US2062286A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 1936.

J. E. W. BERR' WASHING MACHINE Original Filed A ril 21, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 21 -INVENTOR JOH/ VEWB/HR j I BY p ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 1, 1936 I I 2 2,062,236 g UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcgf John Emil Wilhelm Birr, sen Leandro, .Calif.,

assignor of one-half to Albert G. Nicolini, Oakland, Calif.

Application April 21, 1933, Serial No. 667,185

Renewed August 5,- 1935 12 Claims. (01468-18) This invention relates to washing machines side-wall of drum I for'm' a flange l4,'from and has particular reference to that class which which is struck up a series of lugs l adapted to has, for its principal feature, the forcing of the register with and extend through a corresponding water through the clothes, insteadof pushing the series of openings 16, formed around the edge of 5 clothes through or against the water, as is cuslid l3. At the center of lid I3, I provide,; fast tomary in washing machines. By this means, thereon, a clutch member comprising a flange H where the garments are held stationary with rewith an upwardly extending socket ldadapted to lation to the containing drum, itis.possible"to snugly engage a pair of lugs 19 which are fast launder the most delicate fabrics or lace curtains on drive-shaft 20, these lugs comprising a second without possibility of damage. clutch member. When the machine aisat rest, 10

As a second important feature of my invention, lugs ill will rest upon the bottom of-soclret l'8 the garments which are to be cleansed are never and thus support the weight of the driving mechlmmersed in the cleaning fluid, but are held above anism immediately above them; but when the the normal level of the liquid, means being prodrum I is being rotated, the lifting tendencyof vided to raise this liquid, in a central tower, to the thewater within tower 6 and beneathfloor3 will 15 top level of the clothes and thence, by centrifugal produce an upward thrust'of drum I and shaft action, the liquid is forced through perforations 20 against a ball-bearing 2 lwhich is formed within the tower walls and to and through the garin a block 22 that is fast upon a cover 23, which" ments and then through perforations infthe side houses the'driving mechanism, presently to be de- 20 walls of the drum, from whence it returns to the scribed. v

liquid reservoir beneath, there to repeat the proc-' Surrounding drum l is an open-ended cylinder 20 ess until the cleaning operation is completed. 24 of somewhat larger diameter, this cylinder be- Other features of construction and use will aping enlarged near its ends to snugly fit within the pear in the specification that follows, and also barrel 25 whlch'contalns the washing fluid',seen 25 in the drawings which accompany and form part at H], Fig. 1. At the lower-extremity of cylinder thereof, and in which 24 and extending inwardly therefrom, I arrange, Fig. 1 is a vertical section of my machine. fast thereon, a series of deflecting vanes 26 which, Fig. 2 is a top plan thereof. v although stationary, are adapted to cooperate Fig. 3 is a plan section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. with turbine 5 in raising the liquid to tow er 6. 30 Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the latch shown in Within barrel 25,-and secured to thefloor 21 Fig. 1. thereof, is a centrally arranged pedestal whose Fig, 5 is a detailof the pump-shifting mecha upper end is formed as a'post or stud 29, around nism. Y which is journaled a spider 30 which has upward.-

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view 'of the hand wheel, ly and-outwardly extending arms '3l' connecting looking up. I v the bearing 32 to thel ring of spider' 30; which 35 Primarily, my machine comprises a revolving latter is secured to and underneathfloor 3. drum I, whose vertical walls are provided with When the machine is at rest, the collar 33, fast perforations A fl -p e fast wi h rum on stud 29, acts as a support for hearing 32 and is constructed with a downwardly extending wall thus for drum l and the movingpartsabo've it} 40 provided, all its lower extremity. with a Series but when the machine is operatingjthe upward 40 0f deflecting vanes, 5, thus forming What I can thrustof the liquid, before referred/to, tends to a turbine or agitator. Within drum I and firmly 1m; spider with its supenmpbsed mechanism. secured to floor-plate 3, is a vertically disposed from direct contact with collar 33, thus transcone or tower 5, whose walls are provided with ferrmg the thrust to'balbbearmglu perforations 1. Within tower 6 is arranged a 53229132? gg gf f ggg gg gfi g agg preferably arrange a plurality of curved blades 34 whose contours form 'a reasonably. snug fit f 6 is open toflt a corresponding opening 9 in floor-plate 3, thus providing free ingress for theithin barrel 25 and the walls 4 of floor. 3,. -to

