US2067572A

US2067572A - Laundry machine

Info

Publication number: US2067572A
Application number: US506037A
Authority: US
Inventors: James B Kirby
Original assignee: Apex Electrical Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Apex Electrical Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1931-01-02
Filing date: 1931-01-02
Publication date: 1937-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1954-01-12

Description

Jan. 12, 1937. 1. B. KIRBY LAUNDRY. MACHINE l Filed Jan. 2, 1951 6 sheets-sheet 1 v B5-l 5 l s l @a /55 d /34 @7 fifi 5/ .az /35 y @6 x 6 v Jamas B- Rrbg AT To Ruige Jan. 12, 1937. V 1 B, KIRBY 2,067,572

LAUNDRY MACH I NE Filed Janjz, 1951 6 sheets-sheet 2 0 (Z0 a //5 /Z A- Jan." 12, 1937. J B KIRBY 2,067,572

LAUNDRY MACHI NE Filed Jan. 2, 1951 6 Shees-Sheet 3 nk lili lllmljlllllilHlL Y @MMM Jan- 12, 1937 '.1. E. KlRBY n v 2,067,572

LAUNDRY MACH I NE Filed Jani. 2, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 12, 1937.

J. B. KIRBY LAUNDRY MACH I NE Filed Jan, 2, 1931 J. B. KIRBY LAUNDRY MACHINE Jap. 1'2, 1937.

Filed Jan. 2, 195].

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Jen. 12, 1937 PATENT OFFICE.l

LAUNDnx MACHINE James B. Kirby, West Richiield, Ohio. asslgnor, by menne assignments, to The Apex Electrical 'Manufacturing Company. Cleveland. Ohio. a

corporation of Ohio, as

application January z, 1931, serai No. 506,037

sz claim. (c1. oss-1s) This invention relates to laundary machines and has special reference to that type of machine wherein miscellaneous laundry articles are washed and the excess liquid extracted centrifugally in a single container. The main objects of the invention are: the provision of a new and improved mode of mounting the casing and attaching the operating mechanism thereto so as to permit the use of enameled metal for the casing without danger of either 4cracking the enamel or leakage of liquid; the provision of a new mode of mounting the casing, operating mechanism, and motor; and the provision?f of new, improved and simplified mechanism for raising and lowering the clothes container and its contents as required for the extracting and washing operations respectively by the power of the same prime mover which furnishes the power for the extracting and washing operations. Other objects of the invention relate to the provision of an improved and simplied operating mechanism; an improved and simplied arrangement for connecting the mechanism to and disconnecting it from the clothing container; the provision of improved means for starting and stopping the rotation of the container; the provision of new and improved construction of tub or outer casing; the provision of a new rinse-band; the provision of a new and simpliiled safety means for preventing extracting with the cover absent; the provision of a new brake; while further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

It should beunderstood that not all the improvements herein described are limited to a device wherein Athe clothes-container has a vertical movement;

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application I have shown two specific embodiments of my inventive idea, although it will be understood that these drawings are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Figs. 1`` and 2 are vertical central sectional views through4 that type of my improved machine wherein the clothes-container is raised and lowered between extracting and washing positions, these corresponding to the lines I I and 2 2 respectively of Fig. 4 and theparts being in Washing position. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lsupporting plate; Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 except that the parts are shown in extracting and rinsing position; Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view corresponding to the broken` line 4 4 01 Figs. 1,

2, and 3; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; Figs. 6 and 'l are detail views corresponding to the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 and showing the parts respectively in container-raising and container-lowering position; Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views corre- 'spondingrto the lines 8 8 and 5 9 respectively of Figs. 1 and 3; Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view through a modiied 4type of laundry machine whereinI the container occupies a ilxed position relative to the casing; Fig. 10 is a detail view on the line IiP-III# of Fig. 10; Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the line ll-ll of Fig. 10, both these views showing the parts in the position assumed during the washing operation; Fig. 12 is a view of the same parts showing the position assumed thereby during the extracting operation; Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the brake shown in Figs. 10`and 12; and Fig. 13 is a hori- `zontal .sectional view corresponding to the line I3 I3 of Figs. 10 and 12.

Describing the parts by reference characters, I represents the upright side-wall of a metal casing, preferably of enameled sheet metal, having a water-retaining bottom formed with a flat annular portion 2merging with said side-wall and an elevated central portion 3 joined to the portion 2 by a slanting 'part 4 and itself having a central aperture 5. The top rim of the sidewall is preferably bent outwardly as shown at 6 to form a peripheral reinforcing flange, and is also best provided with at least one circumferential corrugation 'l adjacent thereto to afford added stiffness, andto trap splashing liquid. The portion 2 of the -tub constitutes a seat and rests on the packing B carried by the circumferential ilange 9 of the supporting plate indicated generally at l0. 'Ihis plate is preferably made of a single casting, circular in plan, but wavy in cross-section and formed with' an oblong opening il which extends from a point near one margin to a point slightly beyond the center. AThe wavy-character of the plate affords a sinuous margin Vto this opening as shown in Fig. 1", certain portions indicated at l2 being thereby located at a diierent level from other portions I3, and these portions being formed with apertures I4 and I5 respectively. This opening il serves for the reception of the gearbox hereinafter described, the shape of theplate exhibiting the double function of stiffening the same and of enabling the gear-box to be attached at different levels whereby it is the. more rigidly braced as will hereafter appear.

In addition to the characteristics already mentioned this plate is .preferably formed with a plurality (preferably three) of downwardlyfacing circular seats I6 closely inside its periphery, each of 'these seats being deilned by an upwardly-extending boss I1 having a central aperture I8 and located in contact with each seat is a cylindrical, axially bored block 20 of soft rubber.

