US2441053A

US2441053A - Means for transmitting oscillatory motion to washing machine agitators

Info

Publication number: US2441053A
Application number: US492101A
Authority: US
Inventors: Vernon J Wooster
Original assignee: Nineteen Hundred Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 1943-06-24
Filing date: 1943-06-24
Publication date: 1948-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1965-05-04

Description

May 4, 1948. v. J. woosrER l2,'17f453 MEANS FOR .TRANSMITTING OSCILLATORY MOTION TO WASHING MACHINE AGI-TATORS Filed June 24, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 In 11,111,A

May 4, E948. v. J. woosrER MEANS FOR TRANSHITTING OSCILLATORY MOTION TO WASHING MACHNE AGITATORS Filed June 24, 1943 sheetS-Sheet 2 MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING OSCILLATORY MOTION TO WASHING MACHINE AGITATORS Flled June 24, 19425 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 nVEI-Z 571-' Vae/VON. d. Waas-rse.

R E T S O O w Im V.

ay 4, 1948. v. J. woosTER 2,435.05

MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING OSCILLATORY MOTION TO WASHING MACHINE AGITATORS Filed June 24, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Veena ifi/avare@ May 4, i948. v. woosTER MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING OSCILLATORY MOTION TO WASHING MACHINE AGITATORS Filed June 24. 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 z-w/Ez-z zur*7 Veen/0N d. M/awree.

4, 148. v. J. woosTER 2,441,053

MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING OSCILLATORY MOTION TO WASHING MACHINE AGITATORS Filed June 24, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING OSCILLA- TORY MOTION T WASHNG MACHINE Vernon i. Wooster, St. Joseph, Mich., assigner to Nineteen Hundred Corporation, Mich., a corporation or New York Application .i une 2t,

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for transmitting oscillatory motion from a power source to a member to be driven. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the structure and operation oi a novel form of transmission which virtually eliminates the lost motion in the operation of the member to be driven.

Itis an object oi the present invention to provide a novel oscillatory drive mechanism.

It is a further object oi the .present invention to provide an oscillatory drive mechanism for actuating a member to .be driven associated therewith with a minimum of lost motion in its operation and to eliminate operational shocks.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an oscillatory drive mechanism, such, for example, as that employed in washing machines or the like for actuating the agitator mechanism thereoi.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an oscillatory drive mechanism embodying means for engaging and disengaging such mechanism from the member to be driven.

A further object of the invention is to provide an oscillatory drive mechanism embodying a reciprocating drive means and having associated therewith various means for coupling said reciprocating member to the member to be driven.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an enclosure or case for a transmission or the like from one member of which all of the parts of the mechanism are supported in operable relation.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an enclosure of the character disclosed in which one of the members is of thickwalled or cast construction while the other is formed of relatively thin sheet material such, for example, as a metal stamping. l

Itis a still further obiect oi the present invention to provide novel means for holding or securing together the members of the enclosure or casing just described.

The present invention contemplates a method of producing oscillatory motion which is substantially free from dwell or lost motion from the operation of a reciprocating member as applied to parts of a washing machine or other similar apparatus. This is brought about by producing a rapid motion throughout the major portion of each stroke of the reciprocating member and slowing up the rate of movement produced as the reciprocating member approaches4 one extremity oi the stroke so as to St. Joseph,

isis, serial Nl. 492,101

(ci. sii-133) gradually merge from one direction of motion into the reverse with a minimum of shock.

In accordance with the general features of the present invention there is provided an oscillag tory drive mechanism comprising a reciprocating member, a member to be driven and coupling means associated with said reciprocating means for providing a driving connection between said reciprocatingy means and said member to be driven, said coupling means being so constructed that it eliminates lost motion in the operation of the member to be driven.

In accordance with other general features of the invention, an enclosure is provided for a transmission or like unit which embodies one member from which all of the parts of the mechanism are supported in operable relation.

