US1819982A - Rinsing and drying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1931. H. F. vlEAU ETAL RINsING lAND DRYING APPARATUS Filed June ll, 1927 A2 Sheets-Sheet J.

INVENTOR.

Harod Pfl/eau Zu/1mi J OWeiZZ,

ATTORNEY.

Aug. 18, 1931. v H. F. vlEAU ET AL 1,819,982

'RINSING AND DRYING APPARATUS Filed June ll. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HamZd ITI/eau A TTORNE Y.

Patented Aug. 1.8, 193

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAROLD F. VIEAU, OF LIVER-POOL, AND EDWARD J. ONEILL, OF rSYIR-.A(3"U'SF 1, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD T ROY (C. HIGBY, OF BIG MOOSE, NEW YORK RINSING AND DRYING APPARATUS Application filed' J'une 11, 1927. Serial No. 198,272.

This invention relates to a rinsing and drying apparatus, and more especially to a centrifugal clothes drier provided with means associated with and used in conjunction with q the drying apparatus whereby the clothes may .berinsed in the drying receptacle without the necessity of removing the same therefrom.

Therefore the primary object of the inven- 1.9 tion is to provide, in combination with a centrifugal extractor, means for admitting water to said extractor for the rinsing of clothes therein, after which the rinse water may be removed from the extractor receptacle by centrifugal action applied thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with a centrifugal receptacle adapted for use both as a rinsing and a drying chamber, water inlet means con- 2u structed in such manner that the water will not at any time come in' contact with the machinery for rotating the receptacle, thus overcoming one of the most paent defects i heretofore experienced in rinsing devices designed for a similar purpose.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water inlet means as aforesaid which will permit the ingress of water to a combined rinsing' and drying receptacle, but at the same ao time will automatically prevent egress of water from said receptacle, except as the same may be conducted off by centrifugal action of the receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel power transmission mechanism and clutch lmechanism therefor, which will permit of the installation ofthe water inlet means aforesaid in connection therewith and in such manner that the proper functioning 40 of each of said elements will not interfere with thefunctioning of any other of said elements. n

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, which is comparatively simple in con- A struction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose, strong, durable, compact, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate.

With the foregoing and-other objects in View, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be madeas come properly within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Tn the accompanying drawings: Figure 1`is 4a side elevation partly in section and broken away of a rinsing and dryying apparatus, of the centrifugal type in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, in vertical section, of the driving and water inlet mechanism of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, in section, of the upper portion of the apparatus.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus.

A rinsing and drying apparatus, of the centrifugal type, in accordancewith this invention, is illustrated by way of example in connection with a washing tank or tub for receiving the overflow fromthe centrifugal receptacle of the apparatus, but itis to be understood that the overiow can be directed to any other circumferential point desired.

There is illustrated a support, preferably a mobile one, for the elements of the apparatus. The support includes a platformf 5, and a carriage 6. Mountedupon the platform and secured thereto is a washing tub or tank 7 which, however, forms no part of i `this invention. Supported from the plat- -I tacle...-.'1`he receptacle 9 is formed at its top nates in a de 4 the body of t e receptacle. The upper face of-the extension 9 is transversely corrugated or grooved, as at 13, thus providing exits for the passage of overflow water or the like from the receptacle 9. The rotation of the receptacle 9, causes a centrifugal action which has the effect of extracting from a batch of clothes within the receptacle 9, any water or moisture in the clothes and discharging such water through the exits aforesaid.

The receptacle 9 may be used with or without the basket 10. Said basket 10 is formed with an enlarged reinforced upperrim cir-f cular in cross-section, as indicated at 14. This enlarged rim acts to space the basket -from the inner wall of the receptacle. Said basket forms no part of the` invention claimed herein.

