US2180238A - Safety device for wringers on washing machines - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1939. HOKE SAFETY DEVICE FOR WRINGERS 0N wAsx-une MACHINES Filed March 22, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l iiiiiiiiiiiiiii ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 1939. J, A, HOKE SAFETY DEVICE FOR WRINGERS ON WASHiNG MACHINES Filed March 22, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY I i 5. .l.

Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES SAFETY DEVICE FOR WRINGER-S ON WASHING MACHINES John A. Hoke, Reading, 'Pa., asslgnor of onehalf to Raymond B. Brown, Reading, Pa.

Application March 22, 1932, Serial No. 600,491

18 Claims. (Cl. 68-263) positioned at all times in front of the wringer This invention relates to an improved safety device and while particularly adapted for various and any type of wringer, it is especially designed for use'in connection with the E. J. Schuda type of wringer, under Patent No. 1,709,098, where thewringer rolls are held together yieldably by means of a bowed type of safety device, so constructed as to render it adaptable to any type of wringer, which includes any form of tension release for the upper roll, and which may serve a two fold purpose; first by eliminating ninety percent of the hazard of getting caught between the rolls and second by automatically releasing all tension, in case the operator, children or animals become caught.

Another purpose is to provide a device of this kind, the construction and adaptability of which eliminates the human element found in ordinary safety devices by avoiding the thought required to reach and throw ofi any form of top lever in case of emergency.

Another purpose is to provide, in .a safety device of this kind, means so guarding the wringer rolls as to cause the operator to exercise vide, in a safety device automatically operable' means so suspended in front of the wringer'rolls,

so that when said means operates by an element in its path it releases the tensionon the upper wringer roll, and then should a large bulk or overload enter between the rolls the upper roll separates and moves suiiiciently upwardly to release a latch and free the entire head of the frame of the wringer. 7

Another purpose is to provide means actuated by the safety device to shut off the power to the wringer, at thesame time relieving tension on the upper wringer roll.

Still another purpose is to provide a screened guard operatively mounted in front of the rolls rendering it substantially impossible for an operator to permit loose hair or articles of clothing to be caught between the rolls.

Afurther purpose is to provide a safety device of this kind, wherein the screened guard is rolls, so that should a foreign object be within range of the guard in such a' manner as to cause pressure on theguard or safety device it is immediately susceptible to and instantly operated to throw oil and relieve tension on the upper roll before any injury can result.

A still further purpose is to providean improved safety device so constructed and arranged, so that in case an operator be tempted to place large bulk through and overload the rolls, the actual existence of the guard or safety device in front of the rolls will create in the mind of the operator the thought to lessen the bulk and not overload the rolls, which no doubt in many instances will create the thought to be very careful and prevent any foreign element from engaging between the rolls as well as creating extreme care in passing clothing between the rolls; however should the operator entirely ignore the existence of the guard or herein given are in no way limitative, and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modification of details and proportions may be made in the construction of the appliance according to circumstances.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts to be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings: 4

Figure 1. is a view in elevation of a Schuda type of wringer showing the improved safety device as applied.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the same type of wringer illustrating the safety device as having been actuated-the head of the wringer frame having been released and partially raised together with the upper roll of the wringer.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the wringer with the safety guards applied.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the wringer showing the guards set in order to be Figure is a view showing the safety guards as having been actuated.

v lugs toward the notches.

Figure 6 is a detail view of a portion of the clamps 25 illustrating the switch for shutting off and turning on the electric power..

Figure '7 is a view of a modified form where one of the safety guards actuates a clutch to relieve power to the lower wringer roll.

Figure 8 is a plan view of Figure '7.

Referring to the drawings l identifies a wringer frame of the Schuda type, which comprises the end standards 2 and upper'and lower wringer rolls 3 and 4, the head 5, and the guide trays 6, one on each side adapted for guiding the clothes between the rolls. The head is loosely pivoted at I at one side of the frame, while the other end of the head is loosely supported on the opposite standard of the frame.

