US2235452A

US2235452A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: US2235452A
Application number: US180607A
Authority: US
Inventors: James B Kirby
Original assignee: Apex Electrical Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Apex Electrical Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1937-12-18
Filing date: 1937-12-18
Publication date: 1941-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1958-03-18

Description

March 18, 1941- K BY 2,235,452

WASHING MACI'XINE Filed Dec. 18, 1957 q 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jams B. Kirby mvem'on I w ATTogfi/y March 18, 1941.

J. B. KIRBY WASHING MACHINE Filed Deg. 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 James B. Kar'by INVEHTOR NEY v 7 Patented Mar. 18, 1941 f PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE James B. Kirby, West Richfield, Ohio, assignor to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company, as trustee, Cleveland, Ohio, a-corporation of Ohio Application December 18, 1937, Serial No. 180,607 Claims. (01. 68-54) This invention relates to new and useful im-. provements in apparatus for washing clothe of the general type illustrated in my Reissue Patent No. 20,313 which was issued on March 20, 1937.

The present invention constitutes a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 701,853 filed on December 11, 1933, for. Laundry machine, issued on May 10, 1938, as Patent No. 2,116,759, and it also has reference to certain of the im- 10 provements in agitators shown in my copending application Serial No. 80,252 which was filed on May 18, 1936, for Washing machine. I

The invention has for itsobiects the provision of an agitator of the general type described in my 1 above-mentioned patent embodyingcertain improvements for increasing the washing emciency of the agitator whereby the same is adapted to thoroughly cleanse the clothes through the combined action of vigorously working and circulating the clothes about in the washing fluid while at the same time subjecting them to the action of rubbing and scrubbing surfaces of relatively large area and forcibly causing the washing fluid to pass through the pores of the fabric of the clothes. l v

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent and better understood after consideration has been given" to the following detailed description of the inventiontaken in connection with the drawings which-show, mere- 1y by way of illustration, structure adapted for carryingout the objects of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an agitator, illustrative of one embodh ment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the agitator shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are detail sectional views to illustrate the construction of the agitator blades,such views being taken on lines'3-.3 and 4-4 respectively of Eigure 1; Figure 5'is a detail sectional view of'the base and a portion of the center post of the aaltator taken on line 5-5, Figure 2; Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of one of the blades of the agitator taken on line H,

Figure 1; Figure 7 is aside elevational view of a modified form of agitator in which two blades similar to those shown on the agitator in Figure 1 are employed; Figure 8 is a plan view of the a tator shown in Figure '7, the agitator-having been turned approximately forty-five ,degrees in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure '7; Figure 9 is a side elevational view of another modified form of agitator in place in a 1 washing machine; Figure 10 is a plan view of the agitator shown in Figure 9; and Figure 11 is an convenience, the convex area may be stated as of the agitator in a counter-clockwise direction enlarged detail sectional view taken on line I l-i I, Figure 9,01 a portion of one of the blades of the agitator shown in Figures 9 and 10, I

- This invention is concerned primarily with the so-called gyrator type of washing machine in 5 which the fluid and clothes are circulated by means of a dolly or agitator which is adapted to be oscillated about a vertical axis in the washing machine tub for the purpose of vigorously agitating the clothes and washing fluid in the 0 tub during the operation of the machine.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FiR- ure 1, there is shown a dolly or agitator comprising a base portion land a centrally disposed center post 2 extending upwardly therefrom. A 1

plurality of similarly formed

blades

3, 4 and 5 project upwardly from the base and outwardly from the center post, as shown in the drawings. These blades are warped or wound about the axis of the agitator in a counter-clockwise direc- 20 tion and, as isshown best in Figure 1, the width or surface area of each blade is somewhat decreasedat the upper portion thereof where each of the blades is provided with a substantially vertical section 341, 4a and 511 respectively for the different bladesr 5 t I The'intermediateportion 3b, 4b and 5b of the respective blades is inclined-.withrespect to the horizontal. Thelower portion 30, 4c and 5c of the respective blades is curved or cupped some- 7 what so as toprovide convex area on one side and a concave area on the other side of this portion of each of the blades. For purposes of being located on the upper or forward face of each blade.

When viewed from above, the outside edges of the blades of the agitator wind about the axis from the bottom to the top thereof. The innerj most portion of each blade merges with the-centerpost 2 along a substantially straight, vertical line. The lowermost portion of each blade is joined to the base I on a curved line. the convex 45 side of which faces in a clockwise direction.