Surroundin Aand extending above the upper portion o the receptacle 9 is a substantially vertical frame 15 so formed at one portion of the periphery thereof that it may readily be secured to the washing tub 7 or other support. The inner wall of said frame is provided with a groove indicated at 16, while the ulpper edge of said frame acts'as a track for t directing element. n Y Y The manually adjustable overflow collecting and directing element is in the form of a .combined trough member and drain board and is generally'designated at 17, is mounted above said frame 15, but is formed with an annular flange 18, said flange being adapted to seat snugly within said frame 15, and having in its outer peripheral wall a groove 19 bined trough and drainboard forms no part of the invention herein claimed. l

The trough member is annular in form,

having a bottom 21, an upwardly extending outer wall 22 integral therewith, an inwardly v extending flange 23 integral with the top of said outer wall, and an upwardly extending inner wall 24 integral with the bottom 21. Said outer wall 22 is relatively higher with respect tothe bottom 21 than is the inner wall 24. The outer wal122 is cut away for a portion of`its circumference as at 25, to provide an outlet for the trough member whereby the discharge from said trou h member may be directed by a. drain boar 26 to any e manually adjustable collecting andr hooks over the inner wall 24 of the trough member, so that the extensionll maintains a -vessel positioned at any point about the apl .paratus A cover 28, is adapted to seat upon the receptacle 9, the same being formed withreinforcing webs 29 on its upper face. The marginal portion of the cover member 28 is upset as at 30 to provide what may be termed an annular lip for seating on the top of the extension 11 of the receptacle 9. Said lip is so shaped with respect to the remaining portion of the cover as not to close the exits formed by the corrugations or grooves 13, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

The cover 28 is provided centrally of its outer face with a socket'31. The inner wall of the socket is formed with an offset or seat portion 32. An annular ring 33 is adapted 'to be inserted in said socket and rest upon the seat 32 therein. Said ring is formed on its inner wall with a circumferential groove 34. The ring 33- is held within the Socke1r by means of an apertured circular plate 35, preferably in sections, said plate being seated on the upper edge of the wall of the socket 31 and overlying the top edge of the ring 33. Hold-fast elements 36 .y are then secured through `the Wall of the socket toy the plate 35 to hold the same in fixed' position. A lid, hereinafter described in detail, is adapted to cooperate with the cover 28. Said lid is provided with a stub shaft 37 mounted centrally thereof, so positioned that the inner end thereof will register with the socket 31 formed in the cover'4 28. The inner end of said shaft is reduced and screw threaded. Mounted on the shaft 37, above the inner end thereof is a ring 38 formed with an annular groove 39 in the outer wall thereof. Said ring 38 is held upon said shaft by means of a lock nut 40. When in operative position,

the inner wall of the ring 33 is opposed to' the outer wall of the ring 38 so that the grooves 34 and 39 will register to form a race for the ball bearings 41. This then permits the cover 28 to rotate freely with respect to the lid 42 upon which it is mounted.

The lid 42, previously referred to, is formed llaterally thereof with onesection -of a conventional hingemember, preferably having a pair of angularly disposed lugs 43 extendingl downwardly to be hingedly secured to the lll other section 44 of saidhinged member, the latter being mounted to the frame 15.

As will be seen, when the lid 42 is closed, it seats upon the top edge of the trough member, thus bringing the cover 28 down upon and into engagement with the top of the receptacle 9, forming a closure for said receptacle. Although the lid 42 is secured in fixed position upon the trough as hereinafter described, yet the cover 28 is at the same time permitted to rotate freely upon the rotation of the receptacle 9. l A *c* A conventional latching means is employed for maintaining the lid 42 in closed position and such means may` consist of a pair of laterally projecting lugs 45 carried by the lid 42 diametrically opposite the hinge therefor. The lugs 45 are grooved in the topsthereof transversely, to provide seats. Directly below the lugs 45 and secured to the frame 15 is locking member comprising a fixed lug 46 having a cam face on the underside thereof as indicated at 47. Said lug is formed with a vertical opening therethrough adapted to receive a bolt 48 loosely mounted therein, said bolt being formed witha transverse head 49 on the upper end thereof and a nut 50 on the lower end thereof; Said head 49 is provided with a horizontal opening .therethrough adapted to receive a shackle 5l so that said shackle will be swingingly pivoteol` to said head. Upon the said bolt 48 and be neath said lug 46 is loosely mounted a latch 52 having a cam face 53 upon the upper side thereof to cooperate'with the opposed cam face 47 of the lug 46, said latch being formed with a handle 54.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that when the lid 42 is closed, and the handle of the locking member is thrown to release position, the shackle 51 may be swung up and over and into engagement with the lugs 45, and that thereupon, by swinging the handle of the latch member so as t0 bring the ca m faces into binding engagement, the bolt and shackle secured thereto will be forced downwardly thus causing the lid to be latched or locked into engagement with the trough member.