The end standards are hollow and mounted in both of them are guide blocks 8 in bearings of which the upper wringer roll 9 is mounted. One of the guide blocks is grooved as shown at H) to receive the U shaped strap II, which is pivoted at l2 to one end of the head of the frame. Also on the pivot l2 a retaining hook I3 is mounted. The two sides of the retaining hook engage lugs M on one of the standards of the frame to lock the head in position.

The head of the frame is hollow, therefore vU shaped in cross section and mounted in the head is a bowed spring l5. One end of the spring l5 engages in the U shaped strap and rests upon the grooved guide block. The other end of the bowed spring bears against the opposite guide block, thereby exerting tension on the upper wringer roll to hold the rolls together.

The sleeve l6 passes through an opening IT in the top wall of the head, and the lower end of the sleeve has diametrically opposite lugs l8, adapted to engage in notches I9 of the undersurface of the top wall of the head when the looking lever 20 (which is integral with the sleeve) is arranged in locked position to tension the bowed spring of the slide blocks. A pin 22 is carried by the bowed spring and has its upper end swivelly mounted in the sleeve, there being a screw threaded through the locking lever and adapted to bear against the pin to increase or decrease the tension of the bowed spring, and thereby regulating the pressure between the two rolls of the wringer. The notches l9 are diametrically .opposed, and merging toward the notches are inclined cam surfaces 213,, with which the diametrically opposite lugs l8 cam to ride the Mounted on the head 5 is a frame 24 comprising the end U shaped clamps 25 which straddle the head, the lower ends of the arms of the U clamps have hooks 26 which overhang the lateral flanges 21 of the head. These U clamps are connected by the bars 28. Projecting laterally from the arms of the U clamps are ears. 29, in bearings of which on both sides of the head rocking shafts 30 are mounted. Integral with the shafts are frames 3| having wire fabric or mesh shields 32. These frames 3! and the fabric 32 constitute safety devices or guards, substantially in front of the wringer rolls, acting to shield or guard the rolls to prevent too great a bulk being inserted between the rolls. Obviously the location of the guards or safety devices act to create the thought to the operator not to insert too great a bulk between the rolls, as well as cautioning the operator against placing the operators fingers or.allowing hair of the operators head from getting too close to the rolls and being drawn therethrough.

Also carried by the shafts 30 of the guards or safety devices are arms 33, which overlie the head 5 of the wringer frame. These arms 33 are angular comprising the transverse parts 35 and the substantially vertical parts 36, the latter parts 36 constituting shoulders engaging against the sides of the locking lever carried by the sleeve I6. When the locking lever is arranged in a locking position in order to hold the body spring down against the guide or slide blocks, it lies in a position in register with the head of the frame. In other words in plan view the locking lever registers in parallelism with the head of the frame, therefore in engagement with the upstanding parts 36 of said arms, and in this instance the guards or safety devices assume positionsextending laterally outwardly and downwardly.

Obviously should these guards or safety devices come in contact with any foreign element, namely the hands of. the operator or too great a bulk of material passing between the rolls, the guard or safety device, it'depending entirely on which side the clothesare being fed between the rolls, the

the arms carried by the shaft 38, hence causing the upstanding part or shoulder 36 to contact with the locking lever, and thereby move it out of registering parallelism with the head, consequently the sleeve of-therocking lever likewise partially rotates at least a quarter turn which will cause the lugs I8 to disengage the notches I9, and hence permit the sleeve to assume a loose position in the head, and thereby release the tension on the bowed spring. Hence since there is no tension on the bowed spring the upper wringer roll is free to move upwardly, therefore there would be no cooperative action between the wringer rolls such as would pull any foreign element between the rolls. The opening in the head and through which the sleeve engages has diametrically opposite grooves 31 which will permit the lugs I8 to engage therein when the sleeve is free to move loosely upwardly into the opening.

It is obvious that this safety device not only automatically releases the roll tension, but at the same time stops the motor prior to serious injury to persons or animals. Also the safety device is in full view attracting the operator .or any other person's attention in order to render them cautious against allowing hair orarticles of clothing from being caught between the rolls. In other words the safety device acts as means to compel the operator to exercise care, and to be conscious of danger at all times when feeding the rolls. It is obvious that the device is capable of being adapted to any and all types of wringers, for not only relieving the tension on the upper roll, but

also for shutting off the power to the wringer.

