US2453707A - Automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 16, G. Q GRAHAM AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE ATTORNEY.

NOV. 16, 1948. Q Q GRAHAM 2,453,707

AUTQMATFC WASHING MACHINE Original Filed July 25, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 [lill/11111 l 203/ 6' @pas C. 12A/MM ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, 1948. G. c. GRAHAM n 2,453,707

AUTOMATI C WASHING MACHINE Original Filed July l25, 1939 i QASheets-Sheet 3 11N VENT OR.

Nov. I6, 1948.

a. ce GRAHAM 2,453,707

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Original Filed July 25, 1959 9 She'ets-Sheet 4 IG. F la m m 56 58H 518 56B 55s 551 556 566 567 .6| 56| ut' 516' y) u 'rovmAPHRAeM J l SUPPKLY l) 5g l 581 ra oosmn Pump 5&6 562 50T 563 INVENT OR.

olsen-maca mam o'osnn 503 Pump 6to/e6: C. Raf/AM Nov. 16, 1948- l G. c. GRAHAM 2,453,707

vAUToMATic `WASHING MACHINE Original Filed July 25, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 1NVENT0R ATTORNEY.

Gra/v6: C. AMHA/w BY #if Nov. 16, 1948. G. c. GRAHAM 2,453,707

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE ENTOR.

* Gaona C. Raf/AM ATTORNEY.

Nov. 16, A194,8. v G. c. GRAHAM 2,453,707

` AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE original Filed July 25, 1959 9 SheetSP-Sheel 7 NGV. G. CQGRAIHAM AUTOMATIC VAirmsmm MACHINE Original Filed July 25. 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

650/2615 C. 6R HAM B" Wm@ ATTORNEY.

NOV. 16, G Cl GRAHAM AUTOMATIC WASHING MAQHINE l l l l l i l l l l 5 FLOAT VALVE Original Filed July 25, 1959 TEMPERATURE VALVE l l l l DRAIN VALVE BLEEDER VALVE Patented Nov. 16, 1948 AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE George C. Graham, Ridgewood, N. J., by mesne assignments, to Graham Ridgewood, N.

assignor, da Barker,

J., a limited partnership Continuation of application Serial No. 286,303,

July 25, 1939. Serial No. 546,596

This ap plication July 26, 1944,

39 Claims. (QI. 68-12) My invention relates to washing machines, and y the features thereof are illustrated, by way of example only, in connection with washing machines for use in household laundry applications. In the main, my present invention relates more `specifically to the automatic and sequential control of the washing operations.

Clothes washing machines for household use "have been of many types, including hand-operated rocker and other devices, power-driven structures utilizing the vacuum cup, oscillating agitator or' tub, force nozzles, Vand other principles, However, the features of automatic control of the'several steps of the complete washing operation are applicable to the various types of washing machines, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For the purposes of this patent a washing machine using the gyrating tub principle is used, and in addition to the automatic control certain improvements have been made in the washing machine per se.

It has heretofore been proposed to automatically controlvarious of the steps in the washing operation and in some cases to secure sequential operation. In the latter endeavor, the entire operation starting with the dry clothes and finishing with clothes ready to be hung up to dry, or ready to be ironed, without the attention of the housewife or operator has not been obtained with satisfaction and recourse has been had to delicate control means, such as electromagnets, relays, switches and the like, and also to complex mechanical arrangements in connection with both of which trouble frequently occurs. Such diiculties, even though slight and within the ability of those skilled in repairing such defects, are a source of much delay, expense and other annoyance to the average user.

Various other difllculties enter into the` construction and operation of an effective automatic machine, vsuch as the control of fluid temperature and pressure, inability to ilush residue from the top of the washing duid thereby failing to clean the clothes properly, preventing excessive pressures, renewing parts, supplying proper quantities of soap, preventing the clothes from balling or forming into a dense mass, and the lack of safety appliances and facility of manipulation.

Among the objects of this invention are to void all the above mentioned diiculties, and to providea machine that shall be self-suillcient in every feature, and well within the ability of a normal operator having no special knowledge of its structure or operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine that shall operate automatically through a complete cycle of several operaltions controlled entirely by rugged mechanical means in eilectingsuch cycle, and free from the disadvantages of delicate electrical, and other, elements.

Other objects of the invention are to render the washing action more eiective, as by providing for obtaining a more or less energetic washing action, for the flushing off of scum, etc.,

` from the wash water prior to rinsing, and the provision of improved ballie means in the washing chamber or tub.

Another object of the invention is to improve the draining facilities of a washing chamber whereby to better clean the wash batch, and to reduce the operating period. i

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved drying means of the contracting wash chamber, or flexible diaphragm, type.

Other objects of the invention are to control the operation of such drying means in accordance with the pressure developed therein,- to prevent excessive iluid pressure in a drying means of the indicated type, and to provide for a period of sustained period of high pressure during the drying period.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact, effective control unit for governing several operating mechanisms of a washing machine. l

Another object of the invention is to provide means, responsive to the attainment of a proper quantity of washing iluid in the article receiving chamber structure or tub, for controlling the start of the above mentioned automatic cycle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel centralized manual control, adjusting, vconditioning and index assembled for a washing machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide washing machine means of the above indicated character that shall besimple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and effective in operation.

With such objects in view, as well as other advantages which may be incident to a utilization of the improvements, the invention comprises the elements, steps and combinations thereof herein set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements 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, specification and claims. However, there is set forth in the specification and drawings the best mode of applying the several features of my invention as now contemplated by me.

In practicing the invention, in one form considered as an assembly in a broad sense believed to be new, and not including al' novel features which may be added, or employed individually, or in other combinations, as may also the elements of the broad assembly, the machine is provided with means for effecting in a complete automatic cycle, relative to the clothes or other articles to be washed, the steps in the order named,l of washing. flushing, draining after washing, rinsing, draining after rinsing, and substantially drying the articles. All these actions occur without removing the clothes or other articles from the tub and without interrupting the driving .connection from the motor to the tub.

The assembly also contemplates 4the addition of temperature control means, means for conditioning the machine for starting, such as means responsive to the reception in the washing chamber or tub of the proper quantity of washing liquid for effecting the actual starting, a soap container through which the liquid passes on its way to the tub, the step of ushing the top wash water and accumulated scum from the top of the tub prior to draining preparatory to the introduction of rinse water, means, such as a booster pump, for augmenting the presssure of an available water supply, where necessary, means, such as an automatic trip, mechanism, for preventing excessive fluid pressure on the drying means, means such as a fluid actuated diaphragm, means for automatically stopping the machine. and other features.

The invention will be better understood from the following description, and from the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a substantially central section in vertical plane of a machine constructed in accordance with one example of the invention, drawn to a considerably reduced scale, and certain parts being omittted for clarity of illustration;

, Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with the parts thereof in diilerent position;

Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig. 2, showing furtherf details of an alternate structure thereof;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view, with the top lid removed, and other parts omitted, of the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, taken substantially along the line 8 6 of Fig. 5, of the diaphragm control valve;

Fig. 7 is an end view of a portion of the structure of Fig. 6, as seen from the left;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged View, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a portion of the control device, as viewed at the upper right hand corner of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a view taken substantially along the line 8--9 of Flg.8;

Fig. 10 is a view of the device of Fig. 8, as seen in the direction of an arrowl of that figure;

Fig. 11 is a view taken atl right angles to Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view, taken substantially along the line I2-I2 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a view, in cross section, of a valve device which communicates at its top with a bottom part of the structure of Fig. 12, and other elements, as will further appear:

Fig. 14 is a view, taken substantially along the line l4-I4 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the line I5-I5 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 16 is a detail view, taken substantially along the line I6I 6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a view of th'e structure of Fig. 16, with the parts in different positions;

Fig. 18 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of structure as seen at the upper right hand corner of Fig. 5, showing parts omitted in that figure;

Fig. 19 is a view, partially in side elevation and partially in section, of the structure shown in Fig.

