US1660427A

US1660427A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: US1660427A
Application number: US69378A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ruiz Charles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1925-11-16
Filing date: 1925-11-16
Publication date: 1928-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 1945-02-28

Description

Feb. 28, 1928.

c. RUIZ WASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 16. 1925 Fla. I

lNvsN-rola Feb. 28, 1928. 1,660,427

- c. RUIZ WASHING MACHINE Filled Nov. 16, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOOR Feb. 28, 1928. 1,660,427 7 C. RUIZ WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16,- 1925, 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNvENToR Feb. 28, 192 1,660,427

C. RUIZ WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNvEN-roia PATENT OFFICE.

cna'nnns RUIZ, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed li'ovember 16, 1925. Serial No. 69,378.

This invention relates to washing machines and is a continuation in part of my pending application No. 7 24,563, filed July 7, 1924.

According to certain features of this 1nvention, the clothes to be washed are immersed in a liquid containing tank and by the action of a paddle movably-mounted within the tank the liquid is agitated in a manner to alternately build up and decrease the level thereof at eitherside of the paddle. The higher level of the liquid is built up at the side of the paddle towards which the paddle is moving. I

The paddle is spaced from the bottom of the tank in a manner to form a passage or by-pass through which the clothes are passed from one end to the other of the tank by the force of a current which is generated through said passage owing to the difierential head of the liquid at both sides of the paddle.

The clothes are driven from one side to the other of the paddle by the force of the current but owing to the sudden reversal of the'current and to the inertia of the clothes the liquid is forced through the mesh of the clothes in a manner to gently extract the dirt from the mesh thereof.

In the present reduction to practice of the invention the paddle is rockably mounted in the sides of the tank and extends substantially the full width of the tank. The paddle, according to one form of the invention, is

secured to a cross-shaft which is operatively' connected to means for imparting to the same a rocking motion. Since the edges of the paddle are very near the' sides of the tank'it has been found that the clothes are liable to be wedged between thepaddle and the sides of the tank which is objectionable. To guard gainst this condition, the paddle is preferably made with side plates forming an integral part thereof. The side plates are formed so that the portions thereof which are immersed in the liquid resemble circular discs having their centers on the axis of the paddle-supporting shaft. In this manner, the relative movement between the edges of the plates and the sides of the tank is so small that completely precludes the possibility of catching the clothes therebetween.

One of the features of this invention relates toits noiseless operation. Due to the action of the driving mechanism, which imparts to the paddle a uniformly accelerated and decreasing motion, the paddle is gradually started to swing at its extreme positions and then the ratio of speed is gradually increased until it reaches its central or vertical position at which time its rate of speed is gradually decreased to a dead stop, previous to reversing the direction of travel upon reaching its extreme position. Since the paddle is gradually brought to a dead stop, there is no splash and therefore no noise is produced within the tank although a violent current is generated which is effective to thoroughly wash the clothes.

Heretofore, one of the objections to washing machines has been theirbulkiness. Owing to the peculiar design of the existing machines they have been always made either round or square. Both shapes are inadequate for small apartments where room is at a premium specially in the kitchen where the machines are usually operated. The present invention, however, provides a machine of oblong configuration which sticks to the wall and is out of the Way; A machine of six sheets capacity can be made one foot widewhich is half of the width' adopted by the manufacturer of the smallest machine ever marketed.

Another feature of this invention relates to its low power consumption. Owing to its peculiar design the paddle is oscillated to keep the liquid moving. Once the liquid is started to move it practically helps the movementof the paddle and works much on the theory of a pendulum. It will be noted that when the paddle is started to move after having built the level of the liquid the liquid itself tends to move in the same direction in which the paddle is moving thereby helping the motor in its propulsion. I

According to certain features of this invention, there is provided a novel wringer and mechanism for operatively connecting the same to a continuously running motor. Said wringer is provided with mechanism for running the rolls in eitner forward or reverse direction and for stopping the rolls signed to actuate upon a pressure spring which holds the rolls under compression to squeeze the clothes therebetween. Still a further feature relates to the manner of constructing the wringer frame. Said frame is adapted to be manufactured at a minimum cost. The frame is made in two halves, split through the bearings which are all in one plane. The mechanism is assembled in one half of the frame and then the other half is placed over the first half, the two being secured together by means of screws.

