GB574497A - Improvements in mechanism for automatically reversing the direction of rotation of amachine or a rotating part thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

574,497. Reverse gearing; machinery guards. BRAITHWAITE & SON ENGINEERS, Ltd., I., and BANKS, W. Feb. 3, 1944, No. 1982. [Classes 80 (ii) and 80 (iv)] An automatic periodic' reversing gear for a machine, such as a rotary washing or drying machine, comprises a driving shaft B, Fig. 4, which drives through a clutch D a shaft C, which in turn drives a compound gear H<1>, H<2> on a counter-shaft J through sliding pinions G<1>, G<2>, either direct or through a reverse idler (not shown). Gear H<2> drives through a train H3, H<4>, H<5>, Fig. 2, the cylinder H<6> of, for example, a washing machine. The clutch D, a brake E acting on the shaft C, and the sliding pinions G<1>, G<2> are operated automatically and in sequence to reverse the direction of rotation of the cylinder after a given time by cams M and Q, Figs. 4 and 7 respectively, on a cain-shaft L<1> driven from shaft B at a reduced speed. A common sliding member P for the clutch and brake is actuated by a bell-crank lever N<2>, Fig. 4, engaging cam M by a roller N<1> under tension of springs N<4>, N<5>, whilst cam Q, Fig. 7, actuates the sliding pinions G<1>, G<2> through follower levers R<1>, R<2>, spring link T and a forked lever T<1>, A single control lever U<1> has three positions, one in which the periodic reversal continues auto-. matically, another in which a cam N<6> on shaft N<3> releases the pivot S<1> of follower lever R<2> so that one direction of rotation only is selected and maintained by follower R<1> riding on the top of cam Q, and a third in which the clutch is disengaged and the brake applied to stop the cylinder by dogs on the cam N<0> engaging dogs on the bell-crank lever N<2>. A certain amount of lost motion between these dogs allows of " inching " between the second and third positions 'of lever U<1> and an indicating disc Y<1> geared to the cylinder is provided to assist the operator to position the cylinder for opening. In its third position, the lever U<1> moves its shaft V<5> axially to raise a locking lever W<1> clear of the end of a flange X<1> on the sliding door X<2> of a cover for the cylinder, to allow it to be opened. The lever U<1> cannot be moved for starting, by reason of lever W<1> engaging the top of flange X<1>, until the door X<2> is closed.