Surrounding pedestal 23, andfast thereto,.I

liquid which is to be raised from the water-well act as dam to break up the rotary motmnof'the r0 It, as will be later described. The top of tower'fi liquidwlthin water-Well and further. by a is d, partly by th m t 11p ll of t of their curved outline,to crowd the liquid toward side wall of tower 6, and partly by a cup l2, dethe center and directly beneath tower i. To more pending from and secured to a lid l3, which comclearly illustrate this feature,"I' have not forepletely covers drum I. At the upper edge of the shortened the edges 35 of blades 34, in Fig.-'1, as

would be necessary to correctly portray these edges as seen in Fig. 3.

Closely surrounding barrel is an enclosing shell 36, partly cylindrical in contour, but extending at one side, as at 31, to house the auxiliary driving shaft 38, this shaft being journaled in two spiders 39 and 40, the former of which is fast within the upper end of a movable cylinder 4|, and the latter being fast within a stationary auxiliary cylinder 42, this last being fast to the shell extension 31. The movable cylinder 4| rests on a pin 43 which is fast with auxiliary cylinder 42, but pin 43 has also another function which will be later described.

My machine is provided withlegs 44 which may be secured to barrel 215 or shell 36, as desired, and it is to be understood that I may mount legs 44 -on rollers or castors Hi8, withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention. The driving mechanism will now be described. Beneathbarrel .25, and preferably mounted on legs 44, is a motor M with an upwardly extending shaft 45 at whose upper end is fastened a driving pulley 46. On the lower end of auxiliary shaft 38, is fast a second drive pulley 41, pulleys 46 and 41 being connected by the rope or belt drive 48. 7 At the upper end of auxiliary shaft 38 is fast a third drive pulley 49 which, by a second rope or belt drive 50, is connected to a fourth drive pulley 5|, this last being splined on drive-shaft 20, as seen at 52. A stud 53 in fourth drive pulley 5| is adapted to engage the key-slot 52 on driveshaft-2ll, and, being removable, pulley 5| becomes loose on shaft 20 when it is desired to dis-assemble the machine. The preceding word loose has a relative meaning,. as pulley 5| is adapted to snugly engage shaft 26 so as to cause-suflicient friction to hold shaft 20 in raised position, as will be later described. g

Within block 22, and surrounding shaft 20, is a sliding bar 54, provided with a handle 55, and also with an enlarged opening 56, this opening being adapted to register with the collars of ballbearing 2|, in a well-known manner. See Fig. 2. Opposite block 22, and fast-on cover 23, I preferably mount a switch-box 51 with which bar 54 operatively connects when it is desired to operate my machine. This position is shown'in Figs. 1 and 2. When bar 54 is withdrawn the circuit is broken in switch-box 51 and motor M becomes idle.

Ball-bearing 2| comprises: a collar 58 fast on shaft 20 and a second collar 59 loose thereon. With bar 54 in the position shown, the upward thrust of the water, before referred to, causes collar 59 to impinge against the underside of bar 54 as an abutment. Being free on shaft 20, this friction causes collar 59 to remain stationary while the machine is in operation,- thus callin ball-bearing 2| into play. i

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that when motor M operates, lugs l9 on driveshaft 20, by engaging socket I8 on flange cause lid I3 to revolve in clock-wise direction and, through the agency of lugs l5, which are formed integral with drum the drum, with its central tower 6 and turbine 5 also are rotated. The garments to be cleaned are packed within drum and around tower 6, and the action of turbine 5 sets up a whirling motion of the liquid in well l0 which is caught by the blades 34 and concentrated directly beneath tower 6. As the speedof the motor increases, this concentration produces a pressure which forces the liquid upward within tower 6 until it has reached the top thereof,

1 speed of the motor.

whence, by centrifugal action, the liquid, finely comminuted by the screen 8, passes through the perforations l and through the garments G, after which it escapes through perforations 2 in the sidewall of drum and falls upon the stationary vanes 26, the contour of which accentuates the whirling efficiency of turbine 5.

