US2133234A - Laundry machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 11, 1938. l w. K, Voss f 2,133,234

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 71 I ll y f 10 Patented oet. y11, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

The invention relates generally to laundry machines and the general aim thereof is to provide such a machine as will have a maximum factor of safety in the operation of the wringer mechanism.

An object of the invention is to provide, `in a laundry machine embodying wringer mechanism, novel means for releasing an operative pressure between the wringer rolls and instantaneously discontinuing driven movement of said rolls.

Another object is to provide a novel structure in which an actuator is effective, upon either push or pull movement, to relieve the roll pressure and discontinue the driven movement by breaking the power circuit to the prime mover.`

In conjunction with the foregoing, another object is to provide a positive, mechanical connection between the actuator and the circuit breaking device vwhich is releasable instantly upon movement o f the actuator, and may not be accidentally nor permanently reestablished prior to the resetting of the pressure release mechanism.

A further object resides in the provision of a laundry machine embodying a wringer having a roll-pressure release mechanism and a circuit breaking device, both of said parts being operable by a single actuator, each requiring separate manipulations or acts on the operators part to recondition the parts for operation, and having such relationship that placing and holding the circuit breaking device again in operative .condiciated therewith and a circuit breaker in the power circuit to the prime mover, said mechanism including an impact member eiective upon movement from a normal set position to release the operating pressure on the wringer rolls, said circuit breaker having a. partmechanically engageable with said impact member only when said member is in its normal position and spring urged for movement when released from said engagement to break the circuit and to assume a remote position precluding the possibility of accidental reengagement and from which it may only Abe returned by a positive, intentional act on the part of the operator.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is-a partially diagrammatic view of a laundry machine embodying the features ofthe separable head or cross bar I5 arranged to fit (ci. ss-#253) invention, the lWringer mechanism and associated 4parts being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the wringer and associated parts.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through one end of the wringer, taken as indicated by the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the circuit breaking mechanism on an enlarged scale, the enclosing casing being in section. I

Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevational views of wringer mechanisms embodying modified forms of actuators.

Figs. 7 and 8 are end views of the modified forms of wringers shown in Figs. 5A and 6, respectively.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the circuit breaking mechanism and is taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 4.

While the invention is susceptible of various modications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specic form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings a preferred form of laundry machine has been shown merely for illustrative purposes. Laundry machines usually embody, in addition to a wringer mechanism, a tub for washing fluid, an agitator therein and a prime mover or driving motor for the agitator which motor customarily serves to drive thewringer mechanism as Well. Of these parts it is deemed necessary, for the purpose of disclosing the present in\- vention, to show only thewringer mechanism, generally indicated at I0 (Fig. 1) and the prime mover which is vdiagrammatically illustrated at II as being an electric motor.

The wringer structure embodies a frame having side stiles I2 and I3 connected by a base Il and a telescopically over the upper ends of the side stiles. In the side stiles, which are channelshaped, are lower half-bearings I6 resting on fixed pins I1 in supportof the ends of a shaft I8 which carries a lower wringer roll I9.` Also mounted in the side stiles are upper half-bearings 20 which rest upon the ends of a shaft 2| carrying the upper -wringer roll 22. A leaf spring 23 has its ends engaging the upper faces of the 55 bearings 20 and is carried by a suitable device 24 on the head I5 for tensioning the spring 23 to apply a yielding operating pressure to the rolls I9, 22 through the upper bearings. One of the wringer roll shafts (herein the lower shaft I8) is power driven from the motor II through suitable and conventional driving connections which include a shaft 25, a clutch (not shown) mounted in the gear box 26, and a detachable connection 21, between the clutch' and lower roll shaft I8. The wringer frame, as shown, is; rigidly supported by a bracket 28 on the gear box assembly.

For relieving or releasing the operative pressure between the wringer rolls in an emergency, means, usually termed a safety release mechanism, is provided and in the present embodiment the mechanism preferably embodies an actuator for effecting operation of the mechanism and means for preventing return of the actuator to its normal or starting position until the mechanism is manually reconditioned or reset. With particular reference to Figs. l and 3, the safety release mechanism in this instance comprises the following arrangement of parts. A quickly detachable interengagement between one end of the head and its corresponding side stile is provided which, in this instance, is in the form of interengaging shoulders 29 on the head I5 and side stile I2 formed by striking out corresponding portions from the respective members. 'I'he other end of the head carries a depending latching member 30 in the form of a U-shaped stirrup which is pivotally secured as at 3I to the head and is arranged to extend therefrom downwardly into the corresponding side stile'I3 in embracing relation to the bearings and shafts which are disposed in that stile. The pivotal connection 3| between the latching stirrup 30 and the head preferably includes horizontally elongated slots 32 which permit of a limited horizontal shifting movement of the latching stirrup relative to the head.

