US1543105A - Operating gearing for washing machines - Google Patents

Description

June 23, 1925. 1,543,105

w. K. HowE OPERATING GEARINGr- FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed Nov. 12. 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 23, 1925. 1,543,105

W. K. HOWE OPERA'IING GEARING FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed NOVV. l2, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEY. l

June 23, 1925. 1,543,105

w. K. HowE OPERATING GEARING FOR WASHING MACHINES Patented June 23, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

WINTHROP K. HOWE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE G. R. S. PRODUCTS, INC., O'F COLONIE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

OPERATING GEARING FOR WASHING MACHINES..

Application led November 12, 1919. Serial No. 337,525.

To all whom t may cof/wem.'

Be it known that I, WINTHROP K. Hown, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement for Operating Gearing'for VVa'shing Machines, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in electrically driven Washing machines of the drum or cylinder type which are designed for domestic use, and more particularly to the operating mechanism for the drum and the wringer.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provideI a unitary or self-contained operating mechanism for the drum and wringer of such machines, in which all of the bearings and supportsmay be provided in one casting, in order that the parts can be easily assembled in proper alignment .without adjustment or fitting, and so that they will be maintained in such alignment during the life ofthe machine without requiring tightening of bolts or other manipulation.

Another object is to provide an operating mechanism in which all of the moving parts (except the wringer rolls) are permanently housed and protected, without employing detachable shields or covers which might be left o, so that no gears or other moving parts are exposed to injure children or other persons accidentally coming in contact. therewith.

Another object is to provide an operating mechanism which will be automatically and effectively lubricated so that the various moving parts will be kept in good operating condition Without attention for long periods, usually for the life of the machine, and so that the friction will be minimized and the power consumption reduced.

Another object is to provide an operating mechanism in which the electrical parts are concealed and protected from water, and are further fully insulated so as to obviate the possibility of a person accidentally obtaining a shock. p

Other objects are to improve and sim lify the construction and arrangement o the various parts of a washing machine having a'swinging and reversible wringer and other features desirable in Washing machines for household use, in order to obtain a machine which is quiet running, compact and small enough to pass through ordinary doors without diiculty, and attractive in appearance.

More specifically, my invention embodies an improved drive for alternately rotating the drum in opposite directions, wherein the thrusts are distributed to the best advantage to avoid jerk and shock, and wherein smooth and quiet operation for long periods is obtained with slmple and inex' pensive bearings. The unitary casing or housing in which the various operating parts, including the swinging support for the wringer and the reversing gearing therefor, are supported and enclosed, is fastened at three points to the frame of the machine and vis constructed with compartments and channels for containing lubricant and distributing `it effectively. A simple and eiicient packin arrangement is provided for preventing t is lubricant from getting intothe tub. The swinging Wringer support is made rigid and supported by Widely spaced bearings so that it will not sag, is constructed so that it cannot accidentally swing under power and strike a person standing by the machine, and is arranged so that the wringer, its support, and the reversible gearing therefor, may be bodily detached from the machine whenever desired for the purpes of shipment, storage or the like. The operating connection between the motor and the operating gearing includes a friction clutch which prevents stallin and burning out of the motor, in case t e mechanism should be caught and stopped, together with a universal and insulated connection which facilitates assembly of the parts and also insulates the motor from the gearing and frame of the machine so as to obviate shocks by accidental grounding of the motor.

Other detail features and advantages ofy my improvements will appear as the description of the invention progresses, and the novel features of the inventionwill be articularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In dcribing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, and in which:

Fi re 1 shows in elevation one side of a washin machine and its operating mechanism emodying my invention, certain parts being broken away or shown partially in section for clearness;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view showing a cross section of one of the arms of the gear sector;

Fig. 1B is a horizontal section through the bearing for the swinging support and locking arrangement for the wringer, taken substantially on the line lB-lB in Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 2 shows in elevation another side of my improved washing machine, certain partsjbeing broken away or illustrated in section to show the details of construction;

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the cross section of the arm for supporting the Wringer;

Fig. 4 isa horizontal section through the lower worm gear casing, taken substantially on the line 4 4 in Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

' Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the gear housing, taken substantially on the line 5 5 in Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; l

