US2407660A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Sebi 17, 1.946- G. c. GRAHAM 2,407,660

WASHING MACHINE INVENIOR.

BY Gorgc Cra/mm ATTORNEY.

sept. 17, 1946.

G. cz. GRAHAM WASHING CHINE mea Nov. so, 195s INVENTOR 6e orge C.' Gra/1am sept. 17, 1946.

G. C. GRAHAM WASHING mcnInE Filed Nov) 50, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Geo/ye C Graham ATTORNEY sept. 17, 1946.

G. c. GRAHAM WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 30, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. G orge C Graham ATTORNEY.

Sept. 17, 1946. G. c. GRAHAM 25402660 WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 30. 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENIOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 17, 1946 WASHING MACHINE George C. Graham, Ridgewood, N. J., asslgnor, by

mesne assignments, to Graham & Allen, Ridgewood, N. `J., a partnership composed of George C. Graham and Francis G. Allen Application November 30, 1939, Serial No. 306,797

1o claims. 1

My invention relates to washing machines or devices, exemplified herein as applied for household laundry purposes, and more particularly to` improvements in such machines, as well as to sequence steps of operation and control thereof.

In devices of this character heretofore suggested, many factors have entered into the problem of rendering them `simple, effective, economical and more desirable over a wide field of use, among which are such elements as water supplies of different and varying pressures and flow in diierent and in the same localities, the character and times of agitation which different clothes should have, the construction of various parts of the machines, the particular manner of iiushing and drying the clothes, the number, mounting and operation of power units for operating and controlling the machines, and many other features which must be properly combined and operated together to produce a machine that is ecient, easy to use, and free from trouble. Accordingly, the advance of the art, has resulted in the suggestion of many expediente, from the earliest hand operated machines through the era of power operated machines, requiring manual control of each step, followed by somewhat complex attempts at automatic control of power operated units, taking the character of segregated single-step attempts at diierent parts ofv a sequence; later purporting to sustain a certain succession of steps constituting less than a re quired number; and finally, being applied even to the latter, whereby all of the steps, beginning with the dry clothes and endingwith the clothes washed and dried, or partially dried, were effected Without attention, but not satisfactorily.

With such attempts and concept, many complications arose, such as intricate mechanical arrangements, delicate control means, such as electrical switches, relays and the like, and other features which, although sometimes producing a general result of the kind sought, are sources of trouble in manufacture and use, cause stoppages in the course of the attempted automatic cycle, are difficult, if not impossible, for the average user to repair, are expensive, and have other disadvantages. Y

It is among the objects of my invention to overcome such deficiencies, and to produce a machine in which al1 operations essential to quick, effective washing, flushing, rinsing andv drying of clothes are effected in automatic succession, in a simple, trouble free and economical manner.

Another object of the present invention is to 2 A have certain of` these stepsoverlap each other, thereby introducing a very novel feature in the machine and the method of cleaning clothes in the way of increasing efliciency, conserving time, energy, expense, wear on machine parts, and other advantageous results.

Another object of the invention is to compen-` sate for variable factors affecting the operation of the machine, such as the water pressure at a particular locality where the machine is to be employed, as by varying the movement oi a timing or control element for regulating the sequence steps. l

Another object of the invention is to provide novel adjusting and index means, together with an interlock, individually and in combination, whereby the motor for operating the timing element must be deenergized, or the timing element otherwise disconnected from its drive before such adjustment may be made.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel circulation of water, and novel movement of clothes, in a washing machine, whereby to effect better interchange of position of the water and clothes, as between the bottom and top of a tub, to ensure effective cleaning, incident to which are the provision of novel agitator or baffle means, a particular water inlet, and other elel ments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a top construction for a washing machine of the upright tub type, that is novel in the provision of a uid conduit structure for feeding water into the top of the tub, in a part of such structure in which the conduit constitutes substantially a hinge between the tub lid and a housing for the tub, in a screen at the inner sideof the lid toward which the clothesA are moved f or ushing, and againstV which they are pressed for drying. and in certain elements of the screen, the lid and the tub top for conducting the water out of the tub,

. cleaning the screen, and other operations.

Another object of the invention is to vprovide a dryer of the diaphragm type that advantageously, and in novel manner,` is molded to conform to agitator means in the tub, that has novel mounting in the tub, that, upon expansion of the diaphragm, increases a sealing effect between the diaphragm and the tub, and that has other advantages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel resilient or shock-absorbing means for a power unit of a washing machine, exemplified as of the oscillating type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement for supplying iiuid for operating a diaphragm within the tub, as by providing a horizontal-plane spiral conduit, which at the same time conserves space. as between a movable tub and a stationary housing in which the tub is disposed, thereby to reduce the overall height and size of th'e machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide mechanism and a control whereby agitation of the clothes and water is had in the course of a flushing operation and also a rinsing operation, as well as during the selected washing period.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine in which the soiled cloth'es are put into th e machine in dry condition, and the entire cycle of washing, ushing, rinsing and drying are automatically and sequentially carried out in the tub, so that at the conclusion of the cycle the operator removes the cleaned clothes in so-called dry condition.

With such objects in view, as well as other advantages which may be incident to a utilization of the improvements, individually or in combination, the invention comprises the elements, steps and combinations thereof herein set forth and claimed, with the understanding that th'e several necessary elements constituting the same may be varied in proportion, arrangement and texture, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as intended, and as set forth in the drawings, specieation and claims.

In practicing theinvention, the broad method and structure on which it is based include, in one form, the steps, and means for carrying the steps into practical eifect, of washing, starting a flushing action before agitation of the cloth'es stops, stopping agitation, continuing the ilushing action after agitation has stopped, stopping the flushing action, starting to rinse the clothes, reviving agitation for a period of rinsing, stopping the rinsing action and starting a drying `action during the revived agitation, stopping agitation before the end of the drying period, and iinally cutting oil' all activity and energization of the machine as a whole; these steps being alterable and variously combinable with certain thereof omitted or other steps included within their own novel scope, andso far as other features of the invention are concerned, as to time, degree of overlap with each other, if any between certainof the steps, and other features.

