US2628488A - Washing machine provided with conical rinse water distributing means - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1953 M. FRANCE ET AL 2,628,488

- WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH CONICAL RINSE WATER DISTRIBUTING MEANS Filed Sept. 1'7, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l [NvENTc/Rs MARTIN L. FRANCE WILLIAM G. LANDWIER AT'T UHNE Y Feb. 17, 1953 M. L. FRANCE ETAL 2,523,488

WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH CONICAL RINSE WATER DISTRIBUTING MEANS Filed Sept. 1'7, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 o o o o o w 22 JNVENTURS MARTIN L. FRANBE WILLIAM E. LANIIWIER ATTURNEY Feb. 17, 1953 M. L. FRANCE ET AL 2,623,488

WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH CONICAL RINSE WATER DISTRIBUTING MEANS Filed Sept. 17, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 760 I46 162 16 I66 748 4-6 48 NVENTDHS MARTIN L. FRANDE WILLIAM G, LANIIWIER ZfPW ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH CONICAL RINSE WATER DISTRIBUT- ING IVIEANS Application September 17, 1948, Serial No. 49,682

6 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly to apparatus having centrifugal extractors adapted for centrifugal rinsng.

In an application Serial No. 775,211, filed September 20, 1947, Patent No. 2,595,609, there is shown a two-tub washing and extractor type laundry apparatus, in which rinse water is sprayed upon laundry contained in a vertical basket centrifuge to effect centrifugal rinsing thereof, and in which rinse water is introduced from beneath the apparatus. Such apparatus is used in conjunction with two-tub constructions of the type generally illustrated in Nelson et a1. "Patent 1,720,851, issued July 16, 1929.

The present invention constitutes an improvement "thereover, and has as an object to provide rinse water supply and distribution system in which rinse'water may be introduced from the top under "light pressure, after a free fall, and "thereafter be centrifugally distributed substantially uniformly over the entire axial length of the extractor basket.

Another object of the invention is to provide 'a construction of the type described in which the distributing member may be readily removed for cleaning and inspection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction in which water may be handily directed into a wash tub, or axially into an ex tractor basket for cooperation with a distributor.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an economical structure relatively 'simp'leindesign, but eifective to perform a rinsing and damp drying action in a relatively eflicient "manner.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the "following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 'It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In .the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a machine of the type described, with part of the cover broken away;

Figure 2'is anenlarged transverse section taken nn the'line 2--'2 of Figure 1;

Figure '3 is asectional view taken substantially on the line 3+3 of Figure 2;

Figure A :a vertical section taken 'on the lrregular sectional line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure '5 is "a section taken on the :line .5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view .of a modified form of the invention;

Figure '7 is a section taken substantially .on the line 1--'I of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially .on the line '88 of Figure 7:; and

Figure 9 is a modified detent-structure.

In Figures 1 and 4, there is shown an extractor tub l0 mounted upon a base or frame 12 and having a formed top deck 14. The bottom l6 of the tub 10 has extending therethrough a sleeve 18 with a journal 20 in which the extractor-drive shaft 22 rotates. Mounted upon the upper end of the shaft 22 is a hub member 24 :having a squared socket 2B engaging the squared end 28 of the shaft 22. The hub 24 is flared outwardly as at '30 and merges into an end wall 32 of :an extractor basket generally indicated as at 34. The basket wall .in the arrangement shown :consists of atperforated-cylindrical member :36 having an inturned flange 38 at its upper end and having its lower end joined to the end wall 32 as at ll). It will be understood, however, that an imperforate tapered wall may be employed where suitable discharge apertures or means :are :provided 'in the larger diameter region.

The flare 30 forms a conical seat forthe reception of a conical center member 42, preferably closed at its upper end, extending substantially the entire length of the axis of the basket, and such :conical member 42 is secured to "the flare v30 by :one or more screws such as -44 or other suitable fastening means. Surrounding the-conical .member 42 and slightly spaced therefrom is a second conical member 46 slidably positioned on three or more vane-like members 48 secured upon the conical member '42. Such members supportthe outer conical member -46 in spaced .rela- 'tion to the member 42 to provide .an .annular conical passage 53 into which water may be introduced for distribution along the length of the extractor basket34, and may extendelementally of the cone or spirally thereof.