Furthermore the device is fool-proof since it eliminates the necessity of reaching toward and throwing off any levers or switches, in order to stop the machine.

In order to utilize the safety guards for causing the power to be shut off a two button electric switch 40 is carried by one of the clamps 25, and the wires M from the switch may connect with any type of electric motor (not :hown) which may be geared in any well known manner to the lower wringer roll, so that by operating the switch the current to the motor may be shut oiT.- The switch is of a type having two buttons 42 and 43, so that by pushing the button 42 (in which case the button 43 will move outwardly) the current to the motor can be turned on, and by pushing the button 43 inwardly the button 42 will protrude, and hence shut off the current to the motor. To operate these buttons one of the shafts 30 has a collar 44 made fast thereon, and carried by the collar are two arms 45 and 46, the former in contact with the button 42, and the latter in contact with the button 43, so that when the safety guards 'are in positions as shown in Figure 4 the button 42 is pushed inwardly, in which case the motor (not shown) is receiving current, and power is being transmitted to the lower wringer roll. However when one of the guards is actuated by the operators hand coming in contact with it'or some other foreign element, the safety guard will switch toward the wringer rolls, in which case the shaft 30 will rock and thereby push the button-43 of the switch inwardly and the button 42 outwardly, thereby shutting off the current to the motor. If the safety guard which has no direct connection with the buttons of the switch is actuated, the other safety guard,-which has a direct connection with the two button switch will move to a position shown in Figure 5 by gravity, the gravity being sufiicient to operate the buttons of the switch.

In Figures 7 and 8 another means for shutting off the power to the lower wringer roll is illustrated. In other words a shaft 41, acting as a driving element isprovided. A motor may be geared to this shaft in any well known manner. The pintle 48 of the lower wringer roll is axially in line with the driving shaft 41, and a clutch 49 cooperates with the two shafts 41 and 48. This clutch 49 comprises one clutch member 50, which is fast to the shaft 41, while the other clutch member 5| is capable of a sliding move ment on the pintle 48, but capable of rotating with the pintle. The usual grooved boss or collar 52 is fast with the clutch member 5|, and engaging the groove 53 of the boss or collar is a forked member or arm 54, which has a sleeve 55 fast with the pin 56 mounted in a bearing 51 of an arm 58 which forms an integral part of one of the U shaped clamps 25. Also fast on the pin 56 is an arm 59, to which a link 60 is connected. The link 60 is in turn pivotally connected at 6| to one of the safety guards, so thatwhen the safety guard is actuated inwardly toward the wringer rolls movement is imparted to the link 60 transmitting movement to the arm 59, rocking the pin 56, and in turn actuating the member 54, hence moving the member 5| out of cooperation with the clutch member 49 against the action of the spring 62 interposed betwe n the frame of the wringer and the boss of the clutch member 5|, in which event the wringer is thrown out of gear with the driving shaft 41. The two clutch members 50 and 5| are designed to have the usual interengaging elements (not shown).

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is:

1. In a wringer including a frame with upper and lower wringer rolls thereon, said frame having a removable head with means therein for urging tension on the upper wringer roll, locking means for the tensioning means and for locking the head including a movable device, and manually movable means operatively supported on the head with elements in the path of the movable device for releasing the movable device and relieving the tensioning means thereby unlocking wringer rolls mounted therein and having a detachable head, tensioning means in the head for urging tension on the upper wringer roll, a movable element having locking means for locking the tensioning means in tensioned position for locking the head, and-manual oscillatory guards on opposite sides of the head provided with means in the path of the movable element for actuating the same and releasing the locking means for unlocking the head and thereby relieving the tensioning urge on the upper wringer roll.

