US2299777A - Wringer - Google Patents

Description

Patented Oct. 27, 19.42

WRINGER charles w. williams, ycleveland Heights, ohio,

assignor to Automatic Safety Wrnger Company, a partnership Application october 13, 1937, serial No. 169,734

(c1. ca -253) `11 claims.

' This invention relates to clothes wringers and more particularly to the type adapted for household use with theordinary` domestic washing machine.

The cardinal objection to clothes wringers generally has been their dangerous features, often resulting in serious injury to the user.

The wringing pressure rolls are urged together with so much pressure that permanent injury almost invariably results if a person becomes caught between the bite of the rolls. Since many clothes wringers are power operated it is apparent that ifa persons hands become caught between the rolls, unless some safety measure is provided, there is practically no possibility of release before serious injury results.

The chief object of this invention has been to design a clothes wringer affording a high degree of safety to the operator. Mechanism has been provided to stop` the roll rotation if the operator becomes caught therein and also to release the wringing pressure between the rolls to prevent further injury.

An additional object of the invention has been to adapt this invention to a conventional tworoll wringer, although it will be apparent that certain features of the invention can be applied to wringers employing more than two rolls.

Still another object of the invention has been to provide the aforementioned safety mechanism in a simple and lefficient construction, operative either automaticallyor manually.

An additional object of the invention has been to employ the operating power of the wringer to actuate the safety mechanism.

Other objects of the invention will become` apparent from the specification and drawings and from the appended claims in which the novel features aresummarized.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. l is a small scale side elevation showing my improved wringer; 1

Fig. 2 is a Vertical section through the wringer in a plane parallel to Fig. 1;`

Fig. 3 is a transverse section as indicated by thelines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section as indicated b the lines 4-4 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 4, but showing the safety mechanism in a released position.

In general my invention comprises a wringer head I carried on a suitable washing machine post I2 and supporting the wringer I4. A pair of rolls I5 and I6 are carried in thewringer and accomplish the wringing action in a manner hereafter explained.

Power drive for the wringer is taken from the post I2 into the head I0. By means of the conventional arrangement of a pair of bevel gears alternately connected with a driven bevel gear a stub shaft 20 in the head may be rotated in either direction. A conventional clutch, operatedby a handle 22, effects an engagement between the driven bevel gear and either of the other two gears to drive the shaft 20.

The` main Wringer frame I4 is supported by and secured to the head by suitable bolts. As shown in Fig. 2, the frame comprises a pair of end portions, eachof which supports and conceals the operating mechanism to actuate the rolls. The end portions are respectively formed by the frame end plates and interior web plates 25. It will be noted that the web plates. are provided with an elongated aperture 2l to facilitate assembly and permit operation of the rolls. The main frame I4 is surrnounted by a cap or top frame 30, which is secured to the main frame by suitable bolts, indicated at 32. In Figs. 4 and 5 the break lines between the top and main frame on either side are shown at 33. It will be noticed in Fig. 2 that the main frame and the top frame are joined together by the same bolts that connect the top of the head I0, and which bolts are indicated at 35.

Feed tables 40, Figs. 2 and 3, are provided, carried by the main frame I4, to facilitate feedding clothes to the wringer rolls I5 and I6v and aid in removal of liquid extracted by the rolls.

Y Since much of the liquid extracted passes between the roll I5 and the feed tables 40 to the interior of the main frame I4, a drain hole 42 is provided. If desired, a conventional drain board, shiftable to divert liquid from one side of the wrnger to the other, may be provided in a wellknown manner.

The lowerroll I5, aside from its ability to rotate, is fixedly carried in the frame I4. To this end a pair of journals 45 are provided supporting the roll I5 for rotation in either direction desired. To facilitate assembly the righthand bearing 45 is removable from the frame and secured thereto' by bolts 48. To limit axial movement of the roll I5 and the bearings 45 the shaft thereof is of sufficient length to substantially abut the bottoms of the bearings at each end.- Collars are provided on the shaft of the roll I5 to maintain part of the safety mechanism in position as hereafter explained.

