US2315604A - Seal for washing machines or the like - Google Patents

Description

April 6, 1943.

E. A. EBERT SEAL FOR WASHING MACHINES OR THE LIKE Original Filed Nov. 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV ENT OR.

April 6, 1943.

E. A. EB ERT SEAL FOR WASHING MACHINES OR- THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 19,-1938 INVENTQR.

Patented Apr. 6, 1943 2,315,604 SEAL F OR WASHING IIVEIACHINES OR THE LIK Edward A. Ebert, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to Chicago Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Original application November 19, 1938, Serial No.

Divided and this 1940, Serial No. 343,692

3 Claims. '(Cl. 68-432) The present invention relates to a seal for a washing machine or the like and more particularly to a seal for a device or container in which there is employed an agitator or like element.

The present .invention is specifically concerned with the provision of a portable washing machine which occupies a relatively small space both during use and during storage.

This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No. 241,357, filed November 19, 1938, for an improvement in a Washing machine.

An object of the present invention is to provide in a washing machine or the like, comprising only three parts, which parts are readily assembled and freely separable for cleaning, handling, and arrangement in storage, a resilient frictional engaging means between the part mounting the driving members and the supporting means for the said part such that no special interconnection or clamping means is necessary, while at thesarne time loss of washing rluiol due to agitation or splashing is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for so supporting a container cover for a washing machine or the like on thecontainer that the forces set up by a driving mechanism carried by the cover and interacting withmeans in the container will be effectively resisted without latching means so that such mechanism cannot cause relative movement between the cover and the container.

Numerous other objects and advantages will he apparent throughout the course and. progress of the following specification wherein:

Fig. l an elevational view of a washing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, the lower portions having been broken away along a line extending centrally through the machine in order to disclose the internal structure;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail View taken on line E--L in Fig. l; I

3 is a sectional detail view taken on the line E S in Fig. l;

the

Fig. i is a sectional detail view taken on the line S iin Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through machine on the line 55 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view taken on line in Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 7-? in Fig. 5, namely, on a plane which is normal to the plane upon which the section of Fig. 6 is shown.

The washing machine shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention comprises in general a cylindrical vessel I for enclosing the wash, an agitator i2 normally arranged within the vessel but removable therefrom, as will hereinafter appear more in detail, and a cover and the the

application July 3,

drive assembly i 6. The enclosing vessel III is defined by an upstanding cylindrical side wall it closed at its lower end by the bottom wall l8, the upper end of the container per so being open, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. It should be noted that the upper edge of the cylindrical wall it is flanged outwardly as at 2% to provide an annular, upwardly facing recess adapted to receive and support the lower edge of the cover member (Fig. l). The annular flange it terminates radially in an annular, rounded head 22. Handle members it oppositely positioned on the outer upper surface ofthe vessel iii are permanently riveted t the vessel through the agency of mfvets The bottom wall it mounts centrally thereof a pivot pin or pintle 253. It will he obvious from a consideration of Fig. i that the pin is secured in place by passing its reduced lower cylindrical end to through a close-fitting aperture in the isottom wall it? and heading over the projecting portion as at A washer is preferably included in the assembly, as shown in the figure, to provide a thrust bearin surface for the agitator. it will be obvious from the above that the pintle assembly shown provides a positive, permanent interconnection free from any possibility of leakage or failure.

The agitator is formed with central cylind.ical column Elli comprising a tube provided with an integral plurality of radially projecting vanes 38, having adjacent its lowereud an outwardly projecting flange it radially co-extensive with the vanes. Attention is directed to the fact the internal configuration of the tubular, central cylindrical column is such as to properly engage the pivot pin 20 in bearing relationship, that is to say, when the agitator ii is positioned upon the pin as shown in Fig. 1 it is pivotally mounted thereon for rotational or oscillatory movement while being positioned centrally with respect to the washingcontainer. it should be noted that the lower end of the column 235 rests in hearing relationship upon the washer 3 3, the lower inner edge of the column being beveled or chamfered as at (it to enhance, this function. The upper end of the tubular column portion oi the agitator is configurated internally as at M (Figs. 1 and 6) for the purpose of accommodating a rectangular driving member. That is to say, while the central tubular portion of the agitator is cylindrical in the embodiment shown, the upper end provides in axial alinement therewith an aperture of polygonal cross section. The motive driving and transmission means for the entire machine is comprised by the top unit it which comprises a circular, somewhat bell-shaped cover '36. It should be noted that'the cover is flanged downwardly adjacent its periphery as at 48' and terminates in a rolled or curved bead 50. the bead 50 serving to mount an annular tubular supporting member 52 annular supporting member 52 is preferably of some suitable frictional material, preferably having resilient characteristics, adapted to make firm frictional contact with the supporting vessel III. This is of great importance, not only in preventing splashing or leakage'of the washing fluid but also because t e parts in operation must necessarily at all times be interengaged sufliciently to resist the reactive forces set up by the actuation of the agitator. Thus, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention the interengaging portions of the cover and body portion of the washer are preferably free from special interconnecting means, being symmetrically, annularly formed so that they may be instantly assembled by any unskilled person without the necessity of posi-' tive mechanical interconnection. It has been found, however, in accordance with the present invention, that the parts are adequately engaged I and supported when the annular supporting member 52 is composed of rubber, leather or the like.

without regard to close tolerances in manufacture.