Fig. 20 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the line 20-20 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 2l is a diagram of an electrical circuit embodied in the structure;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged view, in vertical substantially central plan section, of one of two baille elements shown at the upper left and lower right hand portions, respectively, of the tub of Fig. 1;

Fig. 23 is a view, of the element of Fig. 22, taken at right angles thereto;

Fig. 24, Fig. 25, Fig. 26, Fig. 27, and Fig. 28 are detail views in section, taken along the lines 24-24, 25-25, 26-26, 21--21 and 28-28, respectively of Fig. 22;

Fig. 29 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 29-29 of Fig. 22, showing, in addition thereto, an enlarged detail, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a valve indicated near the lower right hand portion of the tub shown in Fig. 1, the latter figure also showing a similar valve at its upper left hand side;

Fig. 30 is an enlarged detail plan view of a fragment of the tub of Fig. 1, showing portions of the top periphery of the tub, and a bail or cover clamping ring therefor;

Fig. 31 is a detail view of a removable clamp for holding the nexible diaphragm and tub sides and bottom together;

Fig. 32 is an enlarged detail view, in elevation, of an inlet conduit structure for the tub;

Fig. 33 is a view, taken substantially along the line 33 33 of Fig. 32, an'd showing also the clamp of Fig. 31;

Fig. 34, Fig. 35and Fig. 36 are views, in elevation,of certain cam disks included in the device; there being a duplicate of the cam of Fig. 34 not here shown;

Fig. 37 is a chart indicating a sequence of operation of the machine;

Fig. 38 is a detail plan view of a control dial of the mechanism; and

Fig. 39 is a schematic diagram of the fluid circuit elements of the device.

General structure Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 5, and first giving a generalized indication of the several parts and their locations, the example of the invention illustrated comprises, in general, a lower housing member 40, an outer container 4I, an internal peripheral or shelf member 42 supported at the top of container Il, an upper lid 45, an inner tub 46, a cover 41 therefor, baffles 52 in the tub, a iiexible diaphragm 55 disposed over a bottom wall 56 of the tub 46 and used for the drying operation, a spider 50 for supporting the tub 46 on a mechanism 5| forming a portion of means for imparting a gyratory or wobble action to the tub, a stationary guide plate 51 secured to the upright side wall of the outer container 4| for cooperation with guiding means 68 carried by the spider 58, a reduction gear housing 65 disposed between the mechanism Il and a drive means or electric motor 66, a centrifugal pump 81 driven by the motor I6 for draining the outer container 4|, a mechanical automatic control valve structure 19, also actuated by the motor 66, a valve 12 mounted beneath the inner tub 46 and connected to the automatic control Il for controlling the action of the diaphragm 55 in drying the clothes in the tub 46, a booster pump I5 for augmenting, when necessary, the iluid pressure to the valve I2` and the diaphragm 55, a trip mechanism 16 (bottom of Fig.x12) operating as a. release of the pressure on the diaphragm 55 under certain conditions, a check valve structure 88 (Fig. 13) between the valve 12 on the one side and the control unit 'lo and trip mechanism s 16 on the other side, valves 8| in the bailles 52 for controlling the drainingl of the tub 46 from the bottom, a temperature control valve 82 for determining the temperature of the washing iluid in the tub 46, a soap container 83 connected in the fluid circuit between the valve 82 on the inner tub 46, a float valve 85, a main electric switch 86 connected between the motor 66 and a source of electromotive force, an auxiliary electric switch 81 connected between the motor and the main switch and controlled by the oatvalve 85, an automatic switch trip device 98 (Flg.9) for actuating the main switch 86 when all the washing op,

erations are completed, manual means 9| (Fig. 19) for conditioning the valves and auxiliary switch to start operation of the machine, and linkage mechanism 92 connected between the float valve 85 andthe conditioning .means 9| for' starting action of the tub when the latter is filled to the proper level. It will be noted that all of the control mechanism is compactly housed in the outer container.

Outer container structure the inner tub 46. Since the water from the inner tub drains into the outer container 4|, it must be water-tight, and it is connected to the centrifugal pump B1 by the pipe |88 for emptying the container 4|.

The top peripheral edges of the walls 99 lie inwardly ofthe remainder of the walls, so as to receive the rubber strips |8|, of inverted channel section, and the top edge |82, also of inverted channel section, of the shelf 42, and the outer surfaces of the sections |82 will be ush with the outer surfaces oi the walls 99. The shelf 42, also of sheet metal, has upright side walls |84 depending from the channel sections |82 and a horizontal portion |85 having a relatively large central opening surrounded by a further depending ilange |06. The shelf 42 overlies the space between the inner tub 46 and the outer container 4|, and serves to catch any articles-that might otherwise fall therebetween.

The upper lid 45, also of sheet metal in the example given, has a lower flange |99 closely iitting the inner surface of the channel section |02, with upright side walls ||8 in longitudinal alignment with the walls 89.

The washing tub The tub 48 includes a non-corrosive sheet metal side wall ||4 of substantially semi-spheroidal shape having parallel plane top and bottom perimeters ||5 and ||6 of substantially channel section and Z-section, respectively (seen better in Figs. 2 and 33).

'Ihe top perimeter ||5 partially embraces a reinforcing neck ring ||9 (Fig. 2) which4 has a lip |28.` 'Ihe cover 41 is noatingly received in the perimeter ||5 and is of dish shape with a radially extending top ange |2| that overlies the perimeter 5 of the tub, an upright side wall |22, and a concave bottom wall |23 having perforations' |25 therein. i

The neck V||9 and the corresponding portion oi' the tub side wall ||4 have permanently registering apertures |26, and the lower portion of the side wall |22 of the cover 41 has apertures |21 for cooperation with the `apertures |26, as will appear later.

The cover 41 is held upon the tub by means of a clamp ring |3| which is a channel section and engages beneath the-lip|20 of the reinforcing` ring. The ring |3| is split, as indicated in Fig. 5, the ring carrying at oneside'of the split a bail |32 which has pivotally mounted thereon one portion of a toggle link |33 and a handle |34, When the linkv is open, the ring |3| expands so that thecover may be removed from the tub, and when the clamp is in the other position,the ring |3| y the holes |26 as `shown in Fig. 2. When the cover is in its lower position, shown in Fig. 3, the holes |21 of the cover are below the perimeter ||5 so as to communicate with the interior of the tub 46. In this position, the side Wall |22 of the covercloses the apertures |26. During certain operations as will be hereinafter described, the cover is in the upper position shown in Fig. 2 so that water in the tub drains through the holes |25 of the cover and the registering holes |21 and |26, and at other times the water which enters through the holes |25 drains back into the tub while the cover is in its lower position shown in Fig. 3.

