US2052392A

US2052392A - Laundry machine

Info

Publication number: US2052392A
Application number: US614000A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter A Frantz; John J Mccabe
Original assignee: Apex Electrical Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Apex Electrical Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1932-05-27
Filing date: 1932-05-27
Publication date: 1936-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 1953-08-25

Description

Allg'-J 25, 1936- w. A. FANTz E-r L I' 2.052,392

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed May 27, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Walter Fran W.v A. FRANTZ ET AL nm 3 9 1 5, 2 uw u .A

LAUNDRY MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet `2 Filed May 27, 1932 INVENTORS Wal ter A. Frantz John J.

9 Cabe ATTORNEY 25, 1936- w. A. FRANTZ ET Al.

LAUNDRY MACHINE I Filed May 27, 1952- 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 llllllllll ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1936.

w. A. `FRAISITZ ET A1. LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed May '27, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Walter. Frantz BY Jahn J. ccabe ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1936.k w. A. FRANTZ ET Al.

LAUNDRY MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed May 2'@ 1932 a ac/ r9' MTM mf m .Nr .O n; n Nhh A I 9 5 8,9 Z a/J/ Patented Aug. 25, 1936 LAUNDRY MACHINE Walter A. Frantz, Shaker Heights, and John J. McCabe, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of i Ohio Application May 27, 1932, Serial No. 614,000 20 Claims. (Cl. 259-101) This invention relates to combined clothes washing and wringing machines, and in particular, washing machines which employ an oscillating agitator for performing the washing operation.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type disclosed, novel supporting and securing means for the tub in which the washing operation is performed.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type disclosed, a shield formed from a pluralitypf removable panels'for protecting and thermally insulating the washer tub.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the typedescribed, *a form of agitator and tub bottom construction which is arranged to prevent the clothes from working underneath the base of the agitator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machin-e operating mechanism of unitary construction, in which the motor and other operating elements of the mechanism can beassembled and tested as a unit separate from the machine. n

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type disclosed, a simple and compact washer drive mechanism, in which the majority of the operating elements are grouped for movement 'about a common axis.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine ofthe type disclosed, an improved -means for starting and stopping the operation of the dasher or agitator.

Another object of this invention is to providev in a machine of the type disclosed, an improved frame construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type disclosed, an improved supporting structure for the tub and the operati ing velements of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type disclosed, an improved means for handling the liquid used in effecting the washing operation.

Another object of this invention is. to provide in a machine of the type disclosed, an improved means for securing the caster bearings in position in the supporting l-egs of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type disclosed, an improved form of gearing fordriving the wringer and the washer mechanisms. i

' A further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the type disclosed, a generally driving mechanism.

improved and simplified mechanism embodying a minimum number of parts, which are designed and assembled so as to permit the manufacture of such a machine by modern high speed factory production methods. 5

Wi'th these and other objects in view, the invention Aconsists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts, hereinafter described and illustrated and some of its embodiments in the accompanying drawings, and par-10 ticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View, partly in section, of our improved washing machine.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 15 line 2 2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of our improved washing machine. e y

Figurer 4 'is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4 4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5 5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6 6, Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view, partly in 25 section, ofthe washer or agitator driving mechanism.

Figure 8 is any enlarged plan view, partly in section, of the reduction gearing of the wringer Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9 9, Figure '7.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-l0, Figure 7. e

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure '7, showing the agitator driving gears in their disengaged position.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line l2 l2, Figure '7.

Figure 13 is a plan view of the stamped metal base of the machine.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on line Il lll, Figure 13.

Figure 15.is an enlarged side elevational view of that portion of the tub supporting base which receives the mechanism control lever.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view takeny through one` of the nuts which are riveted to the base for receiving the bolts by means of which certain of the elements of the machine are secured to the base.

Figure 1T is an enlarged sectional view 'of the drain valve, taken on line Il l'i, Figure 3. 4

Figure'18 is a plan view of the tub drain opening and strainer shown in section in Figure 17.

Referring to the complete washing machine illustrated in Figure l, thenumeral I indicates a washer tub which isprovided for the purpose of effecting therein the washing of clothesandf other articles. Above the washer tub, there is positioned a wringer 2, by means of which adherent liquidis squeezed from the clothes after they have beeniwashed or rinsed. The tub I is preferably formed from a steel stamping to which a coating to the agitator 3, through suitable gearing which will b e described in detail presently.A

The agitator or dasher 3, operates with a reversely rotary movement about a vertical axis and swings through an ar'c of substantially one hundred and eighty degrees during its operation.y The wrlnger 2 is mounted for swinging movement in the collar 5, of the top plate 6, and it is driven by the motor 4, through suitable speed reducing gearing which is housed and supported on a level below the bottom of the washer tub.

The washer tub I, is secured in place between a stamped metal base member 1, and the die-cast metal top plate 6. Four supporting legs 3, are secured directly to the base member. The supporting legs are provided with casters 9, to facilitate moving the machine about from place to place.