' Below and concentric with the plate I0 is a second rigid metal plate having a peripheral depending iiange 2I merging'with a circular flange 22 immediately inside the same and terminating in an inwardly-projecting horizontal web 23 to whichl are secured the upper ends of the legs 24. The foregoing structure constitutes the supporting frame of the machine. Formed on the plate 23 are spaced seats 25 registering with the seats I6 and supporting the opposite ends of the blocks 20. Theseats I6 and 25 are apertured centrally in register with the axial bores oi' the blocks 20 to receive the rope-connections 26 held in place by knots 21 at their ends, suitable cupwashers 28 being preferably provided for said knots. The casing is secured to said plate Ill by a plurality of screws 29 located in holes formed at spaced intervals in the portion 9.

All the operating mechanism of the machine is preferably carried by a single cast-metal block of rectangular form which ts inside the opening II and constitutes the upper end of the gearboxheretofore mentioned. This block comprises a rectangular depending skirt 30 terminating at its lower end in a flange 3| and closed at the top by a horizontal web 32 formed with the upwardly extending, hollow, internally-threaded boss 33 concentric with the casing and having studs 34 and A35 and 36 depending inside the flange 30. This block is secured to the plate IU by suitable screws 31 located in the apertures I4 and I; and screwed into the boss 33 is a vertical, hollow bearing-sleeve 40 which projects through the aperture 5 into the interior of the casing to the desired height. A ring 42 of soft packing surrounds the aperture 5 on each face of the casing-bottom, and is backed up by suitable nuts (or washers) 4I screwed on the sleeve or otherwise held at proper height. These rings serve only to prevent leakage, Vwithout supporting function and hence without such strain as would crack the enamel when that kind of material is used, or produce leakage` or deformation when copper is employed.

Slidably and rotatably mounted inside the sleeve 40 is a vertical drive-shaft 44 having at its upper end an extension 45 of reduced diameter surrounded by an abrupt shoulder 46 and itself terminating in a prismatic portion 41. Slidably and rotatably sleeved about the exterior of that portion of the sleeve 40 which is located inside the casing I is a second sleeve 48 formed at its upper end with an internal flange 49 which overlaps the upper lend of the sleeve 40 and the shoulder 46, being pierced by an aperture through which the extension 45 is freely movable. Formed on the exterior of the sleeve 48, adjacent to its lower end, are a plurality of vertical ribs 50 and also, spaced above the upper ends of said vertical ribs, a plurality of angular-lyspaced, arcuate, horizontal ribs 5I.

The clothes-container comprises an upright wall 52 located inside the wall I and defined by a surface of revolution about a vertical hollow hub 53 which surrounds and is spaced from the lower end of the sleeve 48. Integral with the vare formed in the bottom 55.

upper end of this hub, and flaring outwardly and downwardly therefrom, is a pileus-shaped flange 54 to which is fastened the inner margin.- of the sheet-metal bottom 55 of this container, the outer margin of which merges with theI wall 52. l

The' wall 52 preferably ilares upwardly to. a point well above the bottom where it is seamed to an inwardly-tapering ledge 56 which terminates in a rolled rim 51. This seam 58 affords reinforcement against bursting strains caused by rotation, while the inwardly-sloping ledge prevents centrifugal ejection of the clothing Apertures 60 for the centrifugal discharge of the liquid portion of the contents are necessarily provided at the level of maximum diameter which is here adjacent to the seam 58, and other apertures 6| for the ingress of washing liquid Whether additional apertures are provided in this container, is, in the form of this invention, shown in Figs. l to 3 optional with'the manufacturer.

It is perfectly possible, and within my invention, to have the hub 53 iit snugly over the sleeve 48 and omit the vertical ribs 50 thereof, but there are-certain practical advantages concerned with the centrifugal operation in spacing this hub from the sleeve and interposing in the resulting space some yielding supporting devices capable of permitting such a lateral displacement of the container as to compensate, in part at least, for an unbalanced condition of the articles therein. 'I'he simplest expedient is to interpose rectangular soft-rubber blocks 52 between these elements, the interior of the hub 53 being provided with vertical, integral ribs 64 intermediate the ribs 50 of `the sleeve, thereby producing the necessary driving function.

Loosely surrounding the sleeve 48 is a third hollow, cylindrical, sleeve 65 having at its upper end an inwardly-turned flange 66 which terminates in a prismatic socket 61 which engages the complementary portion 41 of the shaft. I have shown a. screw 68 located in the top of the shaft to hold this sleeve in engagement therewith although the same is not always necessary. Integral with the lower end of the sleeve 65 and flaring outwardly and downwardly therefrom is a skirt 69 which terminates in a circular margin at a point intermediate the top and bottom of the central elevation with which the bottom of the container is provided according to the construction heretofore described; and merging with the sleeve and skirt are a plurality of radial blades 1| of any desirable number, here represented as three.

Formed in the lower end of the sleeve 65, immediately above the skirt 69, is anl annular recess 12 in which the horizontal ribs 5I are loosely received when both

sleeves

48 and 65 occupy their lowermost positions. The interior of said recess is formed at a lower level with inwardlyprojecting arcuate flanges .13 spaced apart angularly suiliciently to enable the ribs 5I to pass between the same as illustrated in Fig. 8.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7 the mechanism for operating the shaft 44 is as follows: Loosely journaled around said shaft inside the gear-box is a spiral gear 15,

' supported at a xed height in any suitable manl 2,067,572 its protruding end a belt-pulley The studv 34 is fo'med, as shown in Fig. 5, with an extension 82 of reduced size at its lower end, on which extension is journaled the hub 83 of a wormgear 84 which meshes with a second spiral-gear or worm 85 also carried by the same drive-shaft 19'. The web of the gear 84 is recessed above to a kind of basin-shape and lined with' frictionmaterial 06, while an eccentric pin, 01' projecting from its lower face has articulated thereto a pitman 88 whose opposite end is articulated to anarm 89 projecting from the upper end of a sleeve 90 journaled on the stud 35 heretofore mentioned. From the lower end of the sleeve 90 projects a second arm 9| which terminates ini an arcuate toothed segment 92 which swings near the shaft 44.