The base 33 of the latching stirrup is disposed near the base I4 of the wringer frameand said frame carries a catch device 34 which is movable for engagement with the base of the ylatching stirrup. The catch device 34 preferably. comprises a member of generally U-shaped cross section positionedbetween the sides of the frame base I4 and pivotally mounted thereon for movement on' a horizontal axis by such means as a l stud 35 which extends through ears 36 on the framebase and through suitable apertures in the spaced arms of the catch device. The catch device on its upper surface has a pair of transversely alined hooks 31 fashioned to engage the base 33 of the latching stirrup. The arrangement of the hooks'3'l and their relationship to the pivotal axis of the catch device 34 is such that the catch device, cf and by itself, 1s incapable of maintaining a holding engagement with thev latching stirrup against an upward force exerted longitudinally of said stirrup. Since such a force is always exerted whenever the parts are assembled and the spring 23 is under tension, means is provided for holding the catch device engaged with the latching stirrup. Thus, one

leg of an L-shaped lever 38 is rigidly afilxed to the arms of the catch device in such manner that, as may be seen in Fig. 3, the other leg of the lever extends upwardly and externally of the side stile. y

Approximately midway between the top and bottom of the side stile is a horizontal rod 39 which is preferably of angular cross section and extends through correspondingly angular apertures in the side walls of the stile and for a substantial distance therebeyond. It is preferred that the rod have anormal central position toward which it is constantly urged by such means as springs 4I) of equal tension, each bearing between one side of the stile and a central pin 4I effective to4 hold the catch device 34 in engage ment with the base 33 of the latching stirrup as shown in Fig. l. If, however, the rod 39 is shifted longitudinally in either direction, the finger 42 is lmoved out of engagement with the lever 38 whereupon the force exerted by the spring 23 is effective to move the head and the latching stirrup 30 upwardly thereby breaking the engagement between the catch device 34 and the latching stirrup. Once this movement has carried the head above the side stile I3, the head may move horizontally a distance ample to disengage the shoulders 29. These disengaging movements, of course, are practically instantaneous and result in a complete disengagement of the head from the side stiles whereby entirely to relieve the Wringer rolls from the pressure exerted by the spring 23.

Means is provided for preventing an accidental return movement of the catch device 34 and lever 38 once the holding engagements of these parts have been broken. In this instance, such means comprises an upwardly extending arm 38EL which is mounted between the spaced arms of the catcl.

The arm extends device 34 on the lever 38. through a suitable aperture 33a in the base 33 of the latching stirrup. Thearm 38a is of ample length to engage the base 33 in all positions of the latching stirrup relative to the side stile and has an elongated surface 38b (Fig. 1) fashioned for engagement with the base 33 by which the catch device 34 is held out of latching engagement with the base 33.V Opposite the lowermost position assumed by the base of the latching stirrup, the arm is recessed, as at 38, to allow the latch device 34 to swing into latched engagement with the base 33. Preferably, the surfaces 38b and 38c are connected by a` sloping cam-like surface which facilitates movement of the catch device 34 to its inoperative position when the mechanism is tripped. Accordingly, after the holding engagement of the catch device with the locking stirrup has once been interrupted, the catch de- 4 though two, located one on either side of the wringer, are preferable since most wringers are intended and arranged to receive clothes from either side. The preferred form of actuator comprises a- U-shaped member 43, the base portion of .which extends between the side stiles in parallelisz'n with the 'wringer rolls and about on the `areaassa.

line of the top of the upper wringer roll. The legs of the U extend downwardly along the opposite side stiles and, in this instance, are secured to the wringer frame at their lower ends by means of pivots 44 carried by brackets 45 on the frame. As shown, an actuator is mounted adjacent each side face of the wringer. At each end of the frame, the actuators are connected by such means as bars 46 so that the actuators move conjointly. The ends of the rod 39 are arranged to engage the adjacentvside legs of the actuators, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby movement of either actuator towardor away from the frame will shift the rod 39 longitudinally to release the lever 38 and thereby trip the safety release mechanism.