The washer tub is clamped in place on the machine between the top plate 8, and the base 1, by means oi' the tie rods I0. These rods are rectangular in vcross section and are ilnished withupper andlower threaded ends II and I2, respectively. The upper threaded ends of the rods are received in drilled and threaded bosses I3, which are formed integrally with the top plate at spaced intervals on its underside.

The lower threaded ends of the rods project through suitable holes I4, pierced in the base member 1, and they are iitted with nuts I5, by means of which the top plate is brought into engagement with the channeled rubber ring Il which is fitted over the top edges of the washer tub. A number of rubber pads I1, are interposed between the base 3 and the bottom of the washer tub.

In this manner a strong and resilient mounting is provided for the tub. The stated tub holding means does not require the piercing of the tubs for bolt holes and the like, thus eliminating the possibility of leakage at such points.

Chipping, cracking and crazing of the porcelain enamel ofthe tub during the assembling oi' the machine or in its subsequent use, is practically eliminated through the expedient of gripping the tubs between a yielding material such as rubber which is in contact with a relatively large area of the tub, This mounting arrangement avoids the setting up of localized strains in the tub and thus eliminates the most common cause of failure of the enamel of the tub.

The tie rods I0, are drilled and tapped at I3, for the reception of the screws I9, which serve to hold the finishing strips 20, in contact with the vertical edges of the removable panels-2|. The

- lower edges of the panels are fitted with channeled strips of rubber` 22, for the sake of appearance and to insure sealing contactwiththe base 1, of the machine at these points.

The removable panels 2Ik enhance the appearance of the machine and at the same time, serve to thermally insulate the washer tub. andto protect it yagainst damage. The panels4 are of sufilcient strength to withstand a relatively heavy blowv and even though they are damaged by such a blow, 'the enameled tub, in most cases, will be found to be unharmed and the machine can be easily reconditioned by simply replacing, the damaged panel with a n ew one. This operation is easily performed by rst, removing the two strips 20, which hold the -panel in question, whereupon` the panel ycan be removed and a new one inserted in its place.

The emptying of the contents of the tub is un-l der control of a plug valve, the operating member of which is indicated by the numeral 23. A drain hose 24 is attached at one end to the valve and at its opposite .end the hose is provided with a goose-neck 25, which is secured to the hose by means of a swivel connection 26. An apertured ear 21 is formed in the top plate 6 for receiving the goose-neck of the hose.

The operation of the agitator 3, is controlled by means of a control lever`23, to which is secured a grip or handle 29. The control lever 23, is capable of occupying three fixed positions: in the rst position, the motor 4 is inoperative; in the second position the motor is connected to an electricA circuit thus placed in operation; and in the third position, the washing machine agitator 3 is connected in operated relation with the wash- Iing machine gearing and the driving motor.

The top plate 6, is provided with an opening 30. which registers with the washer tub. `A removable cover 3| is provided for the tub opening 30. The top plate 1, is provided with an upstanding edge or rim 32 and a downwardlyslanting ledge 33, which extends from the rim to the margin of the opening r3l). By this arrangement the water which gets onto the top plate automatically drains back into the tub.

The operation of the wringer rolls is controlled by means of the lever 34. This lever may be shifted towards and from the operator to drive the wringer rolls in one direction or the other. In the vertical position of the wringer control lever 34, the wringer rolls are inoperative and disconnected !rom their driving mechanism.

The lever 35 is provided to lock the wrlnger in the various adjusted positions to 'which it may be swung. The mechanical and structural ieatures o! the wringer and its gearing are shown in detail'in our copending application Serial- Number 613,999.

The water and clothes contained in the washer tub are given a vortex movement by the to and conical base of the agitator. The downwardly turned edge 38 of the agitator base closely appreaches the conical upraised portion 39 of the plate, the tub is provided with a conical raised lportion 39, which extends upwardly into the 75 speed, the centrifugally operated part 5I of the tub bottom, at a point some distance above the point where this part oi.' the tub merges into the horizontally disposed portion 40, of the tub bottom.

As previously stated, the operation of the agi- /tator induces a vortex movement of the contents of the tub. 'I'he relative movement of the water and clothes with reference to `the central portion of the tub bottom, isoutwardly and up` wardly and then inwardly and downwardly.

The contour of the agitator base and the exposed area of the upraised portion of the tub bottom conforms at'this point, approximately' to the ilow lines of the moving contents of the tub whenthe machine is in operation. This arrangement permits better clrculation of the tub contents with a smaller power consumption than would be possible with the use'of an ragitator base, the', shape of which tended to oppose the now of the tub contents or which-varied greatly from the flow lines of the moving contents of the tub.