3. In a wringer, a frame with upper and lower wringer rolls mounted therein and having a, detachable head, tensioning means in the head for urging tension on the upper wringer roll, a movable element having locking means for locking the tensioning means in tensioned position thereby locking the head, safety guards swingingly suspended on opposite sides of the head and being manually operated and having devices in diametrically opposite paths of the movable element, whereby upon movement of either uard, the movable element actuates and releases the locking means for unlocking the head thereby relieving the tensioning urge on the upper wringer roll.

4. In a wringer, a frame with upper and lower wringer rolls mounted therein and having a detachable head, tensioning means inthe head for urging tension on the upper wringer roll, a movable element having locking means for locking the tensioning means in tensioned position thereby locking the head, a second frame mounted on the head, manually operated safety guards swingingly suspended on the second frame on opposite sides of the head and substantially in the path of the wringer rolls, arms carried by the safety guards and having means engaged with the movable element at diametrically oppo site points, whereby when either safety guard is manually tilted the movable element is actuated and the locking means released and the head unlocked, thereby relieving tensioning urge on the upper wringer roll.

5. In a wringer, a frame with upper and lower wringer rolls mountedtherein and having a detachable head, tensioning means in the head for urging tension on the upper wringer roll, a movable element having locking means for locking the tensioning means in tensioned position thereby locking the head, a second frame having U shaped clamps straddling the head of the first frame and provided with means to hold the second frame in position, bars connecting the U shaped clamps, manually operated safety guards swingably suspended in bearings of the second frame and depending substantially in the path of the contacting point between the wringer rolls, said safety guards having means engaging with the movable element at diametrically opposite points, whereby upon a foreign object engaging either one of the safety guards and actuating it toward the wringer rolls, the movable element actuates and unlocks and releases the locking means for unlocking the head, thereby relieving the tensioning urge on the upper wringer roll.

6. In a wringer, a frame with upper anti lower roll, manually operated safety means on the head, and means actuated by the manually operated safety means for shutting OE and turning on said operating means, a second frame mounted on the head and operatively supporting the manually operated safety means, tensioning means in the head for urging tension on the upper roll, a movable element having locking means for locking the tensioning means in tensioned position thereby locking the head, and means carried by the manually operated safety means and being in the path of the movable element, whereby as the safety means operates said movable element operates to relieve the tensioning means for unlocking the head, so that the upper roll is freev to move upwardly.

7. In a wringer, a frame, upper and lower upper driven roll holding it in contact with the driving roll, a movable element on the head having locking means for locking the tensioning means in tensioned position for locking the head, a second frame removably supported on the head, manually operated safety guards swingingly suspended on the second frame on opposite sides of the head and substantially in the path of the wringer rolls, means carried by the safety guards and being in diametrically opposite positions to the movable element and engaged with the movable element at diametrically opposite points, whereby when either safety guard is manually tilted the movable element is actuated, the looking means released and the head unlocked, thereby relieving tensioning urge on the upper wringer roll.

8. In a wringer, a frame, upper and lower driven and driving wringer rolls mounted in said frame, a detachable head for said frame, tensioning means in the head for urging tension on the upper driven roll holding it in contact with the driving roll, a movable element on the head having locking means for locking the tensioning means in tensioned position for locking the head, a second frame removably'supported on the head, manually operated safety guards swingingly suspended on the second frame on opposite sides of the head and substantially in the path of the wringer rolls, means carried by the safety guards and being in diametrically opposite positions to the movable element and engaged with the movable element at diametrically opposite points, whereby when either safety guard is manually tilted the movableelement isactuatedQthe locking means released and the head unlocked, there'- by relieving tensioning urge on the upper wringer roll, means for operating the driving roll, and

means connected to and operated by one of the manually operated safety guards and in turn connected to and actuating an element of the driving roll, operating means for stopping and starting said driving roll operating means.

9. The combination with a wringer frame provided with driving and driven wringer rolls and having a detachable head provided with means for locking the head on the wringer frame, of means interiorly of the detachable head for tensioning the driven roll against the driving roll, said tensioning means being operatively associated with the locking means to retain the head locked, a movable element operatively mounted on the head and including means connected to and urging the tensioning means, manually operated safety means suspended on the head from opposite sides thereof and including devices in diametrically opposite paths of the movable element for actuating same for releasing tension on the driven roll and unlocking the head.

