US2344253A - Laundry machine - Google Patents

Description

J. B. KIRBY I 2,344,253 A LAUNDRY MACHINE March 14, 1944.

Filed Feb. 6, 1941 isheets-sheet 1 Z0 /J I g w u TTORNEY.

J. B. KIRBY LAUNDRY MACHINE March 14, 1944.

Filed Feb. 6, 1941 5 Sheets$heet 2 ATTORNEY.

volume of water.

' deceleration or retardation.

, -nsuivpay mourns I dunes B. Kirby, Bichiield, ommmmm Th Lpex Electrical Manufacturing "Company. as trustee; "Cleveland, Ohio a corporation oi I Applleation February.

and more particularly to an improved machine a, 1941. Serial no, 311,693 g sciaimsici'ssi z) This invention relates laundry machines,

wherein washing. rinsing. and extractlngcpera-- in. a single container, without manualmanipulation of the clothing during these operations; The

machine preferably isprovided with a timing and control mechanism for starting and stopping the various operations ina predetermined sequence. It is among the objects of the present inven .tionto provide a laundry machine capableoi' efilcientiy and economically performing the aforementioned operatlonswith the useof a minimum provide in a laundry machine -a sing'l'containe'r adapted to be oscillated orlineally reciprocated for washing. and rinsing purposes, and to be rotated for extracting purposes. .i

Another object of the inventionis to provide in alaundry machine an extracting container mounted on airotating shaft and wherein arecip-v ro'cating force isemployed to overcome the tendency oi the container toprecess' as it is, rotated through its critical speed under the influence of' A further object oftthebl'eseht invention is to tions may. be performedupon a batch of clothing 1 applying a reciprocating forcea andtorque to shaft.

Briefly, this invention relates to a laundry masaid I chine embodying a tub having-a shaft-upon which is mounted a combined-washing, rinsing and extracting container adaptedto receive clothing and other objects to be washed'. The container -is oscillated for carrying out-washing and rinsing operations and rotated or whirled for extracting operations with a minimum of wobbling or precession. The washing and extracting cohtainer suit that if'the container should be spun in this an .out-of-balance load; both in acceleration and A further object of the presentzinventionis to provide in a laundry machine a container mounted' on' arotating shaft and mechanism for applying areciprocati'ng force transversely ofthe axis ofrotation of the container to correct precessional tendencies of the container while under rotative movement.

:5 further object of the present invention is to provide-in a laundry machlne a container mounted on a rotating shaft mechanism 'forapplying a reciprocating force transversely of the axis of rotation of the container-to correct-pre- 1 .cessional tendenciesof the container .while under rotative movement, and timing mechanism -for controlling the sequence of operation-of said mechanism.

Another object of. this invention provide ina laundry machine a combined washing and rinsing and extracting containercarried on a shaft mounted, for gyratory movement, mechanism ior osclllatinmthe shaft' about its support purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a laundry machine a. container .carfried on ashaft mounted for pivotal and rotary ,t jwashclothin ii thecontainer, and other mechanism forrotating the shaft. for extracting condition, it would be subjected to violent vibration or precession, as it wasaccelerated through its critical speed.-

It wasfound that if the oscillation 0r reciprocation of the tub was continued during acceleration'and deceleration of the rotative movement throughthe critical speed, the. tendency of the tub to wobble or vibrate excessively was mini- ;mized. It was found that a reciprocating force applied radially to the spinning container reacts with the torque applied to the driveshaft to maintain A the container ,in substantially stable equilibrium until it has been accelerated to a point above the critical speed, Similarly. this force maybe applied as the rotative movement of the container is retarded through the critical speedtoa point or rest. In applying this discovery to the operation of the present machine, the oscillation of the tub .for the washing period is continued during the initialstages of rotation of the first extracting period and until the rotating speed thereof has reached a point that the container is in, stable equilibrium. Just .prior to the'dompletion of the extracting period, oscillation of the container is again initiated and the spinning retarded through the critical speed to a point of rest. Rinsing water is applied to the clothing during the latter part .of the extracting period to provide awhirl- ,ingrinsewhich is-continued. as the rotation of movement; and mechanism for simultaneously as the extractor decreases, and to provide awash rinse during the succeeding oscillating period. The oscillation is continued into the succeeding extracting period until the container has reached a predetermined rotary speed. In the operation of the machine, the oscillating and spinning periods overlap each other.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become-more apparent and better understood after consideration has been given to the following detailed descriptbn taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where in like reference characters denote corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure l is a frumentary sectional view through. laundry apparatus constructed according to my invention, taken generally on the line |-l of Figure 2 and embodying a combined washing and extracting container.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 with parts thereof broken away to illustrate the drive for the reciprocating mechanism for the combined washing and extracting container;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detail taken on the line 3-8 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail of a portion of the bottom of the container taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating the water supply conduit through the hinge construction of the cover of the casing of the machine:

Figure 6 is a detail view of the crank arm for reciprocating the container;

Figure 7 is'an enlarged sectional detail of the valve construction controlling the flow of water to the machine;

Figure 8 is atop plan view of the timing and control mechanism illustrating its relative position with respect to the driving mechanism of the machine, with parts thereof omitted;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the timing and control mechanism, illustrating the cam discs thereof;

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are fragmentary detail views of the elements of the timing-and control mechanism illustrating the various sets of cam discs in different operating positions;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the elements of the timing mechanism positioned as shown in Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the line i4i4 of Figure 8:

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken 'on line i6---ll of Figure 8;

Figure 16 is a plan view of the dial and indicating handle for the timing and control mech- With reference to the accompanying drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention is directed'to a laundry machine including a substantially rectangular casing ll suitably secured to and supported by the depending flange H of a base plate i2. The plate i2 may be supported in any suitable manner, as for example, by' cushion elements it illustrated in Figure 1. The casing III is provided with a top i4 having a centrally disposed flanged opening I! therein affording access to the inside of the'casing in which there is'moun'ted a shell I. Formed integrally with the top l4 at one side of the opening II are a pair of spaced hinge lugs ll isee Figure 5), adapted to rotatably receive tlierebetween a hinge member ll attached to a 2 ascents member It is provided with a duct ll suitably closed at one end by the hinge pin I8, and the other is provided with hinge tube it. Leading from the duct II and terminating in a downturned nozzle adjacent the central part of the opening II is a conduit 2| which serves to direct a spray of water into a container positioned within the shell ll.

For supplying water to the machine, one end of an intake conduit 22 may be connected to a source of water supply, andthe other end to the intake port of a control valve 22 (see Figure 7). The valve 22 controls the flow of water to the spray nozzle projecting into the casing. The valve 22 comprises a valve member 25 mounted on the valve stem 24, which is adapted to be actuated by the timing and control mechanism hereinafter described. In the conduit 24, there is provided a regulating needle valve 21 which is manually controlled by a lever 2. on the upper portion of thecasing III, which lever has a dial 2! associated therewith. The valve 21 serves to regulate the volume of water flowing through the conduit 24 and to compensate for different pressures on the supply line so that when the valve 23 is opened for a predetermined period. a definite volume of water will be'introduced into the container positioned within the casing.

The shell I. is formed with a wall portion 24 which is substantially oval in cross-section, having an inwardly extending trough ll formed on the lower edge thereof. The bottom 32 of the trough is downwardly inclined and terminates through which clothing and washing fluid are introduced into the container. Mounted on the lower inner surface of the container ar suitable washing projections It against which the clothing is adapted to be rubbed and scrubbed during the washing operation. Extending through the wall of the container at the line of greatest diameter are a plurality of small apertures I2 disposed in a ring about the container and through which fluid is adapted to be expelled from the container by centrifugal force upon rotation of the container. The apertures 39 are normally sealed by a resilient band 40'mounted on the exterior surface of the container and maintained in position by angular members 4|.

closure or lid 2| for the opening it The hinge Spaced springs 42 tighten the band to seal the openings until centrifugal force counteracts the spring tension and releases the fluid through the openings 30. An inclined drip rim 42 secured to the outer surface of the container below the apertures 20 directs fluid flowing therefrom into the trough II.