The natural counter-how induced 'at the outermost edges 4I, of the trailing face of vanes 36, is not sufiicient to throw the clothes against' the marginal edge of the agitator base on account of the relatively great distance between these points,

and in the normal operation ofthe machine, the movement of the clothes is always `in a direction away from such point. l

Under abnormal conditions, such as when the machine is loaded with an excessive amount of clothes, the extended portions 4| of the vanes operate to sweep the clothes clear of the line where the agitator base approaches the `tub bottom.

The agitator 3, is removably secured to its operating shaft 42, by means of an elongated bolt 43. matic in shape and has a plurality of ilat sides which taper towards the axis of the shaft. The agitator base is provided with a central socket 45 of complementary form to the prismatic end 44 of the shaft, for receiving this end of the agitator shaft. 'This arrangement provides a detachable driving connection between the shaft 42 and the agitator 3. The end of the shaft 42 is internally threaded for receiving the bolt 43, by -means of which the agitator is securely held in place on its shaft.

The washer mechanism gearingof the machine is confined within a two-part gear case, the base 46 of which is used to support the motor 4. y 'I'he mechanism in the gear case is driven by the motor 4, by means of a V belt 41, which engages the motor pulley 48, and the mechanism pulley 49. A cover 41 is provided for the belts and pulleys;

A centrifugal clutch 58, which is formed in part by the motor pulley 48, is provided to permit the motor to come up to speed before the load of driving the washing machine mechanism is imposed upon it. The clutch 50 is of similar construction to the clutch illustrated in copendin'g U. S. patent application Serial Number 497,- 678 which was led by W. A. Frantz and A. W. Seyfrled, November 24, 1930.

In the form of clutch Justl referred to, a centrifugally operated clutch member 5i is xedly connected tothe motor shaft 52. 53, is integrally formed with the pulley 48.' The drum and pulley are rotatably journaled on the motor .shaft and when the motor comes up to The end 44, of the agitator shaft, is pris A clutch drum Y drives the pulley at the same speed as that of the motor shaft. If an overload is imposed upon the motor, the clutch immediately begins to slip and thus prevents any damage to the motor.

The motor 4 is secured to the gear case 46, by means of a pair of stamped

metal plates

54 and 55. These plates are formed

with'complementary channels

56 and 51, respectively, between which there is received a rubber sleeve 58 and a supporting shaft 59 which it incloses. The motor 4 is pivotally suspended from the projecting ears 60'of the gear case, which are apertured for receiving the uncovered ends of the shaft 59.

The stamped metal

motor supporting members

54 and 55 are secured to the motor and each other by means of a pair of bolts 6|.

The lower supporting plate 55 is provided with an extending arm 62, which is engaged between the spring 63 and a wing nut 64. The spring 63 vis compressed between the arm 62 and the gear case base 46 and it serves to resiliently hold the arm in contact with the wing nut 64. The wing nut is threaded onto a rod 65, the upper end of which is screwed into a boss'65, formed on the base 46 of the gear case. The boss 66 also serves to position and guide the springv 63, which surrounds it.

A pair of

dielectric washers

61 and 68 are provided to insulate the arm 62 from the spring 63 and the nut 64. The upper washer 61 is engaged by the spring 63 and the lower washer 63 is engaged by the wing nut. The provision ofthe washers just mentioned, and the rubber sleeve 58, which formsa sheath for the shaft 59, serves to electrically insulate the motor 4 from the rest of the machine. The sleeve 58 has flanged ends 69, for preventing contact between the

plates

54 and 55 and the ears 68. The arm 62 is slotted orforked at 10, for receiving the rod 65.

The spring 63 is arranged to resiliently oppose lthe pull of the belt 41 and it co-operates with the rubber sleeve 58 to provide'a resilient and flexible mounting for the motor 4. By this arrangement the motor noises are not transmitted to and amplified by the rest of the machine and an clutch, frictonally engages the drum 53 and.

extreme degree of'quietness in operation is attained by reason of such construction.

The lower half or base 45 of the gear. case, may be constructed in the form of a metal casting. The mechanism belt pulley 49 is xedly connected to a worm shaft 1 I, which is journaled at one end'in an anti-friction bearing 12. An oil seal 13 is provided between the shaft 1I and the gear case to prevent the escape of oil at this point. The'opposite end of the worm shaft is journaled in a plain bearing 14, formed in the gear case base. An eil seal 15 is also provided in the end of this bearing to preventl the 'escape of oil from the gear case. A worm 16 is threadably secured to the shaft 1I.

The lower end of the agitator shaft 42is journaled ina bearing 11, which is formed in the boss 6.6 of the gear case base. The shaft 42 provides a bearing for the Worm gear 18, which meshes with the Worm 16. An eccentric 19 having a hole 80, adjacent to its marginal edge for the receiving of the agitator shaft 42,-is xedly secured to the top of the Worm gear 16 by means of the bolt 8|, which isV screwed into the gear 18. A connecting rod or pitman 82., receives the eccentric 19 in a suitable bearing83, formed in one of its ends. 'I'he rod 82 is held in place on the eccentric by means of a plate 84 which is extends beyond the edge of the eccentric to cover the. bearing portion 83, of the connecting rod.