In accordance with still other features of the invention, an enclosure is provided which comprises one member of thick-walled or cast construction while another member is formed of relatively thin sheet material such, for example, i as a metal stamping, said members being se 'cured together by novel fastening means. Still other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the drawings illustrating a number of embodiments of the invention, in which:

Figure Ai. represents a vertical sectional elevation of a typical form of apparatus in which the oscillatory drive mechanism of the present invention is particularly advantageously employed;

Figure 2 represents a horizontal section through the upper portion of the oscillatory drive mechanism shown in Figure 1 and showing the arrangement of the parts therein:

Figure 3 corresponds generally to Figure 2 with parts broken away to illustrate the position oi' the parts of the apparatus in a portion of its operating cycle;

Figure 4 is a partial horizontal section through the apparatus of Figure 1 as seen from the line IV-IV;`

Figure 5 is a partial sectional elevation through the apparatus of Figure 4 as seen from the line Figure 6 represents a plan view of another embodiment of the oscillatory drive mechanism of the invention which includes additional features not present in the structure of Figures l to 3, inclusive:

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional elevation of the device of Figure 6 with parts in elevation;

Figure 8 is a horizontal section through the 55 upper portion of another embodiment of the oscillatory drive mechanism of the invention and corresponding generally with the section shown in Figure 2 of the drawings;

Figure 9 represents a partial horizontal plan view of the shifter mechanism associated with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings;

Figure is a. partial sectional elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 9 as seen from the line X-X; and

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional elevation of the apparatus of Figure 9 as'seen from the line XI-XI.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 as being adapted to employment in a washing machine comprising a tub I5 which is supported by a suitable base or supporting structure (not shown). Extending vertically through an opening substantially in the center of the base of the tub I5 is a generally cylindrical post I 6 which is secured to said tub I5 as by means of thc ring member I1 threaded on the base of said post I6. The ring I1 cooperates with gaskets I8 disposed above and below the base of the tub I5 and encircling the openingin the base of tub i5 through which the post I6 extends to prevent leakage therebetween. A washer I9 serves to position the lowermost gasket I8 and abuts the uppermost end of the generally cylindrical boss of the top member which may advantageously take the form of a casting 2| of the case enclosing the transmission unit I4. The lowermost end of the post I6 is also threaded into the internal bore of boss 20 and serves to support the transmission I4 from the base of the tub I5.

Disposed internally of post I6 and in concentric relation thereto is a vertical shaft 22. The shaft 22 is journ-aled in a sleeve bearing 23 inserted in the uppermost end of post I6 and is encircled by a recessed packing washer 24. The lowermost end of shaft 22 is journaled in a sleeve bearing 25 disposed internally of the bore 26 in the internal boss 21 of the boss portion 20 of top casting 2|. A packing washer 28 is recessed in a collar member 29 which surrounds the shaft 22' and abuts the upper end of the -bcss 21 to support the inverted cup portion of member 30. .The member 36, within which is disposed the spring 3l, cooperates with the snap ring 32 positioned in an annular groove cut into the shaft 22 to act as a thrust bearing to locate the shaft 22 in proper endwise relation within lthe post I6.

On the tapered portion 33 at the uppermost end of shaft 22 and supported thereby is an agitator 35. A cap screw 36 threaded into the uppermost end of the tapered portion 33 of shaft 22 provides a means to detachably mount the agitator on the uppermost end of and in fixed relation to said shaft.

Turning our attention now to the transmission unit I4 which embodies the principles of the present invention and is shown in detail in Figures 2 to 5 inclusive of the drawings, it will be noted that said transmission I4 may be actuated byany suitable power source, such. for example, as the motor 38. The motor 38 may be suspended from the under side of the tub I5 or the framework supporting the same by a suitable bracket 39 and bolts 40. The horizontally disposed output shaft 4I of the motor 36 is coupled to shaft 42 of the transmission unit I4 as by means of a suitable flexible coupling 43.

The shaft 42 of transmission I4 is journaied at one end in portion 43 whilethe other end extends through portion 44 formed in the wall of the top casting 2| which cooperates with the lower case member 45 to enclose the transmission unirI I4. An annular flanged portion 41 on the shaft 42 assists in preventing endwise movement of said shaft 42. A bearing bracket 48 suspended from the top casting 2l oi the case enclosing the transmission unit I4 cooperates with portion 43 of top casting,r 2| to support shaft 42 for rotation. An oil seal 46 encircles shaft 42 in portion 44 to prevent leakage of lubricating medium in which the operating parts run from the case. A plug 41a in the portion 43 on top casting 2| cooperates with flanged portion 41 to maintain shaft 42 in its proper axial position.

