US2082108A

US2082108A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: US2082108A
Application number: US495444A
Authority: US
Inventors: John T Hume
Original assignee: ELECTRIC HOUSEHOLD UTILITIES
Current assignee: ELECTRIC HOUSEHOLD UTILITIES; ELECTRIC HOUSEHOLD UTILITIES Corp
Priority date: 1930-11-13
Filing date: 1930-11-13
Publication date: 1937-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1954-06-01

Description

June 1, 1937. J. T. HUME 2,082,108

WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet l Z 5 .j. 35 Y 37 /y 57$ 37 36 June 1, 1937. J. T HUME 2,032,108

WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 'June 1, 1937. J. "r. HUME WASIQIHING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 13, l930 June 1, 1937. r J. T. HUME 2,082,108

WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1950 I 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 J2 061Z0r Jo /az/ji/fa/we.

June 1, 1937; J. T. HUME WASHING MACHINE Filed NOV. 15, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 I fizamvior Zia/inf 15267726.

Junel, 1937. J,T HU'ME 2,082,108

WASHING MACHlNE Filed Nov. 13, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 1,

HIIIII 1937. J. T. HUME WASHING MACHINE F iled Nov. 15, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 law/72mm I i I June 1937- J. T. HUM-E J v I 2,08 08 WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1930 1O Sheets-Sheet 9 Jzoeniar W10? [fan-2e.

June 1, 1937; r J, T,HU-ME wAslmle MACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1930 '10 Sheets-Sheet 10:

Ja eizZor @7272 Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE 'John T. Hume, Chicago, IlL, assignor to Electric Household Utilities Corporation, Cicero, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 13, 1930, Serial No. 495,444

11 Claims.

agitator and a clothes drying basket located within a vessel for containing'washing fluid in combination with means for actuating the'agitator and the basket and means for pumping fluid to and from the vessel in combination with improved means for controlling the operation of the pump and the driving means for the basket and agitator. Still another object is to provide a washing machine comprising a vessel for containing washing fluid and a clothes drying basket located therein with means for rotating the hasket at high speed and means for automatically retarding the speed of rotation of the basket in the event that excessive vibration is set up by its rotation. A further object of the invention is to provide means for preventing the swirling of the washing fluid in the washing vessel of a washing machine during the rotation of a drying basvention is to provide a washing machine embodying a rotary clothes drying basket with motor driven means for rotating the basket and automatic means operated upon excessive vibration of the machine for automatically arresting the op erat on of the motor.

Other objects relate to various features 01' construction and arrangement which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings, in which one embodiment is illustrated. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 shows an axial vertical section through a washing machine embodying the improvements of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a horizontal section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. illustrating a top plan view of the casing in which the operating mechanism is mounted;

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged vertical detail section through a portion of the auxiliary casing on one 7 side of the machine, showing the structure of the electric switch by which the starting and stopping of the machine is effected in normal operation;

Fig. 4 is a detail section taken on the line 4-4 of Fi 3;

Fig. 5 shows an enlargedcentral vertical seeket located therein. Another object of the in-.

driving motor and the connected pump;

tion taken through the axis of the machine, 11-- lustrating the structure of the parts by which the clothes agitator and clothes basket are directly driven and the connection therewith of the driving mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 7 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line l---! of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 8-8 0! Fig. 2 illustrating the means for oscillating the clothes agitator and rotating the basket and a portion of the controlling means therefor;

Fig. 9 shows a horizontal section taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8 with the top portion of the casing removed;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line I 0i0 of Fig. 8, showing a plan view of the oscillatory arm by which the clothes agitator is actuated;

Fig. 11 shows a bottom plan view of the operating mechanism within the casingwith the bottom cover portion of the casing removed;

. Fig. 12 is a detail vertical section showing the inlet and outlet passages leading to and from the pump; I

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 2, showing the structure of the the line Fig. 14 is a detail section taken on M-Hi of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail section taken on the line |5l5 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a detail vertical section on the line l6l6 of Fig. 1, illustrating, in elevation, a portion of the auxiliary casing at one side of the machine and the means contained therein for controlling the operation of the clothes agitator, drying basket and pump, and the switch by which the starting and stopping of the machine is controlled;

Figure 1'7 shows a top plan view of the auxiliary casing illustrated in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a detail section taken on the line |8-.l8 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a view in elevation of the controlling means illustrated in the lower part of Fig. 16 with the cam operating shaft locked against rotation by the plunger which is connected to the motor controlling switch;

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections by which the electric motor is driven and of the rheostat by. which the motor is controlled;

Fig. 21 shows an enlarged elevation of one leg of the machine with the lower part thereof cut away to reveal in vertical section the means by which the circuit of the motor is automatically controlled through means connected to one of the supporting rollers of the machine when excessive vibration is encountered during the rotation of the drying basket;

Fig. 22 is a detail section taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 shows an enlarged front elevation of the electric switch illustrated in Fig. 21 as being mounted within the supporting leg, with the front cover of the switch casing removed; and

Fig. 24 is a detail vertical section taken on the line 24-26 of Fig. 23.

