US2114579A - Wear compensating device for washing machine cylinder doors - Google Patents

Description

April 19, 1938. STRQBRIDGE 2,114,579

WEAR COMPENSATING DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINE CYLINDEE DOORS Filed Nov. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l I; m E

' INVENTOR Willidm Simbridye BY April 19, 1938. w. STROBRIDGE 2,114,579

WEAR COMPENSATING DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINE CYLINDER DOORS Filed Nov. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Shet 2 I m/M 3 v Rm @fi %K% m A w W 6 v IN @N a Patented Apr. 19, 1938 UNITED STATES rarer WEAR. COMPENSATING DEVICE FOR WASH- ING MACHINE CYLINDER DOORS ware Application November 14, 1935, Serial No. 49,670

2 Claims.

This invention relates to wear compensating devices for washing machine cylinder doors of the type illustrated in United States Patent No. 1,984,931.

An object of the invention is to ensure the tight closing of the doors of washing machine cylinders, both initially and after wear takes place, by providing simple, eflicient and durable means for accomplishing this purpose.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of the invention,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a fragment of a cylinder for a washing machine showing a door hinge and latch assembly embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of one of the stationary hinge members for the lower door, showing the lower end of one of the hinge straps for the upper door in interlocking engagement therewith, and

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views in the drawmgs.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a wooden washing machine cylinder of any usual or suitable construction having in the periphery at least one dooropening provided with a large or main upper door 2 and a narrow lower door 3. At the lower edge of the door opening is a wooden sill 4. In order that the door 3 shall be rigid, it preferably takes the form of a heavy stiff metal trough into each end of which is fitted a metal block 5 secured in place by bolts 6 or otherwise. The movable hinge leaves 1 for the lower door 3 are preferably cast integral with the blocks 5. The stationary hinge leaves for the lower door are Z-shaped; each consisting of a central section 8 adapted to rest on a depressed seat 9 at the front and below the top of the sill; a lower section or wing I0, adapted to rest against the front face of the sill and against the periphery of the cylinder; and an upper secfor the hinge leaf sections 8 and II, the sill is notched to permit the upright section H to lie inwardly of the door when the latter is closed, and the section 8 to underlie the closed door. At the upper end of each stationary hinge leaf for the lower door is a lip l2 that projects inwardly and rests upon the sill. These stationary hinge leaves are secured in place by one or more bolts. In the arrangement shown, there are two bolts for each hinge, a short bolt l3 passing through the lower section and through a cylinder stave l4 adjacent to the sill, and a long bolt l5 that extends through the lower hinge leaf section and through the sill.

In order to hold the upper sections of the stationary hinge leaves firmly in place, in the arrangement shown, there is riveted to the inner or rear face of each of the hinge leaf sections H or formed integrally therewith a stiff metal tongue l6 that extends down a considerable distance below the central hinge leaf section 8. Slots out down into the sill at the inner ends of the seats 9 receive the tongues l6 when the stationary hinge leaves are set in place. These slots are preferably so proportioned that the tongues will fit snugly within them. Each tongue is provided near its lower end with a bolt hole l-l so located that the corresponding bolt 15 passes therethrough. Thus, after a stationary hinge leaf has been placed in position and the two bolts have been applied, the upper section of the hinge leaf is tied down to the bolt l5 and is therefore securely anchored to overcome any tendency that it may have to spring away from the sill behind it and thus open a crack or crevice.

As is customary in this type of construction, the hinge leaves or straps 18 on the upper or main door are continued past the free end or edge of that door so as to overlap the lower door sill when the upper door is closed. In the present construction, the straps i8 are so placed as to cause them to engage with the outer sides or faces of the upper sections ll of the stationary hinge leaves for the lower door. The stationary hinge leaf sections H and the straps 58 are, further more, so proportioned and shaped that they become effectively interlocked when the doors are closed, to prevent relative movements circumferentially or longitudinally of the cylinder. To this end, each strap I8 is provided at its free end, on its under or inner side, with a U-shaped rib or bead 19. In the arrangement shown, this U- shaped rib or bead comprises relatively low ribs 2!, 2| at the long edges of the strap l8, and