The .czonicalimember '46 is provided with a large :number of apertures 52 substantially uniformly spaced over its entire area to permit water to escape from the annular passage 50 and the structure is such that rinse water introduced :into the open top end 54 of the conicalmember 46 will travel downwardly through the annular passage 56, be impelled by the vanes 48 .andcentrifugally thrown radially outward through .the

apertures 52 to uniformly distribute rinse water over the axial length of the basket 34.

portion of the pipe I2.

The top deck I4 may be clamped down against the rim of the tub I and provided with an access or working aperture 56 surrounded by a suitable fiange' 58, extending a short distance below and into the rim of the tub I0. The deck has mounted thereon a swivel conduit arm 66 having a nozzle suitable means may be employed to direct the flow substantially vertical and in a non-diverging stream. The conduit arm 60 extends to a vertical swivel supportingportion 66 passing through 7 an aperture 68 in the deck I4, and'such vertical portion 66 is provided with a collar I0 which is clamped between the under side of the deck I4 and the upper end of a Water inlet pipe I2 having an upwardly extending portion 14 terminating in a cup-like socket end 16. The cup-like socket end I6 is provided with a shoulder 78 against which one side of the collar I0 may bear, the other-side of such collar bearing against a ure 1 to the position shown in dotted lines in the same figure, the conduit 96 and pipe 14 shift from the misalignment shown in Figure 2 to axial alignment. It will thus be seen that by such misalignment, flow of water through the conduit arm 60 is restricted when in the rinse position shown in Figure 4 and is unrestricted when the arm is swung to the position shown in dotted line in Figure 1.

The deck I4 is provided with a marginal inverted U-flange II4 having a short depending skirt-like rim I I6 and there is attached to the inside of such flange a cover H8 by means of an elongated piano type hinge I20. Such cover may be slightly crowned as at I22 to accommodate the conduit arm 60 when in position for supplying rinse water to the cone 46 and also to permit the washer 80 and a gasket 82 in the form of a grommet surrounding the aperture 68 in the deck I4. The cup-like end portion of the pipe 14 is secured to the deck by one or more screws 84. In the lower part of the cup-like portion I6 is a'second shoulder 86 having therein a gasket 88 of V-sectionand adapted to'bear against a cylindrical portion 90 of the vertical part 66 of the conduit arm 60. The lower end 92 of the vertical portion of the conduit arm 60 engages a third shoulder 94 which in effect constitutes the lower end wall of the cup-like portion 16 and the bore 96 is adapted to connect with the pipe I4 so that rinse water maybe supplied to the standard hose fitting 98 outside the side wall I00 of the washing' machine, and such water will then flow f through the conduit arm 60, the nozzle 62, and

into the open end of the cone 46.

Since it will be apparent that the conduit arm 60 is' rotatably mounted within the cup-like portion I6, there is provided'a spring-pressed detent or stop I02 having a conical end I04 adapted to engage either one of two arcuately spaced conical or V-shaped recesses I06 and I08 in the cylindrical edge'IIO of the collar I0. The recesses are so located as to tend to hold the arm in correct position, that is radially across the extractor tub I0 and in the position shown in Figures 1 and 4, or in the dotted position shown in Figure 1, in which latter position water may be supplied from the nozzle to the wash tub I I2.

It will be observed that the vertical bore 96; of the conduit arm 60 is disaligned from the vertical center line of the upwardly extending The bore 96 is eccentric with respect to the collar 14 and the conduit 14 is eccentric with respect to the point of entry into the cup portion 16. Thus, as the conduit arm is swung from the position shown in Fignozzle 62 to be positioned a predetermined distance above the rim of the tub I0 and the top opening 54 of the cone 46. By providing a free fall of a predetermined distance between the nozzle 62 and the rim of the tub I0, there is assured an adequate vacuum break such that under no circumstances, if the pressure in the supply pipe I2 should drop below atmospheric, could water b siphoned from the tub I0.