Novel means are provided in this invention for rocking the paddle. Broadly stated, said means may comprise an eccentric disc operatively connected to a continuously running shaft and a rocking shaft parallel to said first mentioned shaft and operatively connected, by means of a pitman, to the shaft upon which the blade is rockably mounted. According to one form of the invention the paddle is releasable from its supporting shaft and may be swung upwardly for the purpose ofcleaning the sides of the tank.

According to another form of the invention, there is provided a detachable paddle and a draining basket. It is proposed to first withdraw the paddle and then to raise the draining basket above the water level from its normal position, on the bottom of the tank, and then to hang the basket on the sides of the tank long enough for the clothes to drain. Heretofore, the clothes had to be withdrawn from the tank, one piece at the time, and due to the fact the solvent liquid is sometimes very hot and injurious to the hands, this was, of course, objectionable. According to this invention the clothes need not be passed through the wringer after washing but are held in the basket to drain, for a few minutes, to allow the clothes to cool off, preparatory to being immersed in another tub to be rinsed off. This feature of the invention tends to generally simplify the washing process by eliminating the necessity of immersing the hands in hot, soapy water which is a most distasteful and objectionable task.

Sometimes it is desired to oscillate the paddle, to wash the clothes while the wringer is running, whereas, at other times, it is desired to run the wringer singly. To this end, novel mechanism is provided which is effective to either connect or disconnect the paddle to a continuously running shaft operatively connected to a high speed motor. In this manner it is possible to stop the paddle while the motor is running thereby permitting the the use of the wringer to pass the clothes from the machine to the rinsing tub.

Another feature of this invention relates to the structure of the machine. There is provided a cast frame mounted on angle pieces at the corners thereof, the tank of the machine being borne by said frame and being reinforced by said angle pieces. Owing to the design of the machine, the floor space occupied is considerably reduced, the tank being made narrow, long and deep. For a twenty gallon capacity it is proposed to construct the machine one foot wide and-about two feet long.

Novel means are provided for securing the casters to the angle pieces at the corners of the machine. Said means may include a core of insulating material having a hole for receiving the stem of the casters and a square tube snugly fitting over the core and the angle pieces to hold the core against the inner side of the angle pieces.

Other features and advantages of this invention will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings;

Figure 1 is a back view of the machine and shows the wringer and the pitman for operating the paddle.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the machine.

Figure 3 is a side view in elevation and shows the handle for connecting and disconnecting the paddle.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the means for operatively connecting the paddle to its shaft.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through the line 55 of Figure 8.

Figure 6 is a plan view showing the paddle operating mechanism operatively connected to the wringer shaft.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view in elevation through the wringer operating shaft.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the motor shaft, and shows the eccentric for operating the paddle.

Figures 9, 10, and 11 are diagrammatic views of the machine and show the process of withdrawing a draining basket from the bottom of the machine to be hung above the water level to drain the clothes.

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view in elevation through the center of the paddle and shows a modified form of the invention in which a removable paddle is shown in combination with a draining basket.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view in elevation through the wringer shaft and shows the swinging shaft therefor.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view through the line 1414 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a CI'OSz'I-SGCtiOIlEIl view through the upper roll of the wringer and through the center of its operating mechanism.

Figure 16 is a front view of the wringer with one half of the casing removed, and shows the operating mechanism.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view through Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view through the line 1919 of Figure 16.

The machine comprises a tank 10, partly filled with a solvent liquid which is agitated by means of a paddle 11, fast to a shaft 12,

which shaft is ournaled in the sides "of thetank. The paddle extends substantially the full width of the tank between the front and rear sides thereof, a clearance being provided between the paddle and the bottom of the tank to permit the passage, of the liquid from one side to the other of the tank.