, b/ar 90 is vslideably fitted in ,a laterally moveable member 93.

The side 94 of the curved rack bar, which is opposite to the side upon which its gear teeth 95 are cut, is H shaped in cross section. This part 'of the bar issmoothly finished andvis4 received in a channel 96 of the bearing member 93, which is C shaped in cross section. ing; member 93 is received in a` channel member 98 which is xedly secured to the gear case base by means of the drive screws 89.

The lateral movement of the bearing member 93 is eifectedby means of a pinion |00, which meshes with the rack teeth formed in the opening |02, which is provided through the bearing member' 93. The pinion |00 is in the fcnn of an elongated mutilated gear having a suicient number of teeth |03 formed thereon, to shift the bearing member a slight distance back and forth in its guideway 98.

` `{I'he pinion |00 is provided. with an enlarged cylindrical lower end |04, which is journaled in a suitable bearing |05 formed in the base of the gear case. Ihe gear teeth 95 of the rack bar' engage with the gear teeth of the pinion |06, which is fixedly secured to the agitator shaft 42, by means of a key |01.

From the foregoing it is apparent that during the time of operation of the motor 4, the worm 18, the worm gear 18 and the eccentric 19 are continuously driven, the lattertwo elementsbeing rotated about the agitator shaft 42, as a bearing pin. At the same time the connecting rod 82 reciprocates the curved rack bar 90 back and forth in its slideway 98, and thismovement of the rack bar is transmitted through the pinion |08 to the agitator shaft l42, giving it a reversely rotary angular movement of substantially one hundred and eighty degrees in each direction. It is understood; of course, that such movement `of `the agitator shaft takes place only when the rack bar 90 is in mesh with the agitator shaft pinion.

The bearing hole 89 of the rack bar, is placed at a considerable distance from the agitator shaft pinion |06, so that the direction. of the force transmitted'by the pitman 82 kto the rack bar 90 vclosely approaches a direction tangent to the curvature of the rack bar. This arrangement insures a free running mechanism with low frictional power losses.

The driving of the agitator shaft-may be controiled at will by simply rotating in one direc'- tion orI the other, the pinion |00, which controls the position of the rack bar bearing member 93. The agitator shaft 42 provides a bearing linember forthe worm gear 18 and its associated eccentric 19, thus permitting a very compact arrangement of the elements of such a mechanism while, at the same time, eliminating several parts, such asthe worm gear supporting shaftand its associated bearings which are customarily employed in such mechanisms.

The rectangular base 91 of the bearl I sleeve ||9 of the4 segmental pinion |08.

f segmental pinion |08, is operatively geared to a 1 shifting.. quadrant ||0. This quadrant has gear teeth |.|,|,.which meshwith the gear teeth of the pinion |08'. Y

The quadrant ||0, is` rotatably supported about the agitator shaft bearingv member ||2, and is heldin. position thereat by means of the plates or clips ||3, integrally formed on the bearing member ||2. A plurality of bolts ||4 serve to hold the bearing member in place on the gear case cover I|5. .The shifting quadrant has an integrally formed arm IIB, to which the shifting lever 28 is secured by means of the bolts ||1.

The gear case cover ||5 may be formed from a metal stamping with suitable openings for the agitatorl shaft, bearing ||2, and the segment shifting pini'on |00. IAn annular bearing ||8,A

is pressed out off the gear case covervfor receiving and providing a bearing forthe depending This pinion is also provided with a downwardly turned y'outer edge |20, which is provided for the purpose of retaining the packing ring |2| in' place.

The packing ring |2`| is provided to.; prevent the escape of oil from the gear case at the bearingfv The gear case cover is formed with an outwardly turned edge |22, for engaging the correspondingly formed top edge |23 olf/the cast metal base of the gear case. A plurality of bolts |24,

are used to secure the upper and lower portions of the gear case to each other. A`n annular ring |25, is welded to theunder side of the gear case cover about an opening which is provided to receive the bearing member ||2. The ring |25 is .provided to strengthen and thicken the gear case cover at this point so that it may be drilled and tapped for receiving the bolts 4, provided to hold the bearing member ||2 in place on the gear case cover. v Y

The bearing member |2 is provided with an upstanding sleeve |v which forms an `annular cup for catching and retaining the small amount of oil or, grease which may escape from either the packing material |21 provided to seal the shaft 42, or from the gear case itself, by way of the agitator shaft bearing.

Should an unusual amount of oil collect in the cup, the capillary attraction of the packing |21 will tend to take up some ofv it, 'while gravity also acts to return such oil to'fthe gear case. If desired, the cupmay be packed with hard grease to better insure the lubricationof the shaft packing and the shaft bearing over an extended period of time and thus assist in preventing the escape of water from the tub and oil from the gear case.

