US1252079A - Water-controlling mechanism for laundry-tubs. - Google Patents

Description

T; BIRKENMAIER, WATER CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY TUBS.

- APPLICATION H LED MAY 15, 1916- 1 ,25Q Q7Q, Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

3 .SHEETS-SHEET 1.

77/500 ORE [Sm/r5 T. BIRKENMAIE R. WATER CONTROLLING MECHANISM -FOR LAUN'DRY was.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1916'.

' Patented Jan.1,1918;

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

mrfaoaiae B/R/rE/WM (ER T. 'BIRKENMAIER.

WATER CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY TUBS.

APPLICAHON FILED MAY 15, 19-16.

Patented J an. L 1918'.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- Y'II-IEODCRE BIRKENMAIER, or ST. Louis, MISSOURI. V

WATER-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR LA NDRY-runs.

provement in Tater-Controlling Mechanism for Laundry-Tubs, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to fluid controlling mechanisms, and more particularly, to mechanism for controlling the water to be delivered to laundry tubs.

This class of mechanisms operates under unusual conditions, for the reason that the presence of water, soap and lint will seriously afiectand hinder the operation of any mechanism which is placed contiguous to a laundry tub, whichis subjected to thesesubstances. Moreoven'the class of operators employed is usually unskilled, and, therefore, unfamiliar with mechanism and the care required to maintain the same in order.

In some prior constructions, it hasbeen the practice to operate and control the valves b v means of springs or electro-magnets There a springis employed, the same is necessarily exposed to the water and soap,

and, in a short time, will rust and get out of i order, so as to fail to operate the mechanism when deslred. An ele'ctro-magnet, on the other hand, is liable to become short cir- ,cuited, or its connections, even though water? proofed, may become short circuited, so as to render the same useless to operate the mechanism. vMoreover, an electro-magnet is a rather expensive construction and in addition requires close ad ustment to .keep it in order.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide a fluid controlling Inechanism of the class described, in which the operation of the valves will be positive and certain, which is not liable to' get out of Further objects will appear from the de tail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an end elevation of a laundry Specification of Letters Patent. I

tub showing a controlling mechanism embodying this invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 22, Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a sectionon the line 83, Fig; 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4- 4. Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on the line 55, Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 6 is an enlarged" section on the line Fig. 7 is an enlarged section on the line (7, Flg. 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

1 designates a laundry tub having the usual inlet pipe 2, which has a connection at 3 with a pair of'valve casings 4,, in turn connected with a pair of pipes delivering, respectively, hot and cold water to the valve cas- One of the valve casings isshown in detail in Fig. 5 and as shown it is provided with a removable valve seat 6 cooperating with an outwardly opening valve 7 having a stem 8 guided in a bearing 9 on the valve seat. The

valve seat extendsdownwardly to form ashort cylinder 10, one or" whose headsl'l 1s provided with-a number of small perforations 12; and whose other head 13 1s removable. Both heads are machined to provide bearings for the valve stem. This valve stem hasiiXed thereto a piston 14 provided with a number of small perforations 15.

The valve stem has a roll 16 engaging a cam 17 on a shaft IS, which is eccentrically mounted with respect to the center line of the valve stem. A pin 19 on the valve cooperates with the bearing 9 to prevent the valve from turning. The casing'is provided with a removable cap 20 to permit assembling and inspection of the valve casing'and parts.

Both valve casings are, identical in construction, and a description of one is, therefore, sufiicient. Itwillbe seen that, if the shaft 18 is moved in'a counterclockwise di rection, Fig. 5,'the valvewill be raised from its seat againstthe'pressure of the water abovethe valve. If the shaftis now released, the "pressure of the waterwfll act to; close the valve. Withhigh pressure thisis, howeveeliatie to cause awater hammer; to

7 Patented Jan. 1,-. 1918.. Applicationfiled ma 15,1916. Seria1No.97,73

anisms heretofore described.

avoid this the piston 14 is provided, which, cotiperating with the cylinder, actsas a retarding dash-pot to permit the valve to close gradually, thereby avoiding the water hammer. I

Each shaft 18 has fixed thereto a handle 25, which in turn has pivoted thereto at 26 a toothed segment 27. The other end of the segment is connected by a link 28 with an arm 29 pivoted at 30 on the handle, and having a finger piece 31 integral therewith. A spring 32, between the handle 25 and the grip 31, normally operates th move the segment 27 outwardly, a lug 24: on the arm 29 engaging the handle 25li1niting the outward movement of the segment. Each valve operating shaft 18 is provided with a similar segment, and these segments are engaged-by latches pivoted at 3% and moved into engagement with the segments by means of a spring 35. The tails 36 of the latches are engaged by the conical end of a plunger 37 working in a bearing 38 on the casing 3, and resting on the weighted end 39 of a lever l0 pivoted at 4:1 on a lug extending from the casing 33.