In order to prevent accidental wedging of the clothes between the edges of the paddle and the sides of the tank, the paddle is provided with side plates 13. The plates may either form an integral part of the paddle as shown, or may be made in the form of independent plates fast to the edges of the paddle. The effect of the plates is to reduce the relative movement between the paddle and the sides of the tank so that if the clothes come in contact with the edges ofthe paddle said clothes will not be forced against the sides of the tank. Theoretically the periphery of the plates should be circular hav- 22 and is operatively connected, by means of a flexible coupling 25, to a worm shaft 24 which carries, fast thereto, a worm 26. The end load of the worm 26 is carried by an end-thrust bearing 27 backed by a'bushing 28 which serves as a journal for the shaft 24. Saidbushing 28 is secured to the frame 13 by, means of a screw 29.

In orderthat oil may be retained in the frame 13 to lubricate the moving parts, there is provided a cup-washer 30 at one end of the shaft 24, and at the other end of said shaft thereis provided a nut 31, screwed into the frame 13, the nut co-operating with the end of a bushing 32- to hold the packing. Said bushing 32 is secured to the frame by means of a screw 33.

The worm 26 is effective to rotate, at a reduced speed, a worm gear 34 fast to .the shaft 17 which is revolubly mounted in bushings 35 in the frame 13. "The ratio of speed reduction between the worm and the worm and the worm-gear may be one to forty when using a motor running at a speed of 1725 R. P. M. which will of course, rotate the shaft 17 at about 43 R.

ing the center of the outer edge or circum- P M ference on the shaft 12 upon which the paddle is rocked. However, in order to facilitate handling of the paddle when the same is removed from the machine, it is found advantageous to build the plates in the form shown in the drawings. The plates are circular but the center of their peripheries is not on the shaft 12 but much below the same. In this construction, the relative movement 1 between the paddle and the sides of the tank is almost neglegible and it has been found 'to work very well in practice.

The tank 10 is supported by a frame 13, of substantially the same size as the tank, and has reinforcing angle pieces 14, at the corners thereof, the angle pieces being S84 cured-to the frame by means of screws 15. The tank is secured to the angle pieces 14, at the top thereof, by means of screws 16.

There is provided mechanism designed to oscillate the paddle and to rotate the wringer. Said mechanism is completely en closed in the frame 13 and may comprise a continuous runnin shaft 17, and a rock shaft 18, the latter eing operatively connected to the former and to the paddle.

The shaft 12 has an arm 19, fast thereto, operatively connected by means of a pitman 20, to an arm 21, fast to the shaft 18. The operating connection between the paddle and the rock-shaft 18 isillustrated inFigure 1,

The rock-shaft 18 is parallel to the shaft- 17 and carries, at the end thereof and fast thereto, a crank 36 which is operatively connected to an eccentric disc 37 by means of a connecting member 38. Said connecting member is pivotally mounted on a pin 39, drivenfast into the crank 36, and in order to hold the member 38 in place, there may be provided a screw 40 and a washer 41, as shown in Figure 7.

The eccentric disc 37 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 17 and may be caused to rotate therewith by means of- .a driving pin 42, in the Wormgear 34, which interposes a pin 43 fast td the disc 37. The pin 42 is normally held out of engagement with the pin 43 by means of a spring 44, and may be forced to its effective position, againstthe tension of the spring, by means of a handle 45 at the side of the tank. Said handle is secured to a cross-shaft 46, journaled in'the frame 13, the shaft being swung by the operation of the handle to move an operating member 47 fast thereto by means of a set-screw 50. Said member 47 is provided with fingers 48,

designed to engage with a collar 49 loosely mounted on the shaft 17, the collar being effective to engage with the head of the pin 43 thereby forcing the pin in the path of the pin 43 so as to carry the disc therewith.

The bushings 35 are longitudinally located against displacement by means of screws 52, the shaft ,17 being in turn located by means of a collar 53'fast thereto.