The opposite faces of each of the blades, are provided with a series of ribs or corrugations i which extend lengthwise of the blades and provide rubbing or scrubbing projections thereon. 50

In addition to the lengthwise extending corrugations, the blades of. the agitator are also provided with widthwise or. radially extending corrugations or ribs 1 on what has been termed the upper or top face of the blades. Perforations or apertures 8 are also provided in the areas between the ribs or corrugations of the blades of the agitator.

In the circulation of the fluid and clothes, there is a general movement of the same across the base I of the agitator and as a further means for enhancing the washing action, the base is provided with a series of annular ribs or corrugations l0. Holes ll are provided in the channels defined between each of these ribs or corrugations for the same purpose as for the holes 8 of the blades. The holes II and the ribs l0 cooperate to flex and bend the clothes in much the same manner as for the holes 8 and ribs 6 and 1 of the blades, as will be described later herein.

The underside of the agitator is provided with a tapered prismatic opening l2 for the reception of an agitator driving shaft (not shown) having is received in the agitator driving shaft.

The apertures 8 and the corrugations 6 and I.

greatly enhance the washing speed and efliciency of this agitator. Considering these features of construction separately, the ribs or corrugations which are formed on the blades of the agitator rub and scrub the clothes as they are moved andcontacted by the agitator and the perforations assist in causing the flow of washing fluid through the pores of the fabric of the goods being laundered while at the same time they cause such goods to be drawn into close contact with .the blades of the agitator where they are rubbed and scrubbed during the operation of the machine.

The combined use of the perforations and corrugations mutually contribute to enhance the advantages each of these features possess when used separately. For example: the corrugations serve to define shallow depressions about each aperture to direct and facilitate the movement of water therethrough and the movement of liquid through the perforations tends to draw the articles against the corrugations where they are rubbedand scrubbed.

In the more usual construction of agitator where a vertically disposed, imperforate blade is used, the fluid and clothes move by the blades of the agitator without any substantial rubbing contact, as described in Snyder Patent No. 1,866,779. In the present construction, however, because of the combined action of the perforations and the rubbing projections, there is a strong tendency for the clothes to adhere to the blades during their oscillation and the washing action of the agitator is measurably increased over a smooth imperforate blade, or a smooth blade with perforations or a corrugated imperforate blade. The inclination of the blades also promotes the washing efliciency of the agitator byproviding a relatively large surface area for contact with the clothes without, however, overloading the driving motor of the machine.

a The flexing and bending of the clothes is also materially promoted by locating the perforations in depressed areas of the blades of the agitator.

1 Thus when apiece of fabricv is drawn toward one ing the form of blade construction illustrated in Figure 1 to a two-vaned agitator. In this modification of the invention, the agitator comprises a base 20, a center post formed from a frustoconical bottom section 29 and a substantially cylindrical section 2| extendingupwardly there from as in the case of the agitator shown in Figure 1 and a pair of oppositely disposed, curved and

inclined blades

22 and 23 which are substantially the same as the blades of the agitator shown in Figure 1.

The blades of the agitator are provided with lengthwise extending ribs 24 and widthwise extending ribs 25 between which holes 26 are formed. The base 20 has a plurality of annular ribs 21 between which holes 28 are provided. Each of the blades is provided with a substantially

vertical section

22a and 23a respectively, an inclined intermediate portion 22b and 23b respectively, and curved or cupped lower portion 220' and 23c respectively, all as in the case of the agitator first described. The base of this agitator is provided with: a prismatic socket (not shown) inside the frusto-conical section 29 of the center post for the reception of an agitator shaft (not shown) The blade portions 220. and

23a

22c and 23c of the present agitator and the

blade portions

3a, 4a and 5a, and 3c, 40 and 5c of the agitator first described are cupped somewhat after the manner disclosed in my earlier patent.

The modified form of agitator shown in Figures 7 and 8 operates in substantially the same manner as the agitator shown in Figures 1 to 6 and it is intended for use where the matter of cost is an important factor as this agitator is somewhat less expensive to make and while its washing speed may be slightly less than that of the threebladed agitator, it provides a very acceptable type of agitator which is particularly useful for washing machines in the lower price ranges.

During the operation of the agitators shown in Figures 1 to 8, there is a relative movement of agitator.

