US2136787A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 15; 1938. G. w. DUNHAM WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1929 5 S heetSSheet 1 mzmox. v

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 15, 1938. G. w DUNHAM 2,136,787

WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 19255 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w .JNVE TOR. 5 w. 35

A TTORNEY WM-M Nov. 15, 1938. G. w. DUNHAM .WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1928 5 sheets-Sheet s ATTORNEY Nov 15, 1938. G. W. DUNHAM WASHING MACHINE Filed se t..'25, 1928 s Sheets-Shet 4 INVENTOR.

7,. ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 1938 j UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,130.78") WASHING MACHINE George W. Dlinham, New Haven, Conn., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Winchester Repeating Arms Company, .New Haven, Conn, a corporation of Maryland Application September 25, 1928, swarm. 308,316

12 Claims.

tacle which is adapted to oscillate for washing and to rotate for centrifugal drying. Suitable stabilizing devices are provided for supporting the container to take up eflectively the out-ofbalance forces set up by centrifugal drying and also to allow the machine to rest on an uneven surface without marring such surface or requiring fasteningthere Suitable gearing is provided, entirely enclosed in the gear box, for imparting the washing and drying motions to the machine. A peculiar wash ing motion is provided which not only washes e1- ficiently, but serves to distribute evenly the clothes smooth drying. Furthermore, suitable devices are provided foriinsurlng complete segregation of the lubricating oil and water. Also,- suitable bearings are provided, whereby comparatively long shafts are supported :5 in but two bearings. A suitable clutch connection is provided so that the receptacle may be connected directly, without interposition of movable parts, to either the washing or drying motion imparting elements.

The machine may be of the small, portable type havingthe advantages of occupying but small space and operating efliciently on asmall batch of laundry. This machine is conveniently on a kitchen table or kitchen sink.

, invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combinations of'parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the no'vel'features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be par- 40 ticularly pointed out in the claims appended here-- to, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood 5 by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of the machine with parts in sectionr L 5 Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan section taken on the line 3-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical through the clutch showingthe receptacle at its lower or washing position;

particularly to washing masection on line H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the receptacle in its upper or drying position;

Fig. 6 is a plan section of the clutch taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken through the -5 gear box on the line of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-4 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 91s another vertical section taken through the gear box on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; '10

Fig. 10 is another vertical section taken through the gear box on the line Ill-ill of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken through the tank illustrating the connection of the discharge hose;

Fig. 12 is a detail of the insulating connection for supporting the drive motor: and

Fig. 13 is a detail showing the manner of forming the holes in the receptacle. 7 a

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to' be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, a practical commercial embodiment of the invention is shown, but as such illustration is primarily for purposes of disclosure, it will be understood that the structure may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

Referring now to the drawings and, more par- 35 -ticulai'ly, to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the laundry machine comprises in general a container or tank I having a pair of handles 2 and a cover 3 removably fitting on the top thereof. The tank is supported by a suitable supporting base ring 4 which encloses 40 the driving motor 5 and gear box 6.' Disposed within the tank is a foraminous receptacle 1 having agitator bladesii therein. Suitable shafting and clutch devices are provided for selectively imparting to the receptacle 1 an oscillatory rotary motion for washing and a continuous rotary motion for drying. It will be understood that dur- 1 ing washing the tank is filled to a suitable level,

say, Just below the top holes in the basket or receptacle l, and for drying the water is drained out through the hose 9.

Referring now to the container or tank I and support therefor, the tank has a fiat, conical bottom I0 having an opening in the center thereof in which is secured a fitting ll (Fig. 9). This is an insulating washer belt 43 connects providing a substantially fitting is provided with a plurality of studs l2 threaded at both ends which fit into holes in the bottom ll of the tank. 'A suitable strengthening ring I! surrounds the bottom opening and fits on the studs l2. Acorn nuts |4 hold the fitting ilmln position, gaskets l5 making a water tight Near one edge of the bottom I6 is a drain opening 5 to which is attached a pipe fitting H. The rubber hose 3 slides over the fitting l1 and is provided with a ring clip l8 by which the hose is held in the there being a'member l3 secured to the side wall of the tank into which the clip is hooked.