An alternate construction for accomplishing the same result is illustrated in Fig. 4. In this case, the cover 41a does not rise when water is to be drained from the tub through the top. The construction of the tub wall ||4a around the opening is the same as described'in connection with Fig. 2, and is also providedv with outlet apertures |26a. The clamping ring |3Ia is of less edge in line with the apertures |21a, as indicated at |38a so that any small am'ounts of water that may enter the cover during the washing operation drains back into the tub through the slots |38a. When drying, the clothes or other articles under pressure in the chamber more or less seal 7 the slots |30a so that water goes out the apertures 26a. During the flushing and rinsing operations. it is not necessary for the cover to rise to drain water from the tub through the top, the water being free to get out of the tub through the slots |30 and the apertures |26a in the-tub, while the cover is in its lower position.

Referring to Figs. 1, 6, 30, 31 and 33, the bottom wall 56, of the tub 46, is arched upwardly toward the center of the tub from a peripheral shoulder |36. The bottom of the tub may be flat or concave, as well as the convex shape shown. The diaphragm extends over the bottom and has a bead-like peripheral margin |31 which is received by the shoulder |36 (Fig. 33). The `bead and shoulder iit beneath the oiiset perimeter 6 of the tub side wall ||4, and al1 are clamped within n ring |38 of channel section. The latter, as better seen in Figs. 30 and 31, is a split ring having adjacent ends provided with registering slots MI, in which is disposed a link |42, the heads |43 of which engage in the enlarged endsA of slots |4|. When it is desired to remove or renew the diaphragm 55, for example, the link |42 is severed, as by sawing, between the ring ends, which allows the ring to be expanded and removed. When it is desired to replace the ring, new links |42 are employed, and the ring ends are drawn toward each other by a suitable tool having portions fcr insertion into holes |46 in the segments.

As better seen in Fig. 33, the arrangement of the offset portion of the tub bottom perimeter I6, the shoulder |36 of the tub bottom wall 56 and the bead |31 of the diaphragm 55, is such that the shoulder |36 cannot pull out of position, when clamped between the offset ||6 and the shoulder |36 when the diaphragm is expanded upwardly in the drying operation, as will hereinafter appear. Furthermore, this is at all times a water tight joint. The diaphragm 55 also has an annular upstanding ridge |48 which, when the diaphragm is expanded, is tightly pressed against the inside of the tub side wall 4 to act as an additional seal, this being the -position shown in Fig. 33. This ridge also serves to relieve some of the strain on the diaphragm where it passes through the juncture of the bottom and side walls of the tub.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 33, bosses |5I, on the underside of the tub bottom wall 56, register with bosses |52, on the spider 50, for the reception of screws |53, whereby the tub is held in position supported on the spider.

As better seen in Figs. 32 and 33, the tub 46 has a water inlet tube |56 which communicates the diaphragm valve screws into the nipple and a nut |12 screws upon the outside of the nipple to secure the same in place. 'I'he flange |61 holds the diaphragm slightly olf the tub bottom 56, to facilitate the ingress of water between the diaphragm and the tub bottom wall, and the ange is provided with a plurality of transverse slots |14 to permit water to escape during the emptying of water from behind the diaphragm notwithstanding that the diaphragm may have become seated across the opening through the flange, which would normally seal the opening.

The tube |13 communicates with a cylinder |16 which has end members |11 and |18. The member |18 is in the form of a closure cap and has a nipple |80 from which a hose |8| extends to the mechanical automatic control valve 10. The member |11 is in the form of a spider having legs |82 supporting a central journal bearing |83 and defining apertures |86 constituting discharge ports. i

A piston rod |81 carries a head |88 fixed thereto, and also a head |92 that is slidably mounted thereon. Under certain conditions, a yeldable Washer |93, secured against one face of the head |88 by a nut and washer indicated at |96, bears against a ring seat |91 xed to the cylinder |16. Each head |88 and |92 has a cylindrical hub portion |98 projecting toward the other and surrounded by a helical spring 20| tending to push the heads away from each other. Another spring 202 extends between the spider arms |82 and the piston head |88, tending to push the latter away from the stationary seat |91.

The bleeder valve 283 comprises a tubular body 206 secured to the cylinder |16 and in communication with the interior thereof between the heads |88 and |92. 'Ihe body 206 has side ports 201. A needle valve screw 208, locked in adjusted position in the body 206 by a. nut 209, partially closes the opening 2|0 into the bleeder valve to determine the amount of bleeding of liquid from thc cylinder through the side ports 201.

with a pair -of ports |51 in the tub side wall lll. v

Referring to Figs. 1, 5, and particularly Figs. 6 and 7, the fluid valve 12, which governs the action of the diaphragm in response to the automatic control as later described, is mounted on the tub bottom wall 56 by means of a nipple |66 having a laterally extending top ange |61, and a depending tubular portion |1| that is interiorly and exteriorly screw threaded. The tube |13 of When water under pressure is admitted to the cylinder |16 through the port |80, the piston head |92 is moved, from its dotted line position (Fig. 6) to a position in which the adjacent ends of the cylindrical portions |98 substantially abut each other. In this position, the water is admitted freely, through the tube |13 and the nipple |66, beneath the diaphragm 55 to push the same upwardly in the tub (during the drying operation). Movement of the head 92, through spring 20|, also presses the head |93 against the seat |91.

As the clothes are compressed between the expanding diaphragm and the tub, and especially near the end of the drying operation, the pressure behind the diaphragm builds up equal to the pressure of the incoming fluid, and this pressure occurs against the head |88 holding the washer |93 tightly against the seat |91. As the pressure builds up, the flow of water into the diaphragm space reduces, because the pressure of the incoming water is constant as will be explained later, so that the head |92 returns to the dotted line position (Fig. 6), in which position the water ilows through the space between the head |92 and the cylinder |16. When the water supply has been stopped, by the automatic control or the trip mechanism, the bleeder valve 203 allows the water pressure in the cylinder |16 to lessen gradually. After a certain amount of bleeding, in the course of which the water pressure drops sufiiciently in a few seconds, the

spring 202 overcomes the residual pressure against the head |82 and quickly moves the piston |88 and head |92 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 6, to the full open position. Upon this action, the contraction of the diaphragm 55 forces the water through the opening in the ring seat |91 and the discharge ports |86 of the spider member |11 into thebottom of the upper housing 4| (Fig. 1), from which it is pumped by the centrifugal pump 61 to a disposal position, such as a stationary laundry tube or drain pipe. It will be appreciated that the water pressure applied behind the diaphragm during expansion being substantially uniform, as indicated, the pressures developed in the drying operations are readily calculable so that the strength of the spring 202 can be properly chosen to effect the desired draining action quickly and in proper sequence.

The presence of the adjustable bleeder valve also enables regulating the duration of the period of high pressure on the clothes or other articles being dried by the compressive action of the diaphragm. 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 in back of the diaphragm and therefor there is a period of regulable sustained higher pressures during the drying operation.

Tub baffles Referring to Figs. 1, 5, and 22 to 29, inclusive, i

each of the bailies 52, of which there are two in the present machine disposed at diametrically opposite positions on the inner surfaces of the tub side wall H4, comprises a shell, as of cast metal, having a flat upright side wall`2|| and an opposite wall 2| 2 which slopes, or is rearwardly convex, from the Wall 2| with a curved upper edge portion 2|3, as viewed in Fig. 23, merging into a straight edge lower portion 2|4. Viewed in the direction of section lines 24-24 to 28-28, inclusive, the development of the contour of each baille 52 is shown in Figs. 22 to 28, inclusive, respectively. Lugs 2| 6 receive screws 2|1 by which the baille is secured to the tub side wall ||4, with the open inner face of the baille shaped in conformity to the spheroidal side wall ||4 thereof. The Walls 2|| and 2|2 are joined, at the radially innermost portions thereof from the wall ||4, by a rounded edge portion 2|8, and each of the Walls 2|| and 2|2 is provided with apertures 22| open at all times to the interior of the tub for the admission of water to the baille for the purpose explained in the next section of this specification.