The container 8! is secured to the upper surface of a plate 44 formed on the end of a drive shaft 45 rotatably mounted within a tubular housing 48. The lower end of the housing is supported by a yoke 41, the ends of which are pivotally connected to spaced bracket members 48 mounted on the base plate i2. Suitable resiilent pads 49 ar disposed between the base of the bracket members 48 and base plate l2 to provide a resilient support for the housing 46. On the shaft 45 between the upper end of the housing 40 and the lower surface of the plate 44 are positioned roller bearing I and a coupling member SI, For facilitating the oscillating movement of the container, there is provided a plurality of longitudinally extending coil springs 52 extending radially from a ring II encircling the upper end of th housing 40 to bracket members 54 secured to the inner walls of the casing I0. These springs serve to urge the return of the container at the end of each reciprocating stroke. Transvers springs-l2 cooperate with springs 52 to maintain the container in equilibrium during the extracting operation.

'The lower end of the drive shaft 45 extends below the housing 46 and has freely rotatable thereon a pulley Wheel 55 which is maintained thereon by means of a thrust bearing 58 and a nut 51. Slidably splined to the shaft 45 between the pulley i5,and the end of housing 40 is a drum 58 having a friction shoe 59 on the lower surface thereof and engageable with the face of the pulley 55. The drum is normally urged .into engagement with the pulley wheel II by engage the shaft from the pulley 55. The drum 4! which serves to move the drum 50 along the haft 45 against the force of the spring 60 is actuated by a disc 60 formed with a central sleeve 40 which encircles the lower end of the housing 40. The disc 65 is supported on the lower ends of links 61 which are pivoted to the ends of the crank arms 08 mounted on the rod 09 which is joumaled in a suitable bearing formed on v the yoke 41. Rotative movement is imparted to the rod 69 by a lever 10 adapted to be actuated by a wire 'II leading from the timing and control mechanism of the machine to be hereinafter described.

For washing clothing, the container 30 is oscillated within the shell It by applying a reciprocating force to the upper end of the shaft 45 to rock or oscillate the shaft about its pivotal support. This movement is carried out by suitable driving mechanism 12 which through associated linkage serves to reciprocate the shaft 45 about the pivots 48. This mechanism (see Figure 1) comprises a casing I3 supported in a bracket 14 mounted on the base plate I2. Disposed within the casing I3 is a vertical drive shaft I which extends downwardly through the wall of the casing and has mounted thereona pulley wheel It. The upper end of the shaft Ii carries a pinion 11 which is adapted to mesh with a gear wheel I0 freely rotatable on the lower end of a shaft IS. The upper surface of the gear wheel 18 is provided with a diametrlcally extending slot 00 which is adapted to receive a pin 0| extending through the lower end of the shaft IS. The gear wheel I0 is slidably in mesh with the pinion TI and rotates continuously during the operation of the machine,

and the shaft I9 is operatively connected to the gear wheel II by bringing the slot into engagement with the pin II. For shifting the gear wheel longitudinally of the shaft, there is provided a yoke 02 engageable with an extension 03 formed on a cap 04 threaded on the hub of the gear wheel I0. The yoke 02 is actuated by means of a rod 05 having a crank arm 06 on its outer end which is operatively connected to the timing mechanism by wire 06. A spring 01 encircling the rod normally urges the yoke I: upwardlyto engage the gear wheel and shaft I The shaft I0 isiournaled in an upwardly extending housing 00 formed integrally with the gear case II, A bracket 09 extending from the housing 00 t0 the wall ofthe casing I0 serves to support the upper endof the housing 08. Formed on the upper end of the shaft I0 is a crank arm 00 which has associated therewith a universal coupling member 0|. A connecting rod 02 ex,- tends between the coupling member II on the shaft 46 and the coupling II on the crank 90. A spring 03 extending transversely from the end pf connecting rod 02 to the wall of the casing I0 serves to urge the crank arm out of alignment with the shafts I0 and 40 to permit longitudinal free movement of the connecting rod 02. A spring pressed pawl 04 (see Figure 4) mounted on. the connecting rod 02 and engageable with a rack formed on the lower surface of the plate 44 effects a step by step'rotation of the container 06 during the linear reciprocation thereof. This rotative movement of the container changes the position of the clothing therein with respect to to the driving pulley 01 mounted on the lower end of the armature shaft of a motor 98. Motor 00 is pivotally mounted in a bracket 00 secured to the wall of the casing I0, and the belt 96 is tensioned by a spring I00 extending between the motor 00 and a bracket secured to the casing wall.