In order to render the invention more clearly understood, steps are described, and means are shown lin the accompanying drawings for carrying the invention into practical effect, without limiting the improvements to the particular `elements shown and described, which for the purpose of explanation, are made the subject of i1- lustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view, on a reduced scale, of a washing machine of a particular type constructed in accordance with the invention, a front cover, which normally conceals certain of the parts, being indicated merely by dot-and-dash lines. so that such parts appear in full lines; Y

Fig. 2 is substantially a central vertical-plane section of the machine, viewed in the direction of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of l parts appearing at the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view showing a fragmentary detail 4 of an agitator or baille element, as viewed in the direction of an arrow I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6' is atop plan view of th'e structure of Figs.l and 2, parts beingbrokenaway, and parts being shown in section;

Fig. 'I is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 1 1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a considerably enlarged view, partially in central vertical plane section and partially in elevation, of a control device seen near the upper central portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a view of one of the cams, taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a view of another of the cams, taken along the line I c l of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a view, a portion of which is taken along the line Il ll of Fig. 8, and the remainder of which is of parts cooperating with the parts shown along such line;

Fig. 12` is a view, aportion of which' is taken along the line |2 I2 of Fig. 8, and the remainder of which is of parts cooperating with the parts shown along the line |2 2;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view, partially in side elevation and partially in central vertical plane section, of a diaphragm valve seen near the left central portion of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is a diagram of electrical circuits and parts thereof employed in the machine;

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating the sequence of operation of the cams of the control device of Fig. 8;

Fig. 16 is a slightly enlarged detail view, in side elevation, of a screen structure shown in Fig. 3, and at the top of Fig. 2;

Fig. 17 is a top plan view showing a modified form of screen for position in the structure in the place of the screen of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a view, on a slightly enlarged scale, similar to the top of Fig. 2, showing the modiiied screen of Fig. 17 and its mounting;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary top plan view of a form of control dial;

. Fig. 20 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale,

taken substantially along the line 2li-20 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the lower agitator; Fig. 22 is a sectional view of the lower portion of the tub and agitator in enlarged detail; and Fig. 23 isa view in enlarged detail taken along the line 23-23 of Fig. 8 showing the clutch mechanism.

M aching in general Under this heading, the identities and locations of all the major parts or groups of parts of the machine are given merely by way of outline,

which will be followed by separate detailed description of these parts or groups under succeeding'headings.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 6 and '1, the example of the machine therein illustrated comprises a lower base .26 (Figs. 1 and 2), an upper stationary housing 21 on the base 26, an oscillatory tub 28 disposed generally in the housing 21, but having a special top or lid construction 3| extending above the housing, means 32 at the bottom and 32A near the top of the tub for agitating the clothes and water in the tub during washing, iiushing', and rinsing actions, a diaphragm 33 in the tub for eiecting flushing and drying actions by expansion of the diaphragm, a valve 36 (Figs. 2 and 13) under the tub for admitting fluid behind the diaphragm and in part controlling operation o! the diaphragm 33, a power, or tub oscillating, unit assembly 4| supported by the base 28 under the housing 21, shock absorbing suspension means 42 for the power unit 4I associated therewith, and an automatic control mechanism 46 mounted on one side of the housing 21.

Lower hase structure The base structure 28, which may be any one of several diiferent types for supporting the other parts and causing the top of the machine to have a certain convenient level suitable to the average user, has legs 5|, at least two of which, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, are suitable in location and construction for cooperation with the shock absorbing suspension means 42, as will later be described. The legs 5| are, in this instance, of pressed metalhaving channel section, joined at the lower ends, as by tie rods 8,3, and suitably supporting at thetops `a metal or other disc or plate 88, preferably by means (not shown) for detachably mounting the legs in position. Castors 64 of the swivel type on the legs 8|, provide for the easy movement of the machine from one position to another on a floor, in a usual manner.

The plate 58 is surmounted by a shell or ring 51 of thin pressed sheet metal having a horizontal peripheral top flange 58 for attachment to the housing 21, and a peripheral bottom flange 8| telescoping and suitably held to the plate 58.

The housing The housing 21 enolosesv the tu-b 28, and other parts, and receives wash and rinse water ejected from the top of the tub, as will later appear. A pipe 82, extending from the bottom of the housing through the plate 58,. is indicated for approprlately draining the housing 21. The housing comprises a thin sheet metal lower cup like portion 83, having an upper vertical peripheral flange 88 to which is secured an upper thin sheet metal cylindrical member 1|. At its upper end,

.the cylinder 1| is provided with an annular thin sheet metal shell or cap 12 having an oil'set perimeter 13 secured to the top periphery of the cylinder 1|. The remainder of the cap 12 is of substantially half round section, forming a relatively large upwardly convex bead or toroid, having a relatively small horizontal, radially inwardly extending flange 11 about the upper part of the tub 28 and in closely spaced relation thereto. A bushing 18 is provided in an opening in the cap 12, for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

The tub The tub 28 (Fig. 2) is of the oscillating type for operation about a vertical axis, relative to which its sheet metal body 19 is of somewhat elongated globe shape having a clothes receiving opening at its top, and being shaped at its upper and lower portions for the reception of, and cooperation with, baille elements of agitator means which will be later described.

The tub has a portion 8| pressed upwardly at the tub bottom (Fig. 2). Disc-like metal mounting element 82 is provided outside the tub bottom, and a disc-like agitator base 84 (see also Fig. 22) is provided inside thetub bottom, these elements conforming to the shape of the tub and also extending about the portion 8|, and being secured to the tub as by rivets.

The bottom mounting 82 has a recess forthe reception of the upper end of a drive shaft 81 nel 92, Fig. 2, open at the inner side of the tub and constituting part of means for attaching the diaphragm 33 to the tub, as also will further appear.

The top of the tub has secured thereto a metal casting 98, of cylindrical or ring-like character, having a depending tapered flange 91 conforming, at its outer surface, to the inner surface of the sheet metal body 19 of the tub, and having its inner surface gradually merging and curving into the curved inner surface of the'siheet metal body whereby to preserve the gradually rounded inner top contour of the tub. The neck portion of the casting 88 has an outwardly projecting periphera1 flange |82, in the top of which is a groove |83 (Fig. 3). A plurality of peripherally spaced ducts or outlet ports |88 extend diagonally downwardly and outwardly through the casting v98 from the groove |83 to the exterior of the tub, for allowing water from the tub to drain into the housing 21 through the radially narrow peripheral space between the flange 11 on the shell 12 and the upper part of the sheet metal tub.

