US2233577A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1941. M. A. ELU

WASHING MAHINE Filed March l5, 19157 Patented Mar. 4, 1941 Marshall A. Blu,` Chicago, Ill., ass'ignor to Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.,v a corporation of New York applicati@y March 15, 1937', serial No. 130,970

' ys claims. (omis-+151) My invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly to supporting features thereof. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved support for the tub of vawashing.

machine.

It is-another object to provide against vibration and rattling of thev tub and the supporty therefor.

A further object is to provide an eiiicientf'conlo cealed mounting for a leg for supportingpurposes. f l

Another object resides in the provision of an improved caster socketr construction.

Itis another object to provide a simple, eiecl5 tive brace for `the supporting legs of a washing machine or the like. 1

It is falso an object to provide a combined leg brace and caster socket construction. l,

A further object is yto. provide a washingma- 2u chine in which all fastening membersjare substantially shielded, affording a smooth attractiv exterior free of projecting parts.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

- An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine constructed in accordance with the in- Vention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through a leg and associated parts of the machine. l

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary` sectional view taken as indicated by the line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a washing machine comprising a tub I having a cover 2, a motor casing 3 telescoped about and adapted to support the tub, and legs 4 -by which the casing is supported from the floor.

The legs are hollow and within the open bottom of each, a flanged caster socket member 6 is fitted, the flange 6 abutting the bottom of the leg. The legs are connected to a horizontal circular brace rod 1, insuring maximum rigidity, said rod being fastened to each leg as by a bolt or screw 8 extending through the rod 1 and through the adjacent inner wall portion of the leg and threaded at 9 into the socket member 6. The screws 8 also extend through blocks I0 and I Il' which grip opposite sides of the rod 1, the blocks I0 serving as a buffer between the rod and legs 4. Thus a single fastening element,

shielded from the outside, serves at once to fasten 'together the leg, brace and socket member. The socket II is of greater depth than the caster stem I2, and clearance for the screw is provided inthe leg 4 at I3, so that all of the weight of the machine i's shouldered by the casters I4, therebyv relieving the fastening elements 9. The weight of the brace rod and fastening means is also carried by the casters independently of the The casing `3 is provided with vertically alined holes registering with corresponding holes in the inner wall portion of each leg 4, and screws I6 having their heads within the casing are threaded through the holes into an anchor 15g.;

strip,l I1 within the leg, the strip having a curved surface conforming to the interior surface of the leg. The strip is preferred because it lends itself to quick assembly with the screws. vIn addition, the strip vreinforces the leg and the casing 20 so that relatively light material for such parts may be employed, and it also assists the screws in supporting the weight of the casing, tub and associated structure.

.A band I9 onthe. outside of .the tub overlies 25` and shields the inturned upper edge 20 of the casing 3, providing a molding trim which imparts a neat appearance at the juncture of the tub and casing.

Each leg member 4 is open at its top where 30 it receives by a swiveled connection a reduced end of an elbow 22 which is preferably of the same diameter as the leg member to form a smooth continuation thereof. The elbow is 'turned toward the tub and carries a cushion 35 arranged with the pads radially innermost.

Then thetub is slid within the confines of the pads as it is moved into the casing. The pads 50 are thereupon retained in place solely by virtue of their engagement with the tub. The brace bar 1 and casters I4 may be applied at any time.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that 55 4U 2.11m `c'ombinationfwith a washing machinetub, llegs supporting thetubin elevated position;

I have provided a construction in which novel fastening means is employed to such advantage as to eliminate protruding parts and permit the use of lighter material for construction of the casing and legs, and which embodies a readily manipulated simple drain mechanism which is entirely shielded when not in use, thus presenting an attractive appearance. A ,Y

A drainage 'gutter' 33 provided! withvv a convenient handle 4I may be swingably mounted to be moved to an operative and inoperative position, `the same being shown in the latter position in Fig. 1. l i

A clutch lever 43 and timing assembly 45 may also be provided. 'l

I am aware that many changes" mayb be made` and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range withoutdeparting" from the principles of this invention-i andfI therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwisethan necessitated. hy'v the prior art.- l Y i C Iclaim as my invention: l

1. In combination with af'washing machine' tulo,v a casing on which the tub 'is' mounted, an'd means for supporting the casing and tub, said meansl comprising`A hollow legs extending. along? the outside of'and below the casing,` fastening? means located 'entirely withinthe casing anditions of the tub, an' annular' brace bar disposed' at the inner'side's of the legs b'elowthe casing?, andf means `disposed substantially entirelyl in wardlyV oi the' outer sidesof thelegs torlfastenng' the legs `to the brace bar', the" last mentioned' means including a caster socket me'nfiloer ar'- ranged in the lower end of ea'ch leg. f Y

and. cushionfvmeans interposedbetween the tub and legs for dampening vibration..

3. In combination with a tub-for an?` apparatus'` 4s of the-class described, means providing lateral support for the tub, said means comprising vswivelly mounted cushion members engaging another', a ringlkei brace bar arranged transversely-of saidlegs at the inner side thereof,

fastening'ineans passing through said bar and terminating. inl ach'leg, and an anchoring elevmentv `each leg and connected with the faste'nin'g means, said element comprising a caster socket member' disposed in', the end' of..` the-'1` leg and having; a flanger abutting saidend'fofwthey leg for' transmitting weighttobe supported from said"` legI toa caster; said leghaving'an enlarged opening to provide clearance for the fastening:

vilreans so* that the. lattery is relieved oi': said Weight'. f

56. In combination with a tubpa casing .on

whichthe 'tuby rests, a plurality of legs 'secured to saidcasinggand aY member'. swiveled zto each of said legs .and engaging the outside oflfsaid tub fori dampeninglvibration.- thereof. f

`=` {7. In combinationV with-va;V tub; a.A casing-poni` which the'tub rests,v al plurality -oi tubular: legs secured to'r said` casingVA andi aly tubular extension .'swiveled to each of said legs and having a buffer. element engaging' tl'e'zoutside of lsaidftub for dampening vibrationlthereof.. I

8. In-:combinatiodwith a washingmachine'or the like tub; am'otmf1 casing. supporting Vsaidtub;l le'g's secur'ed to" said mot"or-"ca'sing,`l and vibration-1 dampening means'between' saidv motor casing' and,

tubandf between said legs and tub'.

A. BL..

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