US2255028A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 2, 1941-. A. 0. LONG WASHING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 2, 1941. A. 0. LONG 2,255,028

WASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1958 {NVENTOR flr b1 0 009 ATTORNEY EPWEE Sept. 2, 194 1. A. 0. LONG 2,255,028

WASHING MACHINE I Filed March 2', 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Illlll.

.mllllll INVENTOR' .fir/r' Ola/79. BY%% 4 ATTORNEY Sept. 19.415 A. 0. LONG 2,255,028

I WASHING MACHINE Filed March 2, 193a I s Sheets-Sheet 4 I IIII ll!- 73 i /20 Ar 6/ 0 10/79, 74

ATTORNEY Sept. 2, 1941. vM1 ONG 2,255,028

WASHING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 la I27 INVENTOR ATTORNEY position.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrical Patented Sept. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE z.2s5,o2s I I Application; 1:;8-,6S8e:i:2l)No. 193,459

' invention relates to washing machines, particularlyto those of the rotary cylinder type.

and has for its principal object to provide a ma-- chine oi this character which is constructed to operate efficlently using smaller volumes of wash liquid than are usually required in this type of machine. q

It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a washing machine of the rotary cylinder type wherein the cylinder is bodily movable to facilitate intake and discharge of the wash liquid and dumping of the washed clothes.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a rotary cylinder machine which is of simple, inexpensive construction; to provide a more eflicient movement of the wash liquid into contact with the clothes; to provide a simple speed reduction mechanism wherein the rotating power is applied directly to the cylinder; and to provide a washing machine of this character which is adapted for the washing of individual batches of clothes, each of the batches being washed and rinsed with fresh .liquids' separate from the other batches.

It. is also a-further object of the invention to provide a washing machine of this character equipped for substantially automatic operation.

In, accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, ashereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrative in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a w'ashingmachine constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the cylinder in washing controls and the wiring therefor.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the machine showing the cylinder moved to position for charging with a washing solution or rinse liquid.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the clothes charging end of the cylinder showing the cover plate removed therefrom.

Fig. '7- is a plan view'of the machine.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of the closed charging end of the machine illustrated in Fig. 9,

a part of the end. wall being broken away to show the interior construction of the washing cylinder.-

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the chine illustrated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a detail side elevation of themachine particularly illustrating the dumping lever and operating mechanism for retaining the cyllnder in its three selective positions.

v Referring more in detail to the drawings: l designates-a washing machine constructed in I accordance with the present invention and includes essentially a supporting frame 2, a rocker frame 3, and a rotating cylinder 4.

ings l0 and II for journally mounting trunnions- I2 and I3 of the rocker frame.

The rocker frame lis shown as including side arms l4 and I5 extending in parallel relation with the side members of the supporting frame and'having inwardly directed ends Iii-l1 and ll-i! carrying semicircular, yoke-shaped arms 20-2! and 22-23 terminating in abutting ears 24 and 25, the ears 24 and 25 being secured to gether by fastening devices 26 so that the yokeshaped arms form'circular bands 21 having races 28 with their axis extending at right angles to the axis or the bearings l0 and l I. The rocker frame also includes an arcuate bracket 29 that connects the side arms I4 and ii at points preferably in alignment with the trunnions l2 and I3.

The cylinder 4 includes an annular. wall 20.

'circled by the yoke-shaped arms of the rocker frame and having bearing races 31 cooperating with the bearing races .28 to mount sets of antiiriction bearing members, such as rollers 39 and w, as best shown in Fig. 5. The bearing races 8'5 areinset into the collars 35 and 36 to form annular stop shoulders 4l-42 and 43+ to engage the respective side faces of the yoke-like arms or the rocker frame I- v The washing solutions and rinse liquids are charged anddischarged from the cylinder through the opening 23 and this opening is normally covered by a disk-like closure .45 having an .angularly extending peripheral flange It, conopening. The closure is normally retained in seated position by a coil spring 49, having one projecting from the boss 56 and bar 5|, as shown in Fig. 5. The closure is guidingly retained for movement to and from open position by means of pins 54 that are fixed to and project outwardly from the outer face of the closure and are guidingly mounted in openings 55 that are formed in inwardly extending lugs 56 on the collar 35.