It will be understood that in practice, the hose connection will be connected to a supply of rinse water controlled by the usual tap faucet, and that when it is desired to fill the wash tub I I2, the arm 60 will be swung to the dotted position shown in Figure 1 and the lid I I8 may at this time be opened. The wash tub H2 is thus filled with hot or lukewarm water, and suitable detergent for washing. After washing has been con cluded, laundry may be transferred to the basket 34, the conduitcarm 60 swung to the position shown in Figures 1 and 4, and the lid closed-l SO-apy water is first extracted from the laundry and by suitable connections to outlet I24, isreturned to the wash tub II2 for reuse. When the soapy water has been extracted, fresh rinse water under control of the tap and also the constriction of the disalignment of the passages 96 and I4, at a reduced flow rate, is delivered to the cone 46. At this time, however, the outlet I24 is connected to the drain.

The extractor 34 rotates at a speed in therange of 800 or 900 R. P. M., and such rinse water as enters the cone 46 will travel downwardly and be impelled by the vanes 48 and centrifugally thrown through the apertures 52 through the entire length and circumference of the cone 46. Such rinse water is centrifugally thrown through laundry held against the wall 36 of the basket 34 and is thereafter removed from the tub I0 through the outlet I24, the outlet I24 being connected during this operation, as previously described, to any suitable drain. Upon completion of the rinsing operation, the flow of water through the conduit arm 60 is terminated by turning on the tap, whereupon further rotation of the basket extracts moisture from the laundry contained therein, producing a damp dry condition, During all of these operations, the cover I22 will be preferably closed in the position indicated in Figures 1 and 4 to prevent splash. The marginal edge of the cover I22 furthest from the hinge I20 may be provided with rubber lip I23 to form a reasonably tight closure against the top of the deck I4, and the cover is bounded by side flanges such as I26, which cooperate with the inverted U-flange II 4 to prevent any possible splash escape of fluid during the rinsing operation.

ticable.

mounting therein of a conduit 1'30 'having a standard hose connection I 32 at-one end, the lat- *ter being located close to the axis of the hinge I34, andas near in alignment therewithas prac- The deformation is such 'as to permit the connection I32 -to be arranged onan axis as nearly parallel with the hinge axis as possible.

By so arranging the hose connection in this manner, a flexible rubber hose'may be "coupled with the connection and 'little disturbance will be cause'd'tothe-openingand closing of the lid I28 as a result thereof.

The conduit I38 "leads to a "valve body I35 :secured to the cover 1218 by a plurality :of .screws such as I38. The valve body .has a itaper here I 40 in which there is positioned 'a plug valve member I42, such plug valve member having a radial port I44 and xial port I46 terminating in a-nozzle I 43 at its lowerextremity directed'to the lower edge of thecone 46. an upwardly extending stem I-Ilapassing through a gland I52 and gland nut .154, there being provided a dial handle I55 'on'the upper end thereof, above the lid "for manual rotation of the "valve plug I42. A suitable dial pointer I55 and lid indicia I51 may be provided. The plug is held upwardly in position in its conical seat I58 by a spring I80 bearing against an under shoulder I62, the spring bearing at its lower end against an annular flange I64 of a depending spring housing member I65 secured to the valve body portion by screws I68 passing through the attachment flange I10.

The conduit I39 extends through the valve body as shown to the valve plug I42. The valve body is also provided with an outlet connection I12 having a conduit I14 leading away therefrom beneath the cover I28, to a point where such conduit may discharge into the wash tub I16. The conduit I14 terminates as at I18 just short of the edge I8 of the cover I28 and is preferably inclined to assist in directing fluid downwardly into the opening I82 of the tub I16.

The valve plug I42 is provided with the radial port I44 previously described connected to the nozzle I 48, and also an arcuate groove port I84 extending around the plug at a distance somewhat more than 180, so that by turning the plug I44 through an angle of 90 in either direction from the position shown (see Figure 8), the conduit I30 will be connected with the conduit I12 by the arcuate port I84 to permit direct flow of water from the fitting I32 into the wash tub I16.

It will thus be seen that through the valve I56, an operator may at will control the flow of water, directing the same into the tub I16 or directing the same into the distributing cone I42. In this form, the orifice I48 will provide a suitable constriction so as to partially reduce the flow of water to a degree satisfactory to provide ample water to fill the length of the cone 4B and cause uniform distribution of water therefrom, while at the same time guarding the distributing cone from being unnecessarily flooded. Such constriction also assures that the tub II] will not be unnecessarily flooded beyond the capacity of the outlet I24 in the drain connection.