In order to locate the shaft 18 against lateral displacement, the same is journaled in-bushings 54 secured to the frame 13 by means of screws 55. The shaft has fast thereto, at both ends thereof, the crank 36 and the arm 21 which are fitted in close proximity to the ends of the bushings 54, thereby positioning the shaft.

According to one form of the invention, the paddle 11 is secured to the shaft 12 by means of a thumb screw 56 which is threaded into the paddle at 57 and has a tapered portion 58 fitting into a taper hole in the shaft. Said tapered portion terminates with a cylindrical end 59 which enters a small hole 60 in the paddle. By means of this arrange ment it is possible to disconnect the paddle from its driving shaft by loosening the screw, the shaft being then withdrawn, if desired, to completely remove the paddle. In this form of the invention, the shaft is journaled in bearings 61 fast to the sides of the tank 10.

According to another form of this invention, means are provided whereby the paddle may be easily and quickly removed from the tank for the purpose of cleaning the tank and in order that a draining basket may be hung above the water level to drain the clothes. There may be provided a pair of finger pieces 62 designed to be drawn inwardly in order to remove the paddle. One of the pieces 62 is pipe-threaded or otherwise secured to a pivot shaft 63 journaled in a bearing 61, whereas the other finger piece is fast to a driving shaft 64 which is operatively connected to a rock-shaft 66 by means of a key-and-key-way arrangement 65.v The shaft 66 is journaled in a supporting bracket 67 fast to the tank, the operating arm 19 being, in this form of the invention, fast to the shaft 66.

Both, the pivot and the driving shafts are held in their effective positions by means of springs 68 which are compressed when the finger pieces 62 are operated. The travel or movement of said shafts is limited by elongated slots 68 through which the finger pieces are passed to be secured to the shafts, the paddle being driven by means of the finger pieces.

Referring more particularly to Figures 9, 1'0 and 11, in which a draining basket 68 is shown, it willbe noted that the paddle is first removed as shown in Figure 10 and then the basket is elevated above the level of the liquid, so as to drain the clothes preparatory to their being rinsed in another tub. In order to facilitate the handling of the basket, there may be provided handles 69, fastthereto, the handles being provided with hooks 70, at the end thereof, by means of which the basket is hung to the sides of the tank, as shown in Figure 11.

In order to facilitate moving the machine, casters 71 are provided which are rotatably mounted at the ends of the angle pieces 14. Novel means are- -provided for mounting said casters in a manner to insulate the machine from the floor, the method of mounting the casters is furthermore simple, neat nd inexpensive. To this'end, there is provided a core 72, for each angle piece, each core having a hole therein for receiving a sleeve 73 in which the stem of the caster is rotatably mounted in a manner as shown in Figures 12 and 14. The cores are held in place, tightly bearing against the inner sides of the angle pieces 14, by means of square tubes 74 which are driven over both the cores and the angle pieces, as shown in Figure 14.

For the purpose of operating the wringer, there is provided an upright shaft 75, operatively connected to the shaft 17 by means of bevel gears 7 6 and 77. Said shaft 75 is journaled in a bushing 78 secured to a bracket 79, which bracket is fast to the frame 13 by means'of screws 80 and to the tankby means of screws 81.

Since it is desired to operate the wringer in either of four positions, the same is swingably mounted on a. supporting sleeve 82, to which the wriuger is secured. Said sleeve has a bushing 83, fast thereto, which serves as an upper bearing for the shaft 75.

The wringer comprises a frame for enclosing all moving parts and is made in two halves respectively numbered 84 and 85. Owing to the design of said wringer frame, in which all the bearings are in the same plane, thesame is adapted to be die cast thereby eliminating expensive machining operations and consequently. reducing the cost of the machine.

There are provided two rubber rolls 86 and 87, revolubly mounted in the wringer frame, the latter being operatively connected to the motor. The roll 86 is driven by contact with theroll 87.

lin order that the rolls may be caused to rotate in either direction and in order that their operation may be rendered ineffective without necessitating the stopping of the motor, there is provided mechanism which while broadly old it embodies, nevertheless, some novel features.