Tightly secured to the lower end of said shaft is a metal block 93 having a frusto-conical surface and surrounded by a toothed pinion 94 adapted vto mesh with the segment' 92 and recessed to complement the shape of the block 93. Suitable friction material is interposed between the adjacent surfaces of these parts and a suitable spring 95 carried by the one serves to press the other yieldingly into contact therewith, while the adjacent faces of the

gears

15 and 94 arer formed with projecting teeth 96 for a purpose to be hereafter described. y

Rotatably journaled on the larger portion of the stud 34 is a cylindrical cord-reel |00 having at its lower end an enlarged, integral, tapered flange |0| fitting inside the friction material heretofore described and having at its upper end a second flange |02 surrounded by a brake-band |03. A volute spring |04 located within the hollowed-out flange 0| normally elevates the same out of driven-engagement, and loosely surrounding the stud 34 inside the hollowed-out flange |02 are two ring washers |05 and |06,'both formed with cam-projections |01 on their adjacenty surfaces. example |06, is held against rotation by the fixed pin |08, while the other is provided with a radial arm |09 terminating in gear-teeth ||0 which mesh with other teeth carriedv by the inner end of the horizontal rock-shaft ||2 journaled in one wall of the skirt 30. The outer end of this rock-shaft is provided with a suitable operating-handle ||3.

'The lower end of the shaft 44 projects beyond the gear 94 and is stepped in a hollow socket ||5 formed in the yoke IIS, said socket being provided with a suitable thrust-bearing ||1. The ends of this yoke project laterally beyond the pulley 94 where they slidably engage the vertical rods ||0 carried by the studs 36 heretofore mentioned. Journaledon the yoke IIE are two groo'ved pulley-sheaves'i20 and carried by the top-plate 32` is a third pulley'sheave |2|. A flexible cord |22 has one end secured to the plate 32 whence it depends vertically', passes beneath the sheaves |20, |20, and over the sheave |2| whence it leads to theA reel |00. 1f, therefore, t'ne lever ||3 be rocked in the appropriate direction the resulting wedging action of the two cam washers forces the flange |0| into contact with the friction-lining of the gear 84, whereby the cord |22 is wound upon the reel and the yoke ||6 elevated, carrying with it the shaft 44, and giving rise to the following events:

The pinion 94 is disengaged from the segment 92 and the previous oscillating movement of the shaft is stopped although the segment still continues to oseillate; `and upon arriving at the One of 'these washers, as for upper end of its path the pinion 94 is brought into contact with the pinion 15 and partakes of its rotational movement by reason of the interengagement of the teeth 96, thereby imparting rotation to the container 52, rst gradually and thereafter with constantly accelerating speed due to friction-displacement of the pinion 94 about the member 93. At the same time the upward movement of the shaft 44 has served to elevate the sleeve 65 relative to the sleeve 48; if vby chance, the ribs 5| coincided at the moment with the spaces between the anges 13, as shown in Fig. 8, this relative movement continues until the shoulder 48 comes into contact with the flange 49 of the sleeve 40. and lifts the container also, the ribs 5| being at this instant in the same plane with the anges 13 as shown in Fig. 3; if, however, `as morefrequently happens, this exact registry does not exist at the moment,

'then the tendency is to lift the containerl through the inter-engagement of the ribs 5|,` and flanges tainer also accompanying the rotational movement of the shaft when the same commences.

'Ihe function of the brake-band |03 is to hold the shaft and container in elevated position. One end of this brake-band is secured to a fixed pin |25, and the other end to a movable pi n |26 carried by the end of the swinging lever |21 located near the' teeth and normally urged by a spring |28 in a direction to cause engagement of the brake-band. The cord is wound on the reel in such `a direction that its unwinding tendency shall be to rotate the flange |02 in the direction shown by the arrow a in Figs. 6 and 7, which is that direction which coincides with the gripping movement of the brake-band. As a result a sort4 of ratchet-action is produced which causes `the container to remain suspended at any point to whichit is carried by the mechanism. Whenever the operator desires to lower the container the handle ||3 is tipped in the opposite direction so as to cause the teeth or other suitable projection, to engage the lever'|2|, and disengage this brake-band, whereupon the shaft and container sink gradually of their own weight, and the dasher recommences its motion of oscillation. Too rapid downward movement of the container may be readily checked by movement of the handle ||3 ina direction to effect engagement of the brake band |03 with the flange |02.

