US2523801A

US2523801A - Water supply valve and soap dispenser arrangement for automatic clothes-washing machines

Info

Publication number: US2523801A
Application number: US739680A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas T Woodson
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1947-04-05
Filing date: 1947-04-05
Publication date: 1950-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1967-09-26

Description

p 26, 1950 T. T. WOODSON v 2,523,801

WATER SUPPLY VALVE AND SOAP DISPENSER ARRANGEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1947 v Ifie'nbo Q T homas T. Woodson,

His Aov'neg.

Sept, 26, 1950 T. 'r. WOODSON 2,523,801

WATER SUPPLY VALVE AND SOAP DISPENSER ARRANGEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES-WASHING mcnmns Filed April 5, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 54 a: I Inventor:

:9 Thomas T )(/'oo :\so1'\ 4 36 T. T. WOODSON 2,52 ,801 WATER SUPPLY VALVE AND SOAP DISPENSER ARRANGEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINES Filed April 5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 l'nvenbo'n" T homag T. Woods 01 1 His Attorney.

Patented Sept. 26, 1950 PENSER ARRANGEMENT FOR AUTO- MATIC CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINES Thomas T. Woodson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application April 5, 1947, Serial No. 739,680

. 16 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to automatic clothes washing machines wherein automatic means, including valve mechanism, is provided for controlling the supply of water for the several washing operations, regulating the temperature of the water and, at the correct point in the cycle of operations, effecting the introduction of soap or the like into the machine.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved water supply valve and soap dispenser arrangement which is relatively simple in structure, requires a minimum of conduit or piping, and is capable of being provided at low cost.

A further object of my invention is to provide a valve mechanism and conduit structure which is built as a unit to be attached to the machine.

A further object is to provide in connection with a unitary valve and conduit structure an improved soap dispenser located directly adjacent to the valve mechanism and positioned to have water discharged into it directly from one of the water conduits.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear more fully from the following specification.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and myinvention, attention is directed to the following specification and to the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes washing machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine with parts broken away for purposes of illustration; Fig. 3 is a top plan view on a scale larger than that of Fig. 2, with parts broken away to further illustrate the construction; Fig. 4 is a 'detail sectional view of a coverv taken on line l-4, Fig. 2, the central portion of the structure bein broken away; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the upper portion of a clothes washing machine detail views, Fig. being a section taken on line I I!-II1, Fig. 6; Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line I II I of Fig. 12 showing a modification; Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the structure of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on 2 line I3I3, Fig. 11; and Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line I4-I4, Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, I indicates an outer casing rectangular in cross section provided with an inturned flange 2 at its top edge. Inside casing I is around tub 3 having an integral outturned flange 4 at its upper edge which is shaped to conform to the contour of casing I and which at its edge rests on top of flange 2 and is attached to it by spaced screws 5. Positioned on casing I and tub 3 is a covercomprising an outer member 6 which is rectangular to conform with casing I and an inner member I which is circular to conform to tub 3. Cover members 6 and I are attached together to form a unitary structure by spaced screws 8 which extend through inner member I and an intumed flange 9 on member 6 (see Fig. 4). Between the two members is a gasket Ill formed from rubber or other sultablegasket material. Inturned flange 9 defines a rectangular opening II in outer cover member 6. Inner cover member I has at its outer edge a downturned flange I2 the inner edge of which projects within the confines of the rim of tub 3. Fixed to the rim of tub 3 is a gasket I3, U-shaped in cross section. Flange I2 is wedged down tightly in gasket I3 to hold the cover in place and to provide a water-tight joint. The cover is correctly located on casing I by a dowel pin I4 (Fig. 6) carried by the cover which enters an opening in the flange 4. It is held vertically with respect to theflange by a series of spaced lugs I5 which are carried by the cover and rest on top of flange 4. Cover member I projects inward beyond the edge of opening II and is provided at its inner edge with an intumed flange I6 which defines an opening I! for introduction of clothes into the machine. Openings II and I! are closed by a rectangular lid I8 which at one edge is pivoted to cover member 6, as shown at I9 in Fig. 4. The cover member I within the confines of opening I I has an opening 20 beneath which is attached a soap box 2|. The soap box (Figs. 3 and 6) is of generally trapezoidal shape, has an open top, a downwardly and outwardly sloping bottom wall 22 and an outturned flange 23 at its rim which is fastened to the underside of cover member I by bolts 24 (see Fig. 3), there being a suitable sealing gasket between the flange and the cover member. In one end wall of the soap box is a discharge opening 25, the contour of which is best shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. The corners of the soap box are smoothly rounded and at the central portion of the bottom radially outer edge is an admission opening 26 over which is an angularly positioned shield 21 formed from a hat piece of suitable metal. The shield defines a water admission chamber triangular in cross section and open at its two ends and serves to hold the soap away from opening 26. At its central portion, shield 21 is provided with an opening 28 over which is a cover tongue 36 as shown best in Fig. 10. Lid l8 covers both opening l1 and opening 26. When the lid is open, clothes may be placed in the machine through opening l1 and soap powder or the like may be placed in the soap box through opening 24.