The operation of the tube 46 is such that the water and clothes in the tub move in a clockwise direction, the flat sides 2|| of the baflles face in the counter-clockwise direction and extend transversely to the direction of motion in the tub. In the forward action of the tub, the somewhat rotational movement of the clothes and water is interrupted twice as the clothes engage the flat sides 2|I of th'e pair of ballies 52. l The sloping sides 2|2 of the bailles, facing in the direction of rotation, more or less allow the clothes to slide olf the ballles.

With the clothes thus aifected dillerently at opposite sides of each baille, there is the absence of symmetrical or like back and forth movement of the clothes mass during the washing and rinsing operations which would form the mass into a compact ball, as has occurred in former washing machines.

The action of the baihes I2, therefore, isto'."

Bayle valves The purpose ofthe baille valves about to be described is to control the draining of water from the tub at the bottom thereof. As the balde valve structures are alike, it is only necessary to described one, and of course only one may be used if desired.

At the lower portion, each banle is provided with laterally extended shoulders 222, which, in cooperation with the adjacent tub side wall ||4, forms a slideway 223 for a valve flap 226, as seen in Figs. 23, 27, 28 and 29. The flap has apertured wings 221 for pivotal connection to a pair of links 23|. In its lower position, as indicated in Fig. 29, the flap 226 covers drain outlets 233 in the tub side wall ||4 to prevent the escape of water from the interior of the baille, and consequently, from the interior of the tub 46.

The valve 8|, which controls the upward and downward movements of the valve flap 226, comprises a cylinder 236, fixed in position on the tub wall |4 by brackets 235 (Fig. 1). The cylinder 236 has an end cap 231 (Fig. 29) provided with a tubular portion 24| constituting a slide bearing for a piston rod 242, and an end cap 238 which has a tubular inlet 243 from which a water supply hose 246 extends through a suitable opening in the tub side wall ||4 to the mechanical automatic control valve 10. A piston head 24,8 is secured to the rod 242 within the cylinder 236, as by nuts 252. Similarly secured to the piston rod 242, outside the cylinder 2.36, is a cross piece 253 having ears 254 for pivotally receiving the upper ends of the links 23|. The pivotal connections of the links allows the ap 226 to slide in the guide 228 "notwithstanding the angular mounting of the cylinder 226 due to the curved contour of the tub.

When the tub is to be drained, water is admitted through the hose 246 into the cylinder 236, the piston head 246 and the rod 242 move upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 29, thus moving the valve flap 236 upwardly to allow water to-drain through the apertures 233 into the outer container 4|'. When the water supply to the cylinder 2361s cut olf, the piston head 248 and the flap 226 move to the lower closed position under the action of the spring 255, the water in the cylinder escaping into the outer tub 4| through the small bleeder opening 256.

Tub operating mechanism The tub operating mechanism 5|, as better seen in Fig. 1, comprises a tubular sleeve having a portion 262 of small diameter fitting `in the spider bearing |63, and a portion 263 of large diameter outside the bearing, thereby providing a shoulder 266. A nut 261 cooperating with a screw threaded part of the sleeve 26| secures the sleeve to the bearing |63. An inclined shaft 268, journaled by a ball bearing 21| in the sleeve 263 and at its upper end in the sleeve 262, is adjustably held by a. nut 212 in a slot 218 of an arm 216 that is secured,

as by a nut 211, to the upper end of a, drive shaft 288.

The shaft 288 is journaled in a bearing 289 that is mounted in a plate 280 on the bottom 88 of the outer container, and in a thrust bearing 28|, mounted in' the gear housing 85. This housing encloses a worm mounted on the shaft 288, for cooperation with a. worm 283 fixed on a shaft 288 of the motor 88. The worm and worm wheel are symbolical of any suitable gear reduction mechanism that may be used between the motor and the tub drive shaft. extends to the centrifugal pump 81 for driving the latter at the speed of the motor.

At this point it may be mentioned that the shaft 288 is further connected, through a suitable speed reducing mechanism here shown as a belt and pulley device 30|, and bevel pinions 302,

The motor shaft also to a vertical shaft 303 for actuating the mechanical automatic control valve 10, and the' booster pump hereinafter described. The shaft 303 is enclosed within a standpipe 304 having a water tight connection with the bottom of the outer tub 4|.

As the shaft 288 rotates the arm 218 revolves which, by reason of the inclination of the shaft 288 produces a gyrating or wobble movement of the tub 48 in cooperation with the tub guiding means 80. This guiding means comprises a bracket 28| secured to one of the bosses |52 of the spider 50 and carrying shafts 285 on which are journaled rollers 288 having rubber peripheral rings or tires 281 bearing at opposite sides of the stationary guide plate 51. The latter has an inner edge 288 drawn on an arc about the point of oscillation of the tub, and the guiding rollers 288 are held to vertical movement by the plate 51 so that the tub does not rotate on its own axis.

By loosening nut 212, shafts 288 can be adjusted in arm 218 to vary the inclination of the tub and thereby obtain different degrees of wobble movement, resulting in more or less energetic washing action. This means is only symbolical of other adjusting means that may be used to allow for different washing actioris according to the types of articles being washed in tub 48.

Mechanical automatic control valve The mechanical automatic control valve structure 10 is shown in detail in Figs. 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15. It comprises a cast metal shell 306 (Fig. 12), a, top cover 301 and a bottom closure 308 each secured to the shell 308. Secured to the laterally projecting portions of the top and bottom is a valve body housing 3|8 and a valve header 322, these parts being secured together by screws 323.` The lassembly has upper and lower side bosses 328 and 321 thereon, for the reception of screws 328, by which the mechanical automatic control valve is secured, as a unit, to one of the upright walls 88 of the housing 4|', see particularly Figs, 8 and 11.

Referring again to Fig. 12, the shell 308 has a cam compartment 329. At one side of this compartment are tubular bearings 33|, 332, 333 and 334, for push rods 338, 338, 340 and 34|, respectively, which carry cam follower rollers 345, 348, 341 and 348, respectively, inside the compartment 328. The followers respectively cooperate with cam discs 35|, 352, 353 and 354 each having collars 355 xed to a cam shaft 358 that is journaled in bearings 351 and 358 on the top 301 and the bottom 3108, respectively, of the shell 308. The push rods 338-34l are each prevented from 8f@- 12 cidental withdrawal from the bearings 33I-334, as by a removable slide 358 (Fig. 20) which extends the full length to cooperate with a slot 380 in each push rod.

The valve body housing 3|8 comprises a plurality of valve chambers 38|, 382, 383 and 884,V

from which plunger rods 381, 388, 389 and 310 respectively project through cooperating packing glands 313, for end to end abutting engagement with the push rods 338, 339, 340 and 34|, respectively. Y

Valve sleeves 318, 311, -318 and 318, respectively, surrounding the'plunger robs 381, 388, 389 and 310, for slidable movement back and forth in the chambers 88|, 382, 383 and 384, respectively, between a, left hand position and a right hand position, as viewed in Fig. 12, as determined by high and low points on the respective cam discs 35|-384.