As illustrated in the drawings, the invention is embodied in a washing machine comprising a hollow frame or casing 25 having a removable lower part 20 which is attached to the upper part 20 by means of cap screws 2'5 engaging the projecting flanges around the edges of these parts. The upper part 20 of the casing is provided with three radially extending arms 20 which are spaced apart uniformly and which are united at their outer ends with a circular metallic frame member 21. The ends of the arms 20 are also connected to supporting legs 28 which are formed of sheet metal and which are bent to have a substantially' U-shaped cross-section with side walls 28 extending inwardly beneath the arms of the frame or casing. The outer portion of each leg has an outwardly extending flange 28 which lies in contact with the circular frame member 2'! and the side walls 28 are provided at their upper ends with flanges 28 which underlie the arms 20 of the casing 20. The

flanges

28 and 28 are secured to the respective arms 20 of the casing by means of bolts 29 and nuts 30, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 21. The lower portion of each leg 28 is bent into circular form with the meeting ends united by means of projecting flanges 28 and the bolts 3!. These lower cylindrical portions of the legs serve as bearings for the trunnions of the casters 32 which are provided with rollers 33 adapted to rest upon the floor or other support 34. The casters are thus free to turn about vertical axes and permit the machine to be moved about radially on its support.

Within the upper portion of the circular frame member 2! is located the lower part of the tub or vessel 35 which is adapted to contain the washing fluid. The outer cylindrical wall of this tub is provided with an annular bead 35 which is adapted to rest upon the upper edge portion 21 of the circular frame so that the tub is removably positioned on the frame with its bottom wall 35 spacedsomewhat above the frame or casing 20 which contains the driving mechanism. The outer cylindrical wall of the tub is provided with another bead 35 adjacent its upper end and the extreme upper edge is turned outwardly as shown at 35 and embedded in an annular ring 36 of rubber or the like which serves as a seat for the removable cover 31. a central depression having a handle 38 secured therein and the outer edge portion of the cover is reversely bent upon itself to form a double flange 31 which rests upon the ring 35. A flange 31 extends downwardly from the flange 31: in contact with the ring 36 and terminates in an annular bead 31.

A basket 40 adapted to contain the clothes to be washed and dried is located in the upper part of the tub or vessel 35.. This b353 has an outer This cover is provided with annular wall 40 which is mefanldy flared upwardly and which has ii: uppuedge turned inwardly as shown at 40'' with a plurality of apertures 4i located just below thk curved portion so that when'the basket is rotated at high speed, the water in the cloths is carried by centrifugal force up theincline wall 40 and thence outwardly through the openings 4| into the vessel 35. The curved portion 40 terminates in ahead 40 which surrounds the opening throughwhieh clothes are inserted into or withdrawn from the basket. The lower wall 40'' of the basket is tapered upwardly toward its center and is secured to the arms of a spider 42 by means of rivets 43. The spider 42 is provided at its center with a hub 42 which is secured to a vertically extending sleeve 45. This sleeve has its lower end 45* turned outwardly beneath the hub of the spider and a bushing. is interposed between the sleeve and the hub with a portion thereof extending upwardly beyond the spider, as shown particularly in Fig. 5.

A clothes agitating device 50 is located within the basket 40 and it comprises a downwardly and outwardly flared flange or skirt whichis adapted to oscillate above the central inclined portion of the lower wall 40 of the basket. This skirt has an enlarged rib 50 around its outer edge and its upper side is formed integrally with the lower part of three vertically extending vanes 50. These vanes and the inner part of the skirt portion 54 are integrally united with a center column 5| which encloses the sleeve 45 of the basket with an annular space 5| between them. The lower part of the column 50 of the agitator is provided with an annular inwardly extending rib 50, as shown in Fig. 5,

which carries a bushing 52 arranged to turn on the upper portion of the bushing 45 carried'by the basket. A number of openings 50 extend downwardly through the outer portion of the rib 50 to permit the escape of any water which may collect within the annular space 5|. The upper end of the column 50' terminates in a hub portion 50 of reduced diameter having splines or keyways 53 on the inner side thereof for establishing a driving .connection with the driving member 54 and at the same time permitting the agitator to be removed when desired from its position within the basket.

For the purpose of actuating the clothes agitator and rotating the basket, driving connections are established through the lower walls of the basket and tub. As shown particularly in Fig. 5, the upper portion of the casing 20 is provided with a hub 54* having securedthereln a hollow center post 55. This post extends upwardly through an opening in the lower wall 3.": of the tub and a fluid-tight connection is established by means of two

collars

56 and 51, one of which contacts with the center post while the other collar 51 surrounds and threadedly engages the first collar so-that the two collars may be caused to compress the gaskets 58 which are located above and below the bottom wall 35 of the tub when one collar is screwed downwardly on the other, each collar' being provided with an outwardly extending flange which engages one of the gaskets: The center post 55 extends upwardly into the sleeve 45 of the basket 40 and is provided within the hub 42* of the spider 42 with a fixed annular bearing member 59 on which revolves a bushing 60 carried by the sleeve 45 of the basket. Within the center post 55 there is located a hollow shaft 8i and within this hollow shaft there is positioned a solid shaft 62. The

