US1499065A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

June 24,

J, F. LAMB ET AL WASHING MACHINE Filed March 17. 1,9975 4 sheetasheet amvawtoz Mia F. LAK EEB 521T NASH ING MACHINE 4 sheefis -shem Filed March 17 1923 mhn $13.. v

I a'mmamtoz T [4 MM (xiv awaws J F. LAME ET AL WASHING MACHINE Filed March 192: Sheets-Sheet amvewto z \q 3& Watt JW 7 www- Z47 J, F. LAMB ET AL.

WASHING MACHINE Filed March- 1'7. 1925 4 Sheet8-Sheei w l. x 1

Patented June 24, 31924.

UNHTED STATEF lhdddlltid manna caries,

J F. LAMB AND ERNEST TWIGG, OF NEW BRITAIN, GO'NNECTIGUT, ASSIGNOJR S T LANDERS, FRARY 8s CLARK, OF NEW BRITAIN, GQNNEGTICUT, CORPOTIQNQF CONNECTICUT.

WASHING FEACHINE.

Application filed march 17, 1923. serial Ito. 625,708.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Josnrn F. LAMB and ERNEST Twice, citizens of the United States, residing at New Britain, county of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Washing Machines, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same. 7

This invention relates to washing machines,

lt is the principal object of the invention to provide an improved washing machine and more particularly a machine of the type in which a tub or container is rocked to eiiect the washing.

With this general object in'view the invention consists in the combinations, details.

of construction and arrangements of parts which will first be described in connection with the accompanying drawings and then more articularly pointed out.

In t e drawings Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation with parts in vertical section and parts broken away, of a washing machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2'is an end view of the same with parts broken away and parts in section;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view (enlargedt of part of the machine, with parts in section; Fig. 4 is a detail view showing in vertical section, and. partly in elevation, the gear housing and the parts enclosed therein;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the broken line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of one side of the machine, with parts in section and parts broken away; 1

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tub; v Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the tub moycment'; i

Fig. ,9 is a transverse sectional View through the tub and its mounting;

Fig. 10 is aview similar to part of Fig. 1 showing adifferent position of the parts;

Fig. 11 is a detail view showing a modified form of clutch mechanism; and

Fig.'12 is a; sectional view taken on thebroken line 1212 of Fi 11. m N Referring to the drawings, there is pro- VlClQCl, in the exemplification here illustrated,

a rocking tub oiicontainer for the articles,

,frame and support the various parts.

e. g. clothes, to be washed and in structures embodying the invention tothe best advantage, the tub is of a form to give a figure $1 movement to the contents when the tub is rocked. As here shown, as an example, the tub 11, has flat vertical sides 12, which have, in outline, the form illustrated more clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 10. As there apnears, these sides have a shape which may be described as an ellipse with its lower edge distorted upwardly to form a central hump 13. The two sides 12 are connected by a transverse wall 14 which follows the pe riphery of the side walls except that its ends are spaced apart at the top to define an open in 15, for the introduction, of the articles to e washed. In this opening is a cover 16 having handles 17 and supported on ledges 18 formed on a false wal-l19 set into the tub surrounding the opening 15. As appears in Fig. 7, the tub has in longitudinal section, roughly the shape oi a figure d.

There is provided a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted .to rockin the direction of its length. While thexpivotal mounting may. vary, it may conveniently include bosses on the tub which have a rocking bearing on a cross rod which connects the two opposite sides of the frame. Although capable of various constructions, as here shown as an example, the tub is secured in a skeleton basket 20 which forms, in effect, part of the tub itself. Ont-he tub midway of each side is a perforate boss 21'which has a rocking bearing on a cross rod '22. This rod extends from side to side of the machine just below the crest ofgthe hum 13 in the bottom of the tub, and is secure in side brackets 23. The latter are mounted a on side frame bars 24 connecting frame corner posts 25. With the construction described the tub is given an edectlve pivotal .mounting and the pivot rod acts as a strengthening tie between the sides of the frame.

' cross bars 24 and 124 are strengthening ribs 126 and the corner posts are connected by upper and lower cross braces 127. Other cross braces 128 serve to strengthen theframe parts described may conveniently be The formed from angle bars. At the corners are castors 26 to enable the machine to be moved about readily.