Although a single embodiment and several modified forms of the invention have been illus- The plug valve has '6 -trated I and described, i t -is to "be nnderstood that the invention is not'ilimi'ted thereto. "various changes in the construction :and arrangement may be made without departing from :the :sp'irit of the invention, as will be apparent "to those ski-lied in the "art, reference will be had tofithe appended 'claims "for a definition. :of the limits of the invention. 1

What isclaimed is:

1. In a=washing machine,:an extractor -tubdiaving a'bottom, sidewall and top rim,:-a drive:shaft extending upwardly through the bottom sot :said tub substantially to the -axial icenter 'zthereo'f, a

basket mounted f or rotation thereon, rinse "water distributing means comprising 'an=elongated perforated cone centrally *loca'tecl'in 'andssupported solely "by the basket and"-rotatable' therewith, said cone being open-ended at its upper ismaller end, a rinse water feed means having a dischargei nozz'le located above the rim of=saidtub and-iiirected toward the open end of said distributing means.

2. In a washing machine, 'an-"extractor tubihaving a bottom, side wall andmeans for determining an overflow level'for "said tub, a drive shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of *said tub substantiallly to the 'axial center thereof, a basket mounted for rotation thereon, rinse water distributing means comprising "an-elongated perforated tubular member substantially conical in 'shape centrally located in and supported solely by the basket and rotatable therewith, said member being open-ended at its upper smaller end, a rinse water feed means having a discharge nozzle located above the overflow level of said tub and directed toward the open end of said distributing means.

3. In a laundry apparatus, a wash tub and an extractor tub arranged side by side, a deck member overlying the rims of said tubs, a drive shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of said extractor tub substantially to the axial center thereof, an extractor basket rotatably mounted on said shaft in said extractor tub, an elongated tubular rinse water distributing means substantially conical in shape centrally located in said extractor basket and secured thereto for rotation therewith, and having a water-receiving open end in the top thereof lying substantially in the plane of the top of said extractor basket, a conduit arm swivelly mounted upon said deck, said conduit arm extending substantially horizontally and swivelled upon said deck for movement about a vertical axis, said conduit being of a length and having a downwardly directed nozzle such that when swung to a position substantially radial of the basket axis, said nozzle will be axially aligned with said basket to discharge into said opening, and said nozzle being located a substantial distance above the rim of said extractor tub.

4. In a laundry apparatus, a wash tub and an extractor tub arranged side by side, a deck member overlying the rims of said tubs, a drive shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of said extractor tub substantially to the axial center thereof, an extractor basket rotatably mounted on said shaft in said extractor tub, an elongated tubular rinse water distributing means substantially conical in shape centrally located in said extractor basket and secured thereto for rotation therewith, and having a water-receiving open end in the top thereof lying substantially in the plane of the top of said extractor basket, a conduit swivelly mounted upon said deck, said conduit arm extending substantially horizontally and swivelled upon said deck for movement about a vertical axis, said conduit being of a length and having a downwardly directed nozzle such that when swung to a position substantially radial vof the basket axis, said nozzle will discharge into said opening, and detent means for facilitating the location of said arm in said radial position.

5. In a laundry apparatus, a wash tub and an extractor tub arranged side by side, a deck member overlying the rims of said tubs, a drive shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of said extractor tub substantially to the axial center thereof, a cover for said extractor tub hinged to said deck, an extractor basket rotatably mounted on said shaft in said extractor tub, an elongated tubular rinse water distributing means substantially conical in shape centrally located in said extractor basket, and having a waterreceiving open end in the top thereof, conduit means carried on said cover having an inlet end and outlets directed toward said Wash tub and water-receiving opening, and valvular means for selecting a path of flow to either one or the 1 extractor tub substantially to the axial center thereof, a cover for said extractor tub hinged to said deck, an extractor basket rotatably mounted on said shaft in said extractor tub, an elongated tubular rinse water distributing means substantially conical in shape centrally located in said extractor basket, and having a water-receiving open end in the top thereof, conduit means carried on said cover having an inlet end and outlets directed toward said wash tub and said opening, said outlet being located in the region of the hinge of said cover and extending in substantially the same direction as the axis of said hinge, said outlet directed toward said opening being restricted, and valvular means carried by said cover for selecting a path of flow to either one or the other of said outlets.

MARTIN L. FRANCE.

WILLIAM G. LANDWIER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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