upper end of the post 55 is provided with a bushing 63 which serves as a bearing for the upper part of the hollow shaft GI and this shaft extends above the center post with its upper end secured to the driving member 64 which is splined within a driving block 65 secured within the upper end of the sleeve 45 of the basket so that when the hollow shaft 6| is rotated, the basket is rotated at the same speed. The shaft 62, which drives the agitator 56, has a hard metal bearing member 66 secured to the upper part thereof to revolve within a bushing 61 which is carried by the upper end of the hollow shaft 6| and the solid shaft 62 projects above this hearing with its upper end keyed within the driving block 54, previously described, so that a driving connection is thereby established between this shaft and the agitator. A collar 66 surrounds the shaft 62 immediately above the annular bearing member 66 and serves to limit the downward movement of the hub portion 56 of the agitator upon the driving block 54. During the operation of washing the clothes within the basket, the shaft 62 is adapted to have an oscillatory motion imparted thereto and during the subsequent drying of the clothes, the shaft 62 is adapted to remain stationary while the hollow shaft 6| is rotated at high speed to effect a corresponding rotation of the basket.

The shafts by which the basket and the agitator are actuated are driven, through intermediate mechanism, by an electric motor shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 13. The casing of this motor is provided with an outwardly extending flange 16 which is secured to the lower part 26 of the casing 26 by means of cap screws 11 passing through the insulating bushing 18. The armature 19 of this motor has its shaft 86 journaled in a ball bearing 8| which is secured within a bearing plate 82 which serves as one end of the motor casing and which is secured in place by bolts 83. Immediately above the ball bearing 8I, the shaft 66 of the motor is provided with a fixed collar 84 which is provided with a number of upwardly extending pins 85 arranged to engage apertures 66 formed in the blocks 81 which are embedded in a flywheel 88. This flywheel is adapted to maintain the uniform operation of the motor independently of sudden shocks which may be imparted to the clothes basket or the clothes agitator during the operation of the machine. The fiywheel has a driving connection with an enlarged vertical shaft 96 which is mounted to revolve in a bushing 9| secured within a hub 92 which is carried by the lower part of the casing 26. The upper part of this shaft 96 is reduced in diameter and is journaled in a bushing 94 mounted in a hub 95 which is carried by the upper part 26 of the casing. The upper end of this hub is closed by a. cover plate 96. A pinion 91 is secured on the shaft 96 below the bushing 94 and this pinion meshes with an intermediate gear 98 which is secured on a shaft 99. This shaft is arranged to revolve in bushings I66 which are mounted within the cups I6I secured within hubs I62 and I63 carried by the lower and upper parts of the casing, respectively.

The gear 98 rotates continuously when the motor 15 is in operation and it is arranged to mesh continuously with another gear I65 which rotates about the lower end of the shaft 62, as shown particularly in Figs. 5, 8 and 9. Bushings I66 are secured within the hub of the gear I65 to rotate upon the shaft 62. The lower portion of the gear I65 is formed integrally with a pinion I61 and the lower end of the gear rests upon a collar I66 which in turn is supported by a pinion I69 keyed on the lower end of the shaft 62. The extreme lower end of the shaft 62 is mounted to revolve in a ball bearing unit II 6 which is located within a cup III adapted to prevent the leakage of oil from the lower part of the casing 26 in which it is secured. The pinion I61 is adapted to drive a train of mechanism which imparts an oscillatory motion to the pinion I69 and for this purpose the pinion I 61 is arranged to mesh continuously with a gear II2 shown particularly in Figs. 8 and 9. This gear is mounted on a shaft I I3 which is journaled in bearings carried by the upper part of the casing 26 and this shaft has also secured thereon a pinion I I4 which meshes continuously with a large gear I I5. The latter gear is secured upon a shaft II6 which is journaled in bushings II1 mounted within the oil-retaining cups II6 which are secured within hubs H9 and I26 carried by the lower and upper parts of the casing 26, respectively. The hub of the gear I I5 is provided with an eccentric bearing portion I2I which is mounted to revolve in an annular bearing I22 formed in a sliding block I23. This block is adapted to slide longitudinally in guides I24 which are carried by an oscillatory arm I25. This arm is provided at one end with a hub I25 adapted to oscillate upon a bearing I26 and at its other end it is provided with a gear sector I25 which meshes with the pinion I69, previously described, so that when this arm I25 is oscillated about the bearing I26, the gear sector imparts an oscillatory motion to the pinion I69 and shaft 62 to effect a corresponding oscillatory motion of the agitator 56 within the basket 46. This driving mechanism for imparting an oscillatory motion to the clothes agitator is described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 338,456, filed February 8, 1929, which has now matured into United States Patent- No. 2,021,785, dated November 19, 1935.

In order that the gear sector of the oscillatory arm I25 may be engaged with and disengaged from the pinion I69, the bearing I26, upon which it oscillates, is eccentrically mounted upon an operating shaft I36, as shown in Figs. 8 and 16. The shaft I36 is keyed within the eccentric bearing I26 and its lower end is journaled in a bushing I3I which is secured within the oil-retaining cup I32 mounted in an aperture formed in the lower wall of the casing 26. The shaft I36 is also journaled at an intermediate point in a bushing I33 which is mounted within a hub I34 formed in the upper wall of the casing 26. The shaft I36 projects above the casing 26 and extends upwardly at the side of the tub 35 within an auxiliary housing I35 which is attached to the casing 26 by cap screws I36. At its upper end, the casing I35 is enlarged as shown at I35 and this enlarged part has a cover plate I31 secured thereon. The shaft I36 projects through a bearing I38 formed in this cover plate and the upper end thereof is provided with a relatively fixed handle I39 by which it may be turned in order to effect the desired angular movement of the bearing I26 and thereby move the gear sector I25 of the oscillatory arm into or out of engagement with the pinion I69. By shifting the oscillatory arm I25 longitudinally, the motion of the continuously rotating gear I I5 may be utilized through the eccentric I2I and the sliding block I23 to eiTect an oscillatory movement of the arm I25 and a similar motion of the clothes agitator 56.