In addition to the foregoing, the perforations of the agitator greatly promote the movement of water through the pores of the fabric of the clothes whereby the same are quickly and thoroughly cleansed during the operation of the machine and a well-defined washing action takes place throughout the entire contents of the tub from top to bottom and from the center to the outermost portions of the tub. The stepped construction of the edge of the

upper portion

2a, 3a and 4a and 22a and 23a of the blades assists in the washing action by reason of its wavyvoutline and this arrangement also has the very important function of preventing the clothes from sliding up upon this portion of the blades and becoming hooked over the top of the agitator.

The washing action of the aforesaid agitators may be likened to a combination of washing actions of a gyrator washing machine, a cylinder washing machine and a vacuum cup Washing machine. For example: in the operation of this device, the turbulent-agitation of the gyrator washer is reproduced to a very high degree; the close contact with the rubbing-and scrubbing cup .machine in forcing the washing fluid back and forth through the pores of the fabric of the articles being washed, is also achieved.

In Figure 9, there is shown a modified form of agitator in connection with a washing machine tub or vat and-suitable gearing for oscillating the agitator. In this modification of the invention, the agitator is located in a tub 30 beneath which there is located a gear case 3| for housing suitable mechanism for operating the agitator.

lowermost end.

The pinion 33 is driven with a reversely rotary movement by means of a reciprocating rack bar 34 which is driven by any-suitable mechanism (not shown) as is customary in machines of the type to which this invention relates. The upper end of the agitator shaft 32 is provided with a tapered prismatic head 35 which is received in a complementary recess formed in the portion of the agitator defined by the frusto-conical cen- Y ter post section 36.

The agitator disclosed in this modification of the invention comprises a base portion 31 and a centrally disposed, substantially cylindrical section 38 which extends upwardly from the. frustoconical section 31 and these two elements combine to form a center post for the agitator. Vertically disposed blades 40, 4| and 42 extend upwardly from the base and outwardly from the center post of the agitator. The agitator blades are of grid-like conformation and they comprise a series of uprignt parallel bars 43 and a series of radially extending or width-wise extending cross bars 44. The bars 43 are of slightly larger diameter than are the bars 44 and together these bars define an impeller blade of highly perforate construction which causes the clothes to strongly adhere to the blade surfaces during the operation of the machine and in this manner, the clothes are rubbed and scrubbed while at the same time washing fluid is. forced through the pores of the fabric of the goods. I

In the operation of the agitator shown in Figures 9 to 11, the movement of the washing fluid and clothes is largely in horizontal paths toward and from the center of the tub and back and forth around the blades of the agitator and in so moving, the clothes are subjected to a rubbing and scrubbing action, a forcing of washing fluid through the pores of the fabrics being washed,

; and a bending and flexing similar to that described in connection with the earlier forms of the invention. 1

The washing action at the top surface level of the liquid is slightly less for the'agitators shown in Figures 1 to 8 than it' is for the agitators described in my cited reissue patent because of the reduction in the blade area at the struction eliminates the splashing of water out of the tub which occasionally occurred in the use of my prior patented agitators and the new washing features of the present agitators more than compensate for this slight reduction in the agitation at the upper portion of the tub.

It is important to note that the general circulatory movements of the fluid and clothes which occur during the operation of the agitators shown in Figures 1 to 8 take place at a relatively slow speed so that each of the individual articles of a batch of clothing will be subjected hood of 200 degrees more or less.

This mechanism includes an agitator driving shaft 32 having a pinion 33 fixed at its to the-rubbing and scrubbing and flexing and bending action of the blades of-the agitator for an appreciable time before they move away from the immediate zone of action of such blades.

The various forms of agitators disclosed here in, may be mounted in a washing machinetub for oscillation about a substantially vertical axis, as illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings, and the amplitude of agitation may be in the neighbor- In the operation of the machine, the normal surface level of cleansing fluid is at or slightly above-.or slightly below the top of the agitator, the preferredlevel being about an inch below the top of the agitator although the device will operate with a lesser or a greater amount of water than that mentioned. Where but a few number of articles are to be washed, the water level maybe lowered, very considerably from the levels mentioned.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings to which it relates, describes what might be termed the preferred modes of practicing the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a device of the type described, a tub having a normal surface level of cleansing fluid, an

oscillatable agitator mounted in said tub, said agitator comprising abase portion, a central portion projecting upwardly therefrom, a plurality of-upstanding blades projecting from said base and central portions, said blades being inclined with'respect to the horizontal and having rubbing and scrubbing corrugations extending lengthwise of the blades and other rubbing and scrubbing projections extending radially of the blades between said corrugations and openings forthe passage of liquid in areas defined between said corrugations and projections, and mean for oscillating said agitator.