Fig. 6 shows an end view of the adjustable support for the drum or load shaft;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of this support, taken substantially on the line 7 7 in Fig. 6, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the reversing gearing for the wringer, taken substantially on the lines 8--8 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 shows an end view in elevation of the clothes drum, and Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the friction clutch.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the usual supporting frame F for the washing machine,4

iron, is made up of four legs provided wlth the usual casters and connected at the top by four cross bars. 'Uther cross bars are riveted to the legs at intervals to stiffen the frame F. @ne of the legs is bent out'or ofi'- set slightly (see Fig. 2) to provide clearance for the worm casing B hereinafter described and to add to the stability of the machine. The tub or tank T, made of copper or galvanized iron, is supported by the top cross bars, the upper edges of the tub T being preferably bent over and under the out-turned flanges of Said cross bars.

The tub T is provided with removable cover 1 and a quick opening faucet 2. The clothes drum or cylinder D is preferably made of Wood, with its ends formed of three or more pieces fastened together by corrugated fasteners, as shown in Fig. 9. This drum D is provided with the usual perforated slats 3 which are fastened to the heads by rustproof nails, internal baffles or lifters 4 for tumbling clothes about as the drum is rotated, and a removable panel or door 5 held in place by buttons 6 in the usual way. The ends of the drum D are formed with notches or recesses 7 therein near the door 5 to constitute handgrips for facilitating the removal of the drum.

The bearing supports for the drum D and its driving connections. are so constructed that the drum may be readily removed for cleaning purposes. To one end of the drum D is bolted a plate 8 having Aan integral bearing stud 9 Ywhich rests in a U-shaped bracket or stirrup 10 l(see Fig. 2). The sides of this bracket 10 are flared to guide the stud 9 as the drum D is put in place. One of the cross bars 11 between the legs of 'the frame F is placed opposite the lower end of this bracket 10 to reinforce the side of the tub T at this point. A similar plate 12 is fastened to the other end of the drum D, but the bearing stud 13 of this plate is formed with a tapered and squared socket 14, shown as triangular in cross section (see Figs. 2 and 9) for receiving the correspondingly shaped end portion of a load or driving shaft 15 by which the drum Dv is rotated.

rThe operating lmechanism for the drum D, including the reduction gearing, is all supported and enclosed by a unitary casing or housing C, preferably made up of a single casting with detachable covers fastened thereto. This unitary casing C also constitutes the support for the swinging wringer W, and comprises a boxlike compartment 16 extending across one side of the machine for housing the alternating .rotary gearing for driving the drum D,

and upper and lower tubular extensions 17 and 18 respectively integral with said compartment 16. The unitary casing C is provided with three integral lugs 19 which are fastened by bolts to two legs of the machine, thereby providing a Vthree point support. The detail features of the shape and construction of various portions of this unitary casing or housing C will be described as the construction of the several elementsof the operating mechanism are explained.

The machine is designed to be driven by an electric motor M of any suitable type. This motor is electrically connected by a suitable cord 20 to a snap switch 21 which in turn is provided with a lamp cord and plug 22 suitable for connecting to an ordilll@ nary lighting circuit. The snap switch 21 is conveniently arranged, preferably upside down soas not to be affected by moisture,

in a water-tight compartment 23 formed in the lower left hand corner of the gear compartment 16 (see Fig. 1), by the walls of said gear compartment. The base of the motor M is bolted to a wooden table 24 which is fastened to two angle irons 25 eX- tending crosswise of the machine below the nected by simply pulling apart. This uni-- versal coupling comprises two members 28 and 31, each having a pair of radial arms 29 fastened to a disc 30 of flexible insulat- 'ing material, preferably leather. One member 28 is connected to the armature shaft, as just described and the other member 31 of this coupling is provided with an enlarged hub forming part of the friction clutch FCv which connects said coupling member 31 with a short intermediate shaft 32. This short shaft 32 is connected by a similar universal coupling 281-311 to the worm shaft 27.