A worm 49 may advantageously be cut on said shaft 42 and is adapted to engage the gear 50 which is rotatably mounted upon a stub shaft 5I which extends through the boss 52 in the top casting 2l and is secured thereto by a nut 53 threaded thereon. The gear 56 engages a gear 54 which is secured to a stub shaft 55 supported in endwise relation in the boss 59 of top casting 2| by means of a collar 56 secured to said stub shaft 55 by means of the pin 51 extending therethrough, said collar being supported by a shoulder portion 58 formed internally of said boss 59. Also secured to said boss 59 of the casting 2l is a tubular column 6I which encloses a connecting means 66 secured to the uppermost end of the stub shaft 55 and actuated by the gear 54 thereon. The column 6I may be employed to support a part of the apparatus associated with the washing machine tub I5 such, for example, as a wringer unit or other similar apparatus for operation by the gear 54.

A reciprocating arm 63 is pivotally secured to the underside of the gear 50 by means of a pin 64 which is eccentrically disposed with respect to the center of the stub shaft 5I upon which the gear 50 is rotatably mounted. On the other end of the arm 63 are formed a plurality of gear teeth 65 which engage the teeth of gear 66 mounted upon the shaft 22. The teeth 65 of the arm 63 are maintained in active engagement with the teeth of the gear 66 as by means of a link member 61 Ywhich is pivote-ily secured to one end of the arm 63 by the machine screw 68. The link member 61 is provided at its other end with a collar portion 69 which encircles the shaft 22 and abuts the lower end of the internal boss 21. Thus, as the arm 63 is actuated. the gear teeth 65 thereon are maintained throughout its operation in engagement with the teeth of the gear 66 mounted lupon the shaft 22.

The shank lportion 16 of the gear 66 is provided with a plurality of vertical slots 1I which are adapted to engage a pin 12 extending radially from the periphery of the shaft 22 adjacent its lowermost end. The gear 66 is adapted to be moved axially of the shaft 22 by means of the clutch finger 13 which registers with an annular slot 14 in the shank 10 of Asaid gear 66 and is secured to the lower end of the pin 15 which is slidably mounted in the lboss 16 depending from the upper wall of top casting 2I. The pin 15 is urged up or down by the movement of the lever arm 11 an end of which is pivoted in the boss portion 26 of the top casting 2l. The lever arm 11 has secured thereto a yoke 18 registering with slots 19 in the periphery of said pin 15 and held in place thereon by a cotter pin 80.

Thus, it will be seen that the movement of the arm 11 will cause the pin 15 to move axially with respect to the boss 16 thereby causing the finger 13 engaging gear 66 to raise or lower said gear 66 either engaging or disengaging one of the slots 1| and the pin 12. When the slot 1| and pin 12 are engaged the shaft 22 will be actuated by the ing of Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings which'illustrate several of the positions of the arm 63 in the course of its cycleof operation, the gear 66 will continue to be rotated in spite of the fact that the reciprocatory movement of the arm 63 diminishes at the end of its cycle of operation. Thus, as the arm 63 approaches the extremities of its reciprocatory cycle and as the pin 64 passes through the point at which the forward movement of the arm changes to a backward movement, or vice versa, the integrally formed gear teeth 65 on the forward end of the arm 63 will be pivoted slightly about the axis of shaft 22, and since they engage the teeth of the gear 66 they will continue to rotate said gear 66 slowly even though the relatively rapid reciprocatory movement of the arm 63 is momentarily halted. As a result of this operation, the shaft 22 when it is engaged with the gear 66 will continue to be oscillated by the arm 63 and the dwell or period of lost motion customarily present in such operations when the reciprocating member changes its direction of movement will be virtually eliminated. as will also the operational shocks which frequentlyaccompany abrupt changes of direction.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 1 is generally similar to that hereinbei'ore described. The apparatus Lin question differs principally in that the motor 83 is supported in a U-shaped member 84 with its shaft in a vertical position. -The member 84 is domountably secured to a projecting arm 85 advantageously formed as an integral part of the top casting 86 and its boss 81 comprising a part of the case which forms an enclosure for the transmission 88. The motor 83 through its pulley 89. the belt 90 and the pulley 9| of the transmission 88 which is secured to the stub shaft 92 rotatably mounted in the boss 93 of the top casting 86, provides a means for actuating said transmission 88.'