The collar 36 which encircles the opening 34 has an internal, annular shoulder 51 for seating the rim 58 of a cover plate 59, the cover plate59 being preferably provided with transparent panels 66 and 6| on opposite sides of a central cross bar 62. The cover plate is removably retained on the annular shoulder by a cross bar 63 that is threadedly supported on a screw shaft 64. The screw shaft 64 has its inner end provided with a head 65 that is rotatably retained in a socket 66 on the cross member 62 of the cover plate, as shown in Fig. 5. The outer end of the screw shaft is provided with a hand wheel 61 whereby the shaft may be rotated. The outer ends 68 and 69 of the cross bar engage under arcuate lugs I6 and 'II that project inwardly from the inner face of the collar 36, as best shown in Fig. 6. When the cover plate is applied the cross bar 63 is inserted so that the ends thereof pass between the adjacent lugs 16 and II whereupon the bar is swung arcuately so that the ends 68 and 69 thereof engage under one of the pairs of lugs. The hand wheel is then rotated to move the ends of the cross bar into rigid engagement with the arcuate' lugs and the cover plate against its seat.

formed of material bent to form hollow vanes of V-shaped cross-section and provided with perforations covering the areas extending from the liner to the inner edges thereof, a .s shown in Fig. 8. Thevanes thus form liquid retaining pockets for carrying the wash liquid incidental to rotation of the cylinder. The sides of the vanes are attached to the liner and spacers 18 are inserted in the annular space between the cylinder liner and the outer wall of the cylinder, as best shown in Fig. 8.

The vanes preferably extend from the end 32 toward the opposite end of the cylinder where they connect with a perforated, ring-like shield 19 corresponding in shape to the end wall 3i of the cylinder. The closure 45, including its spring and supporting cross bar, are preferably covered The cylinder is thus mounted for rotation o an axis extending transversely and intersecting the axis of the trunnions on which the rocker frame is adapted to oscillate so that when the articles to be washed are placed therein they are carried by the cylinder up the side thereof until the forces of gravity overcome the rotational forces tending to carry the articles with the cylinder whereupon the articles drop back into the main body of the wash liquid in the bottom of the cylinder. In order to assure movement of the articles being washed incidental to rotation of the cylinder, and to assure picking up of the water by the cylinder wall, I provide the cylinder with an inner cylindrical liner l2 that-is spaced inwardly from the outer wall to provide a liquid retaining space I3. The liner I2 is fixed in the bottom of the cylinder, the cylind is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending blades or vanes 15 which are shown as being by a perforated, substantially concavo-convex partition 86 arranged with the concave side outermost. The inner periphery of the shield 16 joins with the partition 86 to form an annular drainage space 8I into which the wash liquids drain to the exclusion of the articles being washed, when the cylinder is tipped incidental to discharging the wash liquid, as later described.

In order to rotate the cylinder about its longitudinal axis the wall thereof is provided at one side of the arch-shaped bracket 29 with a band 62 having grooves 83 for receiving belts 84. Mounted on the arch-shaped bracket 29 is a motor. 85 provided with agear head having its driven shaft 86 provided with a pulley 81 having grooves 68 aligning with the grooves 83 and in .which the belts 84 operate. The pulley 61 is small in diameter relative to the diameter of the cylinder so that the cylinder is driven at the proper speed without further reduction. The direct beltdrive therefore simplifies the drive and eliminates necessity of expansive speed reducing mechanisms as is necessary in conventional 'cylindermachines. The motor '85 is pref erably of the reversing type and is energized through an automatically actuated reversing switch 89, later described, so that when' washing,

' the cylinder is rotated first in one direction and then in the other to assure maximum agitation of the clothes in the washing solution.

In order to facilitate charging of the cylinder with wash liquid and to render the machine substantially automatic, the cylinder is oscillated on the trunnions I2 and I3 so that the inlet opening 33 thereof is raised into charging relation with a tank 96 which contains the washing solutions, the tank 96 being supported above the cylinder as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 on a post or other support 9I. The tank 96 has a discharge opening 92 in the bottom thereof which is connected with a shut-off solenoid operated valve 93 carrying a flexible tube 94 that is adapted to enter within the open end of the cylinder when the cylinder is oscillated to the position shown in Fig, 5. The tank is also equipped with a sight gauge 95 having, graduations to indicate volume of water required per pound of clothes.