Carried directly above the roll I5 is the shifta shaft 52 journaled in the frame in supporting bearings, as indicated at 55. It will be noted that the top of the bearing 55 is elongated to permit the roll I6 to rise and fall as clothes are fed through the wringing bite. As hereafter explained, spacing collars 51 are provided at each end of the shaft 52. Axial movement of the shaft I6 is prevented by the position of the various parts carried on the shafts and the blocks 65, hereafter described, which are in abutting relation with the bearings 55.

To drive the rolls I and I6 a gear 60 is provided on the shaft 20 which in turn is rotated in either direction as heretofore described. The gear 60 meshes with a mating gear 62, carried by the left-hand end of the shaft 52 (Fig. 2). As shown in that figure, these two gears are of the staggered tooth type well known in the washing machine art, and each comprise two sets of gear I5 between respective journals and the collars 50. Referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that a tongue, indicated at I 01, carried by the journals 65, lies within a slot |08 of the aforementioned segment gear |05. These gear segments are idly carried each end of the wringen-is carried a gear I|5 teeth staggered with respect to each other so that the space between two teeth a tooth of the cher set.

As above indicated, the roll bearings 55 as clothes are fed between this roll and roll I5. If the roll I6 is forced upwardly far enough in the bearings 55 driving engagement between the gears 60 and 62 will cease. This feature is utilized as hereafter described to automatically stop the pressure rolls when an excess thickness of material or the operators hand is caught between the said rolls.

To maintain wringing pressure between the two rolls suitable spring mechanism is provided at each end of the wringer and carried by the top portion 30. This mechanism is best shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 and comprises a journal block 65 carried at each end of the roll I6. A pair of cooperating spring blocks, designated at 68, are rigidly secured to stub shaft 10 journaled in the top 30. The blocks 68 and the journal blocks 65 are linked together by an ear 12 on the blocks 65 pivotally connected to a link 15, which in turn of one set is opposite I6 can rise in the 'is telescopically carried by a member 16 rigid with the blocks 68. A pressure spring 11 is secured between each block 68 and its corresponding jouri nal 65 and, due to the compression in the spring, applies wringing pressure between the rolls I5 and I6. The telescopically carried member 15 is furnished to permit reapplication of wringing pressure on the roll I6 after the mechanism has assumed the position shown in Fig. 5 and as herey after explained. To rock the spring members 11 and the telescopically carried member 15 together with the journal blocks 65 from the position'of Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 4, a handle 80, rigidly secured to the stub shaft 10, is provided.

The safety features of the wringer are actuated by either of a pair of guard members |00, as shown in Fig. 3. Each guard member is supported on a pair of ears 82 at each end of the roll I6 and in such manner that either guard member may be moved independently of the other. A steel bar connects the ears 82, as shown in Fig. 3, and is surrounded by a comparatively soft rubber structure which, at the lower end adjacent the roll I6, bears thereagainst to effect a stripping' action when the material tends to be come wrapped around the rolls. The rubber portion is necessary to resiliently maintain the stripping action and to prevent injury to the operator upon coming in contact with the release guard mechanism |00.

As shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 there is carried a segment of a gear |05 on the shaft of the roll 75 pinned to the shaft 52 and rotated thereby. These gears are preferably about equal in pitch diameter to the diameter of the roll I6. Springs |20 connect each end of each gear segment |05 to a corresponding end of each guard member |00, as indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and 5.