It is desirable that provisions be made to enable rinsing of the clothing in the container 52 without contaminating the washing liquid remaining in the casing I; and it is also desirable that safety-provisions be made to prevent, or'at least dissuade, the extracting operation unless and until the tub is completely covered to pre'- vent any possibility of injury to the operator. These two functions may conveniently be performed by the following: tted to the upper part of the casing is a rinse band which, in its preferable construction, comprises an upright, cylindrical, metal strip |30 formed midway of its height with an inwardly displaced.- corrugation |3| defining an outwardly facing groove in which is tightly soldered the inturned flange |32 of a second larger cylindrical band |33, vwhich projects above the top of the strip |30. The lower end of the strip |30 fits inside the casing the flange |32 resting on the flange 6. The band |33 defines an annular gutter |34 which is provided with a drainage cock |35, independ-l ent of the drainage cock |36 with which the casing is provided. The tops of the strip |30 and of the band |33 are preferably folded, wired. rolled, or otherwise stiened, and the height of the band |33 is such as to terminate above the level of the strip |30 but below the level of the apertures 60 when the container is elevated into extracting position, thus rendering it necessary for the operator to maintain the cover in place while extracting is going on. This cover, preferably, is Ymade of Sheet metal having a cylindrical portion |40 to fit inside the band |33: a rib |4| to rest on top of said band; a dome-shaped part |42 to surround the top part of the container; and a. central elevation |43 like a sort of cupola., formed in its side with a plurality of apertures |44 for the double purpose of admitting light, enabling inspection, and

permitting the introduction of a hose |45 for rinse-water as shown in Fig. 3. One or more hand-grips |46 may be provided at any convenient point. To assist in arresting the rotation of the container I show brake shoes |41, consisting of leather flaps mounted inside the cover and adapted to be pressed against the container by pushing against suitable knobs |48 which project through the cover.

In the preferred form of the invention the apertures 6| are restricted within the limits of the circle defined by the inner margin of the rim 51; also it is desirable, though not necessary, that the apertures 60 be made rather` small; although whatever the size of these apertures, they will generally become considerably impeded by the clothing during the extracting operation, with the result that when rinse-water is introduced during the rapid rotation of the container, such. liquid will tend to become piled up around the outer wall of the container as shown in Fig. 3, and thus subject the clothing to a thorough rinsing action. By Vconfining the apertures 6| to the inner portion of the tubbottom, space is afforded for a substantial amount of rinsing liquid, although even if such an excess of rinse Water be supplied as to cause some to escape by these apertures, the upwardiy slanting shape of the container causes much of it to climb to the seam 58 along the outside of the wall 52 before being thrown off.

'Ihe mechanism is driven from the shaft |53 of an electric motor |54 which is carried by that part of the frame having the flanges 2|, 22 and legs 24. This being insulated from the casing and its adjuncts by the rubber cushions 20, it is only necessary to employ an electrically nonconducting power transmitting device to have the motor wholly insulated from the casingand operating parts. An example of such a nonconducting power-transmitting element is the belt by which the belt pulley 8| of the shaft 13 is connected to the 'pulley |52 carried by the shaft |53. The base |55 of this motor is preferably attached to a plate |56 which is hinged to the plate 23 on a horizontal axle |51 which is parallel to the shaft |53 and its base is thus grounded through the plate 23 and legs 24 of the machine. A bolt |58 secured inside one of the legs 24 and provided with a thumbnut |53, serves to rotate the motor about the axle |51 and thus tighten the belt.

which is preferably received This arrangement v permits the vibration of the plate |0 and its attached mechanism to occur without impairing the driving connection rbetween, this mechanism and the comparatively immovable motor. The bottom of the gear-box is completed by a sheet metal can |60 attached to the flange 3| and made imperforate so as to hold lubricating oil. 1

In the modification shown in Figs. to 13, the container is maintained constantly at a sufficient height above the bottom of the casing to enable the entire liquid contents to be received therebeneath. In this embodiment of my invention I have shown the hub 53L of the container as sleeved directly upon the upper end of the shaft 44, and as seated, at least when in washing position, directly on the upper end of the sleeve 40. Integral with this sleeve is a frusto-conical flange 54 as before, excepting that a hollow, annular, upwardly-facing recess |65 is formed between this sleeve and .the Aupper end of this flange. The container comprises a sheet metal bottom 55a, tightly secured to this ange and merging with an outwardly and upwardly projecting side Wall 52a as before, excepting that these walls are substantially or entirely imperforate. At its upper margin the wall 52e merges with the inwardly curved ledge 56, this part being provided with liquid discharge perforations. Secured to the interior of the wall 52 adjacent the ledge 56 is a peripheral, external, upstanding, metal strip |66 in the lower edge of an annular, inwardly-bowed, splash-guard` |61.

The upper end of the shaft 44'L projects above the sleeve 40, and also above the hub 63H. Its upper extremity 41 is made prismatic as before to enable the attachment of a dasher or agitator of any suitable shape and construction. The

' portion of the shaft which traverses the upper tom face of a frusto-conical plate |15 Acarried by the flange 54a and overhanging the recess |65. When the shaft 44a occupies its lowered position the teeth |13 and |14 are spaced apart, but upon slightly raising this shaft the shoulders defining the lower ends of the atted portions engagevthe flange |1| and Alift the connector |10 until the teeth |13 and |14 become engaged, thus establishing driving connection between the shaft and container. .g i

For operative purposes this amount oi'I elevation is sufficient, but for certain additional purposes, sometimes desirable, I have in Fig. l2, shown the shaft as elevated suilciently so that the engagement of the flange |12 and plate |15 raises the hub 53 slightly above the end of the sleeve 4|). This ,elevation I utilize for the .purpose of employing a brake by which to arrest the rotational movement' of the container. 'I'his brake, in its present form comprises an internally threaded collar |80 screwed on the upper end of the sleeve 40 and surrounded by three circular coaxial, metal plates IBI, separated by friction-disks |32.l The outermost plates are secured in place by flanges |33 carried by the collar |80, while the midmost plate is extended beyond the others and formed with upwardly projecting fingers |84 adapted, when the container`v is lowered, to engage suitable spokes |95 projecting from the hub 53` (see Fig. these spokes swinging freely over the tops of these fingers when the container is raised as shown in Fig. 12.' z