For the purpose of rotating the basket 46 at high speed for drying purposes, when the clothes agitator 50 is in operation, the continuously rotating gear I 05, previously referred to, is adapted to be connected to the lower end of the hollow shaft 6I. This driving connection is established through a friction clutch member I40 mounted to revolve about the bushing I4I which is secured to the shaft 6| and serves as a bearing for the lower part of the shaft 6I. This lower part of the shaft II is spaced from the lower end of the center post by means of a bushing I42, in which it revolves, and the clutch member I40 is splined upon the lower extremity of the shaft 6I so that It has a driving engagement therewith while being permitted to move longitudinally of the shaft 52. When the clutch member is moved downwardly, its lower flat face is adapted to engage a number of friction blocks I44, of cork or the like, which are secured in recesses formed in the upper side of the gear I05 so that a driving connection is thereby established between this gear and the hollow shaft 62 for the purpose of effecting the rotation of the basket 40. When the clutch member I40 is elevated, as shown in Fig. 8, the gear I05 continues to rotate about the shaft 62 without effecting the rotation of the basket. The vertical movement of the clutch member I40 is effected through a bell crank lever I45 which is provided with a pair of ears I45 .iournaled on the ends of a shaft I46 secured to the top wall of the casing 20 by a stud I41. The bell crank lever I45 is provided with a horizontally extending bifurcated arm I45 parts of which extend on opposite sides of the clutch member I40 with their extremities pivotally connected by pins I48 to the blocks I49 which are mounted in the annular groove I40 of the clutch member. The rocking of the bell crank lever I45 about the shaft I46 is therefore adapted to raise or lower the clutch member on the shaft 62 and this rocking movement is effected by means of a shifter arm I50 which is pivoted at I5I to the depending arms I45 of the bell crank lever. The shifter arm is provided with a central aperture I50 to receive the hub I20 previously described and it extends horizontally in the casing 20 with the outer end thereof provided with a notch I50 thus forming a forked end on the shifter arm which is adapted to straddle the reduced portion I34 of the depending hub I34 formed on the upper wall of the casing. At a point adjacent this end of the shifter arm, it is provided with a bolt I52 carrying a bushing I53 upon which a roller I54 is mounted to revolve. This roller bears against the peripheral surface of a cam I55 which is formed integrally with the eccentric bearing I26 previously described and spaced upwardly therefrom, as shown in Fig. 8. The cam I55 is provided on one side with a recess I55, shown in Fig. 11, so that when it is turned to bring this part of the cam into engagement with the roller I54, the shifter arm I50 moves toward the right, as viewed in Figs. 8 and 11, to permit the clutch member I40 to fall by gravity into engagement with the friction blocks I44 and thereby establish a driving connection between the gear I05 and the clutch member. When the cam I55 is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 8, the shifter arm I50 is pushed toward the left, as viewed in Figs. 8 and 11, so that the bell crank lever I45 is rocked to elevate the clutch member I 40 and thereby permit the gear I 05 to rotate freely without actuating the shaft 6I by which the basket 40 is driven. The depression I 55 in the cam I55 is so located with respect to the eccentricity of the bearing member I26 that it is impossible to move the clutch member I40 into engagement with the friction blocks of the gear I05 at the same time that the gear sector I25 of the oscillatory arm I25 is in mesh with the pinion I00. The operator of the machine is thus prevented from effecting the simultaneous operation of both the clothes agitator and the drying basket.

The gear 98, driven by the motor 15, which serves through the connections described above to oscillate the clothes agitator 50 and to rotate the basket 40, also serves as the driving means for a pump I by which washing and rinsing fluids and the like are pumped to and from the pump 35. Referring particularly to Figs. 9 and 13, it will be seen that the gear 98 meshes with a pinion III which is mounted to revolve about a vertical pump shaft I62. This shaft is Journaled in the hub of the pinion I6I which extends downwardly and is in turn mounted to revolve within a bushing I63 secured within the upwardly extending hub member I64 which is formed as a part of the pump casing I65. The pump casing is secured to the casing 20 by cap screws I66 and the lower part of the hub I64 is provided with another bushing I61 in which the lower part of the pump shaft I62 is journaled. The shaft I62 extends below the bushing I61 and has the pump impeller I68 secured thereon within the pump chamber I68. The lower part of the pump casing I is provided with a removable hollow cap I10 which is normally secured in place by bolts "I and wing nuts I12 with a gasket I13 interposed between the flange of the cap and the end of the pump casing in order to provide a fluid-tight closure. The cap I10 has a chamber I14 which communicates with the outwardly extending conduit I15, shown particularly in Figs. 12 and 13. This conduit communicates with an upwardly extending pipe I16 which has a fluid-tight connection with the bottom of the tub 35 and it also communicates with a drain cock I11 which may be opened to permit the contents of the tub 35 to drain outwardly. Assuming that water or other fluid is to be drawn inwardly from the tub 35 through the conduit I15 by the action of the pump, this fluid passes through the chamber I14 and thence upwardly through the inlet opening I18 of the pump. It is then discharged outwardly by the radiating vanes I68 of the impeller I68 into the discharge conduit I of the pump. This conduit is connected through a flexible tube I8I with a pipe I82 which is secured to the side of the tub 35 and which is connected through a packing joint I83 with a rotatable nozzle I84. This nozzle may be turned from the position shown in Fig. l to a position where its mouth overlies the tub and the basket 40 so that fluid may be pumped upwardly from the tub and discharged into the basket.