Figs. and '1 and Figs. 6 and 8 show different modified types of actuators for effecting the same result. In Figs. 5 to 7, the U-shaped actuators are indicatedl at 41 and at either end have upwardly 'extending rods 48 through which the actuators are pivotally secured 'to brackets 49 (Fig. '1) located near the top of the wringer frame. As in the first described form, the actuators are preferably connected by bars 58 for conjoint movement. In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the actuators embody U-shaped members 5l rigidly secured together to form a unitary structure by means of upper and lower bars 52 extending between the side arms of the member. The bars are engaged and supported by grooved antifriction elements 53 whereby the actuator is mounted on the wringer frame for shifting movement relative thereto. In either of the4 forms shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, the relationship between the bar 39 and the actuators is such that the operator, by moving an actuator either toward or away from the wringer frame, may relieve the wringer rolls from operative pressure.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the means. whereby driven movement of the wringer rolls may be discontinued or interrupted simultaneously with the release of presure from the wringer rolls. Referring to Figs. 1, 4 and 9, a bracket 54 is rigidly secured to the end of the side stile I3 and supports a casing 55 for a circuit breaking device or switch 56. In a preferred form, the switch comprises spaced terminals 51 and 5B, a spanning contact arm 59 and a controlling or operating lever 60. The terminals 51, 58 are preferably mountednear the upper and lower parts of the casing as seen in Fig. 4. The lower terminal 58 is in the form of an elongated rod rigid with an insulating base 6|. One end of the contact arm 59 is apertured to receive the terminal rod and at this point is arcuately shaped, as at 62, so that the arm may rock easily over said insulated base. Such means as a spring 63, bearing between a washer 64 on the end of the terminal rod 58 anda loose washer 65 abutting the contact arm, holds the arm against the base and at the same time insures an electrical connection between the terminal and arm.

The other end of the contact arm 59 carries a contact point 66 arranged to engage the terminal 51. The contact arm is normally urged into a -circuit breaking position, as shown in Fig. 4. .To this end, the lever 60 extends (see Fig. 9) loosely Ahave an upward swinging movement.`

through' the lever. The spring 61 exerts a force at all times on the contact=59 tending to separate the point 66 from the terminal 51.

The contact arm 59 is normally urged toward engagement with the other side of the pin 69 by means of a spring which is mounted on the lever 68 and bears between the arm and a pin and washer 1|, 12 respectively on the lever 60.

The spring 10 allows the contact arm to moveI relative to' the lever 60 after the point 66 has engaged the terminal 51, thereby insuring a 'perfect spring pressed electrical connection which will'not be affected by wear. This arrangement also eliminates the needof an exceedingly accurate adjustment of the parts. The circuit breaker 55 is interposed in the usual manner in the power circuit of the motor Il as is indicated by the lead lines 1|, 12 (Fig. 1).

As may be seen in Fig. '1, the circuit lbreaker is so mounted on the wringer frame that the swinging movement of the contact arm 59 in breaking the circuit therethrough is in a direction away from the wringer' frame. In conseduence, the lever 60 in the opening movement of the switch contact will shift longitudinally away from the wringer frame and at the same time, dueto the pivoting of the contact arm, the end of the lever 60 nearest the wringer frame will 'Ihe circuit breakeris so mounted on the wringer, and particularly with respect to the bar 46 which connects the actuators, that the end of the lever nearest the frame is substantiallyv adjacent to Vsaid bar. This end of the lever carries an engaging member such as a hook 13. The bar 46 carries a complementary engaging part also in the nature of a hook 14. The hooks 'I3` and 14 are both of narrow width and are so related that engagement between the two hooks is possible only when the safety release mechanism is set. Any movement, therefore, of the actuators 43 in either direction will break the engagement` between the hooks 13 and 14 `to allow circuit breaking movement of the contact arm 59.

In describing the operation of the device, it will be considered that the mechanism is set for operation as shown in Fig. 1. The operator, acting in an emergency, strikes or` pulls either one of the actuators 43 thereby moving the rod 39 to release the lever 38 and trip the safety release mechanism. Simultaneously, the hook 14 is carried out of engagement with the hook 13 and the motor circuit is broken. Consequently, not only are the wringer rolls relieved of their operative pressure, but the driven movement of the rolls-is instantly discontinued.

An important advantage is obtained by the relationship of the parts after the mechanism has been tripped. Once the connection between the finger 42 and lever 38 has been interrupted, the lever 38 swings in a direction which is transverse to the direction of movement of the rod 39 and across the path of movement of the finger 42. Ihe nger is of substantial width for sidewise engagement with the lever 38 when the lever has so moved. Consequently, since the lever 38 cannot accidentally return to its starting position, because of the relationship between the arm 38 on the catch device 34 and the base 33 of the latching stirrup, the vsidewise engagement between the nger 42 and lever 38 is maintained until the wringer elements are returned to or reset in their operating relationship. Hence, after actuation of the safety release mechanism,

the hook 14 is positively held at one side or the Aresulting injury to the operator.

other of the position in which it is. engageable by the hook 13 on the switch controlling lever 6B.