The elevation of this container is so small (when it is elevated at all), as not to require the power-operated elevating devices heretofore described, wherefore a simplified mechanism is employed as shown in Figs. `10 to 13 inclusive. The lower end of the shaft 4l is, as before, surrounded by a freely rotatable pinion 19*l supportedat a fixed height by a bracket 11 as heretofore described, excepting that said bracket, instead of being rigidly mounted, is backed up by suitable coil springs |90, and that a ball-bearing |9| is interposed between said pinion and the bottom of said bracket. Carried by the lower end of the shaft l is a second pinion 94, here rigidly secured to said shaft. The adjacent faces of these pinions are provided with the cooperating members |92 and |93 of a conical-clutch, so that when the pinion9|l and shaft are elevated, the rapid rotation of the pinion may be communicated gradually to the shaft without shock. This movement is eiected by means of a lever H3 carried by the shaft II28L journaled in the side wall of the gear-housing and provided at its inner end with an arm |95 connected by a link |96 with a supporting lever |91 whose opposite end is pivoted ,at |99 to the vertically adjustable stud |99, and whose middle carries the thrust bearing 200 on which the shaft 44a rests. Even though the entire container with its liquid load is elevated, th elevation is very slight and only occurs during the latter part of the movementv of the hand lever, while the arm |95 is moving from position a to position b (shown in dotted lines in Fig. l1) The vertical I movement of the shaft l from the position shown in Fig. 10 to that shown in Fig'. 11 entails a large angular movement of the lever which requires comparatively little effort, and terminates with the arm slightlybeyond dead-center which prevents accidental descent of the ycontainer. Only when this shaft nears the upper limit of this movement is the weight of the container imposed thereon, and at this time the angle between the link |95 and the arm |95 is such that the load can easily be lifted. The

mechanism is, a's before, driven by the horizontal drive-shaft 19*i furnished with two spiral-gears or worms, one of which, 18, meshes withthe pinion 15a, while the other, 85, meshes with the gear 84a which is connected by the pitman B8 with the swinging sector 92'L meshing with the pinion 94a. A comparatively shallow oil-pan |60* serves to house this-gearing owing to the comparatively small vertical movement.

With the form of machine shown in Figs. l0

to 13 a pump is preferably provided for the purpose of elevating the washing liquid into the container, either continuously during the washing container or to deliver it at any desired place-of discharge.

The purpose of the shield |61 is to reduce loss of liquid from the container by slopping during the washing operation. It is removed during vthe extracting peration. Its use reduces the need forl` employing a pump during the washing operation, and ishence particularly desirable in connection with dry-cleaning uid which is either inflammable or expensive.

The fact that I have illustrated and described my improvements with considerable detail is induced by my desire to comply with the statute in setting forth thebest mode of applying the' principles of my invention and should not be taken as an indication that I limit myself to any of the features of construction, arrangement, or design therein shown, since I have illustrated divergent forms as an indication of my intent not to be so limited; and I do not restrict myself to any details shown except as specifically set forth in my several claims which I desire may be construed broadly, each independently of limitations contained in other claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A laundry machine characterized by hav- 'ing fiexibiy joined portions, one of said portions comprising a liquid holding casing, laundering means therein and mechanism operatively connected to said laundering means fix-' edly secured to said casing and located there-v beneath, and another of said portions comprising a supporting frame and a driving motor carried thereby, hollow rubber springs interposed between .the aforesaid portions of the machine whereby the first portion of the machine is supported by the second portion thereof, and flexible power transmission means connecting said motor to said mechanism.

anism comprising a casing adapted to hold detergent liquid and a container for fabrics mounted therein for rotation about a vertical axis, a casing supporting frame, 'means including operating mechanism suspended beneath said casing and fixed thereto for rotating said 'container' at high speed to extract its liquid contents, and hollow rubber springs interposed between said frame and casing in supporting relation.

3. A clothes washing and extracting mechl anisml comprising a casing adapted to hold detergent liquid and ai container for fabrics mounted therein for rotation about a vertical axis, a clothes washing element in said container, a gear box rigid with said casing, mechanism insaid gear-box for imparting activity to said element or rotation to said container, selectively, a supporting frame, and springs interposed between said frame and casing in supporting relation.

4. In a laundry machine, an upright metal casing having an aperture in its bottom and an annular'seat around said' aperture at a distance therefrom, a rigid reinforcing plate engaging said seat and secured to said casing, a bearing sleeve rigid with said plate and traversing said aperture, an annular frame having feet, and means yieldingly connecting said plate and frame.

5. In a. laundry machine, an upright metal casing having an aperture in its bottom and an annular seat around said aperture at a distance therefrom, a rigid reinforcing plate engaging said seat and secured to said casing, a bearing sleeve rigid with said plate and traversing said a movable member working throughy said sleeve, soft packing engaging the casing "bottom adjacent Ato its aperture, backingnmembers-for said packing carried by said sleeve, and

a supportingljframe to which said plate is 6. In a. -laund'ry whine, an upright mem casing having an aperture in its bottom and an annular 'seat around said apertureat a distance therefrom,'a gear box below said casing, an

.upright sleeve canied A by said gear-box and traversing said aperture, a rigid plate se-V cured to said seat and to said gear box, .fand leak-preventing packing carried by the exterior f said sleeve and ,engaging the bottom of said casing acent to said aperture.