For use in supplying water to the machine and for cooperation with the soap box for flushing the soap from it to the machine, I provide a unitary valve and pipe structure, shown in perspective in Fig. 7. It comprises a valve casing 3| having on one side a hot water supply nipple 32 and a cold water supply nipple 33. Nipples 32 and 33 are threaded and may have connected to them either a hose or a rigid pipe. In the valve casing are two valves controlled by

electromagnets

34 and 36, respectively, which may be energized and de-energized for opening and closing the valves. The valve controlled by electromagnet 34 when opened permits warm water. for example water of a temperature of the order of 100 F., to be discharged through a discharge passage 36 (see Fig. 8) in the valve casing. The

valve controlled by electromagnet 36 permits hot water, for example water of a temperature of the order of 130 F., to be discharged through a discharge passage 31. The desired water temperatures may be obtained by means of suitable thermostatically controlled mixing valves in the valve casing in advance of the valves controlled by the electromagnets. The specific mixing valve structure forms no part of my present invention and has not been illustrated. Such valve structures are known. Any suitable type and arrangement may be used. The side of the valve casing opposite

nipples

32 and 33 is formed as a fiat surface 32a.

Discharge passages

36 and 31 terminate in the valve at this surface. Attached to the flat surface of the valve casing is a bracket and discharge pipe structure comprising a bracket plate 38 fastened to the flat surface 32a by studs 39, a bracket plate 40 adapted to be attached to the wall of tub 3 and warm and hot water pipes 4| and 42.

Bracket plates

38 and 40 are joined at their lower edges by a bottom wall 43. Pipes 4| and 42 extend loosely through openings in plate 38. They project through and are rigidly fastened to the plate 40 by suitable means such as welding or soldering. Each has a flange positioned beneath plate 38 (Fig. 8) and a surrounding projection positioned in a recess 44 in the flat surface. Between the ends of the projections and the bottoms of recesses 44 are suitable sealing gaskets 45. When studs 39 are tightened, the pipe ends are drawn into sealing engagement with the fiat surface by bracket plate 38.

The unitary valve and pipe structure is attached to tub 3 by screws 46 (see Figs. 3 and 6) which extend through the tub wall and thread into openings in bracket plate 40. Pipes 4| and 42 extend through openings in tub 3. The arrangement is such that when: the structure is attached to tub 3 pipe 4| is positioned to discharge downwardly toward the bottom of tub 3 through its side discharge opening 41, Fig. 5, and

pipe 42 is positioned to discharge through admission opening 26 into water admission chamber 28.

My improved water supply valve and soap dispenser arrangement may be used in connection with 'any suitable washing machine construction. In the present instance, it is shown as being used in connection with a washing machine wherein the washing operation is performed in a basket 48 by means of a known type of agitator 49. The water is removed from the clothes by spinning the basket 48. In casing 56 is a suitable mechanism for operating the agitator for washing, basket 48 being then stationary, and for spinning the basket and agitator as a unit for extracting water from the clothes. It may be a mechanism, for example, such as that disclosed in my application Serial No. 551,096, filed August 25, 1944 and assigned to the same asignee as the instant application. At 5| is a motor driven circulating pump which discharges through a nozzle 52 onto a suitable filter ring 53. The circulating pump may be operated during all or part of the washing period to filter the water. At 54 is a motor driven drain pump for use in emptying the tub.