In order to retain the shaft I62 and the pump I68 in their proper vertical positions, the shaft is grooved between the bushings I63 and I61, as shown at I62, and this grooved portion has a split collar I86 secured thereto by an encircling coil spring I81, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. This collar is adapted to engage the upper end of the bushing I61 to limit the downward movement of the pump shaft and the impeller. Since the pinion I6I is freely rotatable on the pump shaft I62, means must be provided for establishing a driving connection in order to operate the pump and this is brought about by a series of clutch teeth I88 which project upwardly from the pinion I6I and which are adapted to mesh with similar clutch teeth I 89 projecting downwardly from a clutch member I90 which is splined upon the upper end of the pump shaft I62 and which is adapted to slide vertically and to revolve within a bushing I! which is secured within the hub I92 formed as a part of the upper portion of the casing 20. The vertical reciprocation of they clutch member I90 is efi'ected through a connection which is made to the clutch member by means of a pair of washers I93 which are seated upon the upper end of the clutch member around the reduced portion I90 thereof. A disk I94 is seated between these washers and the outer edge of the disk is adapted to engage a cup-shaped recess I95" formed in the member I95. The washers and the disk I94 are retained in place by a cap I96 which is secured to a pin I91 extending downwardly into the bore of the clutch member and secured in place by a transverse pin I98. The member I95 may thus be lifted off of the clutch member but is normally held in engagement therewith by the frictional contact of the disk I94 with the wall of the recess I 95*. The member I95 is provided with a trunnion I95 which is rotatably mounted in a hub 200 'carried at the end of the clutch rod 200, as shown particularly in Figs. 13 and 15. The clutch rod is pivoted at 29I on a bracket 202 which is secured to the upper side of the casing 20, as shown in Fig. 2, and the outer end of the reduced portion 200 of the clutch rod is provided with a roller 203 which is adapted to contact with the lower face 205 of a cam 205. This cam is secured on the operating shaft I30, previously described, by which the cam I55 and the eccentric bearing I26 are rotated. This cam is provided on its under side with a recess 205 into which the roller 203 may project and thereby allow the clutch member I90 to be lowered so that the clutch teeth I88 and I89 will mesh with each other and permit the pump to be driven by the motor. This movement of the clutch rod 200 is insured by a coil spring 206 which is mounted on a stud 201 projecting upwardly from the casing 20 and which is arranged so that its upper end engages the under side of the rod 200 at the right'of its pivot 20I, as shown in Fig. 8. A pair of lugs 208 project upwardly from the casing 20 on opposite sides of the free end of the rod 200 so that the lateral bending of the rod under the influence of the rotation of the cam 205 is prevented. The cam 205 is so positioned on the shaft I30 that the clutch member I90 is always elevated and the pump thereby rendered inoperative during the time when the cam I55 is actuated to effect the rotation of the basket 40 and during the time that the eccentric bearing member I26 is actuated to cause the oscillation of the agitator 50. On the other hand, when the shaft I30 is rotated to a position wherein the cam 205 permits the operation of the pump, the cam I55 and the eccentric I26 are rotated to positions where the oscillation of the agitator 50 and the rotation of the basket 40 are prevented. In order that these positions of the shaft I30 may be readily apparent to the operator of the machine, the cover plate I31 of the auxiliary casing I35 is provided with certain legends to indicate the required positions of the handle I39 in order to bring about the operation of the pump or basket or the clothes agitator. When the handle I39 is in the position shown in Fig. 17, it is immediately over the legend Wash which is inscribed on the cover plate I31, as shown at 2I0, and when it is moved to a rightangular position, it is over the legend Pump shown at 2I2. when the handle I39 is turned 180 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 17, the shaft I30 is then in a position to effect the rotation of the basket 40, as indicated by the legend Dry shown at 2I3.