Thus the lid and trough members are locked against rotation when the receptacle is rotated, still thelockin'g is not so tight that the platform 5, the lower outer periphery of ""meniber formed with a central sleeve 58, having at its-upper end an outwardly and upwardly extending brake shoe 59 beveled upwardly and outwardly upon the inner periphery thereof and adapted to engage with the outer beveled surface of the collar 55: Said sleeve 58 is also formed at its lower end with an outwardly and downwardly extending clutch shoe 60 beveled downwardly and inwardly on its outer periphery and adapted t0 coact with a beveled gear 61 loosely mounted upon said shaft 56 for the purpose of driving the latter. The gear 61 is provided with an upwardly extending circumferential flange 62 beveled on its inner periphery upwardly and outwardly for engagement with the outer beveled face of the lower clutch shoe 61 of the sleeve 58. A vertically disposed beveled gear 63 is fixed to a shaft 64 operatively connected with the motor 8 and adapted to mesh with the gear 61. Interposed between the top of the sleeve 58 and the bottom of the ball bearing member 57 is an expansion spring A65 adapted to normally hold the clutch member in engagement with the gear 61. Acircumferential flange 66 depends from the platform 5 spaced apart from the collar 55 and to which is secured by suitable means a housing 66 which encloses the aforesaid gearing and clutch member, said housing being adapted to retain oil for the constant lubrication and easy operation of the parts. The shaft 56 is hollow and within' said shaft is mounted a Water inle'. pipe 67 having a beveled .valve seat 68 at the upper end thereof adapted Ato retain a ball valve 69 to prevent the discharge of water from the receptacle through the inlet pipe, but at the same time Vpermitting the inlet of water from the pipe to the receptacle. A water pipe, not shown, is connected at one end to the inlet pipe 67 at 67 and at its other end to a source of water supply. The bottom of the housing 66 is provided with a circumferential opening flanged upwardly at 70 through which opening the inlet pipe 67 passes and into which opening the lower end of the Ishaft 57 enters. Interposed between the inner Wall 0f the flanged opening 70 and the outer wall of the shaft 57 is a ball bearing member 71 adapted to permit free rotation of said shaft with respect to Said flanged opening of the housing 66. Av closure cap member 72 is adapted to be secured around theinletA pipe 67 so as to fit snugly within the flanged opening 70 thus providing an oil tight closure for the housing. A convex perforated plate 73 is secured to the bottom of the receptacle 9 adapted to limit the upward movement of the ball valve, permit the invress of water to the receptacle, and prevent tlie egress of any solid substance that might otherwise clog the valve.

The shifting means for the clutching member may be of any conventional type, but I have illustrated and will describe a preferred form of suclr means and it comprises a rock shaft 74 extending through the housing 66,`provided intermediate its ends with a bifurcated crank arm 75 for straddling the sleeve, 58 whereby when the shaft 71 is rocked in one direction the crank arm will engage with the underface of the brake shoe 59, thus forcing the clutch member 58 upwardly against the normal expansion of the spring 65, causing the said brake shoe of the clutch member to frictionally engage with the col-A lar 55, producing a braking action to gradually stop the rotation of the receptacle. At the same time the clutch shoe 60 of the sleeve 58 is disengaged from the flange 62 of the. gear 61, thus disconnecting the clutch member entirely from the motor. A pull rod 76 is secured to a crank 77 carried by one end of the shaft 74 ex't-eriorly of the housing 66. The rod' 76 extends upwardly and is connected to a pivotally supported counterbalanced handle'member 78 therefor.