The friction clutch FC comprises a cllar 33 pinned to the short shaft 32 with friction discs 34 of ber or similar friction material on opposite sides thereof, one bearing against the enlargedhub of the coupling member 31 and the other against a washer 35 loose on said shaft 32. A compression spring 36 bears at one end a ainst said washer 35 and at the other en against a collar 37 which. is connected to the hub of the coupling member 31 by an enclosing casing 38, said collar 37 being screwthreaded into the end of said casing 38 and being provided-with holes for receiving a Spanner wrench to permit adjustment of the tension of said spring 3 6. This coupling connection prevents stalling and. burning out of the motor and is all enclosed in a cylindrical casing 39 made up of two halves cla-mped together by screws (see Fig. 4). One end of this casing 39 is clamped to the hub of the inner bearing of the worm shaft 27, and the other end is provided with inturned ianges fitting into a circumferential groove in a collar 40 of insulating material supported by the hub of the bea-ring for the armature shaft 26. This casing 39 encloses all of the moving parts of the connection between the armature shaft 26 and the worm shaft 27, and at the same time the motor M is wholly insulated from the frame F of the washing machine, so as to .obviate any chance of a person receiving a shock in case the motor windings should be grounded.

The worm shaft 27 extends through a packing or stuffing box 41 of usual construction (see Fig. 4), intol the worm housing integral with the lower end ofthe tubular extension 18, and the outer end of said worm shaft 27 is journaled in a removable bear. ing plug .42. A worm 43 is keyed to the worm sha-ft 27 g and inner and outer spacing sleeves 44-45 are pinned to the worm shaft 27 on opposite sides of said worm 43, the outer spacing sleeve 45 being iianged (see Fig. 4). The thrust of the worm 43 is taken by the ball bearing 46 between the outer spacing sleeve 45 and the bearing plug 42, as shown in Fig. 4. In constructing my I machine in practice, the Worm 43 after being cut, is hardened and then ground on its shaft 27, thev parts then being assembled in an obvious manner through the hole closed by the bearing plug 42.

The worm 43 drives a worm .gear 47 pinned to the lower end of themain vertical driving shaft 48 of the machine (see Fig.

1). This driving shaft is supported in upper and lower bearings 49-50 preferably made of Babbitt or similar antifriction material, poured about a-niandrel. The hub of the worm gear 47 bears at times upon a boss formed on the inner face of the removable bottom cap or cover 51 for the worm casing B, this cap 51 being provided to facilitate the assembly of parts. An intermediate worm 52 is pinned to the driving shaft 48 and drives a worm gear 53 which is journaled upon a bearingppin 54 pressed into the back wall of the gear compartment 16, said gear 53 being held in place by a washer 55 and screw 56 (see Fig. 5). The

direction of rotation of the main driving erably reinforced by ribs (not shown) for stiffness and rigidity. This reversing mechanism comprises a pinion 57 connected to the load or drum operating shaft 15; a gear sector 58; and a connecting rod or pitman 59 between the gear sector 58 and the worm gear 53. The end of the connecting rod 59 which is connected to the'worm gear 53 is formed with a boss 60 of suiiicient thickness to bring the rod out to clear the hub ofthe worm gear 53 (see Fig. 5), and a pin 61 fixed in said boss 60 passes through an eccentric hole in the worm gear 53 and is held in^ place by a washer 69 and Cotter pin 62. The other end of the connecting rod 59 is provided with a bifurcated jaw 63 which straddles the upper arm of the gear sector 58 and is pivotally connected thereto by a pin 64 held in place by a Cotter pin 65 (see Fig. 5). The gear sector 58 is journaled upon a pin 66 fixed to the back wall of the gear compartment 16 and is held in place by a washer 67 and Cotter pin 68, (see Fig. 5).

The pinion 57 driven by the gear sector 58 is splined loosely to the load shaft 15 so as to be relatively slidable thereon. The

load shaft 15 is journaled in a hollow hub 70 integral with the back of the gear compartment and projecting through av hole in the end wall of the tub T, (see Figs. 2 and 7), the outer end of the load shaft 15 being journaled in a boss 71 on the inside of the detachable cover plate 72 for the gear compartment 16. A stufng boX is provided between the load shaft 15 and the hollow hub 70 for preventing oil from the gear Compartment 16 getting into the tub T; and this stuffing boX comprises a plurality of packing rings 73 within the hollow hub 70 which are pressed together by a gland 74 secured to the inner face of said hub 70 by screws 75 (see Figs. 6 and 7).