, In the use of my invention, the lid I8 is opened, the clothes placed in spin basket 48 through opening l1, and a suitable supply of soap powder or the like placed in soap box 2| through opening 20. The shield 21 serves to keep the soap powder out of chamber 28 and away from opening 26. The lid is then closed after which the washing cycle is started. At the proper point in the cycle, water is supplied by the valve mechanism through pipe 42 to chamber 28 of the soap box. This water strikes against shield 21, Fig. 6, and is directed by the shield in each direction toward the ends of the soap box. The water is thus forced to circulate throughout the soap box and through discharge opening 25 into the tub 3, and quickly carries the soap powder out with it. In addition to discharging from the openings at the two ends of shield 21, water also strikes cover tongue 30 and is discharged in all directions from beneath it. This assists materially in washing the soap powder from the soap box.

In'Figs. 11 to 14 is shown a modification of the invention wherein the water supply pipes 6|! and 6| corresponding to pipes 4| and 42 of Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, instead of projecting up to and into the tub and the soap box are arranged to discharge to the tub and to the soap box across an air gap of suitable length, the arrangement being such as to preclude the possibility of water backing up in the machine in a way such as to be drawn or syphoned back into the water supply line. To this end, the pipe 60 is provided with a discharge nozzle 62 which discharges across an air gap 63 to a vertical conduit 64 formed by a wall 65 attached to the outside of the tub and communicating with the inside of the tub at its lower end through a passage 66. The upper end of conduit 64 is spaced below nozzle 62 to provide an air gap 63 of substantial length. The upper end of conduit 64 defines the top level to which water can build up normally in the tub, thus assuring the level cannot reach nozzle 62; and should conduit 64 become plugged water can no longer fiow through it to build up the level in the tub. Similarly, the pipe 6| is provided with a discharge nozzle 61 which discharges across an air gap 68 to the soap box 69, the top of the tub being provided with a curved lip 10 and the soap box being provided with a lip II for guiding the water to the soap box. The water enters the soap box through the opening I? and across this opening is an angularly positioned shield 13 corresponding to the shield 21 of Figs. 1 to 10. The shield is provided with an opening 14 over which is positioned a cover tongue 15 corresponding'to the cover tongue as shown particularly in Fig. 10. In the present instance, the tongue 15 is arranged at a slight angle to the plane of shield 13, as shown particularly in Fig. 14, so that the end of the cover tongue 15 nearer the discharge opening 16 of the soap box (Fig. 12') is spaced a greater distance from shield 13 than is the other end of the tongue. By this arrangement, the major portion of the water striking the cover tongue is directed directly toward the outlet opening 16 of the soap box, while a lesser amount is discharged in the opposite direction. The major jet discharged directly toward the opening 16 produces an aspirator action with the discharge opening which is of benefit in quickly scavenging the soap powder from the soap box.

The unitary valve structure in this modification is carried by an angle bracket 11 attached to the outside of the tub as shown particularly in Fig. 12. 7

Referring to Fig. 11, it will be noted that the curved lip H is positioned lower than the curved lip 10, an arrangement which prevents leakage of water through the space between the adjacent ends of the lips when the spin basket is rotated to centrifugally extract water from clothes in the basket. When the basket is rotating, air is drawn into the machine around the lid l8 and is thrown radially outward by the centrifugal pumping action of the rotating basket. Some water is carried along with the air. Such water and air as strikes the underside of lip H is guided outwardly and downwardly by the lip, the water being directed down into the tub and air escaping through the space between the adjacent edges of the lips.