When using this apparatus forl rinsing purposes the water may be admitted to the centrifugal receptacle either while the same is rotating or while it is stationary. The force of the water upwardly through the perforated plate 73 acts in a manner to agitate the clothes Within thereceptacle so as to thoroughly rinse them free from any soap, bluing or dirt that may still remain in the clothes. It should also be understood that whether the receptacle is being rotated or is stationary, any overflow therefrom will be carried to any selected circumferential point by means of the manually adjustable combined trough and drainboard positioned at the top of the receptacle. lVhen rotated, this overflow is caused by the centrifugal action of the receptacle.

What we claim is:

1. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a vertically disposed rotatable receptacle forming a combined rinsing and drying chamber, an adjustable drain board, means carried at the top of the receptacle to permit of adjustably positioning said board circumferentially with respect to the receptacle for directing the overflow from said chamber to the point desired, and a rotatable vertically disposed hollowyshaft connected with and opening into the bo tom of said receptacle for operating the latter and supplying Water to the chamber.

' 2. In an apparatus for the "purpose vset forth, a. vertically disposed rotatable receptacle forming a combined rinsing and chamber, an adjustable drain-board carrie at the top of the receptacle fordirecting the overflow from said chamber, a rotatable vertically disposed hollow shaft connected with and opening into thebottom of said receptacle for operating the latter and supplying water to the chamber, and a ard secured to the upper face of the bottom of said receptalclp and spaced from the upper end of said s a t.

Aae

3. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a vertically disposed rotatable receptacle forming a combined rinsing and drying chamber, a vertically disposed rotatable hollow shaft connected with the bottom of andi' the upper end of said shaft, and means for" operating said shaft.

4. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a vertically disposed rotatable receptacle forming a combined rinsing and drying chamber, a vertically disposed rotatable'A hollow shaft connected with the bottom of and opening into said receptacle for operating and supplying water to the latter,` a perforated guard secured to the upper face of the bottom of said receptacle and spaced from the upper end of 'said shaft, means for operating said shaft, a water conducting pipe extending into said shaft, said fpipe having the upper portion of its innerjace bevelled to providea valve seat, and a check' valve associated with said seat. l

5. In an apparatus for the purpose ,set forth, a. rotatable receptacle forming a combined rinsing and drying chamber, a rotat-` able vertically disposed hollow shaft connected to and opening into the bottom of said receptacle for operating the latter, operating means for said shaft, braking means for said shaft, and a valve controlled water.

conducting pipe opening irto said shaft, the' valve of said pipe being positioned at that end thereof arranged in' said shaft.

6. In an apparatus for'the purpose set forth, an open top centrifugal receptacle, a. closure for said top, a rotatable, driven shaft fixed thereto for revolving it, Idriving means for said shaft, meanssurrounding .the shaft and including a spring controlled shiftable part and a stationary part, the former normally engaging said driving means for coupling the latter to the shaft, and means for shifting said spring controlled part against. the action of its controlling spring to engage said stationary part to provide a brak-;

ing action for the receptacle and to unclutch said driving means for the shaft. l

7. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a centrifugal open top receptacle, a closure for said top, means connected to the bottom of the receptacle for revolving the latter, means including a shiftable combined clutching and braking element for discontinuing the operation of said revolving means for the receptacle and for applying braking action thereto, said means for revolving the receptacle including a hollow rotatable shaft, and a stationary, valve controlled water supply pipe extendin through said shaft for communication wit the re"- ceptacle, thesaid means including the clutching and braking element further including a stationary part coacting with the latter to provide for the braking action.

8. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, an open top centrifugal receptacle, a closure for said open top, operating means for the receptacle, means including afstationary part and a spring controlled bodily shiftable combined clutching and bra-king element for discontinuing the operation of said operating means and to provide a braking action for said operating means, and a stationary, valve controlled water supply pipe for communication with the receptacle;-

and extending v through said operating means. 9. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a closable centrifugal receptacle hav-1 ing overflow exits'at its top, an adjustable,

combined overflow collecting and directing element mounted over and carrying a closure for said receptacle, operating means for the receptacle, and water supply -meansopening into the receptacle.v

10. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a closable centrifugal receptacle having overflow exits-at its top', an adjustable, combined over'ow collecting and directing element mounted over and carrying a closure for said receptacle, operating means for the receptacle, and water supply means opening into the receptacle, said water supply means being valved controlled and extending through said operating means.

11.*In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a closable centrifugal receptacle having overfiow exists at its top, a support for the receptacle, said support including a depending collar operating means for the receptacle, -and means for discontinuing the operation of 'the operatingmeans and coacting with said collar to provide a braking action for the receptacle on the stoppage of said operating means.

12. In an apparatusfor the purpose set forth a closable centrifugal receptacle having overflow means at its top, a closure for the receptacle, a vertical shaft connected to rounding the lower portion of theshaft for shaft,and a shiftable, spring controlled com-- bined clutching and braking element slidably mounted on andconnected to said shaft between said collar and operating means and providing for normally clutching the 4latter to the shaft and further providing lwhen shifted from normal the. unclutching of said operating means and to coact with said collar to provide a braking action for the receptacle.

13. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a closable centrifugal receptacle having overflow means at its top, a closure for the receptacle, a vertical shaft connected to and operating the receptacle, means surrounding the lowerportion of the N.shaft for 1driving it, a stationary collar surrounding and spaced from the upper portion of said shaft, a shifthollow, anda water supply means for the receptacle extending through the shaft and having a check valve at its inner end.

forth a centri ugal receptacle, ashaft connected thereto for operating it, operatin means for the shaft surrounding one en thereof, a stationary collar surrounding and spaced from the shaft and further spaced v from said operating means, and a' shiftable spring controlled combined clutching and braking element slidably mounted on and connected to said shaft between the collar and operating means and providing for normally clutching the latter to the shaft and further providing when shifted from normal position the unclutching of said operating .means and to coactwith said collar to provide a braking action fof theireceptacle.

15. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a centrifugal receptacle, a shaft flanged at one end, means for securing the flange of the shaft to the receptacle, operating means for the shaft surroundin the other end thereof and provided with a Eeveled flange, a sta# `tionary collar surrounding and spacedfrom the shaft and further spaced from said operating means and having a beveled periphery, and a shiftable, spring controlled between the 'col-lar and said operating means and normally engaging with lsaid 'beveled flange for lclutching the operating means to to the shaft and further providing when l14. In an a paratus for the purpose set shifted from normal position the unclutching of said operating means and to coact with said beveled periphery to provide a braking action for the receptacle.

16. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a centrifugal receptacle, a shaft connected -thereto for operating it, operating means for the shaft surrounding one end thereof, a stationary collar surrounding and spaced from the shaft and further spaced from said operating means, a shiftable spring controlled combined clutching and braking element slidably mounted on and connected to said shaft-between the collar and operating means and providing for normally clutching the latter to the shaft and further providing when shifted from normal position the uncluching of said operating means and to coact with said collar to provide a braking action for the receptacle, said shaft being hollow, and a water supply means for the receptacle extending through the shaft and having a check valve at its innerend.

17. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a centrifugal receptacle, a shaft flanged at one end, means for securing the flange of the shaft to the receptacle, operating means for the shaft surrounding the other end thereof and provided with a beveled flange, a stationary collar surrounding and spaced fromy the shaft and further spaced from said operating means and having a beveled periphery, a shiftable, spring controlled combined clutching and braking element slidably mounted on and connected to said shaft between the collar and said operating means and normally engaging with said beveled flange for clutching the operating means to the shaft and further providing when shifted from normal position the unclutching of said operating means and to coact with said beveled periphery to provide a braking action for the receptacle, said shaft being hollow, and a water supply means for the receptacle extending through the shaft and having a check valve atits inner end.

18. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a centrifugal receptacle, a shaft con nected thereto for operating it, operating means for the shaft surrounding one end thereof, a stationary collar surrounding and spaced from the shaft and further spaced from said operating means, a shiftable spring controlled combined clutching and braking element slidably mounted on and connected to said shaft between the collar and operating means and providing for normally clutching the latter to the shaft and further providing when shifted from normal position the unclutching of said operating means and to coact with said collar to provide a braking action for the receptacle, said shaft being hollow, a water supply means for the receptacle extending through the shaft and having a check valve at its inner end, and a strainer Xed to the receptacle and extending across the inner end of said water supply means.

19. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a centrifugal receptacle, a shaft flanged at one end, means for securing the iange of the shaft to the receptacle, operating means for the shaft surrounding the other end thereof and provided with a beveled flange, a

stationary collar surrounding and spacedfrom the shaft and further spaced from said operating means and having a beveled periphery, a shiftable, spring controlled combined clutching and braking element slidably mounted on and connected to said shaft between the collar and said operating means and normally engaging with said beveled flange for clutching the operating means to the shaft and further providing when shifted from normal position the unclutching of said operating means and to coact with said.

support having a stationary part depending therefrom. a rotatable shaft for and connected to said receptacle. driving means for the shaft, and a spring controlled, bodily shiftable element slidably keyed to the shaft and including` a clutching shoe engageable with said driving means for coupling it to the shaft when the bodily shiftable element is in one position and further including a brake shoe coacting with said stationary part when the bodily shiftable element is in another position to apply a braking action to the shaft, and a valve controlled water supply pipe extending through said shaft to said intake.

21. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a support. an open top receptacle arranged thereover, a closure for said open top, said support having a stationary part depending therefrom, a rotatable shaft for and connected to said receptacle. driving means for the shaft loosely mounted thereon, and a spring controlled, bodily shiftable element slidably keyed to the shaft and including a clutching shoe engageable with said driving means for clutching it to the shaft to provide for the operation of the latter when the bodily shiftable element is in one position and said bodily shiftable element further including a brake shoe coacting with said stationary part when the bodily shiftable element is in another position to apply a braking action to the shaft.

22. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a.support, an open top centrifugal receptacle arranged thereover, a closure for said open top, a rotatable shaft provided with a flange xedly secured to said receptacle whereby the latter will bodily move with the shaft, bearing means carried by said support for said flange, driving means for the shaft loosely mounted thereon, and a s ring controlled, bodily shiftable element sliably m keyed to the shaft and including a clutching shoe engageable with said driving means for coupling it to the shaft for operating the latter when the bodily shiftable element is in one position, said support having a depending, annular, beveled stationary part, said bodily shiftable element further including a brake shoe coacting with said stationary part when the bodily shiftable element is in another position to apply a brakin action to the shaft on the clutching of the riving means on the latter.

23. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth a support having a dependingstationf ary part, an open top centrifugal receptacle arranged over the support, a rotatable shaft provided at one end with a flange ixedly secured to the receptacle whereby the latter will be carried with the shaft, bearingmeanscarried by said support for said flange, a gear loosely mounted on said shaft for operating` it, a bearing means for the other end of the shaft and providing a stop for limiting the shift of said gear in one direction, and a bodily shiftable element slidably keyed to the shaft and including a clutching shoe coacting with said gear for clutching it to the shaft to provide for the operation thereof and further including a braking shoe coacting with said stationary part to apply a braking 40 action to the shaft when the latter is un clutched from said gear.

In testimony whereof, we aix our signatures hereto. c

HAROLD F. VIEAU. EDWARD J. ONEHL.

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