lVith this construction the right hand shaft 18, Fig. 2, may be moved in a counterclockwise direction to lift its valve, the teeth on the segment 27 in such a case simply snapping over the beveled face of the right hand latch 33, and the segment and the shaft 18 will be retained in their position of adjustment. Similarly, the left hand valve can be opened by moving its shaft 18 in a clockwise direction. In order to release a valve manually, the finger piece 31 is operated, which operates to withdraw its segment 27 out of engagement with its latch, so as to permit manual return of the valve. Movement of the lever 40 in a counterclockwise direction, as by depression of the left hand end of the lever, will cause the pin 37 to rise, thereby spreading apart the tails of the latches and bringing together the beveled ends so as to withdraw these beveled ends from the segments and release the same, thereby causing the water pressure to close the valves.

Mounted on a stand 45 is a casing 46 connected, at its lower end, by a pipe a7, with the interior of the tub or receptacle 1. Mounted on this casing is a cap l8, which has .attachcdthereto, or is integral with, the casing 3 supporting the valves and the mech- Movable in the casing is a carrier e9, which has mounted therein a vertical rod 50 connecting the bottom andtop of the carrier. This rod has slidably mounted thereon a sleeve 51 provided, at its lower end, with an annular shoulder 52, and at its upper end with a head 53. Slidable on the sleeve 51 is a weight or gravity member 530 forming an actuator, as hereinafter described. This weight has an annular shoulder 5a adapted to be engaged by a latch 55 pivoted at 56 on a lug 57 on the carrier 4&9. The latch has a tail 58 within the path of movement of a rod 59 guided in lugs 60 on the carrier, and connected, at its lower end, with a float 61 movable on the rod 50 and arrested by the cross piece 62 of the carrier.

Mounted on the head et8 is a bracket 65 carrying a casing 66, which is provided with a bearing 67 to receive a shaft 68. This shaft has fixed thereto a sheave 69 having attached thereto, at its periphery, a cord 70 passing through an aperture in the casingand over a pulley 71 mounted on a bracket 72 on the casing, over a second pulley 73 on the head 4L8, and hence connected to the upper cross piece of the frame49. A spring 7 5 mounted on the shaft 68 between the casing and a knurled nut 75 on the shaft, ,opcrates to frictionally retain the shaft 68 and its'sheave 69 in any desired adjusted position.

Loosely mounted on the hub of the sheave 69 is a second sheave 76, which has also attached to its periphery a cord 77 passing over a pulley 78 on the lever 40, over a second pulley 7 9 on the head 48,.and hence connected, at its lower end, to the head 53 of the sleeve 51. The sheave 69 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 80, and the sheave 76 is provided with a lug 81. A spring 82 coiled between the sheaves, and engaging a pin 83 on the sheave 69 and a pin 84: on the sheave 76, normally operates to hold the lug S1 in engagement with the left hand lug 80, Fig. l. The sheave 76 has fixed thereto a head 85, and this head is cut away, as shown at 86, to permit a limited movement of a pointer 87 fixed to the shaft 68 and moving over a scale on a dial plate 88 attached to the casing by a ring 89. The space 86 is so proportioned as to leave ample clearance between the pointer 87 and the head 85, so that the relative movement of the sheaves 69' and 76 will only be limited by the lugs and 81.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in the drawings, with the weight re tained by the latch 55, with the valves set,

and the segments latched in position bythe latches 33, the operation will now be as follows:

The water in the tub rising will, after its level reaches a certain point, determined by l,

the position of the float 61, raise this float, thereby causing the rod 59 to engage the tail of the latch 55 and release the weight or actuator 530. The weight willdrop, and

after falling a distance will be arrested by the shoulder 52. During this falling move ment of the weight, it w ll acquire consider able inertia, and the sudden arresting of the weight will cause the inertia of the mass to pull on the cord 77, 'lhis cord 1s, however,

fixed tothe sheave 76, which is in turn re tained by the engagement of'the lug 81 with the lug'80, it being understood that the ten sion of the spring 74 is sufficient to prevent movement of the shaft 68 under the pull exerted on the cord 77 by the weight. The result is, therefore, that the only thing which can give is the lever 40, and the left end thereof will, therefore, be pulled down, thereby causing the right end to raise and release the segments 27, as heretofore de scribed, thereby causing the water pressure to close the valves. On account of the impact caused by the weight, and the accumu lated inertia, the weight willactw'ith considerable force, and with great rapidity, to release the valves quickly and with certainty.