.The invention in its entirety includes means for rocking the tub having a reciprocating force operating in a vertical plane so as to work against the floor or other support on which the machine rests. This may be accomplished, for example, by a vertically reciprocating element having a connection with a gear on the tub and in structures embodying the invention to what is now considered the best advantage the connection is such as to give a compound motion. structions, in the embodiment here illustrated as an example, secured to one of the bosses 21, so as to be concentric with the tub pivot is a gear 27 which has a sleeve, 28 journaled in part of bracket 23, as appears in Fig. 9. Meshing with gear 27 is a segmental gear 29 carried in or formed as part of an arm 30 pivoted as at 31 to'a bracket 32 in the frame. The arm 30 and its segmental gear are reciprocable in a vertical plane and as the arm is oscillated it causes the tub, through gears 29 and 27, to rock about its pivot. As hereinafter described, the arm 30 is oscillated by a vertically reciprocating plunger, so that with the construction described not only is the force applied in an up and down direction but a compound motion is effected which makes possible a considerable tub movement.

There is provided a rotary drive shaft and a motion-converting connection between the drive shaft and the gear 29 whereby the rotation of the shaft causes reciprocation of the gear. In .structures embodying the invention to the best advantage, a vertically slidable plunger is connected with the arm 30 and is operated by means of a cam rotated by the drive shaft. Although capable of various constructions, in that here illustrated as an example, carried by the frame is an electric motor 33 which has a drive shaft 34 suitably connected with its armature. This shaft extendsinto a gear hous= mg 35 and has on its outer'end a worm 36. The worm meshes with a worm wheel 37 keyed to a vertical shaft 38 having its ends ]ournaled in the walls of the housing 35, the worm being provided with a step bearmg 39.

Rotatably connected with the shaft 38, for example by means of a tongue-and-groove connection with the worm wheel'37, is the hub 40 of a cam 41. The cam here shown as an example has a fiat upper surface obliquely located with respect to the shaft 38, so that, at a given point, the cam has a regular rise and fall. Riding on the upper face of the cam is a frustro-conical roller 42 1ournaled on a pin 43 secured to a crosshead 44 sliding on vertical guides 45. As

Although capable of various conracemes appears in Fig. 4, the lower face of the cam 41 is beveled to accommodate a lower frustroconical roller 142 mounted on a pin 143 carried by the cross-head 44. Secured to the cross-head to move therewith is a plunger 46 sliding in a bearing sleeve 47, carried by the housing. As the drive shaft rotates,

the rise and fall of the cam 41 causes a reciprocation of the plunger 46 which, through the connection to be described, causes oscillation of the arm 30.

With the construction described, the motion-converting parts may operate in oil within the gear housing, and by changing the cam design the tub movement may be controlled as desired. Further, the cam described may be cast in one piece and is easily assembled.

The invention in its entirety includes a clutch connection between the tub and the power source. In constructions of the type above described, this is conveniently effected by providing a clutch connection between the plunger 46 and the arm 30 so that it is between the tub and the cam. Although capable of various constructions, in that illustrated'in Figs. 1-3 and 10, hinged to a coupling 50 carried by the upper end of the plunger 46 is a link 51 extending through a slot 52 formed in the arm 30. The link 51 has a notch 53 adapted to engage a pin 54 extending across the slotted portion of the arm 30,. When the link is moved to a substantially vertical position, with its notch engaging thepin (Fig. 1), the arm 30 is connected with plunger 46 to be oscillated thereby, link 51 in this position constituting in effect, a continuation of the plunger 46. When, however, the link is displaced along the slot to remove its notch from engagement with the pin (Fig. 10), arm 30 and lunger 46 are disconnected, the link movmg idlv in the slot as the plunger reciprocates. n this position of the parts, although the plunger 46 may be reciprocating, the tub is no lon er rocked.

With t e construction described not only may the tub be stopped Without stopping the motor, but the tub is free to be moved into any desired position by hand. V

There is provided means for operating the clutch connection. Although capable of various constructions, in that here shown as an example, pivoted to the upper end of the link 51 is one end of a link 55, the other end of which is ivoted to a. lever 56. The latter is pivotaily mounted on a lug 57 carried by the frame and has an operating handle or knob 58 located abovethc frame to be readily accessible to the operator. When the handle is operated to swing lever 56, the clutch link 51 is swung into or out of clutching position. It is noted that if the link does not happen to be in position to have its 3 notch register with the clutch pin at the inmes es stant the link is moved to connect up the parts, such registry is effected almost immediately because of the continuous movement of the linln To hold the parts in either position, in the present embodiment there is provided a spring 59 which is connected between the pivot of link 55 and lever 56 and a lug 60 located vertically above the lever pivot. With this construction, when the lever is swung in either direction the spring crosses a center line and serves to hold the parts for either position of the clutch link 51. 1 In Figs. 11 and 12 there is illustrated an-' other form of clutch device In this con struction the segmental gear 29 is carried by an arm 67 which is like arm 30- except that in place of'the long slot 52, there is provided a shorter slot 68.. Through this slot extends a link 69 which may be connected to or disconnected from arm 67. To this end, as here shown, there is provided a clutch pin 70 slidable in a tubular housing 71 which extends outwardly from the slotted portion of the arm 67. By inserting the pin 70 through a hole 72 in the link, link and arm are connected together so that the arm is oscillated as thelink reciprocates, this position of the parts being shown in Figs. 11