The transmission 68 embodies substantially the same gearing arrangement internally thereof as that described in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive. The gear 94, at the lower end of stub shaft 92, drives the gear 95 which, in turn, en-

'gages the gear 96 for actuating the wringer or other associated attachment for the washing machine and, in addition, carries the eccentrically mounted arm 91 which imparts the oscillatory motion to the shaft 98 concentrically disposed within the vertical post i 6 which is threaded into the upper end of the boss 87 of top casting 86.

A link member 99 provided with a collar portion which encircles the shaft 98 and permits link member 99 to pivot thereabout, is pivotally connected to the end of reciprocating arm 91 as by means of the pin |0| on' one end of which is threaded a bolt |02. The link member 99, as in the case of the hereinbefore described embodiment of the invention, maintains contact between the integrally formed gear teeth |03 on the end of the reciprocating arm 91 and the teeth oi' the vgear i 04 mounted upon the shaft 08.

The lowermost end of the shaft 98 is provided with a splined portion |05 which engages with a cooperating formation on the internal bore of the gear |04 to insure positive driving relation between said gear |04 and said shaft 98 and at the same time to permit the gear |04 tobe moved axially with respect to said shaft 98.- The gear |04 is adapted to be raised or lowered into or out of engagement with the gear teeth |03 on the arm 91 as by means of the finger |06 which registers with the annular groove |01 cut into the shank portion of said gear |04.

The lever arm ||2 which is pivotally mounted in the projections ||3 and ||4 formed integrally with the arm of top casting 86 is secured to an arm l0 which is pivotally disposed in the slot of the vertical pin |08 mounted in axially slidable relation to the internal boss |09. The shifting of lever 2 will, therefore, cause the finger |06 to raise or lower the gear |04 into or out of engagement with the teeth |03 on the arm 91. The gear |04, by virtue of the splined portion |05, is continually in operable engagement with the shaft 98 but may be completely disengaged from the gear teeth |03 on the reciprocating arm 91 since the shifting mechanism embodying finger |06 will permit the gear |04 to slide downwardly along the splined portion |05 until it assumes the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig ure '7 of the drawings.

In spite of the structural differences, between the embodiment of the Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings as compared with that of Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the method of operation of the two transmissions is substantially identical.

f The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, incorporates the drive mechanism associated with the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6 and '1 of the drawings and includes certain additional features of importance. The gear of the transmission unit ||6 is actuated by a gear 94 driven by a suitable 'power source and serves to operate the arm ||1 which is eccentrically pivotally mounted upon said gear 95 transmitting oscillatory motion to the shaft 98. On the end of reciprocating arm opposite to that eccentrically mounted upon the gear 95 is disposed a gear ||8 freely rotatably mounted on a pin |20 secured to said arm ||1 as by means of nut |2| which is maintained in driving engagement with a similar gear H9 mounted upon the lower end of shaft 98.

An over-center toggle |22 is mounted about a pin |30 on arm lll at a point intermediate the ends thereof to actuate a toothed pawl member |23 adapted to engage one or more teeth of the gear ||8 so as to prevent its rotation about pin |20. Pawl |23 is pivoted about a pin |24 being fitted between the plates |25 secured at one end thereof to said pawl |23 by means of the pin |26. A pivotally mounted spacer block |21 is provided between the other ends of plates |25 and is adapted to slidably receive in an aperture therein the pin |28 secured to said toggle |22. A spring |29 surrounding pin |28 assists in the operation of the toggle 'i 22fand permits the pin |28 to move axially in the spacer block |21 as said toggle |22 changes position due to the movement of the arm 1.

As the lever arm |38 is manipulated, it will be readily observed that the toggle |43 by virtue of its connection with the rods |33 and |34 will raise one and lower the other of said rods |33 and |34 so that the lowermost end of one or the other of said rods |33 and |34 will contact the wing portion |3| or |32 of the over-center toggle |22 mounted upon the arm ||1 as said arm is reciprocated. A spring |44 attached to the projection |45 of the toggle plate |43 and a stationary post |46 mounted upon the exterior of the top casting |31 is provided to hold the toggle |43 in one or the other of its positions after having been shifted by the lever arm |38.