7. Inag.j laundryfmachine, -an upright metal casing having a bottom formed vwith a central elevated portion which is formed with an aperture and a surrounding annular seating portion located at a lower'level, a rigid reinforcing plate beneath said `casing and engaging said seating portion, means rigidly securing said casing to said plate near the margin of said plate, an upright sleeve rigid with said plate and traversing said aperture, mechanism carried by said plate and working through said vsleeve`i'or per- 'y forming laundering operations inside said cas- 1118, and leak-preventing means carried by the exterior of said sleeve and engagingthe bottom of said casing adjacent to said aperture.

8. In a laundry machine, an upright metal casing having an aperture in its bottom and an annularseat around said aperture at a distance therefrom, a rigid plate beneath said casing engaging said seat, connecting means engaging said plate and bottom at a distance from said aperture and securing said plate rigidly to said bottom, an upright hollow sleeve rigid with said plate and traversing said aperture, gearing carried by said plate, laundering mechanism 1ocated in said casing and operatively connected with said gearing through said sleeve, packing means carried by the exterior of said sleeve and engaging the bottom of said casing adjacent to said aperture adapted to prevent leaka e of liquid from said casing, and a supporting frame for said plate and casing.

9. In a laundry machine, an upright metal casing having an aperture in its bottom and an annular seat around said aperture at a distancetherefrom, a rigid plate beneath said casing engaging said seat, connecting means engaging said plate and bottom said aperture and securing said plate rigidly to said bottom, an upright hollow sleeve rigid with said plate` and traversing said aperture, gearing carried by said plate, laundering mechanism located in said casing and operatively connected -with said gearing through said sleeve, packing arate from said plate and casing, and means securing said relation.

10. vIn a laundry machine, in combination an annular frame having .upwardly facing seats at plate to said frame in supported angularly spaced points, legs carried by and forming a part of said frame, aliquid holding casing, a reinforcing plate secured to the bottom of said casing and having seats registering with said downwardly facing rst seats, supporting having bearings ports for gearing elements located in relation to said sleeve and bearings.

of said plate in a apertures.

at a distance from elements of yielding nature interposed between the respective seats, and operating mechanism carried b y saidy plate. v

1l. A reinforcing plate for the .bottom of a laundry-machine casing consisting of a one-piece metal disk having an annular marginal portion adapted to engage and to be secured to the casing bottom and also havingy an aperture which overlaps the center of said plate, the web between said aperture and said marginal portion being sinuous and having bolt-holes near said aperture. said bolt holes being located at different levels, means for securing the marginal portions of said plate to a supporting frame, a gear box located in said aperture and having apertured shoulders at different heights which register with said bolt hole and means passing through the bolt holes and the apertured shoulders for securing said gear box to said plate.

12. In a laundry machine, a casing for liquid having an aperture in its bottom, a rigid reinforcing plate underlying said ing its margin secured to said casing, said plate having an aperture therein which registers with said rst aperture, and a metal member ldetachably secured to said plate and depending below the aperture therein, said member characterized by having a vertical sleeve which traverses said first-named alperture and by also for a horizontal shaft and supdetermined 13. In a washing machine, a casing having an aperture in one wall, a plate having its marginal portion rigidly fastened to said casing and having an offset apertured web portion, a gear carrying element rigidly attached to web portion plurality of different planes, whereby it is braced, and a bearing sleeve carried by said element and extending through said I 14. In a laundry machine, a casing for liquid having an aperture in its bottom, and an annular seat surrounding the same, an annular frame having feet, a rigid reinforcing plate having its margin secured to said seat and also secured to said frame in supported relation, an upright sleeve rigid with said plate and projecting through said aperture, packing means preventing leakage between said sleeve and the wall of said aperture, an operating member working through said sleeve, and gearing carried by said plate and operatively connected to said member.

15. In a laundry machine, a metal casing adapted to hold detergent liquid, a clothes washing element therein, an annular supporting frame, an electric motor carried by said frame, a reinforcing plate carried by said casing, gearing carried by said plate and operatively connected to said washing element, rubber supporting blocks interposed between said .frame and plate, and an electrically non-conducting power transmitting element connecting said motor and gearing.

16. In a laundry machine, a metal casing adapted to hold detergent liquid, a clothes washing element therein, operating mechanism for said element, a supporting frame, an electric motor carried by said frame and operatively connected to said mechanism, and means connecting said casing and mechanism in supported relation to said frame, said last named connecting means and the operative connection between said motor and mechanism being of electrically non-conducting character whereby said motor is insulated from said casing and mechanism,

bottom and havf aoemva the frame of said motor being grounded to said supportingVv frame. l

17. A rinse band and trough for the purpose described defined by a cylindrical inner wall portion adapted to i'lt linside a cylindrical washing machine casing and having a part extending above the rim and a cylindrical outer wall spaced from said inner wall and having at its bottom an inturned flange connected to the .inner wall portionl and constituting a bottom for the trough and adapted to seat on the casing rim, said trough bottom being located wholly above the rim of said casing.

18. Apparatus for extracting comprising a casing having spaced inner and outer wall sections at the top thereof defining a drain trough, a container mounted inside said casing for rotation about a vertical axis and having'its walls formed as a surface of revolution about said axis and flaring upwardly from its bottom to a y level which is above the top of said casing wall,

said container having liquid discharge apertures above the top of said casing wall sections and an inturned annular band above such apertures,

and a safety cover substantially conforming to the outline of said container and closely overlying the same and having its margin surrounding said apertures in a position to arrest and divert extracted liquid into said drain trough.

i9. In a laundry machine, in combination, a casing, an extractor-container journaled in said casing upon a vertical axis, said container having upwardly flaring walls terminating in liquid discharging provisions, means for supporting said container with said liquid discharging provisions located above the top -of the casing wall, a removable cover for said casing having a domed part adapted to closely surround the upper part of said container, and an elevated part above the open top of said container, and trough means below the liquid discharging provision of said container for Ireceiving from said cover the liquid ejected from said container against the interior of the cover.