Thus it will be noticed that, during the entire washing operation, clothes G are held stationary withindrum I, being pressed against the outer wall thereof by centrifugal action and thus leaving a very small space immediately surrounding tower 6, the amount of this space depending partly upon 'the tightness with which the garments have been packed, and partly upon the The liquid which emerges from tower 6 in the form of a fine spray or mist is driven through the clothes by centrifugal force, thus searching out every part and hidden fold thereof. The height to which the liquidcan be forced in tower 6 depends partly upon the speed of motor M, but mainly upon the fineness of the mesh of. screen 8. 1

At the completion of the cleaning operation, it becomes necessary to draw. the cleaning fluid from the machine and replace it with clean water for rinsing purposes. To accomplish this, I employa pump connected with a flexible hose H, by means of which the liquid may be drained directly into a sink-tray or set-tub which may be located in close contiguity with my machine.

The draining mechanism will now be described in detail.

Pedestal 28 is provided with a plurality of drain openings 60 through which the liquid may freely and fully escape. Openings 69 register with a verticallyarranged and partly hollowed bolt 6|, the upper end of which is fast with floor 21 of barrel 25. The free end of bolt 6| is housed in a closedbox 62, and its hollowed portion is provided withperforations 63. Also, to box 62, but

at one side, I make fast a short nipple 64, to

.whichhooks over the edge of the tray. This hook is adjustably secured on hose H, and when the washing operation is under way, hose H may be suspended against the side of the machine by placing hook 65 over the bracket 66, secured to shell 36. A sto-pcock 61 may be inserted in the line of hose .I -I at any convenient point. Directly above nipple 64 is a vertically arranged shaft 68, journaled in box 62'. Fast upon the lower end of shaft 68 is a turbine wheel 69, housed in a turbine-well 10; Fast at the upper end of shaft 68 is a drive pulley 1| so positioned as to be within the sphere of action of rope drive 48.

Exteriorly connected to the freeend of box 62' is an arm-l2 which is pivotally connected at 13 to a partly hollow tube." (see Fig. 5). Within tube 14 is a plunger rod 15 which is pivotally connected at 16 to a rock-arm '11, the latter being pivotally mounted at .18 to the shell 36. The free end of rock-arm H is so shaped as to be readily grasv'd by the hand of the operator. Ordinarily, pulley II is out of commission, it being positionedmidway between the two strands of rope-drive 48,. as shown in Fig. 3. When it is desired to start the pump, rock-arm 11 is thrown from the full position seen in Fig. 3 to the dash been thrown beyond dead center. In this'operation, plunger 15 compresses spring 19 within tube 14, andlin the thrown position, the thrust of spring 19 keeps pulley H in operativecontact with one strand of rope-drive 48. As the motor M is running, the turbine wheel 89 is operated to expel the liquid through hose H, being assisted by the centrifugal force of turbine 5. After draining off the washing fluid, motor M is stopped and hose H is attached to the water faucet o'rdinarily found within sink-trays, whereupon the pressure behind the faucet will force clean water back through hose Hand into water-well l0. When a suflicient amount of water is'assembled within the machine, hose H is disconnected, stopcock 61 is shut off, rock-arm I1 is reversed to free pulley H and motor Mis again started by pushing bar 54 back into switch-box 51 or, pref-' erably by closing auxiliary switch 88. Again the whirling motion is set up and the clean water, delivered in the form of spray or mist, through screen 8, is driven through the clothes G, thus searching out and eliminating all traces of the cleaning fluid from the clothes.

After draining off the rinsing water'by repeat ing the former operations for the cleaning fluid, the positions of the parts as seenin' the drawings are restored and again the motor is set in opera-' tion. On this occasion, what water remains in the clothes is forced out through perforations 2, and none entering from tower 6, the clothes are partially dried, as is customary in wringing methods.

From the above description, it will be clearly seen that, once packedwithin drum the clothes are not disturbed until after the rinsing and wringing operations are completed, thus saving all wear and tear upon the garments.

As a support for cylinder 24, Iprovide one or more set-screws I09 which pass through shell 36 and barrel 25.