Located inside the tub 3 at the lower edge of passage 66 is a radially inwardly extending baffle 18 which forms a continuation of the lower curved bottom 19 of conduit 64 and serves to direct water inwardly around and across the bottom of basket 48 to break dowmor kill suds which may have accumulated around the basket during the washing operation. Such an accumulation is known as suds-lock and may put a drag on the spin basket, interfering with its starting and getting up to rotational speed. Bafile 18 may be fastened in position in any suitable manner. For example as shown in Fig. 11, it may be fastened by the screws used to fasten wall 65 in place. Nozzle G2 is shaped to distribute an unbroken stream -of water against the curved bottom wall 18 so that to effect suds kill a spray of water having substantial force may be directed by baffle 18 to the region around and below basket 48.

Other than above-described, the construction shown in Figs. 11 to 14 may be similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 10 and corresponding reference characters have been applied to corresponding parts.

The use of a unitary valve and pipe structure, as shown in perspective in Fig. 7 and as shown in Figs. 11 and 12 has the advantage that it may be attached to and detached from the machine as a unit, it being held only by the screws 46. Thus, in assembling the machine, there are no pipe con nections to be made. The construction effects a saving in both initial first cost and in assembly cost. Also, it provides a construction which can be easily replaced in case repairs are needed.

The location of the soap box on the underside of the cover is of advantage in that it ensoap box from the top of the machine whenever the lid I8 is open. This is a handy arrangement from the users standpoint, and provides neat appearance.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub having an opening through which clothes may be placed in the machine, a soap box having a water inlet opening and a water discharge opening attached to the underside of the cover, said cover having an opening through which soap may be placed in the soap box, lid means for closing said openings, and a unitary valve and pipe structure attached to the outside of the tub for supplying water thereto having discharge pipes projecting through openings in the tub, one of said pipes discharging directly to the tub and another discharging through said soap box water inlet opening.

2. In a lothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub having an opening, a soap box attached to the cover beneath said opening, said soap box having an inlet opening midway between its ends and a discharge opening at one end, and a unitary valve and pipe structure for supplying water to the machine having discharge pipes one of which discharges directly to the tub and another which discharges into said soap box inlet opening.

3. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub having an opening, a soap box attached to the cover beneath said opening, said soap box having an inlet opening midway between its ends and a discharge opening at one end, and a unitary valve and pipe structure for supplying water to the machine comprising a valve casing having supply nipples and discharge passages, said passages terminating at one face of the casing, a bracket having a bracket plate attached to said face and a bracket plate attached to a wall of the machine, and pipes carried by said bracket connected with said discharge passages, one pipe discharging to the tub and another to said soap box inlet opening.

4. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub having an opening through which clothes may be placed in the machine, a rectangular soap box disposed beneath said cover, said box having a water inlet opening at its central portion, a. shield over the inlet opening, within said box, said shield defining with said box an openended passage communicating with the interior thereof, and a water discharge opening, said cover having an opening through which soap may be placed in the soap box, lidmeans for closing said openings, and a unitary valve and pipe structure attached to the outside of the tub for supplying water thereto having discharge pipes, one of which discharges directly to the tuband another through said soap box water inlet opening against the underside of said shield for distribution thereby within said box.

5. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub having an opening, a soap box attached to the cover beneath said opening, said soap box having a water inlet opening midway between its ends and a water discharge opening at one end, and a shield in the soap box over the inlet opening for directing water through said box from the inlet opening to the discharge opening.

6. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub having an opening, a soap box attached to the cover beneath said opening, said soap box having a water inlet opening midway between its ends, a water discharge opening at one end and a shield in the box over the inlet opening, said shield providing openings communicating with the interior of said box, a unitary valve and pipe structure for supplying water to the machine comprising a valve casing having supply nipples and discharge passages, said passages terminating at one face of the casing, a bracket having a bracket plate attached to said face and a bracket plate attached to a. wall of the machine, and pipes carried by said bracket connected with said discharge passages, one pipe discharging directly to the tub and another to said soap box inlet opening against said shield for the deflection of the water thereby through said box.

'7. A unitary water supply valve and pipe structure for use with a washing machine or the like comprising a valve casing, a plurality of valves in the casing, inlet conduits on the admission sides of said valves, walls defining discharge passages in the casing which terminate at a face wall of the casing, a bracket having a bracket plate attached to said face wall and a second bracket plate for attachment to a support, and pipes carried by said bracket having inlet ends communicating with said discharge passages and outlet ends projecting beyond said bracket plates.