Said mechanism comprises a pair of

bevel gears

88 and 89, rotatably mounted on a shaft 90 in line with the roll 87 to which it is operatively connected by means of a sleeve 91, fast to a shaft 92 upon which the roll 87 is mounted. The two bevel gears are operatively meshing with a driving gear 93 fast to the shaft 75 as shown in Fig. 16.

The shaft 90 has, fast thereto, a collar 94 having a groove 95 designed to engage with a roller 96 which is eccentrically mounted on a. shaft 97 journaled in the wringer frame. Said shaft 97 may be swung to any of three operating positions, in which positions will either stop the rolls or operate them forward or reverse. To this end, there is provided a handle 98 fast to Said means may comprlse a locking memsaid shaft, and by swinging the same the shaft 90 is moved into engagement with either of the two

gear

88 or 89. Said bevel gears are provided with pins 99, forming an integral part thereof, which pins are de signed to interpose teeth 100 in thecollar 94 thereby driving the shaft together with the gear engaging the teeth in the collar. In order that the handle 98 may be resiliently held in any of itsthree operating positions there may be provided a ball 101 anl a spring 102 cooperating therewith to force the ball into depressions in the hub of the handle, each depression corresponding to a position of the handle.

Means are provided for locking the wringer in any of four operating positions.

her 103, pivotally mounted at 104. Said locking member is designed to engage in slots 105, in the bracket 79 and is held in its locked position by means of a plunger 106, actuated by a spring 107.

The plunger 106 may also serve as a foolproof-lock to prevent the operation of the rolls when the wringer is being swung and also to prevent the swinging of the wringer when the rolls are running. To this end, there is provided a turneddown groove 108, in the shaft 90, the groove being in line with the plunger 106. By glancing at Figure 16 it will be apparent that when the locking member 103 is swung to disengage the slots 105, the'plunger will be moved upwardly into the groove 108 thereby preventing the longitudinal displacement of the shaft 90, whereas if the shaft 90 is moved in "either direction; to be engaged with any of the

gears

88 or 89, then the shaft itself will be in the path of the plunger 106, thereby rendering it impossible to release the locking member 103. It will be further noted, by inspecting said Figure 1 16, that the shaft 90 is operatively connected to the sleeve 91 by means of a pin 109, fast thereto, the pin engaging with the sides of a slot 110 in the'sleeve, thereby permitting the longitudinal displacement of the shaft 90, while at the same time providing a positive driving connection between the two members.

The upper roll 86 is fast toa shaft 111, which protrudes, at the ends thereof, and. is journaled in bushings 112, which bushings are looselymounted inthe wringer frame. In order to resiliently hold the two rolls in engagement, there is provided a bow-spring 113 which presses downwardly the bearings 112 and is backed, at the center, by a stud 114 operatively mounted in the wringer frame.

Sometimes it is desired to instantaneously release the-pressure on the rolls. To this end, the stud 114 is threaded in a nut 115 which is pivotally mounted in thewringer frame by means of studs 116, formin an integral part of the nut. In order to re ease the pressure on the roll, accordingto this invention, the stud 114 is swung to either side of its normal position shown in Figure 16. For the purpose of facilitating the swinging of the stud, there may be provided a roller 117, rotatably mounted on a pin 118, fast to a bracket 119 in which the end 120 of the stud 114 is rotatably mounted. Said bracket is held in place, at the end of the stud, by means of a in 121. The stud 114 may be rotated in or er to. regulate the pressure on the spring 113. For the purpose of holding the stud in its normal position, there may be provided a pin 123, engaging with a hole in the nut 115, which pin is held in engagement therewith by the action of a spring 124, the spring being secured to the wringer frame by, means of a screw 125. The two

frames

84 and 85 are heldtogether by means of screws 126. in a manner as shown in Figure 19.

i In order to conduct the water which is squeezed out of the clothes being passed between the rolls, there is provided a drain plate 127, removably mounted on a shaft 128, fast to the wringer frame. The plate is reversible and maybe com letely removed,

.if desired. By means of a ocking member with the shaft 128 and hold the plate against,

heels 133 of the, wringer frame.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, andportions of the improvement may be used without others.