The supporting ring 4 spreads slightly toward the bottom to increase-the supporting area and is provided with an inwardly extending flange 28 at its upper end which is suitably fastened to the tank bottom |0in any desirable'inanner, as by rivets. The lower end of the supporting ring 4 is provided with an annular, angular seat 22 in which are seated acomparatively large number of supporting feet 23. Each supporting foot 23 is made up of a rubber plug 24 inserted in a metal cap 25. Embedded in the plug is a nut 26, and a screw 21 passes through the angular portion 22 and threads-into the nut 26, to securely hold the supporting feet in position.

As will be seen, there are a comparatively large number of these supporting feet thereby uniform radius of stability. In other words, the length of the radius intersecting the discontinuous line connecting the feet is substantially constant throughout the circumference of the base. The plugs 24 may be made of any other suitable material and are preferably givable to some extent in a horiaontal direction but to a very little extent in a vertical direction.

Secured to the tank bottom I0 is a U-shaped strap 33 having openings in its ends for supporting the driving motor 5. The driving motor may be of any of the well known types, preferably a universal motor running on either direct or alternating current and inade very compact. Se-

cured to the casing 'of the motor is a U-shapedstrap 3| having pins 32 and 33 riveted to the ends thereof. The motor 5 is suspended from the upper strap by inserting the pins 32 and 33 in the holes of the upper strap, both from the same side, as disclosed clearly in Fig. 12. A single cotter pin 34 through pin 33 is sufficient to hold the motor in position.

The lower strap 3| is insulated from the motor casing. A layer of insulation 35 (Fig. 12) is disposed between the strap and the casing, while surrounding each screw 36 is an insulating bushing 31 and underathe head of each screw The supporting ring 4 is provided with an opening in which a bushing 33 is positioned through which passes the lead wires 42 for driving the motor. Also secured to the supporting ring is a motor ating lever 44 projecting through on the outside. Mounted on the motor shaft is a pulley 45 havng securedto an end face thereof suitable fan blades 46 for blowing a current ofair through the motor thereby keeping it cool. The gear box 6 is also provided with a pulley 41 and a drive the two pulleys for driving the Bearing in the gear box. The tension of the belt is regulatedby a bolt 43 threaded into a lug 56 on the gear box.

The-head of this bolt is provided'with a reposition shown in Fig. 11,.

switch 43 having its opercess in which a fibre plug 5| fits for insulating the motor from the gear box at this point. By rotating this adjusting bolt 49 the tension of the belt may be adjusted and a lock nut 52 holds the bolt in adjusted position. Thus it will be seen that by the fibre plug 5| and the insulation 35, 31 and 38 between the strap 3| and the motor casing the motor is entirely insulated from the framework of the machine.

The gear box 6 is made up of a lower main body 53 and a top cover 54 suitably secured together by attaching bolts and nuts 56. The top cover 54 is provided with a plurality of lugs 55 which cooperate with a plurality of lugs 256 on the fitting The lower lugs 55 have recesses in which projections on the upper lugs 256 fit,

these recesses and projections being machined to center the gear box on the fitting II to obtain proper alignment of bearings for the concentric shafts 51 and 58.

Projectingupwardly from the fitting II is a tubular pedestal 59 on which the receptacle 1 is journalled. Disposed within this pedestal are the concentric shafts, an outer tubular shaft 58 and an inner solid shaft 51. The-inner shaft 51 is journalled at its lower end in a bearing sleeve 60 disposed in a hub 6| of the casing. To take the end thrust of this shaft an end thrust bearing is provided in the form of a plug 62 threaded into the hub 6| by heavy threads. A lead washer 63 is placed between the hub 6| and the head of the plug 62 and is adapted to be compressed when the plug is tightened sufficiently to obtain proper end clearance for the shaft 51. The threaded connection between plug and hub is made sufficiently strong to stand the ill) necessary force to adjust the plug for proper clearance.

Suitably keyed to the solid shaft 51 is a worm wheel 64 having a slot in its under side in which a pin 65 is disposed, this pin passing through and secured to the solid'shaft 51. Resting upon the top surface of the worm wheel 64 is a ball bearing made up of upper race 66, lower race 61 and a holder 68 with balls 69 therebetween. This ball bearing supports the tubular shaft 58 which has keyed thereto a rack pinion 10. This pinion is made up of a tooth segment 1| and a pair of clamping ears 12. A clamp screw 13 passes through one ear 12, is notched into shaft 58, and is threaded into the other ear 12 and a suitable key I14 is provided, to secure pinion 10 on shaft 58. Also secured to the tubular shaft 58 and located over the rack pinion 10 is a flat washer 14 for a purpose hereinafter described. The cover 54 for the gear box is provided with an opening in which a bearing sleeve 15 is disposed to provide a lower bearing for the tubular shaft 58.