20. A laundry machine comprising a container mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and having its walls formed as a surface of revolution about said axis and flaring upwardly from its bottom to a level Which is above such bottom and having liquid discharge apertures at and above such level, and an annular shield carried by. and removably attached to said container and covering said apertures.

21. Apparatus for washing and extracting comprising a container mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and having its lower part imperforate and its walls flaring outwardly and upwardly so as to discharge the detergent liquid upwardly upon rapid rotation, means for agitating the container contents to wash the fabric articles therein, and an annular shield removably attached to the upper part of said container in surrounding relation to prevent escape of liquid therefrom during the washing operation.

22. A laundry machine comprising a container mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and having its walls formed as a surface of revolution about said axis and flaring in both directions from a level intermediate its upper and lower ends, and having liquid discharge openings at itslevel of greatest diameter said container being otherwise imperforate, and displaceable means carried by said container for covering said apertures.

23. 'I'he combination with the casing of a laundry machine, and a clothes container located therein for rotation about Aa vertical axis and having liquid discharge openings inits side wall,

tainer.

24. In a laundry machine, a casing, an upright sleeve therein a vertical shaft journaled in said sleeve, a container carried and rotated by said shaft and having liquid discharge apertures in its side wall, brake means carried by said sleeve, and means for applying said brake means to said container to arrest its rotation.

25. In a centrifugal extractor in combination, an upright rotatable element, a sleeve coaxial therewith, a hub surrounding and spaced from said sleeve, said hub and sleeve having alternating upright ribs on their adjacent surfaces, bottom and side elements rigid with said sleeve and defining asurface of revolution coaxial therewith, and soft rubber elements interposed between said sleeve and hub, said elements being arranged betweenadjacent ribs.

. 26. In a laundry machine, in combination, a container for clothes, said container having an apertured side wall which defines a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, a vertical shaft coaxial therewith, means for raising and lowering said shaft and for oscillating and rotating said shaft, a clothes washing element inside said container, means normally supporting said container independently of said shaft, and means operative upon elevating said shaft for automatically connecting said element to said container in rotating relation and for automatically disengaging said/ container and element when said shaft is lowered. j

2'?. In a laundry machine, in combination, a container for clothes, said container having an apertured side wall which defines a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, a vertical shaft coaxial therewith, means for raising and lowering said shaft and for oscillating and rotating said shaft, a clothes washing element inside said conl tainer operably associated with said shaft, and

interfltting driving connections between said element and container adapted to become engaged at one relative elevation of said element and container and to become disengaged at a second relative elevation of said element and container.

28. In a laundry machine, in combination, a container for.. clothes, said container having an apertured side wall which defines a surface of revolution about a. vertical axis, a vertical shaft coaxial therewith, means for raising and lowering said shaft and for oscillating and rotating said shaft, a clothes washing element inside said container operably associated with said shaft, and intertting driving connections between said element and container adapted to become engaged when said element is elevated relative to said container and to become disengaged when said element is again depressed relative thereto.

29. In a laundry machine, a casingfor detergent liquid, a container for clothes located therein for vertical movement and for rotation about a vertical axis, said container having liquid discharge apertures in its wall, a washing element inside said container, an electric motor, gearing including a vertical shaft operatively connecting said motor to said element and container, and control means for said gearing including a single manually operable member acbrake shoe may be pressed against said coni cessible exteriorly of said casing said gearing comprising means adapted -at one setting of said manually operable member to connect s'aid motor to said' container in elevating relation and at another setting of said member to allow said container to descend intothe liquid, said shaft l being automatically connected to said container `in rotating relation when said container is elevated and automatically -disconnected therefrom 10 when said container is depressed.

30. In a laundry machine, a casing for detergent liquid, a container for clothes located therein for vertical movement and for rotation about a vertical axis, said container having liquid discharge apertures in its wall, a washing element inside said container, an electric motor, gearing for operatively connecting said motor to said element and to said container, an elevating device for said container, means including a single manually operable member accessible exteriorly of and casing for connecting said motor to said elevating device in operating relation, and means operative automatically at one level of said container for connecting said gearing thereto in '25 rotating relation and at another level forvdisconnectingsaid gearing therefrom.

31. In a. laundry machine, a casing for detergent liquid, a container for clothes located v therein for vertical movement and for rotation about a vertical axis, said container having liquid discharge apertures inits wall, a washing element inside said container, an electric motor,

two trains of gearing interposed between said.

motor and said container and' element, one of such trains including rotating devices and the other trains including oscillating devices, means automatically operative atone level of said container to connectlthereto and to said motor the 4train which includes the rotating devices, means automatically operative at another level to connect to said element and to said motor the train which includes the oscillating devices, a winch for raising and lowering said container, and means to connect said winch in operated.rela

tion to said motor.