Having thus described by invention, I claim:

1. In a washing machine having a tank,

a paddle within the tank for agitating a liquid therein, a shaft journaled in the sides of the tank, and means for securing sai paddle to said shaft, said means including a finger piece threaded into the body of the paddle and having a tapered extension to enter a tapered hole in the shaft thereby providing a positive connection between the paddle and the shaft.

2. A washing machine, including-in combination, a tank having two parallel sides, a paddle 'rockably mounted in said parallel sides, said paddle being spaced from the bottom of the tank to form a passage for the clothes, said paddle being manually detachable. v

v 3. A washing machine having a. fixed tank for containing a solvent liquid and clothes,

and oscillating means disposed intermediate the ends of said tank for alternately building up and decreasing the level of the liquid at each end of the tank, the differential head of the liquid being efiective to generate a current of the liquid at the bottom of the tank, first in one direction, then in the other, the force of the current being effective to carry the clothes therewith from one end to the other of the tank, said means being spaced from the bottom of the tank to form a passage to permit said clothes to pass freely from one end of said tank to the other end.

4. A washing machine including a fixed tank for containing a solvent liquid and clothes, a liquid agitating element for engaging the liquid to alternately build up and decrease the level of the liquid at both sides of said liquid agitating element, the latter being spaced from the bottom of the tank to form a passage for the clothes immersed in the liquid which clothes, by the force of a current generated by the differential head of the liquid, are carried through said passage from one side to the other of said liquid agitating element.

5. A washing machine including a tank for containing a solvent liquid and clothes,

said tank having two parallel sides, a paddle Within the tank and means for actuating the paddle in a manner to alternatel build up and decrease the level of the liquid at both ends of the tank, said paddle extending from one side to the other'of the tank, between said parallel sides, and being spaced from the bottom of the tank to form a passage for the liquid and the clothes, the differential head of the liquid at both ends of the tank being effective to generate a current of the liquid through said passage, first in one direction, then in the other, and said current being effective to carry the clothes theiewith from one end to the other of the tan 6. In a washing machine, in combination, a rectangular tank for containing liquid and clothes, a paddle Within the tank hung by its uppermost edge to a rock shaft journaled in the sides of the tank, said paddle being spaced from the bottom of the tank to provide a passage for the liquid and the clothes, means for imparting to said paddle a rocking motion, said motion being effective to alternately build up and then decrease the level of the liquid at both sides of the paddle thereby forcing the liquid and the clothes from one side to the other of the paddle, and means for preventing the wedging of the clothes between the edges of the paddle and the sides of the tank, said last mentioned means being also effective to prevent the passage of the liquid between the edges of the paddle and the sides of the tank.

7. In a washing machine, in combination,

a rectangular tank for containing a solvent liquid and clothes. a paddle within the tank for agitating the liquid, said paddle extending substantially the full width of the tank and being spaced from the bottom thereof to form a passage for the clothes and the liquid, means for oscillating the paddle, and means on the ends of said paddle for preventing the wedging of the clothes between the paddle and the sides of the tank, said last mentioned means being also efi'ective to prevent the passage of the liquid therethrough.

8. The combination, in a washing machine, of a tank having two parallel sides, said tank containing liquid and clothes therein, a

paddle fast to a supporting shaft journaled in the parallel sides of said tank, said paddle extending substantially the full width of the tank between said parallel sides and spaced from the bottom thereof forming a passage, between itself and the bottom ofthe'tank, for the liquid and the clothes in the tank, means for imparting to said paddle an oscillating motion thereby generating a current of the liquid through said passage, and means for preventing the wedging of the clothes between the edges of the paddle and the sides of the tank, said last mentioned means including side plates fast to the edges of the paddle and parallel to the parallel sides of the tank.

In testimony whereof, I- aflix my signature.

CHAS. RUIZ.