The lid 3| comprises plate constructed of sheet metal pressed to inverted shallow substantially dish shape. The metal of the lid at its periphery encircles a ring ||3 (Fig. 3), of square cross section, which forms a ange that overlies and cooperates with the flange |82. concentrically with the ring ||3 is a frame |32 between which and the lid I is disposed a rigid screen |33 conforming in general to the shape of the lid I I I. 'I'he frame |32 is appropriately secured to the lid and has peripherally spaced, downwardly extending ducts 34 which communicate at their lower ends with the peripheral groove |83 and at their upper ends with Vthe screen openings.

The screen |33, as better seen in Fig. 16, is of large mesh and also has radial top grooves or corrugations 4|38 which, when the clothes mass is pressed against the screen by the diaphragm,

form gutters or channels for better draining of! ing 21, as above mentioned. Before the clothes l are tightly pressed againstthe screen, the main bulk of the wash or rinse water being displaced by the diaphragm flows freely outwardly into the ducts |34 through various' parts of the screen, irrespective of the grooves |35. It should be noted that while the drawings show the ducts |88 and |34 substantially in register'l this is by no means necessary, the groove |83 with its ducts |88 being of suillcient capacity to carry off the water admitted to the groove by the ducts |34 regardless of the respective locations of the ducts along the groove.

The lid is removably held upon the tub by' a clamping ring I|1 of channel section which embraces lid ange ||3 and tub flange |82 when the lid is in place on the tub. Referring to Fig. 6V,

Mounted the ring is split as indicated at ||8 and provided with operating means for peripheral expansion 'of `the clamping ring to release the lid for opening, and for peripheral contraction of the ring and to a cam handle |29 which, in turn, is pivotally mounted upon the lug |30 located at the other side of the split ||8. Raising the handle |29 expands the ring |1 and lowering the handle to the `\position shown in Fig. 6 contracts the ring. The linkage is locked in thel closed position as the link |21 passes below the pivot of the handle on the lug |30.

` At the top outside center of the lid an aperture therein is surrounded by a. nipple |36 (Fig. 2) attached thereto, on which is a grooved ferrule |31. A cap like member |38 has a rotative water sealed relation to the nipple, and is provided with a spring clip |38A, the end of which passes through an opening in the cap and engages in the groove of the ferrule.l The cap |38 is connected by a coupling |39 to a exible conduit |40 of the metal armored type. The conduit extends through the bushing 18, and-between the housing 21 and the tub 28 to a nipple 4| in the lbottom wall of the housing. Water is supplied valve '|41 through aconnector |48, and a hose or conduit |49, extending through an opening |50 in the shell 51, to the nipple |4|, to which the conduit |40 is connected. A suitable source of heated water may be connected to the inlet |42.

The section |5| of the iiexible armored conduit |40 (Figs. '1, 2, and 6) acts somewhat as a hinge,'or flexible mechanical connector, between the housing 21 and the lid whereby to prevent complete. Aseparation of the lid from the tub when the lidA is open, and serving to hold it in convenient. position for closing the tub. Also, the section I5| of the conduit |40, may telescopefback and forth through the bushing 18 to avoid buckling of the conduit and to better control the action of opening and closing the tub. The construction and arrangement of the water sup-ply conduit and the association thereof with the lid are claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 651,498, led March 2, 1946.

The agitator means Although agitation or stirring of the clothes and water may be obtained by agitating means operating relative to a stationary tub, in the example here given it is obtained by baffles fixed to n the oscillating tub whereby the water and clothes are given a special tumbling action. this action being substantially in accordance with the arrows D during washing, and combined with, or augmented by, the action of fresh incoming water in the direction of an arrow E, shown at the tcp of Fig. 2, during rinsing. Either or both sets of baiiles 32 and 32.A may be used, and either or both may be incorporated in the tub by being pressed therein, as will be apparent.

The upper agitator baffles 32A are here shown as integral parts of the top metal casting 96, although they may be separately attached thereto, or to the tub, or constitute parts of the tub body as indicated, and may be varied in number, two being here shown located on opposite sides of the tub. They are,A as better illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, of iin-like character rounded at the inner thinner edges |56, and tapered on one side, as indicated at |51, to merge gradually into the inner surface of the tub body. while the o-pposite side |58 of each baille is straight, presenting a flat` radially extending side. The iiat sides of the bailles 32A face in the same direction with respect to the direction of tub oscillation, for a purpose to be referred to later. The edges |58 slope downwardly and inwardly from the casting 96, substantially as chords of the cross sectional arc of the tub body 19, to a position close to the mid channel 92, where they are suddenly sloped into the tub surface.

The broad sides of the balles extend in a general radial direction to the tub axis at any horizontal section, but longitudinally, they slope relative to the vertical at an angle of about twentyfive degrees, as better seen in Fig. 4, and in opposite directions, respectively. The cross section of each of these bailles is actually, and substanv tially, as shown in Fig. 5, the apparent thicker section thereof indicatedin Fig. 2, being caused by the vertical cut therethrough along the line 2--2 of Fig. 4. This section also requires that only the upper part of the left hand baille, and the lower part of the right hand baille, as viewed in Fig. 2, be shown in full lines, andl that the lower part of the left hand bale and the upper part of the right hand baille be shown in dotV and dash lines, sinceV looking into the batlles along the line 2-2 of Fig. 4, asis actually the case in Fig. l2, would only show the upper part of the left hand baille, and the lower part of the right hand baffle, as will be understood.

Lower agitator 32 (Figs. 2, '1 and 20-22) comprises the disc-like base 84, on which are a plurality of baies |59 which extend radially from the center (Fig. 21). At the upper edges the baliles are rounded and the sides divergingly tapered to the base, as seen in Fig. 20.v In vertical plane outline the bailles are each of generally curved or rounded contour conforming somewhat to the lower recess of the tub, and having outer enlarged portions |63. These baffles, in relation to such recess and to the globular rising sides of the outer portions of the tub, cause the water and clothes mass tobe impelled radially outwardly and upwardly along the sides of the tub, and if uninterrupted would move downwardly immediately in the center thereof. However, at the top the clothesencounter the agitation produced by the upper bailles which will break up the cycle produced by the lower agitator and keep the clothes well spread out. This agitation is a combination of actions.