with reference to Figures 8 to 16, inclusive, there is illustrated timing mechanism for controlling the actuation of the container 08 within the shell I0 and the supply of water thereto through the valve 23. Joumaled in the gear case I! (see Figure 1), is a shaft III having-a worm wheel I02 attached to the innerend thereof and adapted to engage a worm, Ill formed on the drive shaft is. The outer end of are-mart m has universally connected thereto aconnecting rod I04 serving to connect worm I02 for'drivingimhe timing and control mechanism which is suitably-supported between spaced bracket members I". On one side of the bearing plates I05 are formed aligned upstanding ears I06 between which is mounted an elongated actuating cam- I08 which is adapted to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, and supported at each end on stub shafts I01. ,One of the shafts I0! is connected to the end of the driving rod I04 by means of the swivel Joint I00. Mounted on a shaft IIO which is supported in the bearing plates I05 are a series of ratchets and cam discs for timing and controlling the sequence of operation of the various washing steps carried out in-the container 30.

Attached to and driven by an eccentric III mounted on the shaft I 01 is a rod III which actuates a pawl Ill (see Figure 14), supported on the upper end of an arm I I4. The pawl I I3 serves to rotate a ratchet wheel II! on the shaft IIO,

which is operatively connected to disc I I! having a single notch in the periphery thereof. Associated with the pawl I I3 for movement therewith is asecond pawl I II which normally rides on the peripheral surface of the disc land is adapted to engage the teeth of a second ratchet wheel III and rotate the same the distance of one tooth upon each rotation of the disc I I3.

Attached to the ratchet wheel I II for rotative movement therewith is another ratchet wheel I II with the teeth thereof extending in a reverse direction. Ratchet wheel Ill and disc II. and ratchet wheels Ill and H3 rotate as pairs freely upon the shaft IIO. Adjacent the ratchet wheel II! is a disc I20 supporting a pawl I2I adapted to engage and be driven by the ratchet wheel III. The disc I20 together with a group of cam disc elements I22, I23, I24, I20, I20 and I2! are keyed on a sleeve I28 to rotate as a unit about the shaft I I0. The sleeve I23 extends through the bearing plates I05 and has mounted thereon a sprocket wheel I20. The sprocket wheel I23 by means of a chain I30 and a second sprocket "I, is connected to the indicating lever I32 associated with an indicating dial I33 (see Figure 16) mounted on the upper portion of the side wall of the casing I0. The sleeve I23 and cam disc elements carried thereby are rotated by the'mechanism once in twenty-four minutes, which constitutes a complete cycle of operation, as indicated on the dial I33 of Figure 16. The cam-disc elements I23 and I22 serve to control the starting and stopping of the mechanism for oscillating the container 30; the discs I24 and I25 similarly control the mechanism for rotating the container for extracting operations, and discs I28 and I2! control the operation of the valve 23 regulating the flow of water into the container. The foregoing pairs of control discs are substantially similar, differing only' in the relative positions of the cam notches formed in the peripheries thereof. Furthermore, the sets of levers which are actuated by each pair of discs are similar and accordingly for purposes of brevity and simplification, only one set of levers will be described herein.

In Figures 10, 11 and 12, there is disclosed the I three positions of the levers actuated by any one pair of cam discs. With reference to these figures, the control levers comprise a toggle arm I34 pivotally mounted on a shaft I35 extending between the bearing plates I05. An elongated slot I36 through which extends a rod I31. supported between the bearing plates defines the extent of movement of the toggle arm I34. Pivoted to the toggle I34 as at I39 are a pair of arms I40 and HI which extend over their associated control discs, and are connected to operate together by means of a spring I42. The arm I40 is provided with a finger I43 which normally rides v on the peripheral surface of its associated disc and drops within the notches formed therein as the discs are slowly rotated into position. The