The method of packing and unpacking the clothes will now be described. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noticedthat the auxiliary drive-shaft 38 may be termed thepivot around which the cover 23 may be swung until the lid l3 is fully exposed. With the cover will move the,

drive-shaft 28 with all its mountings, but first, drive-shaft 20 must be disengaged from lid l3. The method of procedure is as follows: At the upper extremity of drive-shaft 20, I mount a hand-wheel which is so constructed that, while the machine is in operation, the operator could grasp wheel 80 and hold it against rotation with shaft 20; but if the machine is idle, wheel 80 may not be turned in clock-wise direction without rotating shaft 20. This check or ratchetprevent horizontal movement of cover 23.

To remove or swing cover 23, handle 55 of bar 54 is grasped and pulled longitudinally until opening 56 registers with collar 59. This stops motor M. Incidentally, it might be noted that an auxiliary switch, as 88, may be inserted in the circuit 89 that connects switch-box 51 with motor bingthat otherwise would occur.

The spring fastening 84 is adapted to register with the opening 8'! in.1ever,85 and thus- M,'*in case it desired to leave bar 54in illustrated position when the machine is not in use.

To continue,the second step in the operation is to grasp hand-wheel 80 and raise it and, with it,

shaft 20. against the friction caused by. the close sliding fit thereon f of drive-pulley 5|. When shaft. 28. is in raised position, the. collar 59.is within andeven partly above opening 56 of bar 54, andfthe lugs l9 are disengaged-from the lever 85 and cover '23is swung clock-wise until lid I 3. is completely uncovered; As cover 23.

swings, movableicylinder 4| swingswith it, said cylinder being held fastinthe grip of a fork'9l which-forms part of thelgrid 92 V i that provides a bearing '83'. for shaft20 g This and other fastenings referred to throughout this specification,unlessrotherwise illustrated, are formedby. brazing or soldering theparts together, although it is to be understood thatI may employ bolts or other detachable fastenings without departing from the spirit of my invention.

As cylinder 4| rotates; the cam surface 94,

formed on the lower edge of said cylinder, rides on the pin 43 and causes cover 23 to lift as. it

swings, thus avoiding the sliding friction or rub- With cover, 23 aside, lid l3 may be removed graphing handles 95, 95 and raising to free lugs] 5, from the openings, 5. After .the clothes are packed within drum I, theabove operations are reversed to restore the illustrated conditions. Also, the same operations are repeated when it is desired toremove'the clothes.

A plug 96 conceals an opening 91 in block 22,-

this opening being necessary toinsert the setscrew 98 that fastens collar 58 on'shaft 20. Among the miscellaneous parts which enter into the construction of my machine maybe mentioned a a series of wood bushings 99, 99 which are inserted into a number of the bearings to avoidthe necessity of oiling; a'ball-bearing lull inside the pump; lock-nuts I01 for bolt 6i; wooden gaskets I02 around bolt 6| the channel bar I03 upon which motor M and bearing 45 are mounted; the collar I84 which surrounds the upper end of bolt 6| and is fast, to the under side of floor 21 of barrel 25;

and the pin I I0 which formsa'sto'p to prevent the I complete removal of bar 54...

The stationary vanes 26 are, shown as formed f upon a ring I 86 .thatis brazed or soldered within the lower rim of open-ended cylinder 24. Similarly, the vanes of turbine 5 are formed on a ring I01 that is brazed or soldered onjth'e outside of the lower edge of the depending wall 4 that is connected with drum I.

By an inspection of Fig. 3, itwill be noted that vanes 26 are so constructed as to leave a suitable clearance around'wall 4.-.'.Similarly, the vanes of turbine 5'are so constructed as to provide'a suitable clearance within the side wall of barrel 25. 1 To remove drum l for inspection or repair, setscrews I09, but one of which is shown, are removed and cylinder 24, with its vanes 26 may be lifted out, after which drum' I may be removed. 7 Having described my invention, whatI claim is:

1. In a washing machine, a container for the washing fluid; a drum rotatably mounted within said container and above said fluid, said drum having an opening in its bottom wall, and perforations through the side-walls thereof; a hollow tower with open base, said tower being centrally arranged within said drum, and fast therewith so as to register with said floor-opening in said drum, and having its side-walls perforated; a series of vanes arranged without theprofile of said drum, said vanes being upwardly inclined toward the direction of rotation of said drum, and being positioned below said drum so as to impart a downward whirling motion to said fluid when'said drum is rotated; means for securing said vanes fast with said drum; a plurality of curved radially arranged blades fast to and within said container and below said vanes, and positioned soas to direct the whirling fluid to and within said tower; and means for rotating said drum in one direction.