In the left hand position of each valve sleeve 318-318, a .corresponding valve outlet port 38|,

382, y383 or 384 (Figs. 8, 10 and 39) is open to the corresponding chamber 38|-384, and in the right hand position of each sleeve 318, 318, the corresponding outlet port 38|-384 is closed.

Fixed to the valve sleeves 318, 311, 318 and 318 are heads 388, 388, 380 and 38|, respectively, each of which has a. nose 383, projecting through the corresponding sleeve for engagement with the adjacent end of the .corresponding plunger rod 381-310, and a cup like portion 388 which is longitudinally slidable in one of chambers 389-402 of the valve header 322. A helical compression spring 404 serves to bias each of the sleeves 318--318 and the associated plunger rods 381-310 and push rods 338--34I to the right, against the cam discs |-354.

The chamber 399 communicates with a hot water supply through hose 408; the chambers 400, and 402 communicate with a cold water supply through hose 401, these chambers being open to a surrounding communicating passageway 408 (Fig. 11) and individual passages 409 and 4|8 (Fig. 12).

Each of the push rods 338, 338 and 340 directly engages its respective plunger rod 381, 388 and 368, but the fourth push rod 34| only actuates its corresponding plunger rod 310 through the intermediary of the arm 481 of a trip latch 4|| (Fig. 12) constituting part of the trip mechanism 18, to be hereinafter explained.

The contours and angular relations of the cam discs 352, 353 and 354 relative to each other on the cam shaft 358 and to the associated cam followers 348, 341 and 348 may be as indicated in Figs. 34, 35 and 36. The cam disc 35|, with the exception of its collar 355, which is on a side thereof opposite to that of the collar 355 on the cam disc 352, is a duplicate of the lattendisc in both contour and angular position on the shaft 358, for which reason it is not shown with Figs. 34, 35 and 36, but is shown in position in Fig. 12.

The cam discs in the latter figures are viewed as they would be seen in the direction of an arrow A in Fig. 12 showing the followers 348, 341 and 348 to the left of the discs on the central horizontal diameters thereof. Each disc has a low point or circumferential contour constituting the majorportion of its periphery, these so called low points being the points 4|8 on the discs 35| and 352, the point 4|1 on the disc 353, and the point 4|8 on the disc 354.

Each of discs 35| and 352 has a peripheral cam 42| of short peripheral length, associated with the flushing operation of the machine, and a 13 longer peripheral cam 422, in use during rinsing of the clothes. The disc 356 has a short peripheral cam 423 to cause draining of the tub 46 after'the above mentioned flushing and during an initial period of the mentioned rinsing, and a. longer peripheral cam 424 to cause draining oi' the tub after the above mentioned rinsing and also during a drying period. The disc 354 has only one cam surface 421, to cause drying of the clothes. The further connections to effect these operations will be explained.

At the lower right hand portions of Figs. 12, 14 and 15 is shown the drive for the cam shaft 356. A driven worm wheel 43| is connected to this shaft through a snubber or one way clutch 432, which comprises a helical spring 433 surrounding the shaft, and secured at one end to the worm wheel 43|, as by a screw 434. The upper end of the shaft 356 projects through the cover 301 and is provided with a dial knob 435 for manually turning the shaft 356 relative to the driven worm wheel 43|, in clockwise direction, as indicated by arrows in Figs. 14 and 34- 36. This action allows the shaft to slip relative to the spring 433 and the worm wheel 43| for changing the angular relation of the cam shaft and cams to the wormv wheel and to the cam followers to select the length of the washing` period. However, when the worm wheel 43| is itself driven clockwise, the spring 433 tightens or snubs itself to the shaft to turn the shaft in such direction.

The Worm wheel 43| is directly driven by a worm 442 (Figs. 14 and 15) fixed on a horizontal shaft 443 that is journaled in bearings 446 constituting the parts of the bottom closure element 308 of the cam compartment shell 306. Also xed to the horizontal shaft 443, is a worm wheel 441 which cooperates with a Worm 446 that is fixed to the reduced end of a stub shaft 45|. The latter is journaled in a vertical bearing 453 of the bottom closure element 306 and is detachably coupled to the shaft 303 by a suitable coupling device, here indicated by a. sleeve 451 and a key 458. The shaft 303, it will be recalled, is driven from the motor 66, as shown in Fig. 1. The bearing 453 has a suitable packing gland 462 around the shaft 45|, to prevent oil leakage into the outer container 4|, which oil is admitted to the cam compartment 306 through an opening closed by a cap screw 464. l

It will be understood that the illustrated worm and worm gear drive is symbolical of suitable gearing to reduce the speed of the motor 66 so that the cam shaft 356 will be rotated at the required speed for the proper sequential operation of the cam discs thereon.

Trip mechanism Referring to Figs. 12 and -14, the trip mechanism 16, which operates in accordance with pressures on the flexible drying diaphragm 55, comprises a cup 466 having an upper flange 461 by which it is secured to the bottom closure 306, as by screws 468. The cup 466 closes an opening in the bottom 308 through which extends a vertical piston rod 41|. The latter carries, at its lower end, a piston head 412, between which and the bottom 306 etxends a spring 413 for biasing the piston downwardly. At the lower end of the cup 466 is connected a conduit 411, which extends to the check valve 80 (Figs. 13 and 39).

A trip latch 4| l, which is actuated by the piston rod 41|, comprises a U-shaped sheet ,metal lever 46| that is pivoted at 14 rod 41|. Near its free end the leve; 46| carries a pin 463, on which is pivotally mounted an arm 466 having a lateral portion 461 at its free end that is normally disposed between the plunger rod 310 and the push rod 34 I, as shown in Fig. 12. A spring 466, disposed partially around the pivot 462, operates between a portionl of the stationary bottom 306 and the lever 46| to bias the latter downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 12, and another spring 46|, disposed partially about the pin 463 similarly operates between the lever 48| and the lever arm 466 to bias the latter toward the right inFig. 12.

As explained, the pressure builds up on the diaphragm as water is forced behind the same, either by the direct water pressure or the operation of the booster pump, and this pressure increases as the drying operation progresses. When the pressure behind the diaphragm reaches a predetermined amount, such pressure will back up through the check valve 60, and through the conduit 411, as will be further described, to move the piston rod 41| upwardly, whereupon, the lateral portion 481 is pushed from between the plunger rod 310 andthe push rod 34| to shut off the supply of water from the mechanical auto matic control valve 10 to the diaphragm valve 12, irrespective of the fact that the cam disc 354 may be in such position as to normally cause such supply. That is to say, the cam 421 of disc 354 has initiated the diaphragm action by forcing the valve head 39| to the left in Fig. 12 together with the associated rods 34| and 310 to open the water valve, and when the portion 461 is forced from between these rods as just described, the valve head 39| and associated rod 310 are free to move to the right under the action of spring 404, to close the valve even though cam 421 is holding rod 34| in its left hand position. This movement both closes the valve to shut off pressure to the diaphragm and puts the end of rod 310 under the portion 481 of the trip mechanism. The rod 34| with its cam follower 348 cannot move to the right because of engagement with the cam 421 and the gap-between the rods 34| and 310 is too great to enable the cam to open the valve. The only way the trip can be reset is by the turning of the disc 354 so that the cam 421 is moved past the follower `346, which will occur automatically in the normal operation of the control, but which may be done manually, if necessary, by means of the knob on shaft 356. As the cam is passed, the spring 49| acting against the end of rod 34| will push it to the right causing the cam followers 348 to engage the low point thereof. That same movement opens the space between the rods 34| and 310 so that the bar portion 461 can enter therein under the action of spring 488 and thus reestablish the mechanical link whereby the `valve head 36| can be operated to open the valve the next time the cam 421 engages the follower 348.