extending between thebearins plates Ill. The spring I45'also serves to return the arms I40 and I to the position shown in Figure When the toggle,arm I34 is shifted into the position illustrated, inFigure 11-, a pawl I43. pivotally V mounted onarod I4! is caused to engage a notch 1 in the lower surface of the toggle arm 134, and maintain it in-its extended position. Associated with the pawl I40 is an arm I 53 having one end 10 pivoted to the rod I43 extending between plates I00, and the other end formed with a finger Ill adapted to ride on and drop intonotches-formed in the periphery ofa timing disc. The pawl I40 and arm III are operatively connected together by means of a spring which maintains a'pin I02 in engagement with the edge surface of arm I50. A tensioned spring I53 extending between the arm I00 and the rod I41 servesto maintainthe finger I5I in engagement with the periphery of the disc I25. When the finger III dropsin-one of the notches of its associated disc, the-pawl I43 is disengaged from the toggle arm-I34'by the pin I52, permitting the toggle arm to return to its initial position, asillustrated in Figure 12.

Mounted on the sleeve I2! is a cam element tion of the machine.

I54 controlling a segment arm I", which actuates a three way snap switch I. The switch I50 serves to open the electric circuit to the motor 98 upon the completion of a cycle of opera- A manually. operated three way toggle switch I" on the wall of the casing below the dial I33- is interconnected with-thev switch In to control themotor circuit, so that after the circuit is manually closed by switch I",

it may be automatically opened by switch I50.

In the operation of the laundry machine of the present invention, the supply conduit 22 is connected to any suitable water supply under pressure and at the desired temperature, and the out- 0 let 33 of the tub I6 is connected to a suitable arm I is formed with a finger I44 which, when the finger I43 drops into a notch, is lowered into position to be engaged by the rotating cam shaft I00. The cam shaft I03, which'is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction pulls the arm I into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 11,

and moves the toggle arm I34 from the position shown in Figure 10 to that shown in Figure 11. The arms I40 and I 4I are normally urged into actuating position with respect to the timing disc and cam shaft I08 by means of a spring I45 ex-- tending from the arm I 4| about a spacer disc I46 on the shaft III), and anchored to a rod I41 drain by means of the conduit 34. The electric conduit for conveying current to the motor 03 is connected to a source of current supply.

Clothing and soap are placed in'the container 36 and lid 20 is closed, and then the switch I01 is actuated to close the circuit to the motor '33.

Simultaneously with the starting of the-motor, 'the timing and control mechanism is initiated. The cam disc I26 of the timing mechanism controlling the water supply to the machine opens the valve 23 and water flows through the valve 2'! and conduit 2I into the container 30. The timing mechanism maintains the valve 23 open for a period of about one and one-fourth minutes, as indicated on the dial I33, during which time a predetermined amount of water flows into the container. The operator adjusts the needle valve 21 sothat the flow of water'into the container will conform to the pressure of the supply line and the correct volume of water will pass into .the container during'the stated period. While the water is'ilowing into the container, the time control disc I23 through its associated toggle member I34 pulls the wire 30" rotating the arm 06 which actuates the toggle l2 to'move the gear wheel "III along the shaft 19 into engagement with the pin aI, thereby connecting the shaft 14 to the drive shaft I5. The shaft '10 through its associated-crank arm "and connecting rod 32 oscillates the container "30 for a period of nine minutes during which time the clothingis washed. Upon each reciprocation of the container 30, the pawl 94 on the connecting rod: 92 is'effective to rotate the container one notch on the rack 00, thereby continually shifting the'clothes within 9,844,263 the container with respect to the direction: of

