US1004607A - Means for operating washing-machine wringers. - Google Patents

Description

W. H. VOSS. MEANS EOE OPERATING WASHING MACHINE WBINGEES.

APPLICATION llLBD AUG. 25, 1909.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

` W. H. VOSS.

MEANS FOR OPERATING WASHING MACHINE WRINGERS.

APPLICATION rlLED AUG. 25, 1909.

1,004,607 Patented 00113, 1911.

y 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 6 Ef ,f4

.241 fz ,y 5

:1 11111 www WILLIAM H. 'VOS`S, 0F DAVENPORT, IOWA.

MEANS FOR OPERATING WASHING-MACHINE WRINGERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 3, 1911.

Application tiled August 25, 1909. Serial No. 514,585.

To all 'whom it may concern: j

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. Voss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Means for Operating Washing-Machine VVringers, of which the, followingis a full, clear, and. exact description.

,My invention relates to means for operating washing machines and wringers,.and particularly the type or class of washing machines having a-rotary 'reciprocal agitator and a momentum or balance-wheel to assist in the reversal movement of agitator, the same being adapted to be either driven by hand or by `means of a suitable motor.

kIn operating a wringer by means of a motor, is has often occurredthat the fingers of the `operator became caught in the rollers thereof and crushed, or buttons on the cloth ing being wrung are broken by being carelessly fed through the machine.

' It is, therefore, an object of this invention to avoid these very objectionable features by connecting the wringer with the motor by suitable mechanism that will instantly stop the operation of the wringer while the motor will continue to rotate. These elements are so arranged that the instantaneous stoppin of the wringer will not burn out or kill the motor.

Still another object of my invention is to connect up the mechanism so that either the agitator or the wringer may be operated independently of the other, and also to provide means whereby it is possible to throw the wringer into or out of operation by a foot-- treadle, so that both hands of the operator may be free to feed the clothes to the rollers.

I accomplish the above objects by the means and in the manner hereinafter fully ciated parts. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken just below the planeof the bottom of the tub for the purpose of illustrating the location and arrangement of the various parts of the machine below the tub. Fig. 4 is a central /longitudinal section ofthe clutch that is utilized for disconnecting the `balance-wheel from its Shaft and transforming said balance-wheel into an idler. j

My invention, as shown in the drawings, is applied to a washing machine comprising a tub orvbody, A, which is supported by legs cz, a the latter being connected by diagonally arranged metal cross-braces af o: and means, B, for converting and transmitting the reciprocal movement of a horizontally disposed rack, C, to the usual rotary reciprccal agitator located within the tub. It is immaterial in what manner the4 means, B, are constructed, or of what mechanismthe same consist, in so far as the objects sought to -be accomplished by my improvements' are concerned. I prefer, however, to employ for this purpose a small horizontally disposed gear or pinion mounted to revolve with the agitator shaft, but so arranged as to permit of the free longitudinal movement of the latter therein. This mechanism is preferably supported on the lid or cover closing the top of the tub and inclosed within a suitable spherical casing, substantially as shown.

The rack, C, extends horizontally and transversely across the lid to a point beyond the side of the tub, and has its outer end removably pivoted between lugs projecting from a socket made integral with the upper end of a vertically disposed lever, D, of the second class. This lever is fulcrumed be tween the bifurcations of a bracket c, secured to and projecting from the side of the tub, substantially as shown, and has a handle inserted in the socket in its upper end, while one end of a pitman 2 is pivotally connected to its lower end. This pitman 2 extends to and under the tub of the machine, and its opposite end is pivotally connected to a comparatively large gear 3, that engages a pinion 4. The shaft on one end of which ear 3 is secured, is journaled in suitable earings near one end of a cross-bar 5, extending between two of the legs of the tub of the machine. A suitable bearing for a horizontal shaft 6, on which the pinion 4 is mounted, is secured to this cross-bar 5 adjacent the leg of the tub, substantially parallel to said-first mentioned bearing, and this shaft 6 extends beyond the side of the tub where the fly-wheel l7 is securely mounted thereon. Fly-wheel 7 is provided withl a circumferential groove 8l and is driven through the medium of a belt 9 that connects it with a small grooved pulley 10 on the outer end of the armature-shaft of an electric motor 11.