8. A unitary water supply valve and pipe structure for use with a washing machine or the like comprising a valve casing, a plurality of valvesin the casing, inlet conduits on the admission sides of said valves, walls defining discharge passages in the casing which terminate at a face wall of the casing, a bracket,pipes carried by said bracket having inlet ends communicating with said discharge passages and outlet ends projecting beyond said bracket, and means for clamping the bracket and pipe ends to said face wall.

9. A unitary water supply valve and pipe structure for use'with a washing machine or the like comprising a valve casing, a plurality of valves in the casing, inlet conduits on the admission sides of said valves, walls defining discharge passages in the casing which terminate at a face ,wall of the casing, a bracket having a bracket plate attached to said face wall and a second bracket plate for attachment to a support, pipes carried by said second bracket plate having inlet ends which project through openings in the first bracket plate and communicate with said discharge passages and outlet ends projecting beyond said second bracket plate, and flanges on the pipe ends located between said first bracket plate and said face wall for clamping the pipe ends to the valve casing.

10. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub havingv an opening, a soap box attached to the cover beneath said opening, said soap box having a water inlet opening and a discharge opening, and a unitary valve and pipe structure attached to the outside of said tub for supplying water to the machine comprising a discharge nozzle the end of which is positioned outside of the tub in spaced relation thereto, said tub having an opening through which the nozzle discharges water to the soap box inlet opening.

11. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a, soap box supported within the confines of the tub, said soap box having a water inlet opening and an outlet opening communicating with said tub, and a water valve structure attached to the tub on the outside thereof having a water discharge nozzle the discharge end of which is located outside the tub in spaced relation to the tub to provide an air gap of substantial length between the discharge end of the nozzle and the wall of the tub, the wall of the tub having a passage through which water may discharge across said air gap to the soap box water inlet opening for flow within said soap box and eventual discharge into said tub.

12. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub having an opening through which clothes may be placed in the machine, a soap box having a water inlet opening and a water discharge opening attached to the underside of the cover, said cover having an opening through which soap may be placed in the soap box, lid means'for closing said openings, and a unitary valve and pipe structure attached to the outside of the tub for supplying water thereto having discharge pipes the discharge ends of which are located outside the tub in spaced relation to the tub to provide air gaps, one pipe discharging across its air gap to the soap box water inlet opening and another across its air gap to the tub.

13. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a cover for the tub having an opening through which clothes may be placed in the machine, a soap box having a water inlet opening and a water discharge opening attached to the underside or the cover, said cover having an opening through which soap may be placed in the soap box, lid means for closing said openings, and a unitary valve and pipe structure attached to the outside of the tub for supplying water thereto having discharge pipes the discharge ends of which are located outside the tub in spaced relation to the tub to provide air gaps, one pipe discharging'across its air gap to the soap box water inlet opening and means defining a conduit on the outer side of the tub wall connected at its lower'end to the interior of the tub through which the other pipe discharges across its air gap to the tub.

14., In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a water valve structure attached to the tub on the outside thereof having a water discharge nozzle the discharge end of whichis located outside the tub, and means defining a conduit which extends along the outer side of the tub wall having its upper end spaced from the discharge end of said nozzle to form an air gap and its lower end connected to the interior of the tub for conveying water from the nozzle to the tub.

15. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a spin basket in the tub, a water valve structure attached to the tub on the outside thereof having a water discharge nozzle the discharge end of which is located outside the tub, means defining a conduit which extends along the outer side of the tub wall having its upper end spaced from the discharge end of said nozzle to form an air gap and its lower end connected to the interior of the tub for conveying water from the nozzle to the tub, and a baflle for directing water from the conduit to the region beneath and around the spin basket.

16. In a clothes washing machine, a tub, a soap THOMAS T. WOODSON.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 893,770 Wilson July 21, 1908 2,154,566 Frantz Apr. 18, 1939 2,228,914 Pierce Jan. 14, 1941 m 2,289,515 Mathews July 14, 1942 2,295,888 Buckneli Sept. 15, 1942 2,323,993 Harvey July 13, 1943