reciprocation. About one-fourth minute prior'to the expiration of the washing period, the timing disc l2! shifts its associated toggle arm I" which is connected to wire H. The force thus applied to wire H is effective to operatively connect the pulley wheel 55 to shaft for rotating the container. The oscillation of the container 36 is continued during the acceleration of the rotating speed of the container and until it has reached i a speed where the container is in equilibrium and not subject to any tendency to wobble or precess, at which time cam disc I22 is eflective to terminate the oscillating period by disengaging the gear wheel 18 and shaft I9. During the spinning of the container, the washing fluid is extracted from the clothing and passes out of the container through the openings 39, the band unseating the openings under the centrifugal force of the fluid in the spinning container. Just prior to the termination of the extracting period of the container, the oscillation of the container is again initiated and is continued during the deceleration of the container. It isintended in this invention to use a reciprocating force to overcome the tend-' ency of the container to precess as it is rotated through its critical speed both in acceleration and deceleration. During the latter part of the first extracting period, the timing mechanism opens the valve 23 to permit the spray of rinse water to pass through the clothing while rotating at high speed. The valve remains open into the succeeding oscillating period, The clothing disposed within the container is subjected to oscillation for a wash rinse for a period of two and one-half minutes, after which it is extracted. The rinsing and extracting operations are again repeated as indicated on the dial I33, and then the container is subjected to a final drying period at the conclusion of which the container is oscillated to bring the same to a stop through its critical period. At the end of the twenty-four minute cycle, the machine is automatically shut oil by the switch'l55. It will be seen that the oscillating and rotating periods of the container overlap so that the container is rapidly oscillated during acceleration and deceleration of the container.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to obtain by Letters Patent is defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a laundry device of the class described, an upstanding pivotally mounted housing supported for gyra'tory movement, a shaft Journalcd in said housing, a combined washing and extracting container mounted on said shaft, means including a connecting rod for oscillating said shaft in a plane for washing clothes within said container, means for rotating said shaft and the container supported thereby for extracting purposes, and means for permitting the free movement of said connecting rod with said rotating shaftnipon cessation of the oscillating means.

2. In a laundry device of the class described, a .casing, a combined washing and extracting container, a shaft mounted for gyratory movement within said casing and supporting said container on one end thereof, means for rotating said shaft and spinning the container supported thereby, means for applying a reciprocating force perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said shaft during acceleration and retardation thereof to prevent precessional movement of said containe r under torque.

3. A laundry machine of the class described comprising a casing, a combined washing and extracting container, an upstanding pivotally mounted housing, a shaft journaled insaid housing and supporting said container on the upper end thereof, said shaft and container vbeing mounted so as to permit-gyratory movement thereof, means for lineally. oscillating said shaft about its pivotal support for washing clothing in said container, means forrotating said container to extract water from clothing disposed in said container, and control means for sequentially operating said oscillating means and rotatiing means in such a manner as to' overlap the oscillating and rotating movement of the con-1 Y tainer to correct precessional tendencies .of said container.

4. A washing machine comprising a container for clothes and washing fluidsecured to a shaft, said shaft mounted for free rocking movement in one plane and resilientlyrestrained against substantial rocking movement in a plane transverse to said first plane, power means to rotate said container andshaft on its axis-to effect centrifugal: extraction, means to rock'said container in said first-named plane to eflect a washing of the clothes in the container, control means arranged to operate said last-named means during the initiation of the centrifugal extraction operation and during the last portion of'the centrifugal extraction operation, whereby the gyration of said shaft due to out-of-balance load in the container is opposed.

5. In a combined washer and extractor, a

clothes container means for rocking the container in one plane to effect washing and means to rotate the container at a high speed in a plane normal to said first plane to eflect extraction, mechanism to counteract and prevent excessive gyration of the container when the basket'is being rotated through a critical speed occasioned. by an out-ofqbalance load, comprising means to rock said basket in said first-named planeduring said critical speed.

6. A washing machine comprising a, container provided with a depending shaft, said shaft mounted for, rotation upon its axis to eifect extraction and supported for pivotal movement adjacent its! lower end on an axis transverse to the shaft" axis, means to rotate the shaft and container means to oscillate said shaft about its pivotal support to effect washing of the clothes and to restrain excessive gyration of said 'shaft and basket during that phase of the extraction operation when the container is rotating through a critical speed occasioned by an out-of-balance load.

7. A laundry machine comprising a container for clothes and washing fluid, a vertically extending shaft supporting said container, means 'to rotatelsaid shaft to effect centrifugal extraction, means to rock saidishaft and container in a single plane to effect washing, said last-named means including a sleevesurrounding' said shaft and freely rotatable thereon, connecting rod secured to thesleeve at one end and operatively connected to a rotating eccentric at the other end, power means operatively' connected to a means for rotating the shaft to effect extraction and the rotating eccentric, said rotating eccentrio and connecting rod being effective during the extracting phase of the machineloperation to reduce the amplitude of precessioni 8. A washing machine comprising a container in said one plane, said two last-named means being operatively connected to each other so that the acceleration and deceleration of the rocking movements corresponds to the acceleration and deceleration of the rotational movement.

JAMES B. KIRBY.

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