The operation of the transmission ||6 Will be readily understood from an inspection of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings. In Figure 8, the pawl |23 is shown as being in engagement with the gear ||8 rotatably mounted about the pin |20 on the end of arm ||1. In this arrangement of parts, the arm ||1, by virtue of the engagement of the gear ||8 with .gear I|9 which is mounted on the shaft 98, will cause said shaft 98 to be oscillated for the reason that the gear ||8 is held against rotation about the pin |20 by the pawl |23. When it is desired to halt the operation of the shaft 98, the operator manipulates the lever arm |38, tripping the toggle assembly |42 so that the rod |34 will be disposed in its lowermost position while the rod |33 will be raised thereby.

As the arm ||1, during its cycle of operation, approaches one extremity of its stroke and occupies the position indicated by dotted. lines in Figure 8, the toggle |22 will be in the position indicated in dotted lines and designated position A. The toggle |22. as the arm |1 continues to move, will contact the rod |34 in its extended position and will be snapped 'back into a position corresponding to the dotted lines designated position B, when the arm ||1 is in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 8. In this operation of the toggle |22 just described, the pawl |23 which was in engagement with the gear ||8 at the beginning and occupying substantially the position indicated in dotted lines and designated position C will be swung back into the position indicated in dotted lines and designated position D, so that it will be completely out of engagement with the gear H8. The gear |I8 is now free to rotate about the pin |20 by means of which it is mounted upon the arm ||1. Thus, it will be seen that although the gear ||8 is in engagement with the gear ||9 mounted upon the shaft 98 it will nevertheless fail to actuate the gear IIB and shaft 98 for the reason that as the arm ||1 passes through its cycle oi operation,

the gear I8 will merely trace the teeth of the gear H9.

The exact reverse of the operation just described will take place upon the shifting of the over-center toggle assembly |42 by means of the lever arm |38 so as to cause the rod |33 to ssume its lowermost position while the rod |34 is raised. In the actuation of the toggle |22 upon its contact with the extended portion of the pin |34, abutments such, for example, as the stops |41 and Illa, on the arm II1 are advantageously provided to prevent the toggle |22 from being swung about the pivot |30 to such an extent that the pin |28 secured thereto will become disengaged from the spacer block |21.

It will be understood that the shifting of the toggle |22 which actuates pawl |23 is illustrated as taking place only when the arm ||1 approaches one extremity of its stroke. Obviously, the `mechanism may be altered, within the purview of the present invention, so that the engagement of the pawl |23 with the gear H8 may tal-:el place at some other suitable interval in the operation of the transmission unit other than that shown. Thus the setting of the rods |33 or |34 by the manipulation of the lever arm |38 does not instantaneously cause the toggle |22 to be tripped.

In the several embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 1l, inclusive, of the drawings, it will be noted that diierent forms of securing means have been employed to fasten the top member, which may advantageously take the form of a casting, to the lower closure member. In each instance, it has been pointed out that all of the operating mechanism of each transmission unit may be supported in operable relation from the top casting. The lower closure member may, in such event, advantageously take the form of a simple closure of relatively light weight thin sheet material stamped or votherwise formed into the required shape to conform to the contour of the top casting.

The transmission case illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 inclusive, of the drawings is provided with a, plurality of projections or lugs |49 formed on the top casting 2| and the lower case member 45 thereof to accommodate such forms of fastening means as cap screws, nuts and bolts, or the like which may be employed to secure the lower closure member 45 thereto. In the transmission case illustrated in Figures 6, 8 and 9, the top casting 86 (Figure 6) or |31 (Figures 8 and 9) is provided with a anged portion |50 extending about the perimeter of the entire casting which engages a similarly flanged portion |52 on the lower case member |5| as will be seen in Figure 'l of the drawings. A plurality of fastening means such, for example, as clips |53 are provided to engage the flanged portions |50 and |52 of the top casting 86 and the lower case member |5| at several points along its perimeter to hold the two members in contact and retain the two pieces comprising the transmission case in tightly closed relation.

It will, of course. be understood that various details of construction and method of operation may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention. and it is therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

Y 1. In a washing machine including a tub, an agitator in said tube and a power source, means for actuating said agitator from said power source comprising a drive member operatedirom said power source, reciprocating means actuated by said drive member, coupling means for connecting said reciprocating means and said agitator, means freely rotatably mounted on said reciprocating means for driving the agitator through said coupling means, and pivotally mounted means associated with said reciprocating means for selective engagement with said rotatably mounted means to hold the same in xed relation to said reciprocating means to drive said agitator and disengagement from said rotatably mounted means to stop said agitator.