Referring now to the electric circuit by which the operation of the motor 15 is controlled, and particularly to Figs. 16 to 20, inclusive, it will be seen that the electric motor is supplied with current from a. pair of line conductors 2I5 which have a double pole switch 2I6 connected therein and located in the casing I35. One of the conductors 2I5 leads to one terminal of the motor 15 and the other line conductor 2 I 5 leads to a contact 2I8 fixed on an insulating plate 2I9 which is secured within the upper enlarged part of the auxiliary casing I35. The plate 2I9 carries a number of other contacts 220 and a conductor 22I leads from each of the contacts 220 to some part of the resistor 222 of a rheostat. The connections of the wires 22I are spaced apart along the resistor 222 and one end of the resistor is connected by a conductor 223 through a switch 224 to the other terminal of the motor 15. The contact plate 225 of the rheostat extends outwardly from a central shaft 226 which is fixed to turn in contact with the central contact 2I8 of the rheostat and which extends upwardly through the cover plate I31 where it is engaged by a relatively fixed handle .221. By turning the handle 221, the plate 225 may be moved so that its outer extremity will engage any desired one of the contacts 220 so that one or more units of the resistor 222, shown in Figs. 2 and 20, may be included in the circuit of the motor, thus varying the speed of the motor to suit the requirements of the operator. In order that the speed may be indicated, the handle 221 is provided with a pointer 229 which is adapted to travel over the graduations 230 described on the cover plate I31, as shown in Fig. 17. In addition to the numbers indicating the diiferent degrees of speed, the extreme limits are also indicated by the words Fast and Slow which appear at the ends of the graduations.

The opening and closing of the circuit of the motor is normally effected by the operator through the operation of the switch 2I6 which is mounted in the upper part of the auxiliary casing I35. This switch may be of any suitable form but is illustrated as a double pole switch having two pairs of double blades 23I the ends of which are adapted to extend on opposite sides of stationary contact blades 232, when the switch is closed, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The blades 232 are secured on an insulating plate 233 which also supports a central frame 234 about which the movable blades 23I are adapted to pivot. For this purpose, the blades 23I are mounted upon a plate 235 which is pivoted on the frame 234 and the blades 23I are separated from the plate 235 by suitable insulating members 236. The tilting of the plate 235 about its pivot is effected by a lever 231 which is pivoted on the frame 234 at the points 238. A plate 239 is carried by the lever 231 adjacent the axis of its pivotal movement and this plate 239 is adapted to engage the shoulders 240 formed on the frame 234 in order to limit the pivotal movement of the lever. The lever 231 has an inwardly extending arm 231 provided with a rounded extremity which seats in a recess 24I formed in a cylindrical cap member 24I. This cap member is mounted upon one end of a coil spring 242 which has its other end seated over a lug 243 formed on the tilting plate 235. The spring 242 is thus adapted to oscillate about the lug 243 so that it may assume a position at either side of the plane of the plate 235. When the lever 231 is turned about its pivot, the part 231 compresses the spring 242 and rocks it until it assumes a position wherein its axis is contained within the plane of the plate 285 and then upon a slight further movement of the lever, the spring 242 expands and causes the plate 235 and the switch plates 23I to snap to the other extreme position. This causes the switch to partake of sudden opening and closing movements after predetermined movements of the lever 231.

' The operation oi. the lever arm 231 01' the switch 2I8 is effected by means oi a reciprocating switch rod 245 which is mounted to slide vertically in the cover plate I31 of the auxiliary casing and in a lug 248 which is formed on this casing adjacent the lower end thereof, as shown in Fig. 16. The rod 245 is provided at its upper end with a handle 241 by which it may be raised or lowered and this handle carries an am 248 having a curved extremity which fits against the side of the shaft I 38 so that the turning of the switch rod 245 is thereby prevented. The switch rod is provided within the housing I35 with a fixed block 248 having formed therein a recess 258 which is engaged by the rounded extremity o! the outer portion of the lever 231. When the switch rod 245 is moved vertically, the lever 231 is therefore operated to open or close the switch 216. The rod 245 is normally held in its uppermost position by means of the switch. The purpose or extending the switch rod 245 into the lower part of the auxiliary casing I35 is to provide means for preventing the turning of the operating shaft I38 at certain times when the switch 2I5 is closed. This control is effected by the engagement of the lower pointed end 245 of the switch rod with the upper part oi. the cam 285, previously described. This cam is provided with a cylindrical upwardly extending part 255 having a flat upper end surface 255 and provided at intervals with bosses 255 in which are located three downwardly extending

recesses

256, 251 and 258. Adjacent two of the

recesses

258 and 258, the member 255 is provided with upwardly extending lugs 259. The three

recesses

256, 251 and 258 are positioned to correspond with the Wash", Pump and Dry positions of the handle I39. The lower pointed end 245 of the switch rod normally rides on the upper end surface 255 of the member 255 and when the handle I38 is in one of the operating positions just described, the switch rod 245 is in registry with one of the

recesses

256, 251 or 258 so that the switch rod may then be pushed downwardly to close the switch and set the motor in operation. When the handle is moved to the Wash position or the Dry position, the lower end of the switch rod engages one of the lugs 259 so that the proper positioning of the member 255 is automatically determined and the switch rod may then be pushed downwardly into one of the

recesses

256 or 258. When the switch rod has been pushed downwardly into one or the recesses in the member 255, the handle I38 and the operating shaft I38 are then held against rotation so that the driving mechanism cannot be shifted from the connection for washing to the connection for drying or vice versa, or from either of these connections to the pumping connection without again opening the switch 2I8 and stopping the operation of the motor. On the other hand, the motor cannot be started when the handle I and the operating mechanism are in any one of the intermediate positions which are brought about during the turning'of the cams Ill and 285 or turning of the eccentric bearing member I28.