For driving the gearing a worm shaft 16 is positioned horizontally on the end of which is suitably keyed the pulley 41. This shaft passes through the walls of the gear box. The gear box is provided with an opening in one side in which is disposed a removable bearing piece 11 secured to the wall of the box by screws. This bearing piece operates as a bearing for one end of the worm shaft 16. shaft is supported in a bearing "integral with the gear box. This shaft supports a first worm 19 meshing the worm wheel 64 and a second worm 80 meshing pose hereinafter described. The shaft 16 is provided with a thrust collar 82 acting against the removable bearing piece 11 to take up the end The other end of the worm tory motion and will drive thrust. To limit themovement of the shaft 18 the other way a. plug 83 is threaded into the casing wall to contact the end of the shaft and a suitable lock nut 84 is provided for holding the plug in adjusted position.

The worm wheel 8| is mounted on an auxiliary shaft 85 journalled in a lower bearing sleeve 88 'disposed'in a projecting hub 81 of the casing body and an upper bearing sleeve 88 disposed in a projecting hub 89 of the cover. The axial adjustment is obtained by an adjusting arrangement similar to that including the adjusting plug 82 and lead washer 83.

The lower surface of the worm wheel 8|- is provided with a groove in which is disposed a pin 90 passing through and fixed to the shaft 85. The worm wheel is provided with a hub SI and offset projection 92 against which is fitted an eccentric 93. This eccentric has a circular drum portion 94 and a circular flange 85. The eccentric is fitted on the shaft 85 and an auxiliary screw 98 holds the eccentric member and worm wheel together.

Secured to the cover 54 is a rack guide 91 having an opening accommodating a boss I38 (Fig.

10) on the cover 54 and having a guide channel guide is provided with 98 in its lower face. This a pair of openings in which are threaded studs 99 projecting loosely through holes I00 in the cover 54. Nuts I30 clamp the guide 91 securely against the cover 54. Sliding in the guide channel 98 is the rack I3I having teeth I32 meshing the teeth H on the pinion 10 and having transverse depending ways I33 engaging opposite sides of the drum portion 94 of the eccentric 93, this arrangement forming, in effect, a Scotch yoke. The eccentric flange holds one end of the rack I 3| against its guide and the other end of the rack is held against its guide by a bridge member I34 integral with the casing body and having a bronze pin I35 the rack. An adjusting screw I38 is threaded through a boss on the body wall'and engages the side of therack guide 91. A look nut I31 locks the screw I38 in adjusted position. It will be understood that the meshing engagement between the rack and pinion may be adjusted by loosening the nuts I30 and I 31, adjusting the screw I38 and then tightening the nuts I30 and I31 in adjusted position. The adjusting screw I38 acts as a positive stop to prevent the rack from moving out of engagement with its pinion.

Thus it may be seen that, as the driving motor drives the belt, the gearing in the gearbox will drive the tubular shaft, giving it a rotary oscillathe solid shaft to give it a continuous rotary motion. The use of a Scotch yoke with a rack and pinion drive for the oscillating shaft imparts thereto a motion in which the rates of acceleration and deceleration are equal, and the same in both directions, the stroke being the same in both directions. This expedient has great-advantages in assisting. in the even distribution of the laundry in the receptacle during washing so that the clothes are evenly distributed for drying. This will be explained more in detail hereinafter.

The upper end of the pedestal with a bearing sleeve I 0| (Fig. 4) for the upper end of the tubular shaft 58 and the inside of the tubular shaft has a bearing sleeve I02 for the upper end of the solid shaft 51. Near the lower end of the pedestal 59 there is provided a bearing sleeve I03 having longitudinal grooves to prevent trapping of water inside the hub I01. The upper 59 is provided therein to provide a bearing for end of the pedestal has a conical ring I04 which does not bear against the receptacle hub I01 for either washing or drying but Which assists positioning the receptacle on the pedestal when it is replaced after removal for cleaning or other purposes. The receptacle 1 having a large number of holes therein so that the receptacle is foraminous, a solid flat, slightly conical bottom I 06, a tubular hub I01 and a guard ring I08; These machines may be secured together by simple welded lap joints or by any other common joint used for fastening sheet members together. The joint between the bottom I08 and the hub I01 is reinforced by an angle collar I09. Extending from the hub I01 to the outer wall I 05 are a plurality of agitator blades or paddles 8 having large recesses I39. These paddles are suitably secured to the hub I01 and to the outer wall I05 and bottom I08. A spacing collar IIO having notches in which the inner ends of the blades fit is provided for additional strength. These blades not only-perform the function of agitation during washing but also act as strengthening braces for strengthening the general construction of the receptacle.