The length and the angular disposition of the baffles tends to and does lift the clothes along the baies. and turns them over. The baffles are of greatest radial depth midway the length thereof so that as the tub oscillates on its vertical axis the greatest force exerted upon the clothes is radially inwardly along and opposite these midsections. However, the sections of vthe bailles above the mid-portions exert a more or less downward component of movement toward and along the axis of the tub, and the sections of the baffles below the mid-portions exert a thrust radially inwardly. The result of all of these forces is to cause considerable agitation of the clothes in the upper portion of the tub as they are moved inwardly and before they are carried downwardly in the center.

During rinsing. the central downward movement is augmented by the fresh rinse water entering the tub in the direction of t-he arrow E. At the same time, the fresh water is introduced and mixed in definite and symmetrical manner, ensuring its diffusion to all parts ofl the clothes mass, and avoiding rinsing more at one part than at another, as will appear.

In addition to the described actions of the upper baules 32A. they perform a further function in augmenting the thorough cleansing action on the entire clothes mass. Since the tub oscillates on a vertical axis and the bailles have flat sides facing in the same direction, as these sides move forwardly they engage the clothes mass and move it part way around the tub circumferentially to occupy a different position with respect to the main forces exerted by the lower bailles. As these bailles move in the reverse direction the clothes mass slides off the slanting faces thereof. The next forward motion of the flat sides of the bafiies engages a different portion of the clothes mass, and thus the clothes are moved around the vertical axis with a step by are being claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 651,497, filed March 2, 1946.

Agitator power unit The power unit herein described is the main drive motor and mechanism for oscillating the tub to agitate the clothes, as distinguished from other drive means hereinafter set forth for actuating the automatic control mechanism 46.

The drive shaft 81 (Fig. 2) is journaled in a relatively long sleeve bearing 23| having exterior screw threads, whereby it is vertically adjustably mounted in tubular post 232, and it is fixed in adjusted position by a nut 233. The post 232 has a top flange bolted to the bottom of the tub housing 21, and a bottom flange bolted to the bottom disc 56. The drive shaft 81 has a lower portion 24| of reduced diameter providing a shoulder which rests on a ball bearing 242 that is held in place by a gland 243 through which the shaft portion 24| extends. Below the portion 24| the shaft ls of square cross section which terminates in a threaded end 244. The sleeve 241 of a crank arm 248 (see Fig. 7 also) fits upon the squared portion of the shaft 81. and is pivotally connected to one end of a link 252. The other end of the link 252 is pivotally connected to a worm wheel 266, the pivotal connection ,being eccentrically located thereon.' The shaft 261 of the worm wheel is mounted on the bottom of lower casing 26| which also carries a bearing 262 for the sleeve 241. 'Ihe upper portion 263 has a bearing 264 for the sleeve 241. The casing portions 26| and 263 have cooperating outer flanges 266 appropriately bolted together.` This mechanism issupported upon the lower end of shaft 81 by a washer 266 and nut 261, whic is suitably lockedin place.

tion of the motor on its pivot mounting whereby 75 l0 to regulate the tension in thebelt 214. In operation, when the motor 21| is energized, it causes continuous rotation of the worm wheel 266,"

which is translated into oscillating motion of the crank arm 246 and consequently of the drive shaft 81 and the tub. I

A casing for the entire drive mechanism comprises an upper shell 286 secured to a lower pan 261 by bolts 288. The pan 281 is secured to the gear casing 26|, 263 by the nut 261 and a nut 288 on the lower end of shaft 261. The bolts 288 also secure laterally extending plates 28| to the pan at radially opposite parts thereof. The plates 26| are connected to leaf springs 262, of the shock absorber devices 42, which in turn are secured to two of the legs 6| of the machine. Near the ends of its strokes, the oscillating structure has its motion damped by the yieldiability of the springs 282 in a direction circumferentially of the drive shaft, the springs being rigid in the up and down direction. This damping means is being claimed in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 651,497.

Flushing and drying means Other pressure diaphragms or contracting chamber type drying means have been heretofore suggested,` but not in the form herein developed or with the advantages as will appear. In the present instance also, the diaphragm is employed not only as means for drying the clothes, but also as means for effecting a flushing action.

1 The diaphragm 33 hereof is made of high grade durable soft rubber, having sufilcient weight, body or thickness to be firm and positive in action, of long life, and sufllclently flexible to ensure its ready response to expansion and contraction, as well as its ready conformation to the clothes mass whereby to insure uniform effective pressure thereon. It has alsothe novel distinction of being molded such that, in its contracted or relaxed state, it not only conforms closely to the shape of the tub. but also to the agitator baffles |69, and to other parts of the lower agitator 32, as will be explained. l

The diaphragm is somewhat semi-spherical in shape, having an upper edge peripheral bead |61, Fig. 2. An expansion ring |1| engages the upper peripheral part of the diaphragm, Just under the bead |61, pressing the same into the channel 82 formed in the tub side wall: this ring having sufficient expansive force to hold the diaphragm securely in place, but not necessarily enough in itself to provide a perfect water seal against the pressure imposed thereon, especially when the diaphragm is being extended toits utmost upper positions during the drying operation.

When the diaphragm is expanded upwardlywhich action` tends to turn it inside out, it wraps itself about the ring |1|. Since downward slippage of the top edge of the diaphragm is prevented by the bead |61, and the pressure on the inner side of the ring by the diaphragm prevents contraction of the ring, the diaphragm acts on the ring with a substantially snubber effect. thus increasing the sealing effect of the bead |61, and adjacent parts of the diaphragm, against the tub body 19 in and adjacent to the channel 62, and against the ring.

At its bottom l(see Figs. 2 and 20) thediaphragm is further provided with portions |68 of inverted substantially channel section closely conforming to, and in relaxed condition fitting over the baflles |68. During expansion, the diaphragm lifts olf the bottom -of the tub, rising from the baffles and, since it does'not turn relative to the tub, returns easily and accurately to position fitting the bailles; this action being ensured by the wider open lower portions-and the gradually curved lower edges of the channel sections of the diaphragm, shownin Fig. 20, conforming .to the curves of the 'battles Joining them to the base 84.

The now of water to and from the space between the diaphragm 33 and the bottom of the tub, to expand and contract the diaphragm, is controlled by the diaphragm valve 36, indicated in Fig. 2 but better illustrated in Fig. 13, which is governed by the control mechanism 46, to be hereinafter particularly pointed out.