To start and stop the drum D, means are provided for shifting the load shaft 15 back and forth to engage and disengage its squaredend from the squared recess in the stud 13 of the plate 12 fastened to the end of the drum D. A handle 76 on the outside of the gear compartment 16 is pinned to the upper end of a spindle 77 which projects down through the top wall of said compartment 16. (See Figs. 1 and 2). A circular collar 78 is pinned to the lower end of this spindle 77, and eccentrically pivoted to this collar 78 is a rectangular block 79 which loosely fits in an annular groove .8O in the load shaft 15, so that as the handle 76 is swung, the load shaft 15 is moved back and forth. The pinion 57 is held in place during this movement by the collar 78 on the spindle 77. The handle 76 is yieldingly held in its different operated positions by a retaining device, similar to that shown in Fig. 8, in connection with the handle 81 for shifting the clutch collar of the reversing gearing for the wringer, and comprising a spring pressed ball 82 snapping into the recesses 83 in the hub of said handle (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1).

The bearing stud 13 of the drum D is supported at times'by an adjustable bracket 84 which forms a watertight joint with the hollow hub 70 of the gear compartment 16 and the end wall of the tub T. (See Figs. 2, 6 and 7). This bracket 84 has an integral curved flange 85 for supporting the stud 13 of the drum D, and is clamped to the back- 5 wall of the gear compartment 16 by four tap bolts 86 passing through elongated holes i 87 in said bracket 84 (see Fig. 6), anfanvnular gasket 88 of paper or'similar material being interposed between this bracket 84 and the end wall of the tub T. An adjusting screw 89 with a lock nut 90 is threaded into an inwardly projecting flange or lug 91 integral with the bracket 84 andV resting upon the hub 70 of the gear case 16, so that, after loosening the four tap bolts 86, the bracket 84 may be adjusted up and down accurately by loosening the lock nut and turning the screw 89. The adjustment preferably attained is one where the load shaft 15, when projected, will lift the stud 13 fastened to the drum D slightly off the flange 85, so this end of the drum D is supported solely by the load shaft 15 whilerotating, thereby obviating objectionable friction or binding in case the axes of rotation for the drum D determined by the load shaft 15 and the flange 85 of the bracket 84 are not accurately aligned. rl`he operation of the drum operating mechanism will be readily apparent. While the motor M is running the intermediate worm gear 53 is constantly rotating, and the gear sector 58 is rocked up and down by the connectin r rod 59. The pinion 57 is thus alternate y revolved in opposite directions through one Complete revolution, more or less, depending upon the extent of movement of the gear sector 58 and the relative number of teeth on it and the pinion 57. lt should be noted that this type of mechanical movement accelerates and decelerates the drum D during its reversal, thereby obviating objectionable shock. Also, the longitudinal thrust of the connecting rod 59 is transmitted to the worm gear 53 and the gear sector 58 substantially on a line with the center .of their bearings, so as to avoid sidewise twist and the resultant wear and noise. stop-pcd at any time while the motor M is operating by turning the handle 7 6 So as t0 shift the load shaft 15 into and out of engagement ,with the bearing stud 13 of the plate 12 fastened to the end of the drum D. When the load shaft 15 is retracted, the drum D may be readily rotated by hand to give access to the clothes therein, or may be lifted out of the tub T for cleaning purposes.