The receptacle is constructed so that the burrs (illustrated in Fig. 13) formed by punching the. holes in the side wall I05 face outwardly so that a smooth surface is presented to the laundry in the receptacle. These burrs are ground ofl by a grind wheel to a certain extent to obviate any possibility of scratching the operator of the machine. The punching operation rounds the inner edges of the holes, thereby insuring a smooth surface on the inside of the receptacle which cannot harm the laundry. 4 For selectively connecting the receptacle to the drive shafts 51 and 58 a clutchconstruction v is provided. The upper end of the tubular shaft 58 is provided with splines I II and a groove in which a lock ring H2 is sprung. The upper end of the solid shaft 51 has a sleeve II3 pinned thereto, this sleevehaving splines I I4 of the same radial dimensions as the splines III. The upper! end of the hub 101 is provided with a sleeve-like; fitting II5 having splines which selectively eri-; gage the splines III and H4. This fitting has a. recess in which is disposed a ring II8. This ring has secured thereto a push button II1 projecting out through a hole in the sleevemember H5 and in the hub I01. The provided with a second hole in which is disposed a coil spring II8 acting between the ring I I8 and the hub I01. A cover ll9'having a recess to accommodate the splines II4 fits in the sleeve H5 and isprovided with a pair of guides I20 on its lower edge to guide the ring in a direction parallel to the direction of the push button and spring. A suitable locking ring I2I is sprung in a groove in the sleeve to hold the cover. in position.

It will be noted that the splines I II are sumciently long to be engaged by the ring Hi to hold this ring spaced from the sleeve II3 when the receptacle is in the position illustrated In Fig. 4. This provision obviates wear and the necessity for lubrication between the sleeve H8 and the ring II8 which would occur if these elements touched, since they have different motions.

It will be seen that in the position shown in Fig. 4 the receptacle is connected to the tubular shaft for washing and in the position is made up of a side wall I05- sleeve member is shown in Fig. 5 it is-connectedto the solid shaft for dryguard ring I22 overhanging the pedestal to prevent water from accidently getting down between the tubular shaft 58 and pedestal 59. However, if water does get down between these members it will be seen that it will flow clear of the machine out in the clearance space between the lugs 256 and 55 on the fitting and the gear box as shown inFigs. 1 and 9. A ring I23 of metal or rubber may be secured to the tubular shaft in the clearance space between the fitting II and the gear box 6 to further assist in directing the waterclear of the machine to pre vent such water from getting into the gear box and contaminating theoil therein. The joint between the sleeve H3 on the solid shaft and the tubular shaft is disposed just above the top edge of the tank I so that the possibility of water getting down between these shafts and into the gear box is positively prevented.

Not only is provision made to prevent water from getting into the gear box but provision is made for preventing oil from the gear box from getting into the clothes space and thereby staining the clothes. The washer l2! in the clearance space between any oil which may leak out between the tubular shaft and gear box wall to escape clear of the machine and the joint between the tubular shaft and solid shaft in the gear box is above the level of the oil when the machine is inverted, as for instance during shipment. During use the flat washer 14 secured to the tubular shaft acts as a guard to prevent oil which is squirted or pumped by the meshing teeth on the rack Iii and pinion 10 from escaping between the tubular shaft and easing wall. 7

From the above it will be seen that, when the clutch and receptacle is in either position, the drive is direct from the drive shaft 51 or 58 to the receptacle without the interposition of loose or movable members. In other words, all parts necessary to secure connection from one of the drive shafts 51 or 58 to the receptacle are either unitary with the drive shaft or with the receptacle. It will also be seen that each of the long concentric drive shafts 51 or" is supported in but two radial bearings, an upper bearing I02 for shaft 51 and llll for shaft It and a lower bearing 60 for shaft 51 and I for shaft 58, therevision of a relatively large by greatly simplifying the fits. Furthermore, it will be seen that the receptacle is journalled on but one hearing I located on the pedestal 59 near. the bottom thereof and is supported at its other end on the shafts to which it is selectively connected.