The packing material |21 is retained in an exteriorly threaded cup-like die cast member |28, which is arranged to extend through a central opening provided `in the bottom .of the tub I.

The member |28 is held in position by means of an upper die-cast lock nut |29 and a lower die.

of the cup |30 to effect Niquid-tight seal at this point.

opposite end of. the spiral groove.

maintained in the fluid-tight adjustment aboutv the shaft 42, by means of a slidably fitted packing gland |33 and a dat spiral spring |34, which is interposed between the cup |30 and the gland |33.

The cup |30 and the inner face of the upwardly extending sleeve or collar |35 of the bearing member ||2 are formed with a plurality of complementary flat sides or faces. The dat faces of the sleeve are indicated by the numeral |26. The cup |30 is loosely fitted in the sleeve |35 of the bearing member ||2. The complementary fiat sides of the cup |30 and the sleeve |35 cooperate with each other to prevent the nut from unthreading itself from the inner cup |23 and also serve to hold the cup from turning, thus facilitating the application or removal of. the upper nut |29. The packing means just described, is supported entirely by the tub bottom and is free to move on the shaft which it seals to take care of irregularities in the fitting of the parts of the machine and to permit relative movement between the tub and the operating mechanism V Should it ever be necessary to renew the packing material, the cup |28 can be readily removed through the tub bottom for this purpose without disturbing the rest of the machine.

The gear shifting pinion |08 and quadrant ||0 and the agitator shaft bearing ||2 may be constructed of die castings to eliminate 'a large number of machining and other finishing operations on such parts. 'Ihe bearing member 93, for the rack bar 90 also may be constructed of a die casting.k l

A spiral groove |36 is formed on a portion of that part of the worm shaft 1|, which is received in the bearing 14. One end of the spiral groove |36 is in contact with the oil in the gear case and during the rotation of the shaft, the spiral groove causes oil to be forced into the annular groove |31 which is out in the shaft at the The bearing 14 is drilled at a point opposite to the annular groove |31 for the reception of the oil pipe |33.

This pipe communicates with the annular groove |31 and conducts oil therefrom to the top surface of the member 93.

The web las of the member sa is located one lower level than the marginal edges'of this member and thus`provides a shallow open container which is capable of holding considerable amount of lubricant. Achannel |40, is c'ut in the top of the c shaped guideway 96 for its lubrication. The rack bar is notched at |4| for the escape of oil from thefguideway to the depression |42, provided in the rack bar. Oil. from the depressed part of the rack bar flows over the agitator pinion |06 by way of the notch |43.

, In this manner a combined gravity and force-y feed lubrication system is provided for the working parts of the machine and a very small amount of oil in the gear case will effectively lubricate all of the mechanism in the gear case.

The worm shaft 1| extends through the gear v case at the bearing 14 and 'isthere connected to a horizontal drive shaft |44, by means of a universal joint |45. The universal joint is, provided with a cover |46 for retaining a supply of grease about the joint. The opposite end of the drive shaft |44 is connected by means of a similar universal joint |41 to the wringer worm shaft |46. This joint is also provided with a dirt excluding 'and grease retaining cover |49.

A spring |50 is carried in one end of the connecting shaft |44 to` take up the end play and prevent the vibration of the shaft when itoperates. A channel or trough-shaped guard |5| is supported beneath the shaft |44. This guard extends a distance beyond the ends of the shaft and serves to catch the oil that might; escape from the bearings beneath which it is positioned, as well as providing a guard for the shaft |44.

l The base 1 of the machine is formed from a steel stamping and it is provided with a depressed portion |1|, for the purpose of strengthening-and 'stiilening it. -The base 1 is provided at its outer with an upstanding wall |13, which defines an opening through which the gear case cover ||5 projects. By reason of this construction, a Very rigid, yet light weight base is provided.

A plurality of threaded nuts |14 and |15 are riveted to the base for the purpose of receiving the bolts which are used to secure the washer gear case and the legs of the machine to the base. 'I'he ends of the nuts |14 are ground down to the proper height after they have been riveted to the base to insure the accurate fitting of the gear case.

'I'he lower half of the base 46, of the agitator driving mechanism gear case, is provided with three ears |16, upon which are formed the pads |11. These pads are ground level with the top of the gear case and are drilled at |13 for the reception of the bolts by means of which the gear case is secured to three nuts |14, which are carried by the stamped metal base 1.

The skirt |12 of the base is pierced for receiving the legl securing rivets |16, one of which is provided for each of the legs. The legs are of stamped metal construction.

The top of the legs rest against the underside weight of the machine; and for this reason. they are not apt to become loosened in the use of the machine.

, in a bearing member |80, which is received in the .lower end ot ,the legs. The bearing member |80 i .is held in position by crimping the edge portions |8| of the legs into a depression |82, formed in the bearing member |80-, thus providing a strong land inexpensive torm of securement for the caster bearing.