Furthermore, the hook 13, upon breaking of the engagement between the hooks 13 and 14, shifts horizontally away and also swings vertically up, ward away from the only possible position of engagement with the hook '14.

By virtue of these movements, the hooks 13 and 14 are both shifted to a remote position where accidental reengagement thereof is impossible. It will be evident, therefore, that the hook 14 must rst Vbe/returned to its engageable position by the resetting of the safety release mechanism before the hook 13 may be caused to Y engage therewith. Moreover', the hook 13 can only be reengaged. with the hook 14 by a denite intentional act or manipulation of the control lever 60 by the operator. To facilitate this movement, a nger piece 15 may be provided on the outer end of the lever 60. It should be noted that the operator may, if desired, manipulate the lever 60 independently of the safety release mechanism to break the motor circuit and thereby interrupt the driven movement of the wringer rolls without affecting the setting of the safety release mechanism.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a laundry machine has been provided which materially increases the operators factor of safety. By providing actuators for the safety release mechanism which .will function upon movement thereof either toward or away from the wringer iframe, the operator may instantly relieve the pressure between the wringer rolls and discontinue the driving operation thereof. The actuators are so arranged that it becomes practically impossible for the operator tobecome entangled in such fashion that the actuators'cannot or will not be moved either intentionally or unintentionally. After the safety release mechanism has been tripped, it is impossible for any part to be accidentally returned to an operative position with Moreover, in resetting 'the device the sequence of manipulative steps requires the operator to first recondition the wringer rolls for operation before the driving connection to the rolls can be reestablished. Consequently, the operator cannot be injured by an accident resulting from driving the rolls while the wringer is not ready for use.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a laundry machine, the combination of a wringer frame, rolls mounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operating pressure, safety release mechanism for relieving suchv pressure, actuators for said mechanism pvotally connected one to each side of said frame for movement toward and away from said frame and fashioned to extend along at least three sides of the space occupied by said rolls, said actuators being connected together for conjoint movement, a hook movable with said actuators, a prime mover for driving said rolls including a power circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in said circuit, a contact controller having a hook engageable with said first mentioned hook only when the circuit breaker is closed and the actuators are in the position assumed when the rolls are under pressure, spring means tending at all times to move said hook on said controller out of engagement with said first mentioned hook, and means for holding said first mentioned hook out of position for engagement by said hook on said controller as -long as the safety release mechanism is inoperative.

2. In a laundry machine, the combination of a wringer frame, rolls mounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operating pressure, safety release mechanism for relieving such pressure, connected actuators for said mechanism mounted on opposite sides of said frame for movement toward and away from said frame, engageable means movable with said actuators, a prime mover for driving said rolls including a power circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in said circuit, a contact controller having a part fashionedfor connection with said engageable means, spring means tending at alltirnes to move said part out of engagement with said engageable means, and means for holding said engageable means out 0f position for engagement by said part after said safety release mechanism has been actuated t0 relieve the pressure on said rolls, whereby the power circuit cannot be permanently reestablished until after the wringer rolls have been placed in operative condition.

3. In a laundry machine, the combination of a wringer frame, rolls mounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operating pressure. safety release mechanism for relieving such pressure, an actuator for said mechanism movable toward and away from said frame and fashioned normally to extend in a substantially vertical plane along at least three sides of the space occupied by said rolls when the rolls are under Dressure, a prime mover for driving said rolls including a power circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in s'aid circuit, a contact controller having a hook engageable with said actuator only when the circuit breakeris closed and the actuator-is in the normal position thereof, spring means tending at all times to move said hook out of engagement with said actuator, and means for holding said actuator out of possible engagement by said hook after actuation of said mechanism and prior to resetting the device for operation.

4. In a laundry machine, the combination of a frame, rolls mounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operating pressure, safety release mechanism for relieving such pressure, a movable actuator for said mechanism, a prime mover for driving said rolls including a power circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in said circuit, a contact controller having a part engageable with said actuator to hold the circuit breaker in circuit closing position, and means for holding said actuator out of position for engagement by said part after the safety release mechanism has been operated.

5. In a laundry machine, the combination of a wringer frame, rolls mounted therein, means for maintaining the rolls under operating pressure,

' safety release mechanism for relieving such pressure, a movable actuator for said mechanism, a prime mover for driving said rolls including a power circuit, a circuit breaker interposed in said circuit, a contact controller having a part engageable with said actuator only when the circuit breaker is closed, and spring means tending at all times to move said part out of engagement with said actuator whereby movement of said actuator releases said contacty controllerto break said power circuit.