and 12. To disconnect the link so that the arm will remain idle and so that the tub can be moved byhand, the pin 7 O is withdrawnv from the hole in the link by a knob or handle 73. Upon such withdrawal of the pin, the link will reciprocate idly in the slot of the arm. The parts are again connected by pushing the pin into the hole, registry being eflected as the link moves. The pin is held in one position or the other by means of a spring-pressed ball 7 4 engaging notches 7 5 in the pin.

While the motion converting mechanism has been described in connection with a rocking tub and as being connected with the tub through a clutch device, it is to be understood that this mechanism may be used in various other forms of washing machines and may be connected up in various ways, without departing from the invention.

There is provided means for aiding in re versing the movement of the tub when it is rocked. As here shown as an example, extending downwardly from each boss 21 and concentric therewith is a lug 80, to the end of which is pivoted a yoke 81. .Connected to each yoke is one end of a coiled spring 82, its other end being connected to an anchor in the form'of an eye bolt 83 secured tothe frame. When the tub is in a normal position, i. -e., symmetrically located with respect to its pivot, the tub pivot, the pivot between the lug and the spring, and the anchor all lie in a straight vertical line (Fig. 1). When, therefore, the tub is rocked in either direction, the swing of the lugs extends the springs .(Fig. 8), and the force of the springs, at the end of the stroke, aids 1n reversing the tub movement. The springs also tend 0 hold the tub in or return-it to normal position when the clutch is disconnected.

The various parts above described are, in the embodiment here illustrated, enclosed in a casing or housing. As here shown as an example, at each side is a fixed panel 85, bounded by the lower side bar 124, the corner posts 25 and the tops side'beams 125, the panel being secured to the frame in any suitable manner. At each end are two hinged panels opening outwardly. To this end, as here illustrated, secured to the upper crossribs 127 are hinge plates 86. To the upper edge of each plate86 is hinged'a top panel 87 bounded at the sides by the corner posts 25, and extendin upwardly to the top of the corner posts (Fig.2). These top panels 87 are yieldably held closed by springs 88. Hinged to the lower edge of each plate 86 is a lower panel '89 bounded by the plate 86, the corner posts 25, and the lower side bars 127 (Fig. 2). These lower panels are normally held closed by gravity or in any other suitable manner, but may be swung open when desired.

In connection with the drive shaft there is provided means for driving a wringer.

As here shown as an example, keyed to shaft gether with water and soap, may be put into,

the tub by removing the cover 16. Assuming that the motor is running'to drive the shaft 34 and that the clutch is connected, rotation of the cam 41 causes a reciprocation of the plunger 46 as above described. This reciprocation oscillates arm 30 (or arm 67) and reciprocates rack 29, thereby to rock the tub through gear 27.

Fig. 8 illustrates the movement of the tub. The broken lines indicate the position of the tub at one end of its movement and as will be apparent the contents will be moved into the down end. Springs 82 are extended so as to aid in reversing the motion. then rocks to the position indicated by the full lines in Fig. 8. During this movement the springs 82 cross their center line and are again extended. As the tub rocks, the contents slide down the slope of the hump 13 toward the down end of the tub and take an upward turn following the rounded end wall somewhat in the manner shown by the arrows in Fig. 8. Continued rocking of the tub causes the contents'to move in a figure 8 path.

The tub may be stopped by stopping the The tub motor or by th'eclutch connection described.

By openingthe hinged panels it is possible to gain ready access to any of the parts.

With the construction described the tub is given an effective washing movement and with the force of the rocking mechanism working against the floor, the machine even with castors on a smooth surface, remains stationary without any tendency to wal The working parts are housed by the easing panels so that the operator is protected at all parts of the machine. The rocking mechanism is such that the unhoused parts require substantially no oiling, thus making possible a clean machine.

What we claim is:

1. Ina washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted, and means for rocking the tub including mechanism reciprocating substantially at right angles to the floor or other support on which the machine rests.

2. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted, and means for rocking the tub having its reciprocating force act- 'ing in a vertical direction, whereby the force works against the floor or other support on which the machine rests.'

3. In a washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub, a vertically movable plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger, and a connection between't-he plunger and the tub for rocking the tub upon reciprocation of the plunger.

4. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with t e tub, a segmental gear meshing with said gear, and means'having its operating force working in a vertical direction for reciproeatin said segmental gear.

5. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with the tub, a segmental gear meshing with said gear, and arm carrying said segmental gear and pivoted to move in a vertical plane,

and means for oscillating said arm tore-' and a connection lncluding a clutch between ciprocate the segmental gear..

6. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with the tub, a segmental gear meshing with said gear, a pivoted'arm carrying said segmental gear and movable vertically, a rotary drive shaft, and motion-converting driving mechanism connecting said drive shaft and said arm for reciprocating the latter.

7. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with the tub, a segmental gear meshing with said gear, a pivoted arm carrying said segmental gear and movable vertically, a vertically movable plunger for oscillating said arm, and means for reciprocating said plunger.

8. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with the tub, a segmental gear meshing with said gear, a pivoted arm carrying said segmental gear and movable vertically, a vertically movable plunger oscillating said arm, a 1'0- tary drive shaft, a rotary cam, an operative connection between the cam and said shaft, a connection between said cam and said plunger for causing reciprocation of the plunger.

9. In a washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub, a rotary drive shaft, a cam, an operative connection for rotating the cam from said shaft, a-

cross-head carrying rollers riding on the upper and. lower faces of said cam, a plunger vertically reciprocated by said cross-head, and a connection between the plunger and the tub for causing the latter to rock upon reciprocation of the plunger.

10. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, whereby the tub may be rocked, a rotary drive shaft, and a rocking element connected with the tub, and a connection including a clutch between the drive shaft and said element.

11. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein", whereby the tub may be rocked, a gear connected with said tub and concentric with the pivot, a rack meshing with said gear, a vertical plunger, means for recipro eating said plunger, and a connection including a clutch between said plunger and said rack.

12. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, a gear connected with the tub, a rack meshing with said gear, a rotary drive shaft, a vertically movable plunger, a motion-converting connection between the drive shaft and the plunger for causing the latterto be reciprocated as the shaft rotates,

the plunger and the rack:

13. In a Washingmachine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, a rocking element on the tub, a rotary cam, means for rotating said cam, and a connection, including a clutch, between the cam and the rocking element for, reciprocating the latter by the rotation of the cam. 14:. In a washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub, a gear connected with the tub, an 'arcuate rack meshing with said gear, a pivoted arm carrying said rack, a vertically movable plunger, means for reciprocating the plunger, 9. link coupled to said plunger, and a clutch connection between said link and the arm.

' 15. In a washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub, a gear connected with the tub, an arcuate rack meshing with said gear, a pivoted arm carrying said rack, a-vertically movable plunger, means for reciprocating the plunger, a link pivotally coupled to said plunger and provided with a notch, and a pin on said arm for engagement by said notch, whereby the link and arm. may be connected or disconnected.

16. Ina washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub, a gear connected with the tub, an arcuate rack meshing with said gear, a pivoted arm carrying said rack, a vertically movable plunger, means for reciprocating the plunger, a link pivotally coupled to said plunger and provided with a notch, a clutch pin on said arm for engagement by said notch, and meansfor swinging said link on its pivot/to cause engagement or disengagement of the notch and in. P 17., In a washing machine, and in combi nation, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, a gear operatively connected with the tub, a toothed element meshing with said gear, a rotary drive shaft, a motor for rotating-said shaft, a worm on said drive shaft,

a gear'housing enclosing said worm, a vertically movable plunger having one end in said gear housing, motion-converting mechanism within said housing, connecting the worm and plunger for causing reciprocation of the plunger as the worm rot-ates, and a connection between the plunger and said toothed element.

18. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, a gear housing supported by the frame, a vertical shaft mounted in said hous- 1 ing, an open cam having a hub connected with said shaft to be rotated thereby, a pair of cam rollers running on-the opposite faces of said cam, a cross-head carrying said rollers, a vertically reciprocating plunger connected to said cross-head, means connected with said plunger for causing the tub to be rocked upon reciprocation of the plunger,

and means for rotating said shaft.

19. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, a gear housing supported by the frame, a vertical shaft mounted in said housing, a worm gear keyed to said shaft adjacent the lower end thereof, a worm meshing with said worm gear, a rotary drive shaft for rotating said worm, an open cam having a hub, above the worm gear and connected with said vertical shaft to be rotated thereby, a pinion keyed to the vertical shaft above the hub of the cam, a gear meshing therewith, a second vertical shaft on which said gear is mounted, and means operated by the rotation of the cam for causing the tub to be rocked as the cam rotates.

20. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted in the frame to rock endwise, means for rocking the tub, a housing for the frame comprising fixed side panels and upper and lowerend panelshingedly connected with the frame to swing outwardly, and springs connecting the upper end panels and the frame to yieldably hold said panels closed.

21. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with said tub and located between the side of the tub and the frame, and means, including a toothed element reciprocating in a substantially vertical plane and meshing with said gear, for rocking the tub.

22. In a -washing'machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame, a pivot rod connecting opposite sides of the frame and on which the tub is pivotally mounted, a gear concentric with said rod and secured to the tub between the tub and the frame, and means, including a toothed element reciprocating in a substantially vertical plane meshing with said gear, for rocking the tub. 28. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame, a pivot rod connecting opposite sides of the frame, bosses connected with the tub and journaled on said pivot rod, a gear secured to one of said bosses and journaled on said pivot rod, and means, including a toothed element reciprocating in a substantially vertical plane meshing with said gear, for rocking the tub.

24. In a washing machine, and in combination, a vertical shaft, a gear keyed thereto, a 'cam freely mounted on said shaft and rotatably connected with said gear, a vertically reciprocable plunger, a cam roller connected therewith to ride on said cam, whereby rotation of the cam causes reciprocation of the plunger, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, a connection between the plunger and the tub for causing the tub to rock as the plunger reciprocates,and means for rotating said gear.

25. In a washing machine, and in combination, a vertical shaft, a gear keyedthereto, means for rotating said gear, an open cam having an elongated hub freely mounted on said shaft and having a tongue and groove connection with said gear, a vertically slidable plunger, cam rollers connected with said plunger toride on the opposite faces of said cam, whereby the plun er'is reciprocated as the cam rotates, a fi'ame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, and a connection between the tub and the plunger for causing the tub to rock as the plunger reciprocates.

26. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a gear housing supported by the frame, a vertical shaft mounted in said housing, a worm gear keyed to said shaft adjacent the lower end thereof, a worm meshing with said worm gear, a rotary drive shaft for rotating said worm, an open cam, having a hub, above the worm gear and connected with said vertical shaft to be rotated thereby, a pinion keyed to the vertical shaft above the hub of the cam, a gear meshing therewith, a second vertical shaft on which said gear is mounted, a plunger vertically reciprocated by the cam, and means connected with said plunger for operating a washing element. i

27. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a gear housing supported thereby, a vertical shaft mounted in said housing, a worm gear keyed to said shaft, a worm meshing with said worm gear, a rotary drive shaft for rotating said worm, an open cam, having a hub, above the worm gear and connected with said vertical shaft to be rotated thereby, a vertically reciprocable plunger, upper and lower cam rollers connected with said plunger and riding on said cam, and a reciprocable element for operating a washing element connected with said plunger.

28. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a washing element associated therewith, a rotary drive shaft, a motor for rotating said shaft, a worm on said drive shaft, a housing enclosing said worm, a vertically reciprocable plunger having one end in said housing, motion-converting mechanism within the housing, connecting the worm and plunger to cause reciprocation of the plunger as the worm rotates, and a connection including a pivoted reciprocable arm between said plunger and the washing element.

29. In a washing machine, and in combination, a vertical shaft, a gear keyed thereto, a cam freely mounted on said shaft and rotatably connected with said gear, a vertically reciprocable plunger, a cafn roller connected therewith to ride on said cam, where by rotation of the cam causes reciprocation of the plunger, a frame, a washing element associated therewith and a connection between the plunger and the washing element for causing operation of the .latter as the plunger reciprocates, and means for rotating said gear.

30. In a washing machine, and in combination, a vertical shaft, a gear rotatably associated therewith, means for rotating said gear, an open cam having an elongated hub freely mounted on said shaft and having a connection with said gear to cause rotation therewith, a vertically slidable plunger, cam rollers connected with said plunger to ride on opposite faces of the cam, whereby the plunger is reciprocated as the cam rotates, a washing element, and a connection between the washing element and the plunger for,

causing operation of the washing element as the plunger reciprocates.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands.

JOSEPH F. LAMB. ERNEST TWIGG.

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