such a position that the clutch 19 continues to be effective until the cam member has made a half revolution or has mov-ed theI slot 37 under the end of the cam bar 21. When this happens the cam bar in' dropping into the slot 37 moves to the eXtreme position in response to the pressure of the spring 25 and thereby disengages the clutch member 19A from its operative connection with the shaft 11 and renders the clutch 16 effective in transmitting power from the continuously rotating worm wheel 15 to the driving gear 12 of the roll. During the half turn of the cam member, the bell cranks 32 at each end of the roller 9 have operated to move the i roll 9 into engagement with the ironand to subject the coil springs 33 to tensile strains. The roller is spring pressed against the iron and, if desired, means may be employed for adjusting the springs 33 for the purpose of varying the ironing pressure. A momentary pressure on the pedal 22 will be effective in releasing the cam bar 21 from the slot 37, thereby stopping the rotation of the roll and causing the roll to swing away from the iron.

While I have illustrated but one embodiillustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination, in an ironing machine, an iron, a rotatableroll, a driven gear secured to said roll, pivoted members on which said roll is rotatively mounted, a driving gear meshing with said driven gear and coaxial with the pivotal axis of said pivoted 4members, means including a rotatable element for swinging said roll about the pivotal axis of said pivot members toward and away from said iron, a rotatable driving shaft, means for selectively operatively coupling said driving shaft to said rotatable element or to said driving gear, and means operable in accordance with the position of said r0- tatable element for controlling the operation lof said coupling means.

2. In an VVironing machine, the combination with ,a shoe and a roll to be moved to or from the shoe, of a shaft for the roll, a second shaft extending parallel to the roll, a support for each end of the roll shaft pivotally mounted on the second shaft, and means operated by the second shaft for impressing a displacing force upon the' roll shaft to move the roll about the pivot points of the roll shaft supports.

3. In an ironing machine,the combination with a shoe and a roll member to cooperate with each other, of means for sup;- porting-one of said members, a motor for rotating theroll', a shaft extending parallel to the roll, an element thereon rotatable therewith for actuating the supporting means through bell-cranks, and springs, a double clutch on Athe shaft, one element of one clutch being secured thereto, a single member for Controlling the double clutch to first rotate December, 1921.

' `EDWIN E. ARNOLD.

7th day ofy

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