To provide for automatic opening of the closure 45, when the cylinder is tipped to the position shown, I provide the bearings I6 and II with the as the cylinder is tipped on the trunnions. The opposite ends of the push rods carry yoke-shaped arms I06 and -II havin g their inner ends I00 and I09 terminating within the open end of the cylinder and carrying rollers H0 and III rollingly engaging the outer face of the closure 45,

The arms are supported as best shown in Fig. 1. in functional position against the rotational thrusts of the closure by means of pins H2 and H3 that project from the arms I06 and I01 and are guidingly supported'in openings H4 and H5 in the ends of the rocker frame as best shown in Figs. 1 and 7. The push rods are normally urged to closure opening position and-the rollers thereon against the cams .by means of coil springs H6 and I I! that are sleeved on the rods and have one end bearing against the guides I00 and their I43 having connection with the contact I43 through a conductor I49 and by a conductor I50 with the secondary winding I5-I of a transformer I52, the primary I53 of which is connected with the service lines I22 and I23. The other terminal of the secondary winding is connected by a' conductor I54 directlywith the switch arm I39. The contactsl40, I and I42 respectively are connected by conductors I55, I56 and I5I with solenoid switches I53, I59 and I60 that are connected in the motor circuit I2I, the fixed contacts of the switches being connected by a common conductor I6I with the service line I 23. The solenoid actuated contacts of the switches I59 and I60 are connected with the conductor I32 while the corresponding contact of the switch I53 is connected with the conductor I33. The

switchesvl56 and I59 are supported on the side the cylinder rocks upwardly the rollers I04 and I05 ride into the dwells of the cams allowing the springs H6 and II'Ito come into play to causethe rollers to press inwardly on the closure 45 against action of its spring 49 so as to move the.

closure plate 45 from seating position as shown inFig. 5. The closure plate is similarly opened when the .cylinder' is rocked to the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 5, since the cams are symmetrical onopposite dlametrical sides of the high lobe portions thereof.

In order tooscillate the cylinder toand from I charging and discharging P sitions, the-rocker frame is provided with a gear segment II9 that is fixed to the side bar I4 and is meshed with a pinion I20 on the armature shaft of a motor I2I, the motor lfl being mounted on the side frame 5 as shown in Fig. 1. The motor I2I is also of the reversible type and is automatically operated in timed relation with the motor 05, as now to be described.

The motor circuits are illustrated in diagram in Fig. 2 and are supplied with an energizing cur- .rent from service lines I22 and I23 through branch conductors I24- 425 and I26'-I2I, the

conductors I24 and I2'I being directly connected switch I34 adapted for manual operation to close the circuit and which'is adapted to be opened automaticalLy by a solenoid I35 in a timing circuit including conductors I36 and I31 which connect .with a timing switch I38. The timing switch I38 includes a contact arm I39 that is moved across'a series of contacts I40, I40, I, I42 and frame 5 in position to be engaged by lugs I62 and I63 that are'mounted on theopposit'e ends of the gear segments. The solenoid switch I is mounted on the side frame at a point intermediate the switches and is adapted to beengaged by the lug I63. Oneterminal of the solenoid valve 93 is connected by a conductor 93' with the contact I 40' and the other terminal, as well as the other terminals of the solenoid switches I53, I59 and I60, are connected by a conductor 93" with the conductor I50. 3

In order to actuate automatically the reversing switch I23 I provide a spring I64 for normally holding the switch arm in circuit closing position relative to the conductor I30 and the switch is moved to circuit closing relation with the eon-. ductor I3I by a solenoid I65 having its leads connected with the-secondary of a transformer I66 through conductors I61 and I60. The primary winding I69is connected to the service wires I 22 and I23. Interposed in the circuit of the second ary winding is a timing element II0'for alternately opening and closing the solenoid circuit so that the arm I23 of the switch 39 is alternatelymoved from one contact to the other, thereby reversing direction of rotation of the armature shaft of the motor which reverses rotation of the cylinder. k

To prevent building up of pressure, when the washing machine is filled with hot washing liquid, I provide the cylinder with a relief valve "I, having an operating arm I12 that is engaged by a cam I13 upon each revolution of the cylinder.

In operating a washing machine constructed and assembled as described, the switch I29 is moved to close circuit between the conductors I26 and I32 to energize the motor I2I so that the cylinder rocks to the dotted line position in Fig.