2. In a washing machine, a container for the washing fluid; a drum for receiving the garments to be cleansed; said drum beingirotatably mounted .within said container and above saidfluid, and having its side-walls perforated; a centrally arranged tower with open base, in free communication with the fluid in the bottom of said container and with perforated side-walls, said tower being fast within said drum; a downward- 1y projecting wall fast with said, drum; :3, plurality of vanes fast upon the outer periphery of said wall, and without the profile of said drum, said vanes being so inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of said drum, and so positioned as to impart a downward whirling motion to said fluid when said drum is rotated; a plurality of blades fast within and to said container, and below said vanes, said blades being radially arranged around the axis of rotationof said drum, and being so shaped as to direct the whirling mountcd within said container and above said" fluid; a hollow perforated tower with open base in free communication with the fluidin the bottom of said container, said tower being fast within said drum; a series of vanes positioned below and outside the profile of said drum, said vanes being so inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of said drum as to impart a downward whirling motion to' said fluid when said drum is rotated; a depending wall fast with said drum and fast with said vanes; stationary means within said container and below said vanes, said stationary means being radially arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of said drum, and so shaped as to convert said downward whirling motion into an inward and substantially radial movement to force said fluid upward into said tower; in combination with a driving shaft detachably connected with said drum; a horizontally swinging cover for .said container; means for adjustably mounting said shaft 'upon and within said cover; and means for rotating said shaft.

4. In a washing machine, a. perforatedrotatable drum with a central opening in the bottom wall thereof; a hollow perforated tower with open base fast over said opening and registering therewith, said tower' with its open base being in free communication with the fluid in the bottom of said container; a series of vanes fast with said drum and outside the profile thereof, said vanes being so inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of said drum, and so positioned as to impart a downward whirling motion to a washing fluid which may be brought within its influence;

and a screen lining for said tower; in combina-- tion with a container for said fluid, within which said drum is rotatably mounted; a plurality of blades fast within said container and below said vanes, said blades being radially arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of said drum, and

being adapted to direct the downwardly whirling means for rigidly connecting said vanes to and below said drum; a series of stationary deflecting vanes fastwithin said container and'above said turbine vanes, said deflecting vanes being oppositely inclined with respect, to said turbine vanes; and a hollow perforated tower with open base fast to and within said drum, and so positioned, withits open base in free communication with the fluid in the bottom of said container, as to receive the washing fluid when agitated by said turbine vanes, and'deliver the same through its perforations to and within said drum; a plurality of blades fast to and within said container and below said turbine vanes, said bladesbeing radially arranged with respect'to the axis of rotaticn of said drum, and further adapted to direct the agitated fluid toward and into said tower; and means for rotating said drum in one direction.

6. In a washing machine, a container for the washing fluid; a perforated drum rotatably mounted withinsaid container; a lid having a detachable and siidable driving connection with said drum; a shaft detachably connected with said lid for the purpose of rotating said drum; means for raising said shaftto disconnect it from said lid; and a sliding bar alternately adapted to lock the said shaft in engagement with said lid, or to release said engagement.

7. In a washing machine, a frame; a mctor mounted upon said frame; a vertically-arranged auxiliary driving shaft operatively connected with said motor; a main driving shaft operatively connected with said auxiliary shaft; a container for the washing fluid andmounted upon said frame; a cover for said container; means for pivotally connecting said cover with said auxiliary shaft; means for detachably connecting said main driving shaft with a revolvable drum;

and said drum rotatably mounted within said container.

8. In a washing machine, a container for the washing fluid; a drum with perforated side-walls and a bottom wall opening,said drum being rotatably mounted within said container; a hollow tower with perforated side-walls and open base, said tower being securedwithin said drum so as to register with said bottom wall; an agitator fast with said drum and below the same, said agitator being outside theproflle of said drum, and beingv tower; a lid detachably secured to said drum; a clutch memberifast upon said lid; a drivingshaft; a second clutch member on said shaft and adapted to co-operate with said first clutch memher to rotate said drum; and means for raising said shaft to disconnect said clutch members.