My improved washing machine is also provided with a power driven wringer W which is supported so that it may be swung horizontally to different positions, and is provided with reversing gearing permitting the wringer rolls 92 to be revolved in either direction. at the will of the operator, so that Clothes may be wrung into and out of the tub T of the washing machine and two or more stationary tubs or receptacles. The'swinging support S for the 'wringer comprises 1n one casting a horizontal arm 93, inverted T- nos The drum D may be started and lshape in cross section (see Fig. 3), a cupshaped gear case 94, and a supporting collar 95. The upper end of the tubular eXtension 17, forming part of the main casing or housing C for the operating mechanism, vterminates in an annular flange 96 having its outer edge beveled and provided with a plurality of notches 97 therein (see Figs. 1 and 1B). The inside face of the collar 95 of the wringer support is correspondingly beveled to bear on the outer edgebf the flange 96 on the tubular extension 17. Supported in an integral projection of the collar'. 95 is a spring-pressed locking plunger 99 having a slightly beveled head 100 adapted to enter the. notches 97 and lock the wringer support S in its various swung positions, thus preventing the wringer accidentally swinging under power and striking the operator or person standing near the machine. Any desired number of notches may be provided. A tube or pipe 101 is attached to the main casting of the wringer support S and projects downward into the tubular extension 17 Where its lower end fits snugly within three pads or pro'ections 102 on the inside of said extension 1 (see Fig. 1B). In this way widely spaced upper and lower supporting bearings are provided for the wringer support S so that it is strongly braced and sustained against sagging. The wringer W itself, which may beof any of the usual power operated types, preferably with a quick-acting tension release or similar safety attachment, is fastened to the arm 93, the side members of the wringer being split or bifurcated and bolted tothe upright web of said arm 93. A portion of this web is cut away as shown at 103 in Fig. 2 to facilitate gripping of the arm 93 when it is desired to swing the wringer support S. One of the roller shafts of the wringer W is connected by a pin and sleeve universal connection 104 to a horizontal drive shaft 105 which is supported 'in bearings 106 formed 1n the cupshaped gear case 94. Mounted loosely on this drive shaft 105 are two opposing-bevelears 107-108 having clutch teeth 109 'ormed on their inner hubs. A spacing sleeve 110 is pinned to the shaft 105 between the bevel-gears 107-108, and splined to this sleeve 110 so'as to slide freely thereon, is'a clutch collar 111, having clutch teeth 112 at each end adapted to engage with the teeth 109 formedon the inner hubs of the bevelgears 107-108. The clutch collar 111 is shifted back and forth by a handle 81, a spindle 113, collar 114, and an eccentrically pivoted rectangular block 115 fitting in an annular groove 116 in said clutch collar 111. This construction is similar to that employed for shifting the load shaft 15 and need not be furtherdescribed. The operating handle 81 for the wringer control and its associated parts are supported by a cover or vcap 117 fastened to the cup shaped gear The` two bevel-,gears 107-108 are both driven by a bevel-pinion 118 pinned to the upper end of ashort vertical shaft 119 journaled in the main casting of the wringer support S. This short shaft 119 is loosely and pivotally connected at its lower end by a pin 120 to the upper end of altubular shaft 121 which is also provided with .another fixed transverse pin/122 near its lower end arranged at right angles to the upper pin 120. The upper end of the main drive shaft 48 is forked to straddle this pin 122. This construction provides a universal connection between the main drive shaft 48 and the short shaft 119 carried by the wringer suplport S for driving the reversing gears 107- 108, and also permitsV the whole wringer support S, together with the reversing gearings, the tube 101, and the tubular shaft 121 to be lifted off, whenever desired, for economizing space in shipment, or in use, and may likewise be readily replaced, all without removing any bolts or other fastening devices. The lower end of the tubular shaft 121 and the upper end of the main driving shaft 48 are preferably beveled or .rounded oil' to guide said drive shaft '48 into the tubular shaft 121 as the wringer support S is put in place.