2. A washing machine comprising, a tub for washing fluid and clothes, an agitator mounted in said tub for movement about a'vertical axis, and means for oscillatingv said agitator, said agitator comprising a body portion and a projecting impeller blade extending upwardly, throughout the entire height of the tub contents and for a slight distance thereabove, the widthof said blade abruptly decreasing at its uppermost portion, such portion being of stepped construction to preven-t'the clothes being-washed from sliding up with respect to the horizontal with the width of the blade decreasing as its uppermost portion is approached, such portion being of stepped construction to prevent. the clothes being washed from sliding up and over the top of the blade and becoming suspended thereat above the surface level of the washing fluid.

4. A washing machine comprising, a tub for washing fluid and clothes, an agitator mounted in said tub for movement about a vertical axis,

and means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a body 'portion'and a. plurality of projecting impeller blades extending upward- 1y throughout substantially the entire height of the tub contents, said blades being of warped configuration with the width of each of the blades abruptly decreasing at its uppermost portion, such. portion being of stepped construction to prevent the clothes being washed from sliding up and over the top of the blade and becoming suspended over the top of the agitator.

5; In a device of the type described, a tub having a normal surface level of cleansing fluid, an oscillatable agitator mounted in-said tub, said agitator comprising a body portion, a plurality of upstanding blades projecting from said body portion, said blades being inclined with respect to the horizontal and having rubbing and scrubbing corrugations extending lengthwise of the blades and other rubbing and scrubbing projections extending radially of the blades between said corrugations and openings for the passage of liquid in the areas defined between said corrugations and projections and means for oscillating said agitator.

6. In a device of the type described, a'tub having a normal surface level of cleansing fluid, an oscillatable agitator mounted in said tub, said agitator comprising a base portion, a central portion projecting upwardly therefrom, a plurality of upstanding blades projecting from said base and central portions, said blades being inclined with respect to the horizontal and having rubbing and scrubbing corrugations extending lengthwise of the blades and other rubbing and scrubbing projections extending radially of the blades between said corrugations and openings for the passage of liquid in the areas defined between said corrugations and projections, said base portion also having rubbing and scrubbing projections for facilitating the cleansing operation, and'means for oscillating said agitator.

'7. In a device of the type described, a tub having a normal surface level of cleansing fluid, an

oscillatable agitator mounted in said tub, said agitator comprising a base portion, a central portion projecting upwardly therefrom, a plurality of upstanding blades projecting from said base and central portions, said blades being inclined with respect to the horizontal and having rubbing and scrubbing corrugations extending lengthwise of the blades and other rubbing and scrubbing projections extending radially of the.

blades between said corrugations and openings for the passage of liquid in the areas defined between said corrugations and projections, said base portion having circumferentially disposed corrugations with openings therebetween for rubbing and scrubbing thearticles being washed, and

mediate said corrugations and the central portion of the agitator, said smooth imperforate portion effecting a radially outward movement of the clothes and water upon agitator oscillation and said corrugations effecting a scrubbing of the clothes as the clothes traverse the last-named portion during their outward movement.

9. An agitator adapted to oscillate about a vertical axis comprising a base, a central portion rising centrally from said base, a plurality of blades joined to said central portion and base, each of said blades having its outer edge portion in the form of a spiral to provide a blade area curved with respect to the base, each of said blades provided with a perforated portion along its outer edge portion and a smooth imperforate portion intermediate said perforated portion and the central portion of the agitator, said smooth imperforate portion effecting a radially outward movement of the clothes and water upon agitator oscillation and said perforated portion effecting a rubbing of the clothes as the clothes trav-- erse the last-named portion during their outward movement.

10.An agitator adapted to oscillate about a vertical axis comprising a base, a central portion rising centrally from said base, a plurality of blades joined to said central portion and base, each of said blades having its outer edge portion curved to provide a blade area inclined with respect to the base, each of said blades provided with a corrugated portion having holes between the corrugations along its outer, curved edge and a smooth imperforate portion intermediate said perforated, corrugated portion and the central portion of the agitator, said smooth imperforate portion effecting a radially outward movement of the clothes and water upon agitator oscillation,

and said perforated, corrugated portion efiecting a retarding, rubbing action on the clothes as the clothes traverse said perforated, corrugated portion during their outward movement.

JAMES B. KIBBY.