The operation of the safety mechanism is as follows. When a situation arises demanding release of the wringing pressure and stopping of the roll rotation the guard member |00 at the feed inside of the Wringer is shifted upwardly. This may be done either manually by the operator or automatically due to the excess thickness of material forced between the guard and the lower roll I5, as best shown in Fig. 3. As this movement of the guard member occurs and the same is rocked upwardly the spring member |20, due to sufficient tension in the spring pulls the guard segment |05 about its pivot on the shaft 52 until the teeth of the gears II 5 and segments |05 engage. As soon as this takes place the driving power in the wringing rolls pulls the gear segment around into the position shown in Fig. 5. Due to the difference between the pitch diameter of the segment |05 and the diameter of the roll I5,v the upper roll I 6 is urged upwardly, thus providing a gap between the rolls and relieving any pressure on the operators fingers. At the same time this action is taking place the tongues |01 lying in the slots |08 are rocked by movement of the gear segment from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 5. As will buckles the toggle formed by the telescopic members 15 and the ears 12 and snaps the pressure spring 11 to a position where any tendency on the part of the spring to urge the rolls I5 and I6 together is removed.

The separation of the rolls I5 and I6 is accomplished by the upward movement of roll I6 generally vertical to the line of the wringer. I call such movement a straight line motion to distinguish from a case where roll I6 is rocked, in

apart, but releases the operating pressure tending to urge them together. It is important to note that these operations are effected by the power drive from the washing machine motor and are not dependent upon any manual pressure exerted by the operator unless the guard member |00 is manually rocked to initiate the throw-out mechanism. The actual throw-out, however, in all cases is accomplished in the wringer drive.

Simultaneously with the release of the operating pressure and a forcing apart of the pressure rolls there is established a break in the drive to the roll I6. As the segments |05, together with the gears I|5, force the roll 6 upwardly the gears 60 and 62 are forced out of driving engagement with each other. After this release is be seen, this effected, due to the inoperative position of the pressure spring 11, the lower gear 60 rotates idly past the upturned gear A62. If it is idesired to completely separate the gears 60 and 62 this may easily be accomplished by aV pair of light springs |25 secured at one end about the shaft 52 of the roll I6 and at the other end to pins carried by the top 30. 'Ihese springs are strong enough to supportthe weight of roll- I6 and its associated mechanism. It thus follows that as soon as the main pressure springs 11 are rendered inactive due to the breaking `of the toggle the comparatively light springs |25 are free to maintain the roll |6 in a raised position, thus effectively disengaging the gears 60 and 62 and maintaining a substantial gap between the rolls I and I6.

After the safety mechanism has acted and the rolls are separated, the rotation is stopped and the wringing pressure released, operation may be reinstated in a very simple manner. This is accomplished merely by rocking the member 80 from the position shown in Fig. 5 back to the upright position of Fig. 4. It will be seen that this compresses the spring 11 and urges the rolls l5 and I6 into wringing relation with each other, at the same time reengaging the gears 60 and 52. This arrangement is possible because the gear 60 is constantly rotating andthus will easily ride into engagement with the mating gear.` Simultaneously with the reestablishment of pressure and drive, the gear segments |05 are rocked in the `neutral position of IFig. 4 by the'springs ||0. The guard members |00 return to their normal position due to the tension in the springs |20. It is noted that as the guard member |00 on the one side of the wringer is raised and thegear segments rock to the position shown in Fig. 5, the left-hand guard |00 need not be drawn downwardly. Instead, the corresponding springs |20` lor the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

l. In a wringer, a frame, a pair of rolls carried by said frame, power means to rotate said rolls, resilient means to urge said rolls together and mechanism operable automatically by said power means on feeding an excess thickness of material to the wringer to shift the roll axes with respect to each other and simultaneously release thenormal operating pressure on the rolls.

2. In a wringer, a frame, a roll shiftably carried by the frame, a second roll carried by the frame, power drive means to rotate said rolls, resilient means to urge said rolls together to provide a clothes gripping bite, power operated means to separate said rolls against the action of `said resilient means, release the clothes gripping pressure thereon and stop the roll rotation, and automatic mechanism to operate said power operated means consequent upon feeding an excess thickness of material to the wringer.

3. In a wringer, a frame, a roll shiftably carried by the frame, a second roll carried by the frame, power drive means to rotate said rolls, resilient means to urge said rolls together to provide a clothes gripping bite, power operated means to separate said rolls against the action of said resilient meansy and automatic mechanism to operate said power means consequent upon feeding an excess thickness of material to `the wringer.