' Booster pump The booster pump 15, indicated in Figs. 5, 8. l0, 11 and 39, but better shown in Fig, l5, is used to augment the pressure of the normal water supply to the diaphragm valve 12 whenever that pressure is below a predetermined amount. Y The pump is so arranged that it will idle if the normal supply pressure is at or above the predetermined 462 and rests on the piston amount.

The pump comprises a cylinder 491 having a closed outer end wall 60| in which is a discharge port 502 to which is connected a conduit 503 that extends to the check valve (Figs. 13 and 39).

An inlet port 506 connects the cylinder 481 to a conduit 501 that extends to the water supply in advance of the check valve 80.

The cylinder 491 further comprises an outer portion 498 and an enlarged inner po-rtion 508, the latter having a peripheral shoulder |I joining the two portions and a flange 5I2 that isfixed to a tubular extension 5I8 of the cam com: partment 306 with the rim of bearing support 5I1 therebetween.

A piston head 5I8 is located in the cylinder 491 and is mounted on a piston rod 523, that extends from the head 5.I8 through a packing gland 525, a bearing 526 in support 5I1 and into a slide bearing or guide 521 which is screw-threadably mounted in a boss 528 on the cam compartment 306. The packing gland 525 is supported on a disc like partition 53| mounted on the inner end of the outer cylinder length 498, with an outer peripheral flange 532 abutting the shoulder 5I I.

The support 5|1 has, in addition to the bearing 528 upper and lower projections 531 and 538, respectively, acting as slide bearings for a carriage 54|, that is fixed to the piston rod 523, as by pins 542 (Figs. 16 and 11).

The projection 531 acts only as a slide bearing for the carriage 54|, but the projection 538, in addition to acting as a slide bearing for the carriage, has a portion 543 acting as a journal bearf ing for an extension of shaft The extension has a sleeve 546 cooperating with the bearing 543, and a top disc 541 secured thereto. A trunnion 548 on the disc 541, eccentric to the shaft 45|, has an outer end 549 journaled in the carriage 54| so that, when the shaft 45| rotates, the piston rod 523 is reciprocated to operate the piston head 5I8 back and forth in the cylinder length 491, thus to pump water from the inlet 501 to the outlet conduit 503. `It Will be recalled that the shaft 45| is connected to shaft 303 that is driven by the motor 66.

Fig. 16 illustrates the position of the carriage 54| at the end of its left hand stroke, and Fig. 11 illustrates the position of the carriage at the end of its right hand stroke, as viewed in these gures.

Check valve The check valve 80 is indicated in Fig. 39 but is better shown in Fig. 13. It is located between 56| from the outlet port 384 of the mechanical automatic control valve 10, an auxiliary inlet 562, for connection as by a nipple 563 to the conduit f 503 from the discharge side of the booster pump 15, a main outlet 566 for connection as by a nipple 561 to the conduit or hose I8| leading to the diaphragm valve 12, a tertiary outlet 568, for connection as by a nipple 569 to the conduit 411 leading to the trip mechanism 16, and a secondary outlet 51|, for connection as by a nipple 512 to the conduit leading to the inlet side of the booster pump 15.

A ball valve 516 is located in a central chamber 511 of the check valve body, the ball thereof being biased toward a valve seat 518 by a spring 58| extending between the ball and a collar 582 that is disposed against the inner end of the nipple 561.

A second ball valve 588, in the outlet portion 562, is biased toward the inner end of the nipple 583, constituting a seat for the ball, by a spring that is screw threadablyv i 16 581 extending between the ball 588 and a shoulde 588 in the inlet portion 582.

It supply water entering from the conduit 56| is of sumcient pressure to be used without boosting. the water pushes the ball 518 of! the seat 518 and allows the water to go directly to the diaphragm valve 12 and behind the diaphragm, as above set forth. Under these conditions and the relationship between the valve opening, with its connections leading to the diaphragm, and the outlet port 51 I, insuilicient water passes through the outlet portl to enable the booster pump 15 to function eifectively, and its'piston reciprocates idly.

However, if the pressure of the water supply from the conduit 58| is not sufllcient to raise the diaphragm effectively or if for any reason that pressure falls while the diaphragm is being expanded in the tub, the ball 518 will remain seated or will instantly return to its seat, in which case the incoming water will flow through the outlet port 51| and its conduit 501, to the inlet side of the booster pump. The pump will discharge through the conduit 503, lifting the ball 588 from its seat so that the water then passes into the central chamber 511 and through the outlet port 566 to the diaphragm valve 12, thus maintaining the necessary operating pressure on the diaphragm 55.

The trip mechanism 16 is adjusted to remain inactive under the normal pressures for operating the diaphragm to effectively dry the clothes, but when a selected maidmum pressure is reached the trip mechanism will be actuated because the pressures on the diaphragm build up through the outlet 568 and conduit 411 to actuate the trip mechanism 16 and the latch 4| I, as above set forth, to, shut off the water supply at the automatic control valve 10.

Temperature valve The temperature valve 82, indicated merely in outline in Figs. 1, 5 and 39, is of any standard construction and needs no specific description beyond the fact that it comprises, in general, a casing 59| having a lower hot water `inlet 592, a lower cold water inlet 593, an upper outlet 596 for the tempered water. The hot water inlet 592 is connected by means of pipe (Fig. 39) to the outlet port 38| of the automatic control valve 10. It will be recalled that this port 38| communicates with the chamber 399 of the control valve which in turn is connected by a pipe 406 to a suitable source of hot water supply. The cold water inlet 593 is connected through pipe 602 to the outlet port 382 of the automatic control valve 10 which in turn is connected through the valve chamber 400 to the hose 401 leading from a suitable source of supply.

A shaft 591 projects upwardly from the thermostatic control means inside the casing 59| that regulates the mixing of the hot and cold water. The lever 598 i's mounted on lthe shaft 591, and is adjusted by the operator of the machine so that water of the desired temperature will be delivered to the inner tub 46 through a conduit 603 to the soap container 83, which is connected by the tube I 56, above described (Fig. 33), linto the tub 46.

Soap container The soap container 83, indicated in Figs. 1, 5 and 39, comprises a removable top cover 608 for a casing having a side wall 601, as of glass, and a base 608, that is secured to the side wall 99 of the outer container by one or more brackets 809.

17 The conduit 666 connects with an inlet 6| I in the base, and an outlet 612 connects to the tub inlet tube |66.

The inlet 6|| communicates with a chamber 6| 6 which is covered-by a ring shaped apertured plate 6|4. The inlet is closed from the outlet by cylinder 6|^5 which is surmounted by a screen 6|6.

Dry soap, Vin powdered or aked form and sumcient in quantity for one washing cycle. is placed in the casing 661. 'I'he incoming water enters the casing 661 through the apertured plate, and in passing through the screen to the outlet 6|2 dissolves the soap and carries the same into the center tub 46.

With the side wall 661 of glass, and since all water entering the tub 46 for washing, flushing and rinsing, passes through the soap container, the operator can observe therefrom the operating condition of the machine. If the upper lid 45 is used upon the outer container while the machine is in operation, then a window 6I1 may be provided in the side thereof so that the operator can see into the soap container 661.