2. In a washing machine including a tub, an

agitator in said tub and a power source, transmission means for controlling the operation of said agitator from said power source comprising a drive member operated from said power source,

reciprocating means actuated by said drive member, coupling means for connecting said reciprocating means and said agitator, means for driving said agitator through said coupling means,

means rotatably mounted on the reciprocating means engaging said agitator driving means, and means pivotally mounted with respect to said reciprocating means for selective engagement with said rotatably mounted means to hold the same in xed relation to said reciprocating means to drive said agitator driving means, and disengagement from said rotatably mounted means to stop said agitator driving means.

3. In a washing machine including a tub, an agitator in said tub and a power source, transmission means for controlling the operation of said agitator from said power source comprising a drive member operated from said power source, reciprocating means actuated by said drive member, a toothed member for actuating said agitator, a second toothed member freely rotatably mounted-upon the reciprocating member for driving the first-mentioned toothed member, means pivotally mounted upon said reciprocating means for selective engagement with said rotatably mounted toothed member to hold the same in xed relation to said reciprocating means to drive said agitator and disengagement from said rotatably mounted toothed member to stop said agitator, and mechanically operated control means for operating said pivotally mounted means,

4. In a washing machine including a tub, an agitator in said tub and a power source, transmission means for controlling the operation of said agitator from said power source comprising a drive member operated from said power source, reciprocating means actuated by said drive member, a drive gear for said agitator, a second gear freely rotatably mounted upon the reciprocating member and meshing with the agitator gear, and mechanically operated means associated with said reciprocating means for selective engagement with said rotatably mounted gear to hold the same in fixed relation to the reciprocating means to drive said agitator and disengagement from said rotatably mounted gear to stop said agitator.

5. An oscillatory drive mechanism comprising a drive member, a member to be driven, reciproeating means secured to said drive member, coupling means for connecting said .reciprocating l means and said member to be driven, and pivotally mounted means associated with said reciprocating means for selective engagement with and disengagement from said coupling means.

6. An oscillatory drive mechanism comprising a drive member, a member to be driven, .reciproeating means secured to said drive member, means fixed relation to said reciprocating means to drive said member to be driven, and means pivotally mounted with respect to said reciprocating means for selective engagement with and disengagement from the rotatably mounted means.

7. An oscillatory drive mechanism comprising a power source, reciprocating means actuated by said power source, a member to be driven, coupling means for connecting said reciprocating means and said member to be driven, pivotally mounted means associated with said reciprocating means for selective engagement with and disengagement from said coupling means, and mechanically operated control means for actuating said pivotally mounted means.

8. An oscillatory drive mechanism comprising a power source, reciprocating means actuated by said power source, a gear freely rotatably mounted upon said reciprocating means, a gear to be driven engaging said freely rotatably mounted gear, means for maintaining said gears in engagement, pivotally mounted means for disengageably contacting said freely rotatably mounted gear so as to prevent its rotation, and means associated with said reciprocating means for selectively engaging and disengaging said contacting means from said freely rotatably mounted gear.

9. In a washing machine including a tub, an agitator in said tub and a power source, means for actuating said agitator from said power source 'comprising a drive member operated from said power source, reciprocating means actuated by Asaid drive member, a gear rotatably mounted upon said reciprocating means adjacent the free end thereof, a shaft supporting said agitatona gear secured to said shaft, a link member pivotally connected to said shaft and the free end of said reciprocating means for maintaining the rotatably mounted gear and the agitator gear in engagement, pivotally mounted means for engaging the rotatably mounted gear to prevent its rotation and to cause the agitator shaft to be oscillated by said reciprocating means, and mechanically operated control means for engaging and disengaging said pivotally mounted means with respect to said rotatably mounted gear.

10. An oscillatory drive mechanism comprising a reciprocating member, a member to be driven, means for coupling said member to be driven and said reciprocating member, said coupling means including driving means freely rotatably mounted upon said reciprocating member, pivotally mounted means associated with said reciprocating member for selectively engaging said driving means to prevent its rotationl REFERENCES CITED The following references are o1 record in the tile oi' this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Perkins et a1 Apr. 15, 1930 Reddig -..'Aug. 9, 1932 Aitorfer Dec. 25, 1934 Racklyeft Nov. 5, 1935 McCabe Sept. 1, 1936 Miller July 19, 1938 Mikuiasek Apr. 16, 1940 Schmeltzer Apr. 20, 1943