The lubrication of the various operating parts forms an important part of my improved machine. It will be noted that the gears and bearings of the operating mechanism are enclosed within casings or housings which may be filled with lubricant. In one arrangement of lubrication, which I preferably employ, the worm gear case B, the lower tubular extension 18, and the lower part of the gear compartment 16, are filled with a heavy gear oil or like mobile lubricant, containing gra hite, if desired. In this arrangement a ypass passage 123 is provided around the lower bearing 50 (see Fig. 1). Another passage 124 (see Fig. 4) is provided in the bearing plug. 42, to facili# tate movement of the oil content of this grease to the outer bearing of the worm shaft 27. This lubricant is carried at a level approximately as indicated by the dash. lines in Fig. 1, so that the intermediate worm gear 53 dips in this lubricant and carries it to the teeth of the .intermediate worm 52, and to the upper bearing 49 of the main drive shaft 48. This lubricant on the inter' mediate worm gear 53 also runs down and v lubricates its bearing and those of the pin 61 in the connecting rod. The gear sector 58 dips into the lubricant contained in the pocket 125 formed in the bottom of the gear com artment 16 and thus carries oil to the teet of the ,pinion 57 and the bearings of the load shaft 15. vThe lower arm 58 of the gear sector 58 is made channel-shape incross section, as shown in Fig. 1A,so'as to raise' oil from the pocket 125 and spill it over the bearing for the gear sector 58 and the bearing of the connecting rod 59. The upper arm 58b of this sector 58 is also made with a channel or pocket to catch some of the oil as it issplashed around in the casev 16 and to direct its flow to the bearings. The gear case 94 for the wringer reversing gearing is vpacked with a suitable grease. On account of the large amount of lubricant in the main gear compartment 16 and lower tubular extension 18, and the provisions made for circulating it, there is automatically supplied suiicient lubrication for a long time, usually suiicient for the life of the machine, thereby obviating the need for oiling the machine and avoiding the damage in case such oiling is neglected. I consider these provisions for lubrication 'an important feature of my invention, since'it adds to the quiet running of the machine, obviates the trouble and annoyance of oiling and greasing the machine from time to time, and prevents the wear and damage which often results because careless users neglect to oil their machine.

y rlhe lubricant provided may of course be h ize'the air pressure on the inside and outside of the casing C, I provide a tube 127 projecting horizontally from the back wall of the gear compartment 16 forward for a short distance above the normal level of the oil (indicated by the dash lines in Fi 1).

rIhis tube 127 allows air to escape eely from the gear compartment and prevents pressure in said compartment y tending to force lubricant out through the joints. This i vtuloe 127 is of such a length and so located that its end is always above the level of the lubricant irrespective of how the machine may be tilted or turned, even upside down.

Although ll have particularly described the construction of one physical embodiment of my invention, and explained the operation and principle thereof; nevertheless, I desire to have it understood that the form ,p selected is merely. illustrative, but does not exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Lettem Patent 'of the United States, is z- 1. In a combined power operated washing machine and wringer, a rectangular supporting frame com rising legs' and crossl movable cover extending across one side of said frame and fastened thereto at three points, a stuing-box in the back wall of said casing, a load shaft extending through said stuffing-box and adapted to be connected to the washing element, manually operable means for slidin the load shaft back and forth, said casing aving a hollow extension integral therewith which extends down from the casing near one corner of the supporting frame, a vertical drive shaft in said extension, a second stufng-box at the lower end of said extension, a horizontal power shaft extending through said last named stuiiing-box into the lower end of said extension, worm gearing between the power shaft and the drive shaft, operating mechanism in said casing for alternately rotating said load shaft, and a worm on said drive' shaft for driving said mechanism.

2. In an operating mechanism for clothes washing machines of the drum type, a clothes drum having a plate fastened to one end, said plate having a socket therein with a plurality of sides converging toward each other, a load shaft having a tapered and flattened end portion shaped to fit said socket, means for supporting said shaft for rotary and longitudinal movement, a pinion splined to the shaft, and manually operable means for shifting the shaft lengthwise `and for maintaining said pinion in a given axial position when the shaft is shifted.

3. In a combined power operated washingA machine and wringer, operating mechanism for the'washing element comprising a load shaft adapted to be connected to the washing element, a `pinionon the load shaft, a rocking gear sector driving said pinion, a driven gear, and a connecting rodv operatively connecting said gear sector and driven gear, said rod having a bifurcated jaw at one end straddling an arm of the gear sector and pivotally'connected thereto, the other end of said rod carrying a fixed pin journaled in an eccentric hole in the driven gear, whereby the thrust of said connecting rod is substantially in line with the center of the bearings for the gear sector and the driven gear.

4. In a combined power operated washing machine and wringer, the combination with a supporting frame, of an oil-tight unitary casing fastened thereto, operating mechanism for the washing element supported and enclosed in said casing, said casmg being partly filled with lubricant for the operating mechanism, and an air tube r0- jecting into said casing, the inner en of said tube being above the level of the lubricant in any position of the machine, whereby there may be a free exchange of air into and out of the casing without leakage of -lubricant. braces, a box-like oi -tight casing with a re- 5. In a power operated washing machine lfl 0 of the. drum type, a projecting bearing element on the drum, a load shaft having a tapered end projecting into the tub and adapted to be connected to the drum, and a vertically adjustable element having a bearing below said load shaft for receiving the bearing element on the drum when said drum is disconnected from said load shaft, the axis of the load shaft being above the axis of the bearing element on the drum when disconnected therefrom.