The cover unit I4 mounts centrally thereof a driving motor 54 and a transmission assembly 56. The motor, in the embodiment disclosed, has a handle 58 across its upper end which greatly facilitates the manipulation of the entire cover unit. The motor is mounted on the cover in axial alinement with the agitator, having a drive shaft projecting downwardly as at 60 (Figs. 6 and 7-). The present motor 54 is provided with a lower, self-alinin bearing structure. To this end the lower wall 62 of the motor housing is formed downwardly or convexly as at B4 and terminates in an annular, inclined flange portion 86 adapted to engage a bulged or generally spherical portion of the bearing 68 formed on the shaft. arate sheet member or plate III, apertured upwardly to provide an inclined flange bearing support 72; engages t e upper part of the spherical section 68' and is held in position by tab or finger portions 14 extending through opnosed slots IS in the lower wall 62 of the motor. The motor 54 rests upon four upwardly, convexly deformed landings 18, being secured rigidly to the cover by means of machine bolts and nuts 80 and 82. It should be noted that the lower wall 62 of the motor housing is apertured as vat 84 toprovide for ventilation, the

top wall being preferably apertured in the same to properly space the housing from the cover,

the aforementioned machine bolts 80 extending through the housing and the embossments 94 to rigidly unite the transmission, the cover and the motor.

The cover 92 is additionally provided with an upstanding cylindrical skirt 96. which encloses the shaft 60 and performs the important A sep- The instant structure, moreover, assures the proper interengagement of the parts function of sealing the motor bearing with the cooperation of a sealing washer 98. Thus, the sealing washer 98 is clamped between the upper annular edge of the skirt 96 .and lower portion of the motor housing, the cover 46 being apertured sufficiently to permit a portion at least of the washer to extend freely therethrough. Attention is particularly directed to the fact that 'arranged'and assembled in the manner shown in Figs. 6 and 7 it is impossible for the sealing washer to become dislocated in any direction.

The present transmission assembly is arranged to transform the rotational energy of the drive motorv preferably into oscillatory reduced motion for transmission to the agitator. For this purpose, the lower end of the drive shaft 60 is provided with a small pinion I00, rigid therewith, which meshes with a larger gear I02. The gear I02 carries in axial alinement a pinion I 04 which, in turn, meshes with a spur gear I06. The spur gear I06 has a cylindrical pivot I08 providing a crank, the crank N38 pivotally mounting the end of a rack IIII through the agency of a bearing sleeve or bushing H2. The teeth of the rack member [Ill engage a pinion H4 rigidly pinned as at M5 to a drive shaft H8 (Figs. 6 and 7). The rack am is maintained in engagement with the pinion lit at all times by means of a pin H5 rigid with the bottom wall 90 of the housing and engaging the rear side of the rack. Accordingly, in operation, rotation of the motor shaft tit rotates the crank I @8 through the medium of the gears Idfl, I62,

EM and I98. The action of the crank I98, accordingly reciprocates the rack M8 to cause an oscillatory movement of the shaft I I8. Attention is particularly directed to the fact that in accordance with the present structure the rack IIll slides on the bottom wall 98 of the housing. The bushing or fitting M2 has an upper flange which supports the gear IE8. That is to say, the gear I 06 is rigid with a supporting shaft In which is rotatably seated within a receiving recess in the housing, the gear and its shaft being retained in the axial alinement clearly shown in Fig. 6 after the housing is assembled. The gear I02 is similarly mounted on the shaft I22 journalled in a similar bearing housing and is prevented from moving axially downwardly by means of a thrust washer I24 (Fig. '7), an edge of which engages above the large gear Hi6 so that the associated assembly is slidingly supported thereon. It will be noted that the present arrangement permits rapid assembly in that the several gears may merely be slid into the relative positions shown and the top cover applied to the housing to retain the parts in operative position. It is contemplated that the housing be provided with a suitable lubricant, and, accordingly, a washer or seal I26 is located between the adjoining edges of the top and the main body of the housing. It will be obvious from the above that the application of the machine screws in the relationship shown not only interconnects the transmission, the motor and the cover, but clamps the entire transifnission and its housing together as a unit.