The motor 4 is controlled by a toggle ,switch |88, actuated by the operating lever 28.- The switch |88 is operated by a spring (not shown) `in one direction and by the lever` 28 inthe opposite direction; thus, when the lever 28 is shifted upwardly, as viewed in Figure 2, the switchcloses and starts the motor, and when the lever is shifted downwardly,the lever 28'engages the switch to break the circuit.

The operating lever 28 works in a slot H84, provided by the plate |85, which is secured by the bolts |86 in position over the slot |81, and which is formed in the skirt |12 of the base.' The plate |85 is laterally adjustable for adjusting the position o1' the lever 28, when the stops |88 and |89 of the quadrant and segmental pinion |08 have been adjusted or filed down, to compensate for wear between the agitator shaft pinion and its driving rack bar 90. The plate |85 is provided with three notches |90 and |9| and |92, formed in one side o! the slot |84 for locking the operating lever 28 in its oil position, motor operating position and washing position respectively.

`The switch |83 and its control means are shown in detail and claimed in copending application for U. S. Letters Patent Serial-No. 619,505 filed by Paul E. Frantz on June 27, 1932.

The base member 1, has a circular hole punched out at |99, and another hole in its skirt at |94, for receiving the tub drain valve. valve is in'the form of an L` shaped tting |95, which has an internally threaded side opening |98, for receiving the threaded valve plug 23. The valve plug co-operates with a valve seat |91, integrally formed vwith the fitting.

The outer end of the fitting is threaded at |98, for receiving the coupling |99 of the hose 24. The other end of the fitting |95 is threaded at 200, to permit its connection to the elbow 20|. Theupper end oi' the elbow is formed with a ilange 202, and has an internally threaded hexagonal end portion 203, which is received in a hexagonal hole 204 provided in the tub bottom.

A threaded strainer 205 is screwed into the elbow 20| to hold it in place on the tub. Gaskets 206, are positioned between the tub and the strainer and the flange oi' the elbow, to provide -a leak-tight joint at this point.

The valve is braced by means of a plate 201, which closely fits the L fitting |95 and which is secured to the skirt |12 by the bolts 208.

Furthermore it isx to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and described, and theparticular procedure set forth are presented for the purposes of explanation and .that various modications of said apparatus and procedure can be made without departing from .our invention as described in the appended claims. r

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In a laundry machine, a casing for holding liquid and articles to be washed, washing means in said casing, power operated gearing for driving said washing means, a supporting structure i. 78

lor said casing and gearing having an annular This operatively associatedwith s'aid gearing, a gear on one end of said member, a second gear meshf ing therewith and rotatable about a vertical axis located centrally o! said supporting structure, and lever means for rotating said second gear having an operating handle projecting beyond the marginal portion of said supporting structure.

2. In a laundry machine, a liquid container, laundering 'instrumentalities rin said container, a support for said container, operating mechanism carried by said support including a rotatable shaft operably associated with said laundering instrumentalities and traversing a wall ofsaid container, said shaft being held against movement in an axial direction, and sealing means for said shaft at the place where it traverses the wall of said container comprising shaftengaging packing material, a packing gland therefor and securement meansfor said gland accessible from the interior of said tub whereby said gland and the packing material therein may be removed from the machine by way of the in- L terior of said tub, said sealing means being supported solely by the wall of said container so that the container wall is free to move axially of said shaft and relatively thereto.

3. In a laundry machine, a liquid container, laundering instrumentalities in said container, a support for said container, operating mechanism, a case for said mechanism xedly secured to said support, said mechanism having a rotatable shaft operably associated with said laundering instrumentalities and traversing a wall of said container, said shaft being held against movement in an axial direction, and sealing means for said shaft at the place where it traverses the wall of said container comprising shaft-engaging packing material, a packing gland therefor and securement means for said gland accessible from the interior of said tub whereby said gland and the packing material therein may be removed from the machine by way of the interior of said tub, said sealing means beingsupported solely by the wall of said container so that the' con'- tainer wall is free to move axially of said shaft and relatively thereto.

4. In a washing machine,` a washing tub for containing both clothes and a detergent liquid, agitating means in said tub for eiecting the washing operation, a driving shaft for operating said means extending through a wall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base for said operating means and said tub, a seal for said shaft carried by the wall of said tub, means for securing said seal to the wall of said tub comprising a threaded member inside of said tub and a threaded member outside o! said tub, and means rigid with `said supporting base forv securing said last named member against rotation, said last named means loosely engaging said outer threaded member whereby it is free to move axially of saidshaft.A

5. In a washing machine-a washing tub. for

tub comprising a member inside said tub threadably connected to a member outside said tub, and

. means rigid with -said supporting base for securing said last named member against rotation, said v last named means loosely engaging said outer threaded member Wherebyit is free to move axlially of said shaft.