6. A wringer comprising, in combination, a frame, wringer rolls normally maintained under operative pressure, a safety release mechanism for .relieving the rolls of such pressure including an' actuator moveable relative to said frame, a driving motor having a power circuit, a switch in said circuit including a normally open contact,

and means connected with said contact for detachable engagement with said actuator to hold said Contact in closed position, said means having a combined shifting and swinging movement when said engagement is broken to a remote position where accidental reengagement with said actuator is impossible.

7. A wringer comprising, in combination, va frame, wringer rolls in said frame normally maintained under operative pressure, mechanism for releasing said pressure from the rolls including an actuator mounted on the side of the frame for transverse movement toward or away from said frame, a driving motor having a power circuit, a switch in said circuit including a contact resiliently urged toward an open'position, and means connected with said contact and engageable with said actuator to hold said contact in closed Dosition, said engagement being releasable by said transverse movement of said actuator in either direction, said means having a combined shifting and swinging movement upon disengagement from said actuator to a point where reengagement can only be effected by an intentional manipulation on the part of the operator.

8. A wringer comprising, in combination, a frame, wringer rolls in saidv frame normally maintained under operative pressure, mechanism for releasing said pressure from the rolls including an actuator mounted on the side of the frame for transverse movement toward or away from said frame, a driving motor having a powerl circuit and a switch in said circuit comprising a movable contact, resilient means tending at al1 -times to move said contact to its open position,

an operating lever connected with said contact having means thereon f or detachable engagement with said actuator only when the safety release mechanism is set to allow operative pressure upon the rolls, and an operators finger piece on said lever.

9. The combination, in a wringer mechanism having rolls normally operating under pressure and means for driving said rolls, of mechanism for relieving such operating pressure, discontinuing means for interrupting the roll drive, and a positive connection between said mechanism and said discontinuing means by which the roll drive is held against interruption only as long as said mechanism is so conditioned that the rolls may be under operative pressure, said connection having separable parts each movable away from the point of engagement when the safety release mechanism is actuated, said parts being reengageable only after the operator has reset said mechanism for'operation and positively retur ed the discontinuing means from the inopera ive position thereof in that sequenc of manipulative movements.

10. A wringer comprising, in combination, a

frame, wringer rolls normally maintained under operative pressure, mechanism for relieving the rolls of such pressure, actuators for said mechanism comprising a U-shaped member disposed on each side of the frame with the base part thereof paralleling the wringer rolls and with the sides extending downwardly along the sides of the wringer `frame, means for pivotally securing said members. to the frame near the top thereof, means for connecting said members together for conjoint movement, a'vcircuit controlling the operation of the Wringer rolls, a switch in said circuit having a normally open contact,

4and a disengageable connection between said actuators and said contact for holding said contact in circuit closing position.

11. A wringer comprising, in combination, a frame, wringer rolls normally maintained under operative pressure, a safety release mechanism for relieving the rolls of such pressure, actuators for said mechanism comprising a U-shaped member disposed on each side of the frame with the base of the memberparalleling the wringer rolls and the 'sides .thereof extending downwardly. along the sides of the wringer frame, means extending between said members across either end of the frame for rigidly connecting said members together for movement as a unit, guides on said frame engaging said means to support said members for movement toward and yaway from said frame, a circuit controlling the operation of wringer rolls, quick release mechanism for holdy ing said rolls under operating pressure and operable to release such pressure therefrom, driving mechanism for said rolls, and means operatively connected with drivingl mechanism and said quick release mechanism for simultaneously actuating both mechanisms under normal conditions, the connection with one mechanism being independent of the connection with the other mechanism to insure of actuation of at least one or the other mechanism under all conditions.

14. In a wringer, the combination of separabley frame sections having wringer rolls supported therein and means for applying tension to the rolls when the sections are operatively assembled, quickly releasable means for maintaining assembly of said sections including an impositive latch, a transversely reciprocable member mountl ed on one of said sections and having a spring urged normal position, means connecting said latch-with said member in said normal position thereof to hold said latch operative, means 'clisposed for manipulation by the'operator and associated with said reciprocablel member to move said member upon a pushor pull by the operator for interrupting the connection by which the latch was held operative, a switch, and means for opening said switch as said quick release means is operated to Arelease said sections.

15. 'I'he combination, in a wringer mechanism having rolls normally operating under pressure tioning the rolls for the imposition of operating pressure thereon. y

WALTER K. VOSS.

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