32. In a washing machine, .a casing, a cen-- trifugal container therein with its axis substan` tially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing,l an oscillating 0 element for washing clothes in said container,l

power means for operating said centrifugal container and said oscillating element, and coopi erating mechanism driven by said power means for elevating said container, said cooperating mechanism including a single manually operable control member outside said casing for controlling the upward and downward movement of said container. V

33. In a laundry machine, in combination, a casing, an extractor-container journaled in said casing upon a vertical axis, said container having upwardly flaring walls terminating in an inwardly turned rim, said walls having a row of 65 liquid discharge apertures located substantially at the level of greatest diameter, means for sup porting said container with said apertures located above the top of the casing wall, an annular trough carried by said casing and surrounding l trough, and an elevated, inwardly inclined part ylatable agitating means for washing clothes in said containerfpower means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said. agitating means, mechanism Jcooperating with said power means for elevating said container, control means for connecting said power means to said ing said container in a controllable manner.

mechanism in operative relation, and means for lowering said container while at the same time controlling the speed of its downward movement. l

35. In a washing and drying machine, a. casing, a Lcentrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable betweenupper and lower positions in said casing, oscillata-l 20 ble agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively rotating said container and` oscillating said agltating means, mechanism cooperating with said power means for elevating said container, control means for selectively controlling the rotation of said container, the operation of said agitating means and the elevation of said container, and means for lowering said container while at the same time controlling the speed of its downward movement.

36. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, afcentrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively ro` tating said container and oscillating said agitating means, mechanism cooperating with said power means for elevating said container, and means for maintaining said container in its elevated position and for lowering the same while at the same time controlling the speed -of its downward movement.

37. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, mechanism cooperating with said power means for elevating said container, and friction means for maintaining said container in its elevated position and for controlling the downward movement thereof.

38. In a. washing and drying machine, a cas-l ing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means forselectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, mechanism including a frictional driving connection cooperating with said power means for elevating said container, and control means including a single manually operable member for connecting said power means to said mechanism in operative relation andfor lower- 39. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating meais for washingclothes in said con- 7g -said container,

tainer, power means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, mechanism including a irictlonal driving connection cooperating with said power means for elevating said container, and friction means for maintaining said container in its elevated position, and for controlling the downward movement thereof.

40. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means,

mechanism' including a irictional driving connection cooperating with said power means for elevating said container, means for maintaining said container in its elevated position, and a single control member for controlling the washing and drying operations and the raising and lowering of said container.

4l. I n a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis' substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container. power means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, and mechanism including a'clutch cooperatively connected with said power means and container for elevating the latter and a brake for maintaining it in elevated position.

42. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, mechanism cooperating with said power means for elevating said container, and means for lowering said container and controlling at the same time the speed of its downward movement, said last named means being op-l erative to hold saidcontainer at different elevations intermediate its upper and lower positions.

43. In a washing and drying machine, a casing,`a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, cable means operatively connected to said container for elevating the same, and clutch means for connecting said cable means to said power means in operative relation.

44. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container .therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in power means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, and cable .means connecting said power means to said container for elevating the same.

agitating means, and mechanism driven by said power means for elevating said container, said mechanism automatically disconnecting said power means from its driving connection with said agitating means when said container is elevated.

46. In a washing and drying machine,` a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, and mechanism driven by said power means for disconnecting said agitating means from said power means, for elevating said container and connecting it in for rotation by said power means.

47. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means including disconnectible driving connections for selectively rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, and mechanism driven by said power means for elevating said container, said mechanism serving to disconnect the driving connection between said agitating means and said power means at the start of the upward movement of the container and to eiIect a driving connection between said power means and said container for its rotation at the iinish of the upward movement of the container.

48. In a washing anddrying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing', oscilto said power means for rotation when in its raised position, and means for lowering said container and automatically operating said clutch for disconnecting the rotational driving connection between said power means and said container.

49. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between vupper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively rotatng said container and oscillating said agitating means, mechanism cooperating with said power means for elevating said container, and means for lowering said container and automatically connecting said agitating means in operative relation with said power means.

50. In a washing and drying machine, a casing, a centrifugal container therein with its axis substantially vertical and movable between upper and lower positions in said casing, oscillatable agitating means for washing clothes in said container, power means for selectively 'rotating said container and oscillating said agitating means, mechanism driven .Y by said power means for elevating said container, and means for lowering said container automatically operable for rst disconnecting the rotational driving connection between said power means and 1o said container and then connecting said agitating means in operative relation to said power means.

51. In a laundry machine, in combination, a

l aoemve '52, In le. laundry machine, in combinations container for clothes, said container having an apertured side wall which deilnes a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, a vertical shaft 5 container for clothes. said container having an coaxial therewith, and means for raising and 8 apertured side wall which deilncs a surface of lowering said shaft and container and for lselecrevoiution about alvertical axis, a vertical shaft tively oscillating and rotating said shaft, said coaxial therewith, and means for raising and means including an axially movable clothes lowering said shaft andcontainer and for selecwashing element. inside said container adapted 10 tively oscillating and rotating said shaft, said for connection with said shaft, detachable driv- 10 means including an axially movable clothes ing connections between said element and conwashing element inside said container adapted tainer and frictional driving connections for said for connection with said Shaft and driving c011- shai't adapted to become egaged at one elevation nections between said element and container of said element and container and to become dis- 15 adapted to become engaged at one elevation of engaged at a second elevation of said element'l said element and container andv to -beco engaged at a 'second elevation of .said element and container.

me diS- and container.

JAMES B. KIRBY.

CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION.

?atent No." 2,067,572. January 12, 1937.

JAMES B. KIRB'Y.

It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed specification or the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 7, second column. line 10, claim 24, after the word "therein" insert a comma; page 8, first column, line 1, claim 29, after "casing" insert a comma; line 21, claim ,'50, for "and" read said; and that the said Letters Patent ahoul'd bel read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the recordof .the case in the Patent Office.'

Signed and sealed this 50th day of March, A. D. 1937i.

Sail) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents.

1o said container and then connecting said agitating means in operative relation to said power means.