6. In a washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes and a detergent liquid, agitating means in said tub for eifecting the washing operation, a driving shaft for operating said means extending through a Wall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base for said operating means and said tub, a seal for said shaft carried solely by the Wall of said tub,

, means for securing said seal to the wall of said tub comprising a member inside said tub threadably connected to a member extending outside said tub, said members having Wrench engaging flat sides, and a socket member for receiving' the wrench engaging portion ofthe member rigid with said base which is outside thel tub for holding the same against rotation.

7. In a washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes and a detergent liquid,

agitating means in said tub for electing the Washing operation, a driving shaft for operating said means extending through a wall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base 'for said operating means and said tub, a seal for said shaft carried solely by the wall of said tub, means for securing said seal to the wall of said tub comprising amember inside said tub threadably connected to a member extending outside said tub, said members having wrench engaging Aflat sides, and a socket member rigid with said base and being of complementary form to the wrench engaging portion of Ithe member which is outside the tub for receiving and holding the same against rotation.

8. Ina washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes and a detergent liquid;

agitating means in said tub` for 'effecting the Washing operation, a driving shaft for operating said means extending through a wall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base for said operating means and said tub, a seal Vfor said shaft carried solely by the Wall of said tub, means for securing said seal Ito the wall of said tub comprising a member inside said tub threadably connected to a member extending outside said tub, said members having wrench engaging at sides, 'and a socket member rigid with said base loosely receiving the wrench engaging portionof the member which is outside 'the tub for holding the same against'rotation.

9. In a laundry machine, aliquid container, a. support for said' container, laundering instrumentalities in said container, operating mechanism, a' gear case for said mechanism carried by said support beneath said container, said operating mechanism including a shaft projecting from the gear case and extending through the bottom of said container, said gear case having a cupy surrounding said shaft at the point where it emerges from said gear case, and a seal for said shaft sealed to the bottom of said tub and projecting loosely into said cup said seal being held against rotation by said cup.

10. In a laundry machine, a support, a liquid container carried by said support, laundering instrumentalitiesin said container, andvoperating lmechanism for said laundering instrumentalities carried by said support, said operating mechanism including a gear case and a projecting shaft traversing the bottom of said container and optalities and also a cup carried by the top of said gear case and surrounding said shaft to provide a receptacle for oil escaping from the `gear case by Way of'said shaft and a seal for said shaft extending into said cup where it is in position to be lubricated by oil carried in the cup.

11. In a. laundry machine in combination, a liquid container, a support for said container, laundering instrumentalities'in said container, operating mechanism for said laundering instrumentalities comprising a gear case and a shaft extending from said gear case and connected to port, laundering instrumentalitiesin said liquid container, operating mechanism for said laundering instrumentalities carriedby the underside of said support, said operating mechanism including a gear case anda projecting shaft traversing the bottom of said container and connected to said laundering instrumentalities, sealing means for said shaft at the place where it enters said container, and a bearing member for said shaft carried by the top of said gear case, said bearing member being surrounded by a cup in which the bottom of said sealing means is received whereby liquids escaping from the gear case at the shaft bearing or liquids escaping from the container at the shaft seal' will be caught and collected in said cup.

13. In a laundry machine, in combination, a support, a liquid container carried by said support, laundering instrumentalities in said container, operating mechanism for said laundering instrumentalities Vincluding an operating shaft traversing the bottom'of said casing, s'haft sealing means sealed to the bottom of said container, supported solely thereby and having an aperture for the reception of said shaft, said sealing means having soft packing in engagement with said interior ofrthe tub for adjusting the packing means, and means rigid with said support loosely engaging a part of said sealing means for preventing its rotation.

. 14. In a laundry machine, a liquid container, laundering instrumentalities in said container, kan operatingl shaft for said laundering instrumentalities traversing the wall of said container, and means for sealingA said shaft at the point where it traverses the container wall carried solely by such wall, said sealing means comprising a pair of='opposite1y disposed nested vcups lthe bottoms of whichare located inside and outsidev said tub, packing means carried inside of said cups and means accessible from the interior of the container foradiusting one of Isaid cups with respect to the.other and for securing said cups to the container wall.

` 15. In a laundry machine, in combination, a support, a liquid container carried by said support, laundering instrumentalities in said container, an operating shaft for said laundering instrumentalities traversing an aperture in the wall of said container, shaft sealing means carried solely by the wall of said container for preventing erably connected to said laundering instrumenshaft and also having means, accessible from the 5 0 container comprising packing means in engagement with the shaft and retaining means for 5 said packing means arranged to permit removal of the packing from inside said container without removing said shaft, and means rigid with said support loosely engaging a part of said sealing means for preventing its rotation.

16. In a washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes and a detergent liquid, agitating means in said tub for eiiecting the washing operation, a driving shaft for operating said means extending through a wall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base for said operating means land said tub, a seal for said shait carried by the wall of said tub, means for securing said seal to the wall of said tub comprising a threaded member inside of said tub and a threaded member outside of said tub, and means for securing said last named member against rotation, said' last named means loosely engaging said .outer threaded member whereby it is free to move axially of said shaft.