Float' valve and linkage 'I'he iloat valve and linkage are used to auto closing the switch to complete the circuit to the` motor 66.

Referring to Figs. 1, 5, 18, 19 and 39, the float ralve 85 comprises a cylindrical casing side wall 62|, secured to the outer housing wall 66 as by a bracket 622, a top cover 626, and a bottom. 626. A nipple 621, depending from the bottom 626, is constituted both as a hose connector 626 and as a slide bearing for a rod 63| carrying a'cylindrical drum iloat 632 inside the casing, The connector 621 receives the end of hose 626 which leads to a tube 666 that is open to the interior of the tub 46 and is mounted similarly to the tube |56.

The rod 63| is pivotally connected at its upper end, outside the casing, by a pin 633 (Fig. 19) to one end of a lever 636 that is pivotally mounted at an intermediate point to an upright 666 on the cover 626. 'I'he outer end of lever 666 is pivotallyconnected to a link 642 constituting part of the linkage mechanism 62. The link 642 extends closely-adjacent to a substantially L- shape lever 646 which is pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis between arms 652 of a U-shape bracket that is secured to wall 66 of the outer housing. Lever 646 has a lateral arm 641 and an upright arm 646.

' A latch arm 656 (Fig. 18) has one end 661 beside the upright arm 646 and its other end se' I cured to a detent 656 that is pivotally mounted,

as by a pin 66|, on the top of the cam vcompartment shell 366. A leaf spring 662 connected to the detent arm 656 normally bears against one of the housing walls 66 to oppose clockwise movement of the latch arm 656 and detent arm 666 about the axis of the pivot pin 66| as viewed 'in Fig. 18.

One arm of a bell crank 661, ilxed to a shaft 666 that is journaled in the cam compartment shell 666, constitutes a latch finger arranged to be held by the detent arm 656. The other arm of the bell crank has a bifurcate end 66| which embraces the end of the operating arm of the auxiliary switch 61. This switch is of any usual construction with its arm spring pressed to nor- Ontop of the shaft 666 is a handle 666 which works over a suitable dial 664. Within the shell 366 the shaft 666 (Figs. 19 and 26) has a pair of radial pins 666 and 661 extending into recesses 668 and 666 in the push rods 666 and 666, respectively, for moving these rods independently of the corresponding cams 66| and 652, and coincidentally with the movements of the handle 666 and the bell crank 661, to start the ow of the hot and cold water, to lill-the tub 46 at the start of operations.

Inasmuch as the operations of the entire automatic mechanism are about to be described, no further description will be made of the functioning of this float valve and linkage mechanism at this point.

Main automatic switch trip Referring to Figs. 18 and 21, and particularly to Figs. 8 and' 9, the automatic trip mechanism 66 for the main switch 66, comprises an upright rod 662 pivotally connected at its lower end to a movable switch operating member and having at its upper end an operating handle 666. The switch is not shown in detail because it is of the ordinary type with the operating member 666 working through a toggle link. A collar 666, xed to the rod 662, is connected to the upper end of a tension spring 16| that also is connected, at its lower end, to a stationary guide 162, thus normally tending to pull the 'rod 662 downwardly to open the circuit through switch 86.

A lever 166 is pivotally mounted by a horizontal pin 161 in a lug 166 on the cover 0f the cam compartment' housing 666, and has a bifurcated free end 1|2 straddling the rod 662 and resting on top of the collar 668. The lever 166 has a dog 1|6 depending from its pivot for cooperation with an arm 116 (Fig. 8) that is fixed to the vvertical cam shaft 656.

To close thefswitch 66 the rod 662 is pulled upwardly which operates the toggle switch arm 663 and at the same time raises the collar 666 and the lever 166 which brings the dog 1I6 to its lowermost position, in which position the parts remain during operation of the machine. The

arm 1I6 is so positionedwith respect to the cams on discs 65I-4 that after a complete cycle of operations, which may or may not be a complete revolution of the cam shaft 656, the arm 1|6 strikes the dog 1|3 to cause the rod 662 to move downwardly to open the switch 66 and thus to interrupt the circuit to the motor 66.

Operation place, after which the proper amount of soap is placed in the soap container 66 and its cover 666A replaced.

The temperature control valve handle 566 (Fig. 5) is adjusted so as to supply water to give the desired wash water temperature. For this purpose, the dial of the handle 566 may be appropriateiy marked. Next the knob 435 with its index finger 438 is adjusted to the setting to indicate on the scale 436 (Fig. 38) the period of time it is desired to subject the clothes tov washing action, which period depends upon such factors as the nature, color, condition and quantity of the clothes, the degree of hardness or softness of the water, or

19 other considerations that may be found from experience to affect the particular period of washing time. The turning of the knob 435l adjusts the positions of the cams on discs 35|-354 with respect to the associated followers, as explained above in connection with Figs. 12 and 15.

Next, the handle 663 is turned to the Fill" position which opens the hot and cold water valves of the mechanical automatic control valve 13, independently of the cams 35| and 352 as above set forth, and also opens the auxiliary `switch 31 (Fig. 21) in the motor circuit.

The main switch handle 666 is then lifted to close the motor circuit through the main switch 86.

At this point the operator can leave the ma.- chine, for the several described automatic controis will govern the operation of the machine through the entire cycle of (a) lling the tub 46 with'the required amount of water.' (b) shutting off the water supply, (c) energizing the motor to operate the tub 46, (d) opening one or more valves -to admit additional water to flush off the scum and top wash water, (e) closing the water valves, (j) opening the drain valves. (g) opening rthe water valves to admit rinse water, (h)

'closing the drain valves, (i) closing the rinse water valves. (i) opening the drain valves, (lc) admitting water .to the diaphragm valve for drying the clothes by expansion of the diaphragm, (l) dumping the water from behind the diaphragm, (m) closing the drain valves, (n) operating the tub to loosen or "fluiT the clothes,

n. draining all water from the outer container, and (p) stopping the operation of the machine by control valve 10, and the conduitl 60| to the .temlperature valve 62, and the cold water will flow fthrough the conduit 401, the valve and the 'conduit 602 to .the temperature valve 82. Water v of the desired temperature will then vflow from the temperature valve 82 through the conduit 603, the soap container 63, and the conduit |64 into the tub 46.

When the manual lever 683 was turned to open the valves in the automatic control valve 10 to permit filling of the tub, the same operation placed the end of the bell crank 661 (Fig. 18) in engagement with the latch 658 against the tension of spring 662 so -as to condition the apparatus for automatic stopping of the lling operation and starting of the motor 66 by the float valve l5.

As the water rises in the tub, the float 632 (Fig. 19) rises with it causing the rod 63| to tilt the lever 636 about its pivot pin and lower .the link 642. When the desired water level isvreached, the link 642 has moved the lever 646 abou-t its pivot pin to cause the upright arm 649 to engage the free end of the latch arm 656. This action moves .the arm 656 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 18, to release the detent arm 658 from the bell crank lever 661 which then turns counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 18, closing the hot and cold water valves and returning the push rods 338 and 336 (Fig. l2) to normal position with the followers 345 and 346 thereof against the cam 20 discs and 352, respectively, and closing the auxiliary switch 61 to complete the electrical circuit to the motor 66.-

This `action sets the tub 46 in opera-tion in the aforementioned wobble action, and also starts operationA of the centrifugal pump 61 (Fig. 1) to maintain the latter ready for draining all water reaching the bottom of the outer housing 4|. The rotary motion of the motor is further transmitted tothe shaft 303, which rotates the cam shaft 356. The shaft 303 also acts to .turn the eccentric disc 541 (Figs. 15-17) to cause pumping action of the piston head 5|6 of the booster pump 15, as above set forth.