The base ofy motor 11 is bolted er otherwise removably secured to the `platform of a stand 12, which has itsend nearest the machine preferably bifurcated and hinged to the adjacent extended end of a horizontal rod 13 having bearings in suitable brackets 14 that are secured to and project from the adjacent legs of the tub. The opposite free end of stand 12 is supported by means of a leg, thus insuring a solid foundation for the motor at all times, as well as, providing convenient means whereby the same may be readily disassembled when the machine is knocked-down for shipment.

Secured to the upper edge of the tub is a suitable wringer drip board 15 preferably of cast metal, having a vertical plate or wall extending along its outer longitudinal edge. A wringer 16, of any suitable or well-known type, isclamped to this vertical wall and has the shaft 17, on which its driving roller is mounted, extended a distance beyond its bearings and provided withv a large pulley 18. This pulley is preferably connected bymeans of a loose belt 19 with 'a small pulley 20 that is fast on the inner boss of the balance-wheel 7 and is adapted to be thrown `intoI or out of operation by means of an idle tale-uppulley 21. Said pulley adjusts the slack in belt 19 by the oscillation of its journal which comprises a lateral L-Shaped extension 22 of a horizontally disposed rock-shaft 23, the latter being preferably elongated so that it eX- tends transversely across and in a plane parallel with the bottomof the tub, and is journaled in bearings 24;, 24, secured to the adjacent legs of said tub. A suitable arm 25 is firmly secured to and projects rearwardly -from the extended end of rock-shaft 23 opposite the L-shaped extension 22, and this arm .is ,connected by a suitable link 26 to the outer free end of a horizontally disposed foot-treadle 27, the latter being fulcrumed on a pivotal stud 28 secured to and projecting from one of the cross-braces a. The arrangement of the parts just described is such that when the treadle 27 is depressed the extension 21 on the opposite end of the rock-shaft 23 will be moved toward and tighten the belt 19 on pulleys 18 and 20, so that the wringer will thus be driven by means of the motor.

lt is desirable that the wringer should be lgrooves'or recesses 30 made inthe adjacent edge ofalongitudinally slidable sleeve 31 on the outer end of said shaft. This sleeve is preferably bored out wider than the diameter of shaft 6 to a point near its inner end where it is reduced in diameter and forms a -shoulder 32. The outer portion of this bore is preferably closed between the shaft and sleeve by a suitable bushing 33 fast on shaft 6 between vwhich latter and said shoulder 32 a coiled expansion spring 34 is placed so as to surround. said shaft. This keeps the sleeve vnormally pressed toward the balance-wheel and locks the parts `together so that they 'will all revolve with the shaft. The pin 35 that secures the bushing 33 to the shaft extends throu h and operates in an L-shaped bayonet-s ot 36 cut on opposite sides of the sleeve 31. Thus, when it is desired tol release the balance-wheel from its shaft for the purpose of using it as an idler, it is necessary to simply move the sleeve 31 outwardly on the shaft and away from the balance-wheel until the lugs 29 are withdrawn .from grooves 30 in said sleeve, and then rotate said sleeve slightly so -that the pin 35 will seat in the lateral portion of the slot 36. The shaft will then remain stationary and the wringer may be driven bythe motor independent of the agitator mechanism.

When it is desired to operate the washing machine mechanism by the motor 11', the high 'speed of the small armature' pulley 10 is imparted through belt 9, to the much larger fly-wheel 7, and reduced thereby, and this reduced motion is transmitted through the medium of the ily-wheel shaft 6 and pinion 4 0n the opposite end thereof, to the l large gear 3 by which said motion is further reduced. This reduction of the motion increases the effective power of the motor and by means of pitman 2, the lever l) is rocked back and forth and rack C reciprocated and the agitator within the machine is thus actuated. When it is desired to operate the machine by hand, the belt 9, connecting the motor and fly-wheel can be easily disconnected and removed, simply by elevating the stand 12, so as to slacken or remove the belt.` rlhe operator then grasps the handle and drawing it back and that operate the reversing mechanism of the washing machine may be em loyed to operate the wringer when it is esired to dispense with the motorv and turn the latter by hand. It is preferred that the wringer be disconnected from the reversing mechanisin and the balance-wheel utilized as an idler by throwing out the clutch. Thus the operator standing on the treadle side of the tub depresses the same by his foot and tightens the belt 19 on the pulleys 18 and 20, and said wringer is then driven by the motor independent of the Vreversing mechanisin. Should an accident occur the foot ti'eadle is allowed to raise thus loosening the belt 19 and instantly stopping the rotation of the wringer.