17. In a laundry machine, a supporting structure having an annular marginal portion, a casing having a compartment for containing liquid and articles to be washed carried by said supporting structure, agitating means in the com- 1 partment of said casing, operating mechanism carried by said structure and arranged to be connected and disconnected in driving relation with said agitating means, a control lever for eecting such connection and disconnection, said control lever being plvoted for movement about a vertical axis located substantially centrally oi the compartment of the casing, and yan operating handle for said lever extending beyond the annular marginal portion of said supporting structure.

18. In a laundry machine, a casing having an annular side wall portion for holding'liquid and articles to be washed, said side wall portion denning a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, washingmeans in said casing, power-operated gearing for driving said washing means, a supporting structure for said casing-fand gearing, and

control mechanism for connecting vand disconnecting said gearing tosaid'washing means comprising a member :lournaled for movement in a horizontal plane about the axis lof the annular side wall portion of said casing.'` movement compounding means connecting said member to said gearing and an operating handle for said member projecting radially beyond the annular side wall of said casing.

19. In a laundry machine, axcasing having an` annular side wall portion-for holding liquid and articles to be washed, said side wall portion deiining a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, washing means in said casing, power-operated gearing for driving said washing means, said gearing having 'an exteriorly located bearing member, a supporting structure for said casing and gearing, and control mechanism' for connecting and disconnecting said gearing to said washing means comprising ,a member journaled on said exteriorly located bearing for movement in a horizontal plane about the axis of the annular side wall portion of saidfcasing. movement compounding means connecting said member to said gearing and an operating handle for said member projecting beyond the annular side wall portion of said casing.

20. In a laundry machine, a casing for holding liquid and articles to be washed, said casing having an annular side wall formed as a surface of revolution about a vertical axis; washing means in said easing, poweroperated gearing for driving said washing means including a driving shaft traversing the bottom of said casing and coaxial with the vertical axis thereof a supporting structure for said casing and gearing, and control mechanism for connecting and disconnecting said gearing. to said washing means comprising, a lever journaled for movement about the axis of said shaft and an operating handlevtherefor extending radially beyond the lower portion oi the side wall of said casing.

WALTER A. 'FRANTL JOHN J. MocABE.

f CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.'

Patent No. 2,052,392.

WALTER A. FRANTZ', y ET iL.

I t ishereby certified that error appears in the printed s the above numbered patent requirin l column, lines 21 and 22.,- clai'm 6 and insert the same after "member" in line 20, after "cup" insert a` comme.; and that the said Letters Patent shou withthese corrections vtherein that the same may conform to the re case in the Patent Office. 'i

' Signed andv sealed this 15th day of December, A. .DL 1936.

(Seal) Page '7, Rfirst Henry Van 'Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Pate-nts...

August 25, 1936 pacification of' ld be read cord of' th 40ture.

container comprising packing means in engagement with the shaft and retaining means for 5 said packing means arranged to permit removal of the packing from inside said container without removing said shaft, and means rigid with said support loosely engaging a part of said sealing means for preventing its rotation.

17. In a laundry machine, a supporting structure having an annular marginal portion, a casing having a compartment for containing liquid and articles to be washed carried by said supporting structure, agitating means in the com- 1 partment of said casing, operating mechanism carried by said structure and arranged to be connected and disconnected in driving relation with said agitating means, a control lever for eecting such connection and disconnection, said control lever being plvoted for movement about a vertical axis located substantially centrally oi the compartment of the casing, and yan operating handle for said lever extending beyond the annular marginal portion of said supporting struc- 18. In a laundry machine, a casing having an annular side wall portion for holding'liquid and articles to be washed, said side wall portion denning a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, washingmeans in said casing, power-operated gearing for driving said washing means, a supporting structure for said casing-fand gearing, and

19. In a laundry machine, axcasing having an` annular side wall portion-for holding liquid and articles to be washed, said side wall portion deiining a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, washing means in said casing, power-operated gearing for driving said washing means, said gearing having 'an exteriorly located bearing member, a supporting structure for said casing and gearing, and control mechanism' for connecting and disconnecting said gearing to said washing means comprising ,a member journaled on said exteriorly located bearing for movement in a horizontal plane about the axis of the annular side wall portion of saidfcasing, movement compounding means connecting said member to said gearing and an operating handle for said member projecting beyond the annular side wall portion of said casing.

WALTER A. 'FRANTL JOHN J. MocABE.

f CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.'

Patent No'. 2,052,392.

August 25, 1936 WALTER A. FRANTZ', y ET iL.

' Signed andv sealed this 15th day of December, A. .DL 1936.

(Seal) g correction as follows:

strike out the words "rigid with 'said bas same claim; line 6'7, claim -9 Page '7, Rfirst Henry Van 'Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Pate-nts...

pacification of' ld be read cord of' th