In order to again set the apparatus, the operator will first turn the head 85. in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the sheave 76, through the cord 7 7, to raise'the' sleeve 51 carrying with it the weight 530 until the shoulder 54 snaps over the latch The operator can readily determine when this takes place, for the reason that the pointer 87 will remain stationary until the lug 81 engagesthe right lug 80, Fig. 4, at which time the weight will have been raised. It is, of course, understood that the spring 82, being weaker in its action than 74, will, even when tensioned, not causethe shaft 68 to be moved. When the head 85' is now released, it will return backto normal position, and the sleeve 51 will, of course, drop.

The operator will. then again set the valves as before, and the apparatus will then be in position for its next operation.

In the above adjustment, it has been assumed that the sheave 69 has not been moved, so that the apparatus is set for the same water level as before. In order to set the apparatus for a different water level, the

operator will, when raising the weight,oon-

tinue the movement of the handle until the, pointer is moved to the proper position.

This will raise the carrier 49 so as to raise the float and with it the latch 55 and all the other parts attached to the carrier, whereby the float will now be moved only at the high water level to release thecontrolling latch 55 for the actuator 530. If, on the other hand, the apparatus is to be set for a lower water level, then the operator can,'either be-' tion accomplishes its objects. An apparatus.

is produced which is not alone simple in constructlon and operation, but. entlrel'y pos1 tive in its'action. The use of springs, elee tro-magnets, and other devlces lIlSlClQ'Of the whereby the weight can be made very small".-

The arrangement of the valve segments 27 is such that the Valves may be readily set for any desired valve opening, and any desired quantity and temperature of water may, therefore, be obtained.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from'the spirit of this invention, and it is, therefore, .tobe understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific construction shown and dzscribed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: o v

1. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver the fluid to a receptacle, a valve'in said connection, means for actuating said valve, means for setting said valve, a grav-' ity member connected with said settmg means for actuating the same, means for set- V ting and retaining said gravity member in suspension with said valve set, and mechani cal means governed by the rise of fluid in the receptacle for mechanically releasing said member, adapted to release said valve when the fluid in said receptacle reaches a predetermined maximum level.

2. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, .a fluid connection adapted to deliver-the fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for actuating saidvalve, means for setting said'valve, an operating connection for said setting means, a gravity member on said operating connection for actuating the same, means for holding said member in suspension, and mechanical means governed by the rise of fluid in'the receptacle for mechanically releasing said member, constructed to cause sald member tobe arrested by sald operating connection and act through inertia to release said valve when the'fiuid in said receptacle reaches a predetermined maximum level.

3. In fiuid'controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver the fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an'operating connection for said setting means, a gravity member movable on said op'erating'connection adapted to actuate the same, means-for setting andretaining said member in suspension, and mechanical means governed by the r1se of flu d ln'sa d recep-' taele for releasing said member, constructed when the fluid in said receptacle reaches a predetermined maximum level.

4. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver the fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means adapted ,to actuate the same to release the valve, means for retaining said actuator in suspension, mechanical means governed by the rise of fluid in the receptacle for mechanically releasing said actuator to release said valve, and means for adjusting said retaining means for a predetermined maximum level in the receptacle.

5. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver the fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means adapted to actuate the same to release the valve, means for retaining said actuator in suspension, mechanical means governed by the rise of fluid in thereceptacle for mechanically releasing said actuator to release said valve, and means for adjusting said retaining means for a predetermined maximum level in the receptacle.

6. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver the fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means, means for retaining said actuator in position with the valve set, mechanical means governed by the rise of fluid in the receptacle for mechanically releasing said actuator to release said valve when the fluid in said receptacle reaches a predetermined maximum level, and means for setting said actuator preparatory to its actuation for releasing the valve.

7. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver the fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means, means for retaining said actuator in position with the valve set, mechanical means governed by the rise of fluid in the receptacle for me chanically releasing said actuator to release said valve when the fluid in said receptacle reaches a predetermined maximum level, and means for setting said actuator and its releasing means preparatory to actuation for releasing the valve.

8. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted'to deliver the fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means, means for retaining said actuator in position with the valve set, mechanical means governed by the rise of fluid inthe receptacle for mechanideliver the fluid to a receptacle, a valve in;

said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said settmg'means, means for retaining said actuator in position with the valve set, mechanical means governed by the rise of fluid in the receptacle for mechanically releasing said actuator to release said valve when the fluid in said receptacle reaches a predetermined maximum level, and means for setting said actuator and thereafter its releasing means preparatory to actuation for releasing the valve.

10. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means, means for retaining said actuator in position with the valve set, means governed by the rise of fluid in the receptacle for releasing said actuator to release said valve when the fluid in said receptacle reaches a predetermined maximum level, a carrier for said actuator and its retaining means, and means for adjusting said carrier for a determined maximum fluid level in said receptacle.

11. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, afluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means, means for retaining said actuator in position with the valves set, means governed by the fluid in the receptacle for releasing said actuator to release said valve, a carrier for said retaining means and for its releasing means, and means for adjusting said carrier.

l2. In fluid controlling mechanismof the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means, means for retaining said actuator 1n POSl'.

tion with the valve set, means governed by the fluid in the receptacle for releasing said actuator to release said valve, a .carrier for said actuator, for said retaining means and for its releasing means, and means for setting said actuator.

13. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an actuator for said setting means, means for retaining said actuator in position withthe actuator for said settingmeans, means for retainingsaid actuator in position with the valve set, means governed by the fluid in the receptacle for releasing said actuator to release said valve, a carrier for said actuator,

for said retaining means and for its releasing means, and means for adjusting said carrier and for setting said actuator.

15. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, an

actuator for said setting means, meansfor retaining sa1d actuator in position With the valve set, means governed by the fluid in the receptacle for releasing said actuator to release said valve, a carrier for said actuator, for said retaining means and for its releasing means, and means for setting said actuator, and for thereafter adjusting said carrier.

16. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve,

a carrier, an actuator for said setting means mounted on said carrier, a retainer mounted on said carrier for holding said actuator in position with the valve set, and a float adapted to engage said retainer to release said actuator.

17. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, a carrier, an actuator for said setting means mounted on said carrier, a retainer mounted on said carrier for holding said actuator in position with the valve set, a float adapted to engage said retainer to release said actuator, and means for adjusting said carrier.

18. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, a carrier, an actuator for said setting means mounted on said carrier, a retainer mounted on said carrier for holding said actuator in position with the valve set, and a float movably mounted on said carrier and adapted to release said actuator.

19. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve,

a carrier, an actuator for said settingmeans mounted on said carrier, a retainer mounted *on said carrier for holding said actuator in position with the valve set, afloat movably mounted on said carrier'and adapted to release said actuator, and means for adjusting said carrier.

' 20. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a'recepta'cle, a valve'in said connection, means for setting said valve, a carrier, an actuator for. said settlng means mounted on said carrier, a retainer mounted on said carrier for holding said-actuatorin'position with the valve set, a'float'adapted to engage said retainer to release said actuator, and means for setting said actuator and for thereafter adjusting SfllCl carrier. 21. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, a carrier, a gravity actuator mounted on said carrier and connected with said setting means, a retainer mounted on said carrier for holding said actuator in position with the valve set, and a float adapted to engage said retainer to release said actuator.

22. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, a

carrier, an actuating'connection for said setting means, a, gravity actuator movable on said actuating connection, a retainer for said actuator mounted on said carrier adapted to hold the actuator in suspension, and a float adapted to engage said retainer to release said actuator, whereby said actuator Will operate by its inertia to release said valve.

23. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve,

a carrier, an actuating connection for said setting means, a gravity actuator movable on said actuating connection, a retainer for said actuator mounted on said carrier adapted to hold the actuator in suspension, means for setting said actuator, and a float adapted to engage said retainer to release said actuator, whereby said actuator will operate by its inertia to release said valve.

24. In fluid controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, a carrier, an actuating connection for said setting means, a gravity actuator movable on said actuating connection, a retainer for said actuator mounted on said carrier adapted to hold the actuator in suspension, means for adjusting said carrier, and a float adapted to engage said retainer to release said actuator, whereby said actuator will operate by its inertia to release said valve.

25. In fluid controlling mechanism 01' the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid to a receptacle, a valve in said connection, means for setting said valve, a carrier, an actuating connection for said setting means, a gravity actuator movable on said actuating connection, a retainer for said actuator mounted on said carrier adapted to hold the actuator in suspension, means forsetting said actuator and for thereafter adjusting said carrier, and a float adapted to engage said retainer to release said actuator, whereby saidactuatorwill operate by its inertia to releasesaid valve.

26. In fluid. controlling mechanism of the class described, a fluid connection adapted to deliver fluid toa receptacle, a valve casing in said connection, a valve in said casing, a segment operatively connected with said valve, a latch engaging said segment adapted to adjustably set said valve, means for moving said segment into and out of engagement with said latch, and means governed by .the fluid in the receptacle adapted to release said latch.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature this 26th day of April, 1916.

THEODORE BIRKENMAIER.

Copies of this patent inay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of- Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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