I43, which vary in length. and spacing correspending to the dwell in operating sequences of the washing cylinder. The arm I39 is rotated by a motor I44, having its terminals connected 5. When the cylinder is in convenient position to insert the clothes the switch I29 may be opened to stop operation of the motor I2I. The cover plate 59 is then removed andthe clothes to be washed inserted through the-opening 34. After the clothes have been inserted the cover plate is reapplied and secured tightly in position. The normal or starting position of the switch arm I39 is between the contacts I43 and I40. The switches I34 and I41 are then closed to energize the motor 85 to rotate the cylinder and the motor I44 which actuatesthe timing switch. As soon asthe arm I39 engages the'contact I40, circuit is established from the secondary winding I5'I through the'conductor I54, arm I39, contact I40,

conductor I55, solenoid switch I56 and back to adapted tobe opened automatically by a solenoid the secondary of the transformer, thereby energizing the solenoid I58 and closing circuit to the motor I2I in the opposite direction through the conductors IIiI and I33. This causes reverse operation of the motor I2I to swing the end of the cylinder having the opening 33 into receiving relation with the hose 94. When the cylinder has reached the limit of its travel the lug I82 engages the switch I58 to open the circuit, thereby stopping the motor I2I. During upward tilting movement the closure plate 45 has moved from open through closed and again to open position since the rollers I84 and I85 have moved across the high lobe portions of the cams and by the time the cylinder has moved to its upper position the rollers are in the low dwells of the cams so that the springs are effective in opening the closure member. The switch arm I39 then engages the contact I48 to effect opening of the valve 93 to discharge a given quantity of washing fluid into the cylinder, as indicated on the gauge 95. By the time the switch arm I39 moves of! contact I48, the required amount of washing solution has been admitted and the valve is automatically closed. The switch arm "I39 then engages the contact I so that the solenoid of the switch I59 is energized to close that switch so that the motor I2I is energized by a current flowing through the conductor IBI, switch I59 and conductor I32 which effects rotation of the motor I2I in the opposite direction. As soon as the cylinder has been moved into substantially horizontal position the lug I83 engages the switch I59 to open the switch and interrupt circuit to the motor I2I. The cylinder is then retained in horizontal position, as show in Fig. 3. In this position the rollers-of the push rods rest on the high lobes of the cams so that the springs IIS and H1 are compressed and the spring 49 is again effective in seating the closure plate 45. The switch I34 having been closed to energize the motor 85, current flows through the conductors I28 and I38 to the motor 85 and back to the line through the conductor I21. The motor will operate to rotate the cylinder in one direction until the timing element is effectivein closing circuit to the solenoid which opens theswitch 89 against action of its spring and effects contact between the conductors I 26 and I3I to reverse operation of the motor 85 which causes the cylinder to reverse its' direction of rotation. The motor 85 thus continues to operate first in one direction and then in the other direction for the entire period that the arm I99 of the timing switch is moving between the contacts MI and I42. During rotation of the cylinder the clothes tend to ride up the side wall of the: liner under the lifting influence of the vanes until the force of gravity overcomes the lifting force, whereupon the clothes roll over and drop back into the bot tom of the cylinder. Simultaneously the wash liquid is carried between the space between the liner and is caused to discharge over the clothes.

Reverse rotation of the tub produces sufficient agitation to be thoroughly effective in washing the clothes. When the contact arm I39 reaches the contact I 42, circuit is established through the solenoid of the switch I88 so that current flows to the motor I2I through the conductors IBI and I32 which again energizes the motor to continue tipping thereof in a counter-clockwise direction or into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5. The push rod rollers move off the high lobes of the cams and the springs thereon again become effective to open the closure plate 45. The wash liquid is then discharged through the opening 33 aided by continued rotation of the v During this position of the cylinder the partition 88 and shield 19 keep the clothes from contact with the closure-plate 45, so that the water may run freely through the perforations in the shield and partitions and -be discharged'into a sump that is formed in the floor on which the machine is supported. By the time the cylinder has been emptied of washing fluid, theswitch arm engages the contact I43 which causes cnergization of the solenoids I35 and I48 toopen automatically the switches I34 and I41, thereby stopping rotation of the cylinder and opening of the timing switch circuit. The washing machine cylinder will remain in this position until the operator again closes the switches I34 and I41. The operator will then removethe cover plate 59, after which he will close the switch I29 so that the cylinder is swung to clothes dumpin position. The switch I34 may also be'closed to start rotation of the cylinder, thereby aiding in discharge of the clothes through the opening 34 into an extractor or other receptacle arranged to receive them.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive is adapted for use in small laundries. In this form of the invention the support includes a pair of substantially A-shaped frames I14 having bearings I15 for mounting a rock shaft I16. Fixed on the rock shaft is a transversely arranged bearing sleeve I18- for rotatably mounting the tubular spindle I11-that carries the washing cylinder I18. The washing cylinder l18 includes a substantially flat, disk-like rear wall I18 to which the spindle I11 is secured and an annular, peripheral" wall I19 terminating in a frusto-conical front wall I88 which carries an annular frame I8I forming an opening I82 through which articles to be washed are inserted into the cylinder. The opening I82 is closed by a cover I83 secured in place by a clamping mechanism I84 similar to that illustrated in the preferred form of the invention.