Furthermore, it will be seen that all of the gearing necessary for both washing and drying 'is located in the gear box out of the way, protected from dirt and properly lubricated. This gear box and driving motor are located under the machine "within the supporting base ring out of the way and protected frominjury. The pronumber of supporting feet 23 ensures a substantially constant radius of stability and yet allows the horizontal out of balance forces to be taken up. These feet which are not givable to any extent vertically do not permit tipping the machine to any extent and yet easily take up any small unevenness of the supporting surface and do not mar or scratch the surface. These feet rest directly on the supporting surface and there is no necessity for the machine 'to be secured thereto, other than by the weight thereof.

Furthermore. the machine is small and of gear box and tank causes comparatively light weight and therefore can easily be carried from place toplace and stored in a small space when not in use. The machine may conveniently'be used on a kitchen table or kitchen sink or where water and drainage facilities are available.

'To use the machine the drain hose 9 is clipped to its support, thus operating as a valve to prevent escape of the water from the tank. The clutch is set to connect the tubular shaft with the receptacle. The receptacle is filled with the clothes to be washed and the tank filled with water and suitable washing substances. The switch is thrown and the motor will cause the receptacle to oscillate back and forth at a rate which in some cases may be about 78 complete cycles or 156 reversals a minute. The blades or paddles exert an intermittent, centrifugal pump-like action on the water tending to throw the water outwardly. This water then flows upwardly between tank and receptacle back through the upper part of the receptacle and onto the top of the clothes. In addition, the paddles exert agitating action on the clothes and with the water cause tumbling of the'clothes, thus exposing all parts of them to the cleansing action of the water.

vWhen it is desired to dry the clothes the hose is unhooked and the water' allowed to drain. The receptacle is then lifted to cause connection between it and the solid shaft and the switch is again thrown, this time to drive the receptacle at a constant speed which in'some cases may be about 600 revolutions per minute. The rotation ofthe clothes extracts water therefrom in a well known manner, the water falling to the bottom of the tank and draining out through the hose. The movement of the receptacle during washing, describing the uniformly accelerated and decelerated motion pointed out above, aids in distributing the clothes so that very little trouble is met when drying. The clothes are so evenly distributed during washing that there is practically no vibration during drying and what little there may be is easily absorbed by the rubber feet on the base of the machine.

The immersion of the receptacle and contents during washing imparts a buoying action thereto, decreasing the effect of the weight of the receptacle and contents on the thrust bearings which greatly decreases the frictional losses at these points.

Thus a machine is provided which is portable, easily movable from place to place, and has small capacity so that it is not necessary to wait until a large wash is at hand before washing. Furtherhere an oscillatory motion in which the rates of acceleration and deceleration are equal and the stroke the same in both directions for washing, and means for imparting to said receptacle a rotary motion for centrifugal extraction, said osa support, a laundry receptacle thereon, agitator members disposed in said receptacle, means for imparting to said memcillatory motion serving to assist materially in the the even distribution of clothes in said receptacle so that vibration during centrifugal extraction is minimized.

2. In a laundry machine, a laundry receptacle, means for washing laundry in said receptacle by imparting to said receptacle an oscillatory motion in which the rates of acceleration and deceleration are equal and the stroke the same in both directions, and mcansfor drying said laundry by rotating said receptacle at centrifugally discharging speed, said oscillatory motion assisting in the even distribution. of laundryin said receptacle to minimize vibration during centrifugal drying.

3. In a laundry machine, a tank, a support in said tank, a foraminous laundry receptacle, means for mounting said receptacle on said support for rotary motion, agitator members secured to said receptaclameans for imparting to said receptacle an oscillatory motion in which the rates of acceleration and deceleration are equal and the stroke the same in both directions for washing,

'and means for imparting to said receptacle a even distribution of clothes in said receptacle so rotary motion for centrifugal extraction, said oscillatorymotion serving to assist materially in the that vibration due to centrifugal extraction is minimized.