10. The combination with a wringer frame provided with driving and driven wringer rolls and having a detachable head provided with means for locking the head on the wringer frame, of means interiorly of the detachable head for tensioning the driven roll against the driving roll, said tensioning means being operatively associated with the locking means to retain the head vlocked, a movable element operatively mounted on'the head and including means connected to and urging the tensioning means, manually operated safety means suspended on the head from opposite sides thereof and including devices in diametrically opposite paths of the movable element for actuating same for releasing tension on the driven roll and unlocking the head, a mechanism including means for operatively connecting and disconnecting the mechanism to the driving wringer roll, and means connecting said manually operated safety means and said connecting and disconnecting means for stopping and starting the driving wringer roll.

11. The combination with a wringer frame provided with driving'and driven wringer rolls and having a detachable head, of a mechanism for locking the head to the wringer frame, a movable element rotatable on an arc to actuate the locking mechanism to unlock the head, a pair of opposing manually operated safety devices suspended on the head upon opposite sides thereof and in the path of the wringer rolls and having means in diametrically opposite paths of the movable element and adapted to actuate the same to unlock the head.

12. The combination with a wringer frame having driving and driven wringer rolls and provided with a detachable head, of a mechanism for locking the head to the wringer frame, a movable element operatively mounted on the head rotatable on an arc in one direction to actuate the mechanism to lock the head, a second frame operatively straddling and carried by the head, a pair of manually operated safety devices suspended from the second frame on opposite sides of the wringer frame in the path of the wringer rolls, and means operable and carried by the manually operated safety devices and in diametrically opposite paths of the movable element for moving same in the opposite direction to unlock the locking mechanism and release the head. 13. The combination with a wringer frame having driving and driven wringer rolls and provided with a detachable head, of a mechanism for locking the head to the wringer frame, a movable element operatively mounted on the head rotatable on an arc in one direction to actuate the mechanism to lock the head, a second frame operatively straddling and carried by the head, a pair of manually operated safety devices suspended from the second frame on opposite sides of the wringer frame in the path of the wringer rolls, and means operable and carried by the manually operated safety devices and in diameting driving. and driven wringer rolls and provided with a wringer frame head, of a second frame carried by and straddling the head, a pair of manually operated safety devices suspended from the second frame on opposite sides of the wringer frame in the path of the wringer rolls, an operating means for the driving roll, said controlling means including an element carried and operated by one of the manually operated safety devices for actuating the controlling means for stopping and starting the driving roll.

15. The combination with a wringer frame having driving and driven wringer rolls'and provided with a wringer frame head, of a second frame carried by and straddling the head, a pair of manually operated safety devices suspended from the second frame on opposite sides of the wringer frame in the path of the wringer rolls, an operating means for the driving roll, said controlling means including an element carried and operated by one of the manually operated safety devices for actuating the controlling means for stopping and starting the driving roll, and means for holding the second frame on the head.

16. In a wringer including a frame with a removable head thereon constituting an element of the frame, upper and lower wringer rolls mounted in said frame, means in said head for urging tension on the upper wringer roll, locking means for the tensioning means and for locking the head including a movable device, and manually movable means extending across the front of the wringer operatively supported on the frame with elements in the path of the movable device for releasing the movable device and relieving the tensioning means thereby unlocking the head, when the manually movable means are actuated toward therolls.

17. In a wringer, the combination of a frame; rolls mounted in the frame; a top bar; pressure means for the rolls exerting pressure from the top bar; and a safety device comprising a trip bar carried by the top bar extending across the front of the wringer, and means actuated by the trip bar releasing the pressure means.

18. In a wringer, the combination of a frame; rolls mounted in the frame; a top bar; pressure means for the rolls exerting pressure from the top bar; and a safety device comprising trip bars carried by the top bar and extending across the front and rear of the wringer, and means responsive to the action of the trip bars'releasing. the pressure means.

JOHN A. HOKE.

Images