GB696603A - Improvements in and relating to washing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

696,603. Washing-machines. FISHER (OLDHAM), Ltd., H. March 31, 1952. [March 30, 1951] No. 7451/51. Class 138 (ii). A washing machine casing comprises a substantially square or rectangular metal base 1 having an upright 2 rigidly secured to each of its four corners and braced together by horizontal bracing members which are adapted to support a gearbox 16, motor 15, wash tub 14 and ancillary equipment, the uprights 2 being provided with longitudinal slots or grooves 4 to receives panels 8 which close the sides of the casing. The uprights are preferably as shown in section in Fig. 4 though the grooves 4 may be formed in separate U-shaped members welded to the uprights. The base 1 has a flange 10 and is provided with grooves 5 in members 37, Fig. 5, to receive the lower edges of the panels. In one example, Fig. 1, the bracing members comprise two angle section strips 11, though four may be provided. The gearbox 16 is supported by bolts 17 on a platform comprising two flanged inverted channel-section members 18 bolted to the members 11, a flanged rear member 18a and a diagonal member (not shown) connecting the members 18, 18a. Additional support may be provided by strut members 34 or A-brackets secured to the bracing members 11 and to the base 1. A top fitting or casting 6 has an over-hanging rim 40 screwed to the uprights 2. A pump 29 for draining the tub 14 through a pipe 33 is mounted on a platform 28 pivoted at 27. Springs 42 press a pinion 30 on the pump shaft into frictional engagement with a wheel 31 on the motor shaft, though the drive may be disconnected by turning a lever 49 fixed to a spindle carrying a cam disc 48 which bears on a flanged part 44 of the platform 28. The lever 49 is in recess 50 in a sub-panel 46 and is accessible through an opening in the rear panel 8. The motor 15 also drives an agitator shaft 23 and a wringer shaft 25. In a modification the built-up platform 18, 18a is replaced by a flat sheet metal platform (not shown) and this may be supported by diagonal bracing members, Fig. 6 (not shown) instead of the members 11. In a further example, Figs. 9, 10 (not .shown) the single rear panel 8 is replaced by an upper panel and a control panel, both fixed to the uprights 2 behind the grooves 4, and a bottom panel slidable in the grooves 4 and acting as a door.