Concerning the manual adjustment of the cam discs for a predetermined washing period, this simply means adjusting the position of the cams with respect to the followers so rthat, a certain amount of time elapses before the rst cams 42| engage their followers. Referring to the chart, Fig. 37, if .the indicator 435 is set a-t Ithe 0, the cams 42| are .then engaging the followers'345 and 346 and there would be no washing period because these cams open Ithe water valves to begin the flushing operation, in the form of machine here illustrated. If the indicator 435 is moved .to the point marked 5', .then the cams 42| are located so that it will take five minutes for them to reach their followers and thus there will be a five minute washing period. Similarly for any of the other positions indicated up to 20', which will allow a washing period of twenty minutes, the maximum for which the presen-t machine is designed, although this maximum may be for any desired time.

Reference has been made above to cams 42| and it will be recalled that cams discs 35| and 352 are duplicates respectively controlling the hot and cold water supply valves. After the operator adjusts the position of .the cam shaft 306 for the washing period desired, the sequence and duration of the subsequent operations is fixed by the fixed positions of the cams that initiate and stop the respective operations.

When the cams 42| engage the followers 345 and 346 the hot and cold water'valves of the mechanical automatic control valve 10 are opened and maintained open to admit enough water, through the same path as in filling the tub, to float oil? the scum which accumulates on top of .the wash water. This step is known as flushing and the flushed water, etc., passes of! through the apertures |26 (Figs. 2-4) at the top of tub 46, with or without lifting the tub cover 41, as described in connection with those figures. The peripheral length of the cams 42|, as of all the cams, will be chosen to suit the desired duration of the particular operation, so that when the cams 42| pass the followers 345 and 346, the assoelated water valves close, thus terminating the "ilushing period.

At this time, the cam 423 of the disc 353 engages .its follower 341 to open the valve chamber 40| to its outlet port 383, whereupon cold water flows from the cold water valve chamber 403, through the passageway 408, into the chamber 40|, through the outlet port 363, and through the conduits 246 (Fig. 39) to the baille or drain valves 6|. This action raises the piston head 240 (Fig. 29) to raise the valve flap 226, whereupon the flushed wash water drains from the tub 46, lthrough the apertures 233, and into the housing 4|, from which it is removed by the continuously operating centrifugal pump 61` to a point of disposal, such as a laundry tub or drain. It will be 21 noted that the tub is continuously gyrating during the draining, so that the tub is quickly and thoroughly emptied.

Shortly before the drain'valves 2| are closed, by .the passing of the cam 421 from engagement with its follower, the cann 422 of the cam discs 35| and 382 cause a second engagement of the followers 84S and 345 to actuate the water valves to again cause -hot and cold and tempered water to ilow through the system, as above set forth, and into the -tub 45; This is the beginning of the -rinsing" operation and the iirst rinse water is free to drain out of the tub carrying with it any minor amount of wash water that may have remained in the tub vand any sediment that may have settled down with the clothes as the wash water drained olf. When the cam 423 passes its follower the drain valves close, and the tub nils with rinse water and overflows through the top apertures |22 and |21, with or without uiting the cover 41 as the case may be. All the time this rinse water is flowing the tub is continuing its gyrating or wobbling so that the clothes are thoroughly rinsed by being tumbled about in the fresh, clear water. As shown in Fig. 37, I have indicated a period of nine minutes for the flow of rinse water before the cams 422 pass 'their followers to shut off the supply of rinse water.

At this time, the cam 424 of the disc 353, and the cam 421 of the disc 354, simultaneously engage their respective followers 341 and 342, The cam 424 again actuates the baille valves 8| to drain the tub, as above set forth, and the cam 421 actuates its plunger rod 31|), etc., to admit cold water from the passageway 408, into the chamber 402, through the outlet port 384, the

conduit 50|, and the check valve 80, from which it ilows through the conduit |8I, to the diaphragm valve 12, which admits the water behind the diaphragm to raise it and press it against lthe rinsed clothes mass to dry the same. (It has previously been explained how the booster pump will augment the incoming water pressure if and when necessary.)

This action presses the clothes against the tub cover 41 and the side walls of the tub. Water escapes from the top of the tub through the apertures |26 and from the bottom of the tub through the drain ports 233. The same squeezing of the clothes will lift the cover of the tub. if that is necessary in order to bring the apertures |26 and |21 in register to eiect draining. Again, the movements of the tub have been continued during these operations so that all water is quickly drained olf.

As shown in chart Fig. 37, four minutes are allowed for this drying operation. When the pressure in back of the diaphragm actuates the trip 4|| of the trip mechanism 16, or the follower 348 rides off the cam 421, the supply of water to the diaphragm valve is shut off and the valve 12 operates to dump the diaphragm actuating water, as above set forth, and the diaphragm contracts and resumes its place on the tub bottom. Before this action, the bleeder valve 2M has delayed the release of the diaphragm valve 12 for an appreciable interval so that the tightly squeezed clothes are held under the higher pressures -while the last bit of water is drained off. After this action, the follower 341 remains on the cam 424 for an additional two minutes during lwhich the dried clothes are tumbled varound and loosened or fluifed, after which all of the followers are on the low points of the cams, all valves are closed and all water is shut oil'.

The further movement of the shaft i causes the lever 1li to engage the dog 1|2 to open the main switch I8, and to stop the machine by interrupting the motor circuit. The operator then removes the dried clothes from the tub 4i. If the drying has been so designed, these clothes are hung up to inish drying and airingf or the clothes are what is known as "ironer damp." which means that they are ready to be ironed.

It will be understood that various of the automatic featurescan be omitted if desired, such as ythe oat control -for automatic starting, for

which a-time control mechanism could be substituted since the apparatus is designed to admit water at a known rate, and that various other elements may be omitted such as the temperature valve, and the soap container. Furthermore, in some localities where the water pressure would never be too low for the operation of the diaphragm, the booster pump may be omitted,

` Likewise, if the machine'is permanently connected to the pumbing system of a house, there would be no need for the centrifugal pump. Again, the drying might be accomplished by other means than the expansible rubber diaphragm, and other mechanisms could be provided for carrying out the several intended functions. Several of the functions above described could be combined, for example, the auxiliary switch could be eliminated, and that mechanism applied to the main switch to automatically start the motor; and the flushing and rinsing operations could be combined, which would eliminate the first draining operation. In this lattercase, the admission of the rinse water at the bottom of the tub and the drain openings at the top would be relied upon to remove all of the wash water during the combined flush and rinse periods.

An alternate method of accomplishing the flushing operation withoutA adding water to the article receiving chamber would be to add a short cam to the disc 354 to partially expand the diaphragm which would raise the body of water in the .tub to overflow through the top drain openings. After this operation is continued for a definite interval the diaphragm valve 12 would function to release the water from in back of the diaphragm so that the remainder of the entire cycle could proceed as described. Of course, with this method of flushing, the cams .42| now used to open the supply valves for the pending application Serial No. 286,303 filed July 25, 1939, now abandoned.

I claim:

1. A washing machine wherein articles are washed, the washing fluid is drained olf, the articles are rinsed in newly supplied fluid and afterwards are dried, these actions occurring in sequence automatically, comprising a tub for containing the articles, a water supply under pressure connected to said machine, motor op-

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