The transmission drive or impeller shaft II8 extends downwardly into an adaptor or fitting I 28, being secured thereto by pin I30. The fitting I28 has a cup-shaped configuration at its upper end to receive a grease sealing washer I32. Since the shaft IIB extends through the bottom wall of the transmission housing the seal I32 performs a necessary and important function in preventing the influx of foreign matter into the interior of the washing vessel.

The lower end of the fitting I28 has a polygonal sectional configuration corresponding to the configuration (f the aforementioned recess or aperture in the upper end of the agitator and is of such a length that it completely engages in driving relationship with the agitator when the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that in operation the agitator is rotatably mounted upon the pin 28, after which the top unit is placed in position upon the upper edge of the washing vessel, at which time the end of the fitting I28 enters into the polygonal aperture in the agitator. In use, the washing vessel will first be supplied with a mass of wash and a body of washing fluid so that when the top unit is assembled the washing operation may be commenced by merely supplying the motor 54 with electric current by means of a suitable electric conduit (not shown). Operation of the motor produces a desired oscillatory movement of the agitator 12, which continues throughout the period of the washing operation. I

The present invention provides a structure which is simple, compact and eflicient. The washing vessel is extremely light and may be positioned at any convenient point and readily filled, emptied, and cleaned. So too, the agitator is freely removable from its supporting pin, and when in disuse the agitator may be removed from the assembly so that the washing container may be employed for storage purposes.

So also, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a drive motor which is capable of being adequately ventilated, the motor, as pointed out above, being spaced from the cover a short distance to permit circulating air to enter the lower ventilating apertures 84, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6, and to pass out through the upper apertures.

It is unnecessary, according to the present invention, to especially arrange the top cover unit or to actuate a special fastening means to retain it in place. The reaction forces set up by the movements of the agitating element in the washing medium and which forces tend to cause rotation of the mechanism carrying cover relative to the container are effectively resisted without such fastening means. Hence assembly of the machine for use is simplified, its operation rendered more silent, and possibility of splashing eliminated.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine of the type comprising an upstanding, cylindrical vessel having an annular upper rim, a cover for said vessel, and an electric driving motor and transmission mechanism mounted thereon for driving an agitator within the vessel, said cover being free from mechanical interconnection with said vessel and completely bodily removable therefrom, said cover having an annular, outer margin adapted to rest upon the upper rim of the vessel, and means for preventing displacement of the cover with respect to the vessel by the reactionary forces set up by the agitator when the cover is disposed in operative position on the vessel and the agitator is driven by the motor through the transmission mechanism, said means comprising an annular member of resilient frictional material embracing and gripping said margin of the cover, the frictional material on the under side of the cover being wedged between the cover and the rim of the vessel when the cover is disposed in operative position on the vessel, said wedged part of the resilient, frictional material frictionally fixing the cover to the vessel against displacement by said reactionary forces and sealing the cover to the vessel against loss of washing fluid therebetween.

2. In a washing machine of the type comprising an upstanding, cylindrical vessel having an annular upper, laterally extending rim portion, a cover for said vessel, and an electric motor and transmission mechanism mounted on said cover for driving an agitator within the vessel, said cover being free from mechanical interconnection with said vessel and completely bodily removable therefrom, said cover having an annular rim portion adapted to overlie the laterally extending upper rim portion of the cover, and means for preventing angular displacement of the cover with respect to the vessel by the reactionary forces set up by the agitator, one of said rim portions having an annular recess defined by walls converging in a direction away from the other of said rim portions, the other of said rim portions comprising an annular bead positioned for reception in said annular recess,--.

said means comprising an annular strip of resilient, frictional material embracing and gripping said bead and being wedged within said converging walls of said recess to frictionally fix the cover to the vessel against displacement by said reactionary forces and seal the cover to the vessel against loss of washing fluid therebetween.

3. In a washing machine of the type comprising an upstanding, cylindrical vessel having an upper rim, a cover for said vessel, an electric driving motor and transmission mechanism mounted on said'cover for driving an agitator disposed within, and co -axially of, the vessel, said cover being free from mechanical interconnection with said vessel and completely bodily removable therefrom, said cover having a rim portion provided with an annularly disposed and downwardly extending surface inclined with respect to the axis of the vessel, and means for preventing angular displacement of the cover with respect to the vessel by the reactionary forces set up by the agitator, said vessel having at said rim an annular surface complementary to said inclined surface of the cover, said means comprising an annular rubber member embracing and gripping the rim portion of the cover and wedged between the inclined surface of the cover and the complementary surface of the ves sel when the cover is positioned on the vessel to frictionally fix the cover against angular displacement relative to the vessel by said forces and to seal the cover to the vessel against loss I of washing fluid therebetween.

EDWARD A. E'BERT.

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