The interior of the cylinder is provided with a perforated annular liner I85 that is spaced inwardly from the wall I19 and a perforated partition or guard I85 spaced from the rear wall I18. The cylinder is also provided with perforated vanes I81, similar to the preferred form of the invention. The rear end of the tubular spindle I11 is normally closed by a valve-like door I88 that is hinged to the spindle, as at I89, and secured in closed position by' a spring latch- I98. The cylinder is driven by belts I9 I that operate -over a pulley ring I92 on the cylinder and over tively notches I98, I 99, 288 and 28I in the periphcry of a segment 282 that is'carried on meat the side frames I14. By actuating the lever and allowing the pawl to engage one of the respective notches, the cylinder may be moved to and supported in washing solution charging and discharging positions and to positions for inserting the clothes and discharging the clothes through the opening I82. In this form of the invention the washing and rinsing solutions are containedin bottles or similar container: 284 that are carcylinder.

rings forming a wash liquid inlet and discharge opening at one end of the cylinder and a clothes charging opening at the other end of the cylinder,

charging it with washing solution. The necks of the containers are closed by corks 209 and the.

tops are open for filling purposes. The operation of the invention illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive is substantially that illustrated in the preferred form of the invention.

While I have described the operation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1 as being used'only with washing solutions, it is obvious that other tanks may be provided for containing rinses and other solutions that are used in the processing of clothes in laundry work.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a washing machine wherein the clothes may be washed with a minimum amount of washing solution as all of the solution is effective on the clothes. It is also obvious that the automatic operation facilitates handling. of individual batches of washing and each batch may be segregated and washed in separate water from the other batches. Since the cylinder is sealed at both ends it may be entirely filled with rinse water to reduce the number of rinses ordinarily required, .the idea being that rinsing is diluting and that by filling the cylinder full, less rinses are required.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. In a machine of the character described, a washing cylinder having concentric axially arranged bearing rings forming a wash liquid inlet and dischargeopening at one .end of the cylinder and a clothes charging opening at the other end of the cylinder, closures for said openings, a frame having bearing members journalling the bearing rings for rotation of said cylinder about the axis thereof, means for rotating the cylinder, means tiltingly supporting said frame about a transverse axis relatively to the cylinder axis for bodily moving the cylinder to raise and lower the wash liquid inlet and discharge end of the cylinder to and from charging and discharging positions, and automatic means for opening and closing the closure at said end of the cylinder responsive to bearing rings, trunnions on the rocker frame havclosures for said openings, a rocker frame having bearing members joumalling the bearing rings, trunnions on the rocker frame having a common axis arranged transversely of the cylinder axis, a support for the trunnions, "means .for moving the rocker frame on the support about the axis of said trunnions to raise and lower the wash liquid inlet and discharge end of the cylinder to and from charging and discharging positions, and

means for opening and closing the closure at said end of the cylinder responsive to movement of the rocker frame.

3. In a machine of the character described, a washing cylinder having axially arranged bearing rings forming a wash liquid inlet and discharge opening at one end of the cylinder and a clothes discharging opening at the other end of the cylinder, closures for said openings, a rocker frame having bearing members journalling the ing a common axis arranged transversely of the cylinder axis, a support for the trunnions, means for moving the rocker frame about said transverse axis of the trunnions to raise and lower the wash liquid inlet and. discharge end'of the cylinder to and from charging and discharging positions, automatic means for opening and closing the closure at said liquid inlet end of the cylinder responsive to movement of the rocker I ame, a.

motor support on the rocker frame, a motor on the motor support, a driving ring on the cylinder and a driving connection between the motor and the driving ring to rotate the cylinder.

4. In a washing machine, a cylinder having charging openings at opposite ends, a perforated liner spaced from the inner wall of the cylinder,

means fixing the linerin the cylinder, closures for said openings, means oscillatably mounting the cylinder for tilting movement transversely to its axis in opposite directions to respectively bring said openings to charging positions, a guard covering one of said openings and cooperating with the liner for forming a drainage passageway to one of said openings when the cylinder is tilted in a direction to bring the other opening into charging position, and means mounting the cylinder for rotation about the axis of said cylinder.

I ARCHIE 0. LONG.

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