The valve comprises the tube 9| communieating.k with a cylinder |16'having end portions |11 and |18, the latter of which constitutes an end closure ifor the cylinder, from which a conduit or hose |8| vextendsto the control mechanism 46. The portion |11 is in the form of a spider having legs |82 supporting a central journal bearing |83, and defining apertures |84 constituting discharge ports.

A piston rod |81 carries A a head |88 fixed thereto, and also a head |92 that is slidably mounted thereon. A yieldable washer |93, se-

- cured against one face of the head |88, is adapted to bear against a ring seat |91 fixed to the cylinder |16. A helical spring surrounds the rod |81, tending to push the heads away from each I other. Another spring 202 extends between the spider |11 and the head |88, terfling to push the latter away from the stationary seat |91.

A bleeder valve 203 comprises a tubular body 206 secured to the \,cylinder |16, communicating therewith between the head |92 and seat |91, the body 206 having side ports 201. A needle valve screw 208, locked in adjusted position in the body 206 Aby a nut 209, partially closes an opening 2li) into the bleeder valve, to determine the amount of water bleeding orescaping from the cylinder through the side ports 201.

When water under pressure is admitted to the cylinder |16, through the tube |8| and the coil 221 to be described, the pistonvhead |92 is moved to substantially the dotted line position (Fig. 13) in which water is admitted freely through the tube 9|, in back of the diaphragm, to push or expand the same upwardly in the tub. Movement of thehead |92 also presses the head |86 against the seat |91, through the spring 20|.

As the clothes are compressed between the diaphragm and the screen |33, the Wash 01 rinse water escapes as above described. Near the end ofthe drying operation, the pressure behind the diaphragm builds up to that of the incoming fluid, which pressure occurs against the head |88 holding the latter tightly against the seat |91. As the pressure increases, and because the pressure of the incoming water is constant, the head |92 returns substantially to the full line position shown, in which position the flow of water into the diaphragm space reduces, entering merely through the space between. the head |92 and the cylinder |16.

Whenever the water supply'has been stopped Vary nipple 226.

12 c |88 and the head- |92- to the right, as viewed in Fig. 13, to the full open position for the head |88. Upon this action, the contractionA of the diaphragm 33 forces the water through the opening in the ring seat |91 and through the discharge ports |84 of the spider |11 into the bottom of the housing 21, from which it drains through the drain pipe 62. The lwater pressure applied behind the diaphragm during expansion of the latter being substantially uniform, the pressures developed in the drying and flushing operations are readily calculable, so that the strengthof the spring `202 can be properly chosen to effect the desired draining, quickly and in proper sequence. The pressure maintained by the adjustable bleeder valve also enables regulating the duration of the period of high pressure on the clothes, that is to say, the rate of bleeding can be so adjusted as to determine the length of time before the piston |88 moves to open position to dump the water from -behind the diaphragm and, therefore, there may be a period of sustained higher pressure during the drying operation.

The water supply to the valve 36 is from an through a connector 2|8 to a valve 22| ofthe control mechanism 46. From the valve 22|, the water is conducted upwardly, through Va connector 222, and downwardly through the conduit |8I, whicnextends through an opening in the shell 51. After entering the shell 51, the conduit |8| extends upwardly through a nipple 226 in the bottom wall of the housing 21, and is formed into a flat spiral section 221 of about two turns surrounding the drive shaft 81, before continuing to the valve 36. The turns of the spiral are arranged of relatively large diameter and to radially contractvand expand so that the tub may oscillate without danger of harm to the iluid connections by reason of the relative movement between the tub carried valve 36 and the station.-

Arranging the conduit section 221 in a flat spiral coil also allows the bottom of the tub to be spaced from the bottom of the u housing by a minimum distance, whereby to conserve space at a place where such conservation base 84 of the lower agitator has an annular by the automatic control mechanism 46, the

groove 229, Fig. 22, leaving a peripheral portion 229. The head of the mounting bushing 89 for the diaphragm valve 36 is received in the groove 228. The base 84 has numerous apertures 234 therethrough communicating with the groove 228, and the peripheral portion 229 also has numerous apertures 232 also communicating with the groove 228. When water is admitted in back of the diaphragm it passes through the apertures 234 and 232 to readily start the diaphragmv and from thence to the tub housing 21, but without danger of the diaphragm fouling the opening into the diaphragm valve 36.

The construction and arrangement ofthe diaphragm, including the molding of the diaphragm to conform with the shape of the agitator. and the cooperating drain structures are claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 651,496, filed March 2, 1946.

Control mechanism tween its open and closed positions by the cani lobes 334 and 358. Lifting of the handle opens valve 22| by hand when desired. A sheet metal member 318, secured to the valve 22|, carries a guide 318 for the cable 352.

The cam discs 3|2 and 353 are secured, as by set screws 38| and 382 (Fig. 8) respectively, to a motor driven shaft 383 that is journaled in upperv and lower bearing brackets 385 and 386 that are secured to the panel 30|.V Above the cam disc 353 a cam block 388 is also secured to the shaft 383, as by a set screw 38|, this block as seen in Figs. 1, 8 and 10, having a continuous cam` groove 382 in the face thereof. 4A bail end of a switch handle 386 rides in the groove 392 as the cam block is rotated. The groove is arranged with high spots and low spots to cause up and down movements, respectively, of the switch between 56. The housing comprises a rear panel 30| and a thin sheet metal cover member 302, indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig.'1, of substantially crescent shape in horizontal section (Fig. 6) and having a topclosure 303. portions of which are indicated in Figs. 6 and 8, the cover 362 being removably mounted on the standards 288 and 291.

The wash and rinse water valve |41 is mounted on a bracket 306 (Figs. 1 and 12)V secured to the panel and has an operating plunger 308. At its outer end, the plunger has a cam follower 3H for cooperation with a cam disc 3|2 having one cam lobe 3|3 thereon. The cam disc is motor operated, as will be described, to cause the cam to actuate the valve.|41. The valve Valso may be operated by hand through lever 3|4, pivotally mounted at its .inner end on the bracket 388 and having a pin and slot connection 3| 8 with the follower 3||. At its uter end the lever 3|4 is connected to one end y f a wire cable 322 having at its other end, a member 338 which extends through slots 331 in the standard 281, to a handle 338. The handle has acam-like portion 34|. The position of the handle 338 indicated corresponds to the off or closed position of the valve |41, which, however, by reason of the flexibility of the cable 322 does not interfere with movements of the plunger 308 between its open and closed positions by the action of cam lobe 3|3. The plunger 308 is biased to its indicated outer or closed position by a spring (not shown) in the valve. However, lifting of the handle by hand will open the valve against the action of its spring. A sheet metal member 343, secured to the valve |41, carries a guide 346 for the cable 322.

