GB683909A - An improved method of and machine for washing clothes and like articles - Google Patents

Abstract

683,909. Washing-machines. LIGHTBOURNE, R. C. March 29, 1951. [March 31, 1950; Nov. 23, 1950] Nos. 8078/50 and 28618/50. Class 138 (ii). [Also in Group XXIV] A method of washing clothes and like articles comprises circulating the washing liquid within a container for the articles and in a closed vortex which is substantially symmetrical in relation to the centre of the container and subjecting the liquid vortex to sudden changes in direction so as to obtain relative movement of the liquid in relation to the articles to be washed. A machine for carrying out the method consists of an impeller 16 contained in a recess 14 in the base of a tub 11 rotated undirectionally through a clutch 24, 29 and a belt driven by an electric motor 52. Two vanes 61 mounted diametrically opposite each other on the side wall of the tub produce the sudden changes in the direction of the vortex produced by the impeller. The impeller consists of a hollow shell 17 having perforations in its top 18 and periphery 19 and having a plurality of radial vanes on its underside connecting its peripheral wall with a central boss ; washing liquid is drawn in through the top perforations and discharged by the vanes through the peripheral perforations. The clutch comprises a driving member 29 connected to a shaft 31 which is belt driven by the motor 52 and a driven member 24 on which the impeller rests and which can loosely rotate on the end of the shaft 31. The impeller is connected to the member 24 by projections 27 on the member which butt against the vanes on the underside of the impeller. When the clutch is disengaged the member 24 engages and rests upon a ledge 15 in the recess 14 which acts to brake the rotation of the impeller. The clutch is operated by sliding the shaft 31 axially, the upper end of the shaft being journalled in a slidable bearing 37 and the lower end being connected by a thrust bearing 38 with a slidable rod 39 which is connected through linkage with an operating handle 49. The clutch slips if clothing becomes entangled with the impeller to prevent the clothing being damaged. The tub is drained when desired by a pump (not shown) which is continuously driven from the motor 52. The pump inlet in the tub bottom is normally closed by a manually operated discharge valve. Specification 683,910 is referred to.