During the normal operation of the washing machine, the switch 224, illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 20, is closed. The switch 224 is located within one 01 the hollow legs 28 of the machine, as shown particularly in Fig. 21. This switch is provided for the purpose oi automatically opening the circuit and arresting the operation of the motor in case the vibration of the machine becomes excessive during the rotation oi the basket 48 for drying purposes. This switch comprises a casing 288 which is secured in the upper end of the leg and which encloses a pair of contact blades 26I mounted on an insulating block 282 and each connected to a separate part oi. the conductor 223. The blades 28I are adapted to be connected by a movable contact member 284 which is movable to the closed position shown in Fig. 23 by the bell crank lever 285 upon which it is mounted. The bell crank lever is pivoted at 288 within the switch casing and is provided with a downwardly extending arm 285- having at its lower end a pair oi.

shoulders

285 and 285, the latter oi. which is bounded on one side by the projecting tongue 285. The shoulder 285 normally engages the ledge 281 which is formed at one end of a lever 251, of U-shaped cross section, pivoted at 288 in the lower part of the casing 288. This lever 281 is provided with a slot 288 through which the lower end of the arm 285' of the bell crank lever extends. A coil spring 218 connects the lever 281 with the upper horizontal arm of the bell crank lever 285 but the two levers are normally prevented from moving toward each other under the influence of this spring by the engagement of the shoulder 265 with the ledge 281 so that the lever 255 is normally not moved from the position wherein the movable contact 284 serves to connect the switch blades 25I. This movement of vthe lever 265 to open the switch is adapted to be effected automatically, upon excessive vibration of the machine, by connections extending downwardly to the caster 32 upon which the leg 28 is mounted. This caster has a trunnion 212 which is joumaled in a plunger 213 slidably mounted in a sleeve 214 secured within the lower tubular part of the leg 28. The upper part of the plunger 213 is reduced in diameter and a coil spring 215 is interposed between the shoulder 213 which is thus formed on the plunger and another shoulder 214*- which is iormed at the upper end of the enlarged bore oi the sleeve 214. This spring is of such strength that the leg 28 and sleeve 214 are ordinarily permitted to occupy their normal position on the plunger 213, as shown in Fig. 21, during the normal operation of the machine. The upper end of the plunger 213 is threadedly engaged by a stud 218 which secures in place a washer 211 adapted to overlap the upper end of the bore oi! the sleeve 214. The-head oi the stud 218 is pivotally connected to a rod 218 which threadedly engages at its upper end a nut 288 having a rounded head 288. This nut engages an aperture 28I formed in the lower wall of the lever 281 and the rounded head 288' is located on the upper side of the lever so that a connection is thereby established between the lever and the plunger 213. The eii'ective length of the rod 218 may be varied by adjusting the nut 280 and then securing it in adjusted position by a lock nut 282. With this arrangement, the parts normally remain substantially as illustrated in Figs. 21, 23 and 24. Upon vibration of the machine,

the leg 28 and sleeve 214 tend to move upwardly on'the plunger 213 and when an excessive degree of vibration occurs, the upward movement of the leg and switch casing causes a relative separation vertically of the lever 26! and the switch casing and thus permits the ledge 26! to move out of engagement with the shoulder 265*. The bell crank lever 265 is then free of restraint at its lower end so that the spring 210 can pull the upper end of the arm of the lever 265 downwardly and open the switch while at the same time the ledge 26'! passes into engagement with the shoulder 265 and the tongue 265 limits the opening movement of the switch. The operation of the motor I5 is then automatically arrested and cannot be restored until the operator restores the switch 224 toclosed position. This may be done by engaging with the fingers a handle 285 which is "pivotally connected to the lower arm 265 of the bell crank lever and which projects from the switch casing as shown in Figs. 21 and 23. This handle 285 may be manipulated to close the switch and permit the lever 26! to be restored to its normal position, bringing the shoulder 265 again into engagement with the ledge 261 In the lower part of the tub beneath the basket 40, there is mounted a baille plate 290 which is in the form of a flat plate mounted in a vertical plane and formed of two complementary parts which overlap the opposite sides of the center post 55 to which they are fitted by having their middle portions curved to form the sections of a hub. These parts which overlap the center posts are clamped together by screws.29l so that the baffle plate is held rigidly in place on the center post. It preferably extends substantially across the entire width of the tub and is located adjacent the normal upper surface level of the washing fluid in the bottom of the tub so that it effectively prevents a whirling motion of this fluid about the axis of the tub under the in fluence of the air currents set up by the rotating basket during the drying operation. The baille plate has the further advantage that in the event of excessive vibration of the washing machine during the drying operation, the water will tend to splash up over this baflle plate and engage the bottom of the basket and thereby automatically reduce the vibration through retarding the rotation of the basket.

Although one form of the invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, it will be understood that it may be constructed in various other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination in a, washing machine, of a tub, a center post extending upwardly from the bottom of said tub, a basket mounted in the upper part of said tub leaving a space beneath said basket for washing fluid, means for rotating said basket about said center post, and a vertically extending baiile plate detachably secured to and carried entirely by said center post and extending radially therefrombeneath said basket.

2. The combination in a washing machine, of a tub forjcontaining washing fluid, a basket and a clothes agitator mounted in said tub, means for actuating said basket and said agitator, means comprising an electric motor for operating said actuating means, an electric circuit for said motor, a switch for closing said circuit, means comprising clutch mechanism for controlling the operation of said basket and agitator actuating means, and operating means for the switch adapted to interlock with said clutch mechanism for preventing the operation of said clutch mechanism when said switch is closed.

having an operating connection with said controlling member for preventing the operation of said controlling member when said switch is closed.

