US2306234A - Mounting for torque drives - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1942. T. R. SMITH MOUN'VIING FOR TORQUE DRIVE Filed July 29, 1940 Patented Dec. 22, 1942 MOUNTING FOR TORQUE DRIVES Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assigner to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application July 29, 1940, Serial No. 348,278

2 Claims.

The present invention relates tn a torque drive for a washing machine and more particularly to a novel mounting for the torque drive in the agitator center post whereby to allow for adjustment of the agitator, elimination of shock load to the mechanism at the end of each stroke or instant of reversal and the prevention of noise transmission through the agitator and tub.

In the present construction. the upper end of the drive shaft is splined to receive a torque member or drive sleeve formed with internal, complementary splines to provide a positive and efcientdriving connection. This splined torque member is suitably secured in the encompassing center post of an agitator or washing element by means of a flexible mounting of rubber or rubber-like material such as the so-called synthetic rubbers, and is preferably in the form of a sleeve encompassing the splined torque member and pressed into the center post of the agitator to receive and accurately position the center post and agitator on the drive shaft vith respect to the bottom of the tub.

One common objection to the present commercial forms of splined drives used in washing machines of the agitator type in which the agitator is oscillated through a predetermined arc, is that considerable wear and play between the complementary parts results from the rapid reversal in direction of the agitator at the end of each stroke. By resilientlv mounting one of these complementary members, wear due to such shock loads is substantially eliminated. In addition, the novel mounting provides an effective silencer in that any noises emanating from the gear case or torque drive will be insulated from the agitator and tub.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, eiciency. economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts i1- lustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while I have shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine employing the novel invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view, part in side elevation and part in vertical cross section of the agitator, its mounting upon the drive shaft and associated parts.

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical cross section through the splined end of the drive shaft, and splined torque member and the mounting for this torque member or sleeve in the agitator center post.

Fig. 4 is a view in horizonal cross section taken in a plane represented by the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the splined end of the drive shaft.

Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal cross section taken on the line B-B of Fig. 5.

Referring more particularhv to the illustrative embodiment disclosed in the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a washing machine I having a wringer 2 mounted thereon. This washing machine is of the agitator type in which the drive mechanism rapidly oscillates an agitator shaft 3 upon which. is removably mounted an agitator 4. Suitable drive mechanism may be provided such as a worm wheel 5 driven through a suitable mechanism from a motor or other power source 6, and this worm wheel in turn reciprocating a rack or cross head I in meshing engagement with a pinion 8 adapted to be keyed or clutched to and rapidly driving the agitator shaft 3 in any suitable manner and through a predetermined. arc of oscillation.

The present invention is directed more particularly to the drive connection between the agitator shaft 3 and the agitator 4 and in which the agitator shaft at its upper end is splined at 9. These splines are preferably interrupted adjacent their lower end to provide an annular slot I0 for receiving and retaining a split ring II. The diameter of this split ring is such as to tensionally retain the agitator in its operative position by its expanding force against the interior of an internally splined torque member in the form of a hollow sleeve I2, the lower end I4 of the splines I3 in the sleeve I2 abutting against and being prevented from further adjustment downwardly by the upper edge of the split ring I I.

In order to allow for initia1 accurate adjustment of the agitator with respect to the bottom I4a of the tub and to eliminate shock load to the mechanism at the time of reversal of the agitator in its cycle of oscillation, and to further prevent the transmission of any gear case or torque noises to the agitator or tub, the invention comprehends mounting the torque sleeve I2 in rubber or other rubber-like materials having the resilient and retaining properties of rubber. In the disclosed embodiment, this mounting is in the form of spaced sleeves or collars I5 bonded to the sleeve l2 and/or adjacent cylindrical portion of the interior of the center post I6 of the agitator, or suitably wedged therebetween.

It will be readily appreciated that this mounting provides a unique manner of connecting the torque member I2 in the center post of the agitator, but which mounting, due to its resilient character, eliminates to a great extent any wear between complementary splines on the upper end of the shaft and in the sleeve I2, in that this mounting will take the shock load and prevent its being transmitted and amplified. It thus functions as an eiilcient silencer.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A torque drive for actuating a washing machine agitator of the type having a vertical center post adapted to be oscillated by the drive shaft through a. predetermined arc, comprising splines on the upper end of the drive shaft, a sleeve having complementary splines and adapted to be mounted on and driven by the drive shaft, a split ring against which the lower edge of the splined sleeve abuts for limiting the vertical adjustment of the splined sleeve and center post, and a exible mounting comprising spaced resilient co1- lars for anchoring said sleeve in the lower end of the center post of the agitator to accurately position the center post and agitator on the drive shaft with respect to the bottom of the tub as Well as eliminate shock load to the associated parts at the end of each stroke and prevent noise transmission through the agitator and washing machine tub, said splines on the drive shaft and sleeve being of relatively great length to form the torque drive for the agitator and to center and align the agitator upon the shaft.

2. In a driving connection for a washing machine having a vertical oscillating drive shaft and an agitator having a center post adapted to be mounted upon and oscillated by said drive shaft in a predetermined position with respect to the bottom of the washing machine tub, a drive sleeve in said center post and adapted to be detachably connected to the drive shaft, complementary splines of relatively great length on said drive shaft and sleeve providing the torque drive and sole support and centering means for the agitator whereby to stabilize lateral movement thereof, a flexible mounting for the drive sleeve secured within the lower end of the center post for resiliently anchoring said drive sleeve in the center post and thereby eliminating shock load to the associated parts at the end of each stroke as well as preventing noise transmission through the agitator and washing machine tub, and means carried by the lower splined end of the shaft and cooperating with the drive sleeve for limiting the downward adjustment of the center post to accurately position the center post and agitator on the drive shaft with respect to the bottom of the tub.

THOMAS R. SMITH.

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