9. In a washing machine, a rotatable drum with perforated side-walls and a central opening in its bottom wall; a hollow tower with perforated side-walls and open base, said tower being secured within said drum so as to register with said floor and having its open base in free communication with the fluid in the bottom of a container in which said drum is mounted; a depending wall fast with said drum and registering with the side-walls thereof; and a series of vanes fast with said depending wall and arranged around the outer periphery thereof, said vanes being upwardly inclined in the direction of rotation of said drum; in combination with a container for the washing fluid; means for rotatably mounting said drum within said container and above said fluid; guiding means fast within said container and below said vanes, said guiding means being radially arranged, and so shaped as to direct said fluid to and within said tower; and means for rotating said drum in one direction.

10. In a washing machine, a container for the washing fluid; a drum rotatably mounted within said container and above said fluid, said drum having perforated side-walls and a central bottom wall opening; a hollow perforated tower with open base fast within said drum and registering with said bottom wall, said open base being in free communication with the fluid in the bottom of said container; a depending wall fast with said drum; agitating means for said fluid and fast upon said wall, and without the proflle of said drum, and below the same, said means being so inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of said drum, and so positioned as to direct said fluid downward when said drum is rotated; guiding means fast within said container and below said agitating means, said guiding means being radially arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of said drum, and so shaped as to direct the agitated fluid to and within said tower; and means for rotating said drum in one direction.

11. In a washing machine, a container for the washing fluid; a perforated drum with a central opening in the bottom wall, said drum being rotatably mounted within said container and above said fluid; a hollow perforated tower with'open base fast within said drum and registering with said bottom wall, said open base being in free communication with the fluid in the bottom of said container; a screen lining for said tower; a lid for said drum; a clutch member on said lid; a vertically arranged driving shaft; a second clutch member on said shaft; a cover for said container; means for adjustably mounting said shaft upon and within said cover; a vertically arranged auxiliary shaft operatively connected with said driving shaft; meansfor pivotally securing said cover to said auxiliary shaft; means for alternately causing engagement and disengagement of said clutch members; a frame upon which said container is mounted; and a motor mounted upon said frame and operatively connected with, said auxiliary shaft; in combination with a depending wail'fast with said drum and registering with the outer periphery thereof; a plurality of turbine vanes fast upon the outside of said wall and without the profile of said drum, said vanes being upwardly inclined in the direction of rotation of said drum, and so shaped and positioned as to cause a downward whirling movement of the washing fluid when said drum. is rotated through the agency of said motor; a series of stationary vanes within said container and immediately above said turbine vanes, said stationary vanes being oppositely inclined to saidturbine vanes; and a plurality of curved blades fast within said container and below said turbine vanes, said blades being radially arranged and 50 positioned as to direct the downward whirling fluid to and within said tower.

12. In a washing machine, a container for the washing fluid; a perforated drum with a central pivotally securing said cover to said auxiliary shaft; means for alternatelycausing engagement and disengagement of said driving shaft with said lid; a frame upon which said container'is mounted;- and a motor mounted onsaid frame and operatively connected with said auxiliary shaft; in combination with a depending wall fast I with'said drum and registering with the other periphery thereof; a plurality of turbine vanes fast on the outside of said wall and without the profile of said drum, said vanes being upwardly inclined in the direction of rotation of said drum,

and so shaped and positioned as to cause a downward whirling movement of the washing fluid when said drum is rotated through the; agency of said motor; a series of stationary vanes, fast within said container and immediately above said turbine vanes, said stationary vanes being oppositely inclined to said turbine vanes; a pluralty of curved blades fast within said container and below said turbine vanes, said blades being radially arranged and so positioned as to direct the downward whirling fluid to and within said tower; and a pump mounted on said frameand below said container; means whereby said pump I may be operatively connected with said motor; and means whereby said pump, when so, connected, may exhaust the fluid from said container into a receptacle located above said pump.

JOHN mm. wrumm BIRR.

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