4. In a wringer, a'frame, a roll shiftably carried by the frame, a second roll carried by the frame, power drive means to rotate said rolls, resilient means to urge said rolls together to provide a clothes gripping bite, a guard member parallel with and adjacent one of said rolls, a gear rotatably carried on an axis coincident with the axis of one of the rolls, a toothed member idly carried coincident with the other roll axis andA operably connected with said guard member and with the sum of the radii of the gear and toothed member greater than the sum of the radii of the two rolls, said guard member operating to shift said toothed member into engagement with said gear to force said rolls apart.

5. In a wringer, a frame, a roll shiftably carried by the frame, a second roll carried by the frame, power drive means to rotate said rolls, resilient means to urge said rolls together to provide a clothes gripping bite, a guard member parallel with and adjacent one of said rolls, a gear rotatably carried on an axis coincident with the axis of one of the rolls, a toothed member operably connected to said guard member and idly carried coincident with the other roll axis and with said teeth lying along a segment of a pitch circle of greater diameter than the diameter of the supporting roll, said guard member operating to shift said toothed member into engagement with said gear to force said rolls apart.

6. In a wringer, a frame, a roll shiftably carried by the frame, a second roll carried by the frame, power drive means to rotate said rolls, resilient means to urge said rolls together to provide a clothes gripping bite, a guard member parallel with and adjacent one of said rolls, a gear rotatably carried on an axis coincident with the axis of one of the rolls, a toothed member operably' connected to said guard member and idly carried coincident with the other roll axis and with said teeth lying along a segment of a pitch circle of greater diameter than the diameter of the supporting roll, said guard member operating either direction to force said rolls apart in a sub-l i stantially straight line motion by said power means. f

8. In a wringer, a frame, a roll shiftably carried by the frame, a second roll carried by the frame, said rolls mounted for rotation in either direction to receive clothes from either side of the wringer, power driven means including a reversible connection to rotate said rolls in either direction desired, resilient means to urge said rolls together to provide a clothes gripping bite, a toothed member rotatably carried by one of vthe roll shafts, a toothed member idly carried by the other roll shaft and with the sum of the radii of said toothed members greater than the sum of the radii of said rolls, and mechanism operable during roll rotation in either direction to shift said toothed members into'engagement with each other to force said rolls apart.

9. In a wringer, a frame, a roll shiftably carried by the frame, a second roll carried by the frame, said rolls mounted for rotation in either .direction to receive clothes from either side of the wringer, power drive means including a reversible connection to rotate said rolls in either direction desired, resilient means to urge said rolls together to provide a clothes gripping lbite, a gear rotatably carried by one of the roll shafts, a toothed member idly carried by the other roll shaft and with said teeth lying along a segment of a pitch circle of greater diameter than the diameter of the supporting roll such that the sum of the radii of said gear and said toothed member is greater than the radii of said rolls, and mechanism operable from either side of the wringer during roll rotation in either direction to shift said toothedy member into engagement with said gear to force said rolls apart.

10. In a wringer, a frame, a roll shiftably carried by the frame, a second roll carried by the frame, said rolls mounted for rotation in either direction to receive clothes from either side of the wringer, power drive means including a reversible connection to rotate said rolls in either direction desired, resilient means to urge said rolls together to provide a clothes gripping bite, separating means adapted to engage each other and in the engaged position force the two rolls apart against the action of said resilient means, mechanism connected with the power drive to operate said separating means, and a member shiftable from either side of the Wringer and during roll rotation in either direction to operate said separating means by the power drive.

11. In a wringer, a frame, an upper and a lower roll carried by said frame, resilient means to urge said rolls together including a two-part toggle mechanism, one of said parts being mounted coaxially with the upper roll, power means to rotate said rolls and means operable upon feeding of excess thickness to the wringer to break said toggle means and release the normal operating pressure on said rolls.

CHARLES W. WILLIAMS.

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