a relatively high connecting cross rib or bead 22 following the lower edge. In the front face of each of the hinge leaf sections II is a pocket or depression 20 adapted to receive the ribbed lower end of the corresponding hinge leaf or strap I8. Projecting outwardly from the upper end of the inner or rear wall' of the pocket 20 is a ledge 23 whose length is slightly less than the distance between the ribs 2 l, 2! on the strap,

l8. Therefore, when the upper door is swung down, the lower ends of thestraps l8-enter the pockets 20, the ribs or beads 2|, 2lpassing the ends of the ledges 23, and the rib or bead sections 22 underlying the ledges 23. Fig. 5 illustrates the relation between the ledge 23. and the ribs or beads 2| when the upper door is swung down, whereas Fig. 3 shows the manner in which the ledge overlies the rib or bead 22.

The doors are locked in their closed positions, as heretofore, by catches 24 on the lower door engaging with the body of the cylinder. Since the blocks 5 are properly located for the purpose, theyare made hollow so as to serve as casings or housings for. the movable elements of the catches. The chambers in the blocks 5 open out through the outer ends of the blocks to permit the passage ofthe slidingv bolt elements 25'ofthe catches. Preferably these catches take into recesses beneaththe cylinder bands 26 and suitable removable keeper plates 2'! are preferably interposed between the bands and the catches.

Itis essential that the doors be tightly closed, since otherwise small pieces of wash are likely to escape through or be caught in the gaps formed between loosely held. doors, or between such doors and the edges of the door openings. The tightness of the doors dependsupon the relation of the catch and its keeper. If the keeper andcatch make tight contact when the doors are swung shut and: are. at the limit of their closing movement, no troublesome gaps can: be formed. In order that the doors may be held. tightly. closed initially and also after wear has taken place, adjustable means is provided for insuring close contact between the catchesand their. keepers. By reference to Fig.3, this means will. be seen to comprise a hardened steel stud or bolt 28, mounted-for. longitudinaladjustment in a threadedbolt hole 29, formed in the upper section I! of the stationary hinge member for the lower door. The positionofthe said bolt is such that whenthe upper door isswungclosed, its end bead 22 will come in contact with the outer endof the bolt. Initially, the bolt is set with its outerv end spaced just far enough from the plane of the inner surface of the catch keeper 21' to prevent movement of the doors. If, after a period of service, the doors begin to show looseness, the bolt may be backed out the small distance necessary to compensate for the wear that has taken. place.

Preferably, it should be possible to make such adjustment without removing the stationary hinge strap from the cylinder. This may be accomplished by providing at the outer end of the bolt 28 a pair of small holes 39 adapted to be engaged by any suitable key, whereby the bolt may be turned to a new position from the exterior of the cylinder when the upper and lower doors stand open. A set screw 3| is provided to hold the bolt 28 in any selected position. A seal strip 32' secured'tothe outer surfaces of the upper door hinge straps l8 and extending therebetween closes. the gap between the lower edge of the upper door'and the upper edge of the lower door. The latter door. ordinarily engages this seal strip and also the lower'ends of the hinge straps l8. Thus the upper door is firmly held in place by the lower door when the latter is closed and the catch engaged behind its keeper.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the. embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shownin the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Latching means for adoorhinged'at one edge of a door opening and having a hinge member comprisinga leaf secured to the door and extend.-

ing entirely across the opening, said latching means comprising a first member secured to the door opening in position to be overlapped by the free end of said. hinge leaf, a second member hinged upon said' first member and adapted to be the door opening; in: position. to be. overlapped by the free end of said hinge leaf, a second member hinged upon saidfirst-member and adapted to be closed over said free end, latching meansfor holding said second member in closed position,

a hardened screw normally held immovable in said first member in pesitionto' engage with its outer end the inner surface of said overlapping hingele'af, and means for. changing" the position or'said screw to. compensate for wear.

WILLIAM STROBRIDGE.

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