4. In a clothes washing machine, a tank, a clothes receptacle positioned in said tank, said clothes receptacle having an upstanding hub, a hollow pedestal rising from the bottom of said tank, said hub surrounding said pedestal, a plurality of shafts within, said hollow pedestal, a gear box suspended from the bottom of said tank, gearing in said gear box for imparting to one of said shafts a continuous motion for centrifugal extraction, and to another of said shafts an oscil- .latory, rotary motion in which the rates of acceleration and deceleration are equal and the stroke the same in both directions, clutch means at the top of said hub for selectively connecting the receptacle to said shafts, and agitating blades fixedly mounted in said receptacle for aiding in agitating the clothes.

5. In a laundry machine, a tank having an opening in its bottom, a sleeve secured in said opening, a hollow pedestal rising from said sleeve, a. gear box comprising a hollow body and a cover,

said cover being suspended from said sleeve, a

- tubular shaft disposed insaid gear box and in said pedestal, said shaft having a radial bearing at the upper end of said pedestal and a radial bearing in said cover, an inner shaft in said tubular shaft having a radial bearing at the upper end of said tubular shaft and a radial bearing in the lower part of said body, whereby each shaft has but two radial bearings, a clothes receptacle in said tank and means for imparting washing and drying motions to said receptacle through said shafts respectively.

6. In a laundry machine of the class described,

- a tank, a hollow pedestal in said tank, a gear box secured to said tank. a tubular shaft disposed in said gear box and in said pedestal having a radial bearing near the-upper end of said pedestal and a radial bearing near the lower end of said pedestal, an inner shaft in said tubular shaft having a radial bearing near the upper end of said tubular shaft and a radial bearing near the lower part' of said box, whereby each shaft has but two radial bearings, a clothes receptacle in said tank and means for imparting washing and box secured to said tank, both of said concentric shafts extending into said gear box to such an extent that, when the machine is inverted, oil in the gear box cannot run down between said concentric shafts, whereby the gear box is protected against water and the protected against oil.

8. In a washing machine, a tank, a hollow pedestal rising from the bottom thereof, a clothes receptacle journalledon said pedestal, concentric shafts in said pedestal, both said shafts extend ing above the overflow level of said tank, a gear box, means including spaced lugs suspending said box from the tank bottom, said concentric shafts extending into said gear box, a washer secured to said tubular shaft between said tank and gear box to assist water which may leak in between said pedestal and tubular shaft to drain clear of the machine, said concentric shafts extending into said gear box to such an extent that, when the machine is inverted, oil in the gear box cannot run down between said concentric shafts, whereby the gear box is protected against water and the washing space is protected against oil.

9. In a machine of the class described, a tank having an opening in its bottom, a fitting secured in said opening, said fitting having spaced depending lugs, a gear box having spaced upstanding lugs disposed opposite said depending lugs, said lugs having interfltting recesses and projections whereby said upstanding lugs are centered with respect to said dependinglugs, and means for securing said depending and upstanding' lugs together.

10. In a portable washing machine of the type which may be lifted from place to place, a tank having an open top for the introduction and removal of clothes, an open top receptacle foraminous at least in its lower portion, agitator members in said receptacle and projecting partially into the clothes space thereof to assist in tumbling the clothes, a gear box containing gearing under said tank for driving said receptacle and agitator members, means for mounting said'receptacle and agitator members in said tank for rotation about a vertical axis, -selective means connecting said gearing to said receptacle and agitator elements for imparting an oscillatory rotary motion to washing space is said agitator members for washing and for imparting a continuous rotary motion to said receptacle for drying, said receptacle being in close proximity to the tank bottom for washing and drying, said receptacle and its contents being immersed in liquid contained in said tank for washing and said tank being drained empty for drying, said tank being just deep enough to hold liquid for the washing operation and to catch liquid discharged from the clothes during the drying operation, said-tank having a drain opening in its lower portion and having controllable means for draining the machine, supporting devices located under the tank for supporting the machine on a supporting'surface with said gear box in close proximity to the tank bottom and to said supporting surface, whereby the weight of the machine and the head room required is minimized. I

11. In a laundry machine, a tank having an opening in its bottom, a fitting having a hub insertable in said opening and a seat engageable with said bottom, a gear box under said bottom,

said fitting and gear box having connecting parts,

one of' said parts having spaced lugs engageable with the other part, and connecting members passing through said connecting parts and said bottom for holding said gear box, fitting and tank in assembled relation.

12. In a laundry machine, a tank having an opening in its bottom, a fitting having a hub insaid studs for holding said gear box, fitting and 10 tank in assembled relation.

GEORGE w. DUNHAM.

Images