6. Operating mechanism for washing machines of the drum type comprising a load shaft, a pinion rotating said shaft, a sector meshing with the pinion, a driven gear, a link pivotally connected at its ends to the sector and to the gear, and an oil-tight uni- ,tary box-like casing with a detachable cover enclosing the elements of said gearing and which contains lubricant for said elements, said sector dipping into said lubricant during operation.

Operating mechanism for washing machines of the cylinder type comprising a box-like casing fastened to the frame of the machine across one side thereof and containing lubricant, a horizontal load shaft adapted to be connected to the clothes cylinder and projecting into said casing, means preventing leakage of lubricant from the casing around the load shaft, and alternating rotary gearing supported and enclosed in said casing and lubricated by the lubricant therein, said gearing comprising a pinion on the load shaft, a rocking gear sector meshing with the pinion, and a reciprocating link connected to the sector, said sector having an upward and downward movement and dipping into said lubricant.

8. Operating mechanism for washing machines' of the cylinder type whichhave an open-Work frame of legs and cross braces, comprising a box-like casing fastened to the frame of the machine across one side thereof and containing lubricant, a load shaft supported by the casing for rotation and lengthwise movement and adapted to be operatively connected to the clothes cylinder, means preventing leakage of lubricant from the caslng around the load Shaft, apinion splined to the load, shaft, a rocking ear sector meshing with the pinion, a driven gear, a link p1votally connected at its ends to the sector and to the gear, and bearing studs on the back wall of thecasing on which said sector and said gear are journaled.

9. Operating mechanism for washing machines of the cylinder type comprising a load shaft, av centrally located pinion driving said shaft, a gear sector meshin with the pinion and pivoted at one side t ereof, a link pivotally connected at one end to said sector, a worm gear at the opposite side of said driving pinion, said link being pivotally connected at its other end to said worm gear, a box-like casing with adownwardly extending hollow extension at one end thereof, said casing'supporting and enclosing all of the above mentioned parts, a vertical shaft in said extension, a worm on the shaft driving said worm gear and engaging the same on the outer periphery thereof, a power shaft projectin into the lower end of said extension, an worm gearing between said power shaft and vertical shaft.

l0. Operating mechanism for clothes washing machines of the drum type comprising a box-like casing attached to the frame of the machine across one side, a load shaft projecting through the back of said casing midway between the ends thereof for operating the clothes drum, a pinion drivingA the load shaft, a bearing stud on the back of the casing below and at one side of .the load shaft, a gear sector -journaled on said stud and meshing with the pinion, another bearing stud on the back of the casing near the end of the casing opposite the first mentioned bearing stud, a gear journaled on another bearing stud, and a link pivotally connected at its ends to said gear and sector, said pinion, sector and gear being disposed in the same plane.

11. Operating mechanism for clothes washing machines of the cylinder type comprising a box-like casing having integral walls and a detachable front cover, said casing being secured to the frame of the machine across one side, a load shaft adapted to be connected to the clothes drum and journaled in the back and cover of said case midway `between the ends thereof, and alternating rotary gearing for actuating the load shaft comprlsing a gear sector and a worm gear having axes in substantially the same horizontal plane and near opposite ends of the casing. l

l2. Operating mechanism for clothes Washing machines of the cylinder type comprising a box-like casing secured to the frame of the machine across. on'e side thereof, a load shaft journaledin therear wall and cover of said casing, a pinion on said shaft, a gear sector meshin with said pinion, a worm gear, and a li pivotally connected at its ends to said sector and gear, said link being curved to clear the load shaft.