The diaphragm water valve 22| (Fig. 11) is mounted on a bracket 341 which is secured to the panel 30|. An operating plunger 35| for the valve, which is also biased to its outer position corresponding to the closed" position of the valve by a spring (not shown), has at its outer end a cam follower 352 for cooperation with a cam disc 353 having two cam lobes 354 and 358 thereon. A lever 356, pivotally mounted at its inner end on the bracket 341, has a pin and slot connection 38| with the follower 352, and at its outer end, is connected to one end of a cable 382. The latter is connected, at its other end to a member 368 which extends through slots 361 in the standard 288 and is pivotally connected to a cam-like portion of a handle 388. As in the case of the handle 338, the position of the handle 388 indicated in Fig. 1 corresponds to the "off or closed position of the valve 22| which however, by the flexibility of the cable 382, does not interfere with the movements of the plunger bevthe off and on" positions thereof, as the cam is rotated. As indicated in Figs. 10 and 15, the

cam groove 382 has two high or switch off portions 398 and 388, and two interspersed low or switch on" portions 402 and 403. Thus, as the cam 388 is rotated, the switch handle 388 is moved back and forth between its on" and "011 positions according to the sequence in which it is desired to have it do so.

Movement of the handle 388 controls operation of an electric switch 406 which is mounted on the panel 30| by-a bracket 401. As indicated in Fig. 14, this switch controls the immediate energizing circuit of the tub operating or agitator motor.21|. The remainder of the electric circuits will be described later.

Reverting to Figs, 1 and 8, the shaft 383 is driven by a worm wheel 4|| through a special clutch mechanism housed in cylindrical block 4|2. Clutch block 4|2 is secured to the top of the cam block 388 by dowel pins 4|3.- A cup like recess 4|4 in block 4|2 houses clutch ring 4|5, see also Fig. 23 Vthat is integral with or xed to the underside of worm wheel 4| The interior of the ring is provided with a) large number of fine teeth turned by the hand knob 425 that is mounted at cess 4|4. A projection 42| on the movable clutch member 4|6 extends through the slot 4|9 and is engaged by the lower end of a rod 422 in the tubular portion of shaft 383. The rod 422 extends upwardly to an operating knob or button 42:3 fixed thereto, and is normally biased upwardly by a.'

helical spring 424 that is located in a cup like recess in the upper end of shaft 383. Normally the clutch elements 4|5 and 4|6 are engaged and the shaft 383'is positively driven. At times, as will be explained in the operation, it becomes desirable to rotate the shaft independently of the gear drive. At such times the knob 423 is depressed to cause the rod 422 to disengage the clutch members, at which time the shaft can be the upper end thereof.

The drive for the worm Wheel 4|I is from a motor 428 (Figs. 1 and 6), mounted by casing 421 on the panel 30|, through a worm gear 428 on the shaft of the motor and which meshes with the worm wheel 4| The collar 429 of the worm wheel 4|| abuts the upper bearing 385. Above this bearing the shaft also has secured thereto another cam 43| (Figs. 8 and 9) which engages a depending pin 432 carried at one end of a slide 433. 'I'he opposite end of the slide has a depending cup 434 in which is received the ball end of a switch lever 435 which is part of a switch 436. As seen from Fig. 14, this switch controls the main input power circuit 431, 438, lwhich extends directly to the cam motor 426, and the switch is also in series circuit relation to the agitator motor switch 406. In the position shown in Fig. 8, the switch lever 435 is in on position with the circuit completed therethrough. As the pin 432 rides over the high point'l of the cam the slidel and switch handle are moved to the ofP' position with the power circuit to both motors interrupted.- As will be explained, this occurs only after the automatic cycle of operations of the machine is completed. The switch handle is moved to on position by hand byV means of knob 439 that is mounted on the horizontal portion of a lever` 44|. This lever is connected to a slide 442 which in turn is connected to slide 433 by a flat connector 443. This connector works in a slot 444 in the upper wall 303 of the housing for the automatic mechanism. It should be noted that the slide 433 is guided by its bifurcated end 445 which straddles shaft 383.

I- tion.

It is proposed to arrange the control so as to enable the user to compensate for variations of supply water pressure and flow available. Obviously' if the'speed of the motor 426 is varied, the speed of the cam shaft 383 of the control mechanism will be'varied and the cams will take more or less time to perform their respective oilices. Accordingly, as seen in Fig. 14, the motor 426 comprises an'armature 446 and a field winding 441 connected `in series with the conductors 431 and 438 through a variable resistor 448, shown in Figs. 1 and 6 as mounted on the panel 30|,Aand having in this instance, three taps A, B and C, with which amovable contact arm or knob 45| cooperates for varying the resistance of the motor circuit. The point A corresponds to high speed or high water pressure, the point B to speed and vpressure of intermediate value or degree, and 'thepoint C to low speed and pressure, as will be apparent. That is to say, if the water pressure or flow is lowerthan a normal standard, it will require longer for all operations which depend upon the incoming water such as flushing, rinsing and drying. By properly choosing the speed of the'cam shaft motor 426 this increased time can be provided for without disturbing the automatic cycle of' the control mechanism and machine functions. l

The adjustments of -the machine indicated somewhat in the above description are not operations which must beeifected at the beginning of each washing, but in the main are adjustments which once made will remain so long as the machine remains in the locality of one general water supply pressure and flow. If however, the pres- 16 sure in a locality varies, the adjustments are available to compensate therefor.

Fig. 19 illustrates a form or index'device for the" tively with the scales A, B, and C, for the diiferent motor speeds, or by translation, different water pressures.

Operation At the beginning of the operation of the machine the user places in the tub the dry clothes. The machine is then filled with water by hand operation of the handle 338 (Fig. 1) to open the water supply valve |41. When the machine is thus filled to the proper level, the handle 338 is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 which permits the water valve to close and the follower 3H to return to engagement with the cam disc 3|2. Soap, washing powder or water softener is then added and thelid is locked in place.