4. The combination in a washing machine, of

a tub for containing washing fluid, a basket and a clothes agitator mounted in said tub, a pump for pumping washing fluid into said tub, an electric motor, driving connections from said motor to said basket, said agitator and said pump, independent clutch devices in each of said driving connections, a rotatable controlling shaft, means comprising separate cams mounted on said controlling shaft for eifecting the actuation of said clutch devices, said cams being arranged to prevent the closing of any two of said clutch devices simultaneously, an electric circuit for said motor, a switch in said circuit, and actuating means for said switch comprising means for preventing the rotation of said controlling shaft from any of its clutch engaging positions when said switch is closed.

5. The combination in a' washing machine, of a tub for containing washing fluid, a basket and a clothes agitator mounted in said tub, a pump for pumping washing fluid into said tub, an electric motor, driving connections from said motor to said basket, said agitator and said pump, independent clutch devices in each of said driving connections, a controlling shaft extending vertically at the side of said tub, separate cams mounted on said controlling shaft foractuating each of said clutch devices, said cams being arranged to prevent the closing of any two of said 'clutch devices simultaneously, an electric circuit for said motor, a switch for controlling said circuit, actuating means for said switch comprising a reciprocating rod extending parallel to said controlling shaft, and a member carried by said operating shaft and having separate apertures each of which is adapted to be engaged by said rod when said switch is in closed position with said shaft in a position to cause the engagement of one of said clutch devices.

6. In driving mechanism for a washing machine having a tub, a pair of angularly movable devices in said tub and a hollow center post having a fluid-tight connection with the lower wall of said tub and extending upwardly .therefrom, the combination of a hollow shaft journaled within said post for actuating one of said devices, a second shaft journaled within said hollow shaft for actuating the other of said devices, a driving motor, driving connections from said motor to each of said shafts, a disconnecting device in each of said driving connections for making and breaking the driving connection, a controlling shaft, and means comprising cams mounted on said controlling shaft for operating each of said disconnecting devices.

'I. In driving mechanism for a washing machine having a tub, a pair of angularly movable devices in said tub and a hollow center post having a fluid-tight connection with the lower wall of said tub and extending upwardly therefrom, the combination of a hollow shaft journaled within said post for actuating one of said devices, a second shaft journaled within said hollow shaft for actuating the other of said devices, a driving motor, driving connections from said motor to each of said shafts, a disconnecting device in each of said driving connections for making and breaking the driving connection, a controlling shaft, and means comprising cams mounted on said controlling shaft for operating each of said disconnecting devices, said cams being positioned on said shaft to prevent the simultaneous engagement of said disconnecting devices.

8. In driving mechanism for a washing machine having a tub, a pair of angularly movable devices mounted in said tub and a hollow center post having a fluid-tight connection with the bottom of said tub and extending upwardly therefrom, the combination of a hollow shaft journaledwithin said post for actuating one of said devices, a second shaft journaled within said hollow shaft for actuating the other of said devices, a gear mounted to rotate about the lower end of said second named shaft, a pinion mounted to rotate with said gear, means for rotating said gear and pinion, means comprising a clutch for forming a driving connection between said gear and said hollow shaft, means actuated by said pinion and including a disconnecting device for imparting a reciprocatory motion to said second named shaft, a manually operated controlling shaft, and means actuated by said controlling shaft for operating said clutch and said disconnecting device.

9. In driving mechanism for a washing machine having a tub, a pair of angularly movable devices mounted in said tub and a hollow center post having a fluid-tight connection with the lower wall of said tub and extending upwardly therefrom, the combination of a pair ofshafts extending upwardly through said center post for actuating said devices, a motor mounted with its shaft extending vertically beneath said tub,

a gear driven by said motor, a second gear-driven by said first named gear and mounted to rotate freely about the lower end of one of said shafts. means comprising a clutch for causing said second named gear torotate the other of said shafts, a pinion rotatable with said second gear, and means actuated by said pinion for imparting a reciprocatory motion to said shaft about which said second named gear rotates,

' 10. In driving mechanism for a washing machine having a tub, a pair of angularly movable devices in said tub and a hollow center post having a fluid-tight connection with the lower wall of said tub and extending upwardly therefrom, the combination of a .hollow shaft journaled in said post for actuating one of said devices, a second shaft journaled within said hollow shaft for actuating the other of said devices, driving connections from said motor to each of said shafts, a clutch in one of said driving connections and disengageable gears in the other of said driving connections, a controlling shaft extending upwardly'at the side of said tub, and means comprising cams which are mounted on said controlling shaft for operating said clutch and engaging and disengaging said gears.

11. In driving mechanism for a washing machine having a tub, a pair of angularly movable devices in said tub and a hollow center post having a fluid-tight connection with the lower wall of said tub and extending upwardly therefrom, the combination of ahollow shaft journaled in said post for actuating one of said devices, a

second shaft journaled within said hollow shaft for actuating the other of said devices, driving connections from said motor to each of said for operating said clutch and engaging and disengaging said gears, said cams being positioned on said shaft to prevent the engagement of said gears simultaneously with the engagement of said clutch.

JOHN T. HUME.