13. Operating mechanism for clothes `washing machines of the cylinder type comprising a box-like casing secured to thei frame of the machine across one side thereof, a load shaft, a pinion thereon, a gear sector meshing with the pinion and located below and at one side of said load shaft, a worm gear rotating on an axis substantially in the same horizontal plane as the axis of the sector, and a link pivotally connected at one end eccentrically to the of rotation of the gear and sector.

worm gear and at the otherend tothe sec-- tor at a point abovethe plane of the axes 14. A washing machine comprislng a supporting frame made of legs and cross braces, a box-like mechanism case fastened to one side of the frame and having integral walls and provided with a removable front cover, alternating rotary gearing supported and enclosed in said case and comprising a driven gear and a gear sector, bearing pins fastened to the back of the case for supporting said gear and sector, said bearing pins being near opposite ends of the case, and a link pivotally connected at its ends to the sector and driven gear.

15. A washing machine comprising a supporting frame made of legs and cross braces, a box-like mechanism case fastened to one side of the frame and having integral walls and provided with a removable front cover, alternating rotary gearing supported and enclosed in said case and comprising a driven gear and a gear sector, bearing studs for the gear and sector near opposite ends of the case and in substantially lthe same horizontal plane, said bearing studs being fastened to the rear wall of the case, a pinion for driving the clothes drum meshing with the sector and having its axis above and between said bearing studs, and a link pivotally connected at its ends to the gear and to the gear sector, the point of connection of said link to the sector being above said plane.

16. In a washing machine, a box-like casing fastened to the frame of the machine across one side thereof, a load shaft supported by said casing midway between the ends thereof, a pinion driving the load shaft, a gear sector meshing with the pinion and journaled on an axis below and at one side of the load shaft, a worm gear rotating on anaxis on one side of and below the load shaft, and a link pivotally connected at its ends to the said gear and to said sector, said link being curved to clear the load shaft and having pins fixed in its ends which fit in bearing holes in the sector and gear.

17. An operating mechanism for clothes A` washing machines of the drum type comprising a box-like casing having a removable cover, a load shaft adapted to drive the clothes drum and journaled at its ends in the back of the casing andthe cover, a pinion splined to the load shaft between the ends thereof, means for axially moving said load shaft for coupling and uncoupling the drum of the machine while maintaining at all times the driving connection between said load shaft and said pinion, and a1- ternating rotary gearing supported and enclosed by said casing for operating the pinion.

18. Operating mechanism for washing ma- 19. In an operating mechanism for the clothes drums of washing machines, the combination with a loadshaft, of a clothes cylinder provided at one end with avprojecting boss formed with a socket to receive the load shaft, a vertically adjustable bracket having a flange below the'load shaft upon which said boss may rest, and means for shifting the load shaft lengthwise, said bracket being adjusted vertically so that the boss is clear thereof when'the load shaft is projected into said socket.

20. In a washing machine, a box-like mechanism case secured to the frame of the machine across one side thereof, said case having a hollow bearing boss projecting from the rear thereof, a vertically adjustable bracket attached to the back of the case and having a projecting flange below said boss', a load shaft journaled in said boss, means operable manually from the outside of the case for shifting said shaft lengthwise,

and a clothes cylinder provided with a boss l adapted to be operatively connected to the washing element, said load shaft being disposed midway between the ends of the case near the top thereof, alternating rotary gearing for driving the load shaft supported and enclosed in'said case, and manuall7 operable means on top of the case midway between the ends thereof for shifting the load shaft lengthwise.

22. Operating mechanism for the clothes.

cylinder of washing machines comprising the mechanism case, a load shaft for operating the cylinder supported by said case for rotary and lengthwise movement, said shaft having an annular groove therein, a rectangular block fitting in the groove, a spindle projecting through the top of the case above the load shaft, a collar fixed to said spindle inside of the case, said block being eccentrically pivoted to the collar, and

a handle fastened to the spindle on the outlside of the case.

23. In an electrically operated washing machine, operating mechanism, a mechanism case supporting and enclosing said mechation with an open-work rectangular frame of nism and fastened to the frame of they malegs and braces, a unitary mechanism case l0 chine across one side, said case being formed wlth u per and lower tubular extensions with a small compartment in the underside fastene to two legs of the frame across one near one end, and an enclosed electric switch side, the leg adjacent the extensions being su ported in said compartment, said switch offset. being thereby protected from water.

24. In a washing machine, 'the combina' WINTHROP K. HOWE.

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