Assuming that the waterpressure is normal, the operator will use scale A, and assuming that a twenty minute-washing period isdesired, the button 423 is depressed, before the main switch is turned on, and the cam shaft 383 is turned by the knob 425, to bring the pointer 503 to the figure 20 on scale A. This operation has adjusted the several cams on the shaft 383 to approximately the position shown in column V (left hand) of Fig. 15. It will be noted that the agitator cam 388 has moved the switch handle 396 to the on -position so that the circuit'to the agitator motor 21| is closed. However, no current is supplied to this motor as yet because the main line switch 436 has not been closed.

After releasingA the button 423 the operator closes the imain line switch 436 by moving the knob 438, and its associated leverand slides, to the right in Fig. 8. This operation energizes both the agitator motor and the cam shaft motor as will be understood from Fig. 14. The same -operation also moves the end of the lever 44| beneath the button 423 so that the latter cannot be depressed and the cams cannot be adjusted further by hand while the motors are energized. With the energization of the agitator motor, tub oscillation commences to perform the washing of the clothes.

At the end of the selected twenty minute washing period the cam shaft has advanced the cam disc 353 substantially to the-position shown in lcolumn W of Fig. 15 in which position the cam lobe 354 has actuated the follower 352 to open the valve 22| to admit water in back of the diaphragm 33, through the valve 36. This is the beginning of the flushing operation in this case, in which the diaphragm lifts the clothes and wash water toward the top of the machine so that the wash water is gradually forced out through the drain openings |34 (in the iid) and |06 (in the tub). vThus, any scum and matter which has accumulated on top of the water is flushed out of the machine. It will be noted that the agitation of the machine has not stopped and does not stop until the diaphragm has lifted the clothes and water past the center of the tub,

` off with the water.

At the desired point in the flushing operation, the cam 388 reaches the position shown in column W of Fig- 15, where the handle 386 of the agitator motor switch is moved to the o position, and agitation ceases, but the ination of the diaphragm continues, as does the operation of the cam shaft motor. The expansion of the diaphragm to remove the wash water is continued until substantially all of the water has been extracted from the clothes at which time the cam lobe 354 has passed the follower 352 and the diaphragm water valve 22| closes. Under the action of the bleeder valve 203 as heretofore explained. the valve 36 operates to empty the water from behind the diaphragm, and the diaphragm returns to its lower position shown in Fig. 2.

By this time, the cam disc 3| 2 has advanced substantially to the position shown in the column X of Fig. to actuate the follower 3|| of the water valve |41 to again open the same to admit water to the tub through the center of the lid as heretofore explained. This is the beginning of the rinsing operation. When suicient water has been admitted to the tub to make agitation of the clothes and water of some benet, which is about one-third of the time consumed by the rinsing operation, the agitator cam disc 388 has reached the position shown in column X of Fig. 15, to again operate the agitator motor switch to energize the agitator motor. Agitation continues during the remainder of the rinsing operation, and the valve |41 is held open a sufficient length of time for the tub to completely ll with water and also to overflow through the ducts |34 and |06 for a sufficient interval to thoroughly rinse the clothes.

At the conclusion of the rinsing operation, the cam lobe 3|3 of disc 3|2 has passed beyond the follower 3| as indicated in column Y of Fig. 15 and the cam lobe 355 of the disc 353 has moved to the position to again open the diaphragm water valve 22|, as shown in the same column.

This will again expand the diaphragm to eject the rinse Water and is the beginning of the drying operation. Agitationis still continued and agitator cam 388 does not again actuate the switch arm 396 to stop the agitation motor until the diaphragm is above the center of the tub and preferably about half of the period of time for this particular operation of the diaphragm. At this time the agitator cam 388 has reached the off position shown in column Y of Fig. 15. The expansion ofthe diaphragm continues to bring about drying of the clothesby compressing the same against the upper portions of the tub and its cover, until all of the water is extracted from the clothes whereupon the supply of water behind the diaphragm is shut off bythe cam lobe 355 riding past the follower of the valve 22|. Then the action of the bleeder valve 203 and diaphragm valve 36 will again operate to dump the water from in back of the diaphragm.

All of the time that this whole cycle of operations has been going on the cam 43| has been turning, and has been gradually moving the pin 432 of slide 433 to the left in Fig.,8. By the time the diaphragm water has been removed from the machine and the diaphragm has returned to its lower position, the pin 432 is at the high point of the cam 43|, as shown in column Z of Fig. 15,

so that the slide 433 has moved the switch arm 435 to the left in Fig. 8 to interruptthe main power line circuit to the cam motor and also to the agitator motor. In this position. in which the various cams have the position shown in column Z of Fig. 15, the machine is entirely stopped, whereupon the operator removes the lid from the` machine and takes out the washed and dried clothes.

Should the water pressure be less than the selected high or normal pressure, the rheostat 448 will be adjusted to position B or position C as the case may be, and the operator of the machine then fixes the washing period by using either the scale B or the scale C of dial 50|, whereupon the entire sequence of operations as above described will be performed automatically, but at slower rates because` of the slower operation of the cam shaft 383. 'Thus, sufficient time is provided for the `water to raise the diaphragm to its full extent for the flushing and drying operations and for the rinse water to :fill the machine and overflow as above described notwithstanding its lower` pressure and therefore its slower rate of flow.

Of course, if the operator desires a washing period of less than twenty minutes the cam shaft 383 is turned to bring the pointer 503 to the particular point on the scale for the washing period desired, for'example, 5, 10 or 15 minutes, and at the expiration of the selected period of time, the remainder of the functions of the machine will be performed automatically as described above. l

While in the above description there is no further operation of the agitator motor after it is stopped during the middle of the drying operation, it will be understood `that by the simple addition of another lobe on the cam block 388, the tub could be oscillated for a brief interval near or at the conclusion of the drying operation to loosen the clothes prior to their removal from the machine.