lVhile I have described and illustrated particular means for carrying out my invention, do not desire to be limited to these specific constructions, as obvious changes may be made in the saine without departing from the spirit of my invention.

That I claim as new is 1. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable support having legs, a shaft journaled below said support, a balance-wheel mounted loosely on said shaft, a clutch connecting said balance-Wheel and shaft, means fulcrumed on the side of said support through the medium of which said balance\vheel is actuated, an independent shaft having bearings on said sup ort,a pulley 0n said independent shaft, a iielt engaging said wheel and pulley, an idler intermediate said first-mentioned pulley and balance-wheel, and means fulcriiined on one of said legs for moving said idler into and out ofengagement with said belt.

2. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable support having legs, a shaft journaled below said support, a balance-wheel mounted loosely on said shaft, a clutch connecting said balance-wheel and shaft, a lever fulcrumed on the side of said support through the medium of which said balance-wheel is actuated, an independent shaft havingbearings on said support, a pulley on saidiudependent shaft, a belt engaging said wheel and pulley, an idler intermediate said first-mentioiied pulley and balaiice-wlieeha rock-shaft having bearings oii said support and having a lateral extension on which said idler is journaled, and manually operated means fulcrumed on one of said legs for rocking said latter shaft and moving said idler toward and away from said belt for connecting and disconnecting said wheel and first-mentioned pulley.

3. Actuating -mechanism vforv a 4wringer` comprising a suitable sup ort having legs, a shaft 'journaledbelow said support, a balance-wheel mounted loosely on said shaft, a clutch connecting said balancewheel and shaft, a lever fulcrumed on the side of said su port through the medium of which said ba ance-wheel is actuated, an independent shaft having bearings on said support, a pulley on said independent shaft, a belt engaging said wheel and pulley, an idler intermediate said first'mentioned pulley and bal ance-wheel, a rock-shaft having4 bearings on said support and having a lateral extension on which said idler is journaled for moving said idler toward and away from said belt for connecting and disconnecting said wheel and first-mentioned pulley, and a foottreadle fulcrumed on one of said legs for rocking said latter shaft.

4. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable support, a shaft journaled below said sup ort, a balance-wheel mounted loosely on said shaft a clutch connecting said balance-wheel and shaft, a lever fulcrumed on the side of said support through the medium of which said balance wheel is actuated, an independent shaft havin bearings on said support, a pulley on said independent shaft, a belt engaging said wheel and pulley, an idler intermediate said first-mentioned pulley and balance-wheel, and laterally movable means having bearings on saidV su port for moving said idler into and out o engagement with said belt and thereby connecting and disconnecting said wheel and first-mentioned pulley.

5. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable support having legs, a motor-driven balance-wheel journaled below said support, a pulley journaled above said support, a belt connecting said pulley and wheel, an idler adapted to engage said belt, a rock-shaft having bearings on said support and having a lateral extension on which said idler is journaled, and a foot-treadle fulcrumed adjacent one end to one of said legs and adapted to rock said' shaft and move said idler into and out of engagement with said belt and thereby connect and disconnect said wheel and first-mentioned pulley.

6. Actuating mechanism for a wringer comprising a suitable support having legs, a motor-driven balance-wheel journaled below said support, a pulley joiirnaled above said Support., a normally loose belt connecting said pulley and wheel, an idler adapted to engage said belt, a rock-shaft having bearings on said support and having an L-shaped extension on the lateral member of which shaft, the depression of which treadle moves said idler against said belt and tightens the same and thereby connects and disconnects said Wheel and first-mentioned pulley.

In Witness whereof-I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of August 1909.

WILLIAM H. Voss.

Witnesses EDWARD Voss, ARTHUR CLIFFORD.

Images