It should be pointed out that in the event the operator of the machine desires to soak the clothes overnight or before beginning the washing and drying operations, the machine would be filled with wash Water, clothes, etc., as above described, but the knob 438 controlling themain line switch would not be moved to the right in Fig. 8. When it is desired to begin 'the washing operation, and to do so with fresh, heated water, the operator will actuate Valve 22| either by operation of hand lever 356 or by depressing the knob 423, and turning the cam shaft until the pointer 503 indicates the beginning of the drying operation. At this time the several cams will be substantially in the position shown in co1- umn Y in Fig. l5. The operator will then close the main line switch 436 which will start the operation Of the machine and of the cam motor to expand the diaphragm to remove the water in which the clothes have been soaking. At the completion of this operation, the diaphragm will have returned to its lower position, and the machine stopped, whereupon the operator will ll the tub with fresh water and add washing compound, etc., just as described above for the beginning of the washing operation, and will then condition the machine for the automatic control.

of its several functions.

A reference to hand operation of the water` lling arrangement and for putting in washing ,compound does not preclude the possibility of also the flushing period is indicated as of less dura-- tion than the'dryingoperation, but it will be understood that these periods may be of equal du ration. l

Also, the foregoing description contemplates obtaining ilushing action by operation of the diaphragm, but this is not necessary. Flushing may 4be `accomplished 'without diaphragm movement by lengthening the cam lobe for longer opening ofv the valve |41 for the rinsing operation. `Of course, lobe 354 would-be omitted. In this operation agitation would not stop and the incoming y'water stream at the center of the tub would cause overflowing and draining of scum, etc. from the tub along the sides thereof. Various methoperation of the flushing and drying means ods of washing, related to the above disclosure,

are claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 651,495, led March 2, 1946.

Modified screen structure.

` or other parts for its removal and cleaning,

screen |33a is provided with a depending peripheral portion 526 having a bead 521 which interlocks with a bead 528 on ring -|32a of the lid. Thus, Ithe screen is adapted to" be moved into position and removed with a substantially snap action. 'I'he ring |3211 has apertures |35a communicating ywith a groove |03a in the topy surface of the tub neck portion `|0|a, which is further provided with ducts |06a. A bail member ||1a embraces flanges ||6a and |02a, to hold the lid in place, as hereinabove described. Apertures 529 in the screen |33a take the place of the openings in the wire screen mesh above set forth, and a central aperture 53| is provided in register with the inlet nipple |36a. Raised portions 532 fserve to maintain the screen |33a spaced from the lid body Other modifications lnay be made inthe shape, arrangement land location of parts within the spirit` and scope of my invention, and such modiiications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. Inra washing machine, a tub, means for agitating clothes in the tub, a means for flushing and drying the clothes, means for rinsing the clothes, and actuating and control mechanism for automatically (a) operating said flushing and drying means to start the flushing of the clothes while said agitating means is operating, (b) stoppingv the agitating means while continuing the action of the flushing, (c) stopping the flushing means, (d) starting-the rinsing means, (e)

to dry the clothes during the revived action of the agitating means, and (h) stopping the agitating means before the end oi the drying ,operation of the drying means.

2. In a washing machine, agitating means including an electric motor, a switch for controlling said motor, control mechanism including a cam shaft `and a cam on the shaft for controlling said switch, a motor for operating said cam shaft, means including a clutch between said cam -shaft and its motor for adjusting the cam shaft relative to the motor, a second switch in circuit with said motors, and interlock means between said second switch and said adjusting means requiring said switch to be open for the manipulation of said clutch.

3. In a clothes washingmachine, a plurality of operating means including means for washing the clothes, means for flushing the wash water from the clothes, means for rinsing the clothes, and means including said iiushing means for drying the clothes, control means to cause said washing, iiushing, rinsing and drying to occur in succession automatically, and means for manually operating one of said plurality of operating means independently of the automatic control means.

4.'In a clothes washing machine, a plurality of operating means including means for washing the clothes, means for flushing the wash water from the clothes, means for rinsing the clothes, and means including said flushing means for drying .the clothes, control means to cause said washing, flushing, rinsing and drying to 0ccur in succession automatically, and means for selectively manually operating the drying means independently of the automatic control means.

5. In a Washing machine, clothes agitating means, means including an electric motor for actuating said agitating means, control mechanism, means including an electric motor for ac- .3 tuating said control mechanism, a main switch connected in circuit directly with said control motor and through another switch to said agitating motor, and means as part of said control mechanism for controlling said switches including means for selectively operating one of the switches independently of the other.

6. In a washing machine, clothes vagitating means, means includingan electric motor for actuating said agitating means, control mechanism, means including an electric motor for actuating said control mechanism, a variable vimpedance device connected in circuit to said control motor, a main' switch connected in circuit directly to said control 'motor and through anotherv switch to said agitating motor, and means in l said control mechanism for controlling said switches including means for selectively manually operating said other switch.

7. In a washing machine, a tub, a drain outlet at the top of the tub, means for agitating clothes in the tub, a flexible diaphragm positioned in the lower portion of the tub, means for admitting water:I to the tub for rinsing the clothes, and actuating and control mechanism for controlling 7o the agitating means, for partially expanding the diaphragm to remove part of the wash water, for admitting the rinse water and for thereafter further expanding the diaphragm sufficiently to dry the clothes.

Y 8. In a washing machine, a tub, means for agi- 2l i tatingclothesinthetub.awaterinlettothe tub. a drain for the tub. a ilexible diaphragm mounted in the tub, a valve controlled inlet i'or mechanism for controlling the agitating means,

admitting huid. behind said diaphragm t0 cause the same to contract the space occupied by the clothes in the tub, and control mechanism for the agitating means, the water inlet and the iiuid valve, so constructed and arranged as to admit iluid behind the diaphragm to cause the same to partially contract the space occupied by the clothes in the tub. to thereafter admit rinsing water to the tub, and to thereafter admit additional iiuid behind therdiaphragm so as to compress the clothes to dry the same.

9. In a washing machine, a tub, a drain outlet for the tub, means for agitating clothes in the tub, a ilexible diaphragm mounted i'n the tub, means for admitting water to the tub for rinsing the clothes, and actuating and control for partially expanding the diaphragm to remove part of the wash water, for admitting the rinse water while the diaphragm is partially expanded and for thereafter further expanding the diaphragm so as to compress the clothes to dry the same.

10. In a clothes washingmachine, a plurality of operating means including means for supplying wash' water to the tub. means for washing the clothes, means for iiushing the wash water from the clothes, means for rinsing the clothes, and means including said ilushing means for drying the clothes, control means. to cause/said washing, iiushing, rinsing and drying to occur in succession automatically, and means for manually operating one of said plurality of operatingI means independently of the automatic control means.

' GEORGE C. GRAHAM.

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