US2654240A - Washing and extracting machine having a flexible diaphragm - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 6, 1953 G c, GRAHAM 2,654,240

WASHING AND EXTRACTING MACHINE HAVING A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM l J 29/ 5/ I EN TOR.

G mmz C mum/v W Oct. 6, 1953 G. c. GRAHAM 2,654,240 I WASHING AND EXTRACTING MACHINE HAVING A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM Original Filed Nov. 30, 1939 I' SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR. MQECGR HAM A TTO/f VZY G. C. GRAHAM Oct. 6, 1953 WASHING AND EXTRACTING MACHINE HAVING A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Nov. 30, 1939 INVENTOR. gfo/m C C/FA HAM W Patented Oct. 6, 1953 WASHING HAVING AND EXTRACTING MACHINE A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM George 0. Graham, Ridgewood, N. J.

, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Graham & Barker, Ridgewood, N. J.,, a limited partnership Original application November 30, 1939, Serial 22 Claims. 1

My invention relates to clothes washing machines or devices, exemplified herein as applied for household laundry purposes, and particularly to improvements in such machines relating to means for drying and draining water from the clothes. -.This application is a division of my copending application for Washing Machines, Serial No. 306,797, filed November 30, 1939, now Patent No. 2,407,660, dated September 17, 1946.

In devices of this character heretofore suggested, many factors have entered into the problem of rendering them simple, effective, economical and more desirable over a wide field of use, among which are such elements as the construction of drying and draining means, the particular manner of flushing and drying the clothes, and other features which must be properly combined' and operated together to produce a machine that is efiicient, easy to use, and free from trouble.

It is among the objects of my invention to overcome prior deficiencies in such apparatus and to produce a machine in which are novel constructions and arrangements of tub, agitator means, drain facilities and means for compressing the clothes to dry the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a top construction for a washing machine of the upright tub type, that is novel in the provision of screen means at the inner side of the lid toward which the clothes are moved for flushing, and against which they are pressed for drying, and in certain elements of the screen, the lid and the tub top.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and self cleaning arrangement for conducting water out of the tub during operations of flushing and of drying the clothes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dryer of the diaphragm type that advantageously is molded or otherwise constructed to conform to agitator means in the tub, and that has novel relation to the tub.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which, upon expansion of the diaphragm, increases molding and sealing efl'ects between the diaphragm and the tub.

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

Divided March 2, 1946, Serial No and this application In order to render the invention more clearly understood, means are shown in the accompany ing drawings for carrying the invention into practical effect, without limiting the improvements to the particular constructions which for the purpose of explanation, are made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front side view, partially in elevation and partially in substantially central vertical plane section of a washing machine of a particular type constructed in accordance with the invention; A

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

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

Fig. 4 is a slightly enlarged detail view, in side elevation, of a screen structure shown at the top of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing a modified form of screen for position in the structure in the place of the screen of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view, on a slightly enlarged scale, similar to the top of Fig. 1, showing the modified screen of Fig. 5 and its mounting; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the line 7| of Fig. 2.

Machine in general Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the example of the machine therein illustrated com.- prises a lower base 26, an upper stationary housing 21 on the base 26, an oscillatory tub 28 disposed generally in the housing 21, but having a special top or lid structure 3| extending above the housing, an agitator 83 having bafile elements or means 32 at the bottom of the tub and separate agitator baflles 34 near the top of the tub, for agitating the clothes and water in the tub during washing, flushing, and rinsing actions, a diaphragm 33 in the tub for efiecting flushing and drying actions by expansion of the diaphragm, a valve 36 under the tub for admitting fiuid behind the diaphragm and in part controlling operation of the diaphragm 33, a tub oscillating means or mechanism enclosed in a casing 4| supported by the base 26, and suspension means 42 for the casing 4| associated therewith.

The base structure 26, which may be any one of several different types has legs 5|, at least two of which, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, are suitable in location and construction for cooperation with the suspension means 42, as will later be described. The legs 5| are joined at the lower ends, as by tie rods 53, and support at their tops a metal or other disc or plate 56.

The plate 56, in this instance, is surmounted by a shell or ring 51 having a horizontal peripheral top flange 58 for attachment to the housing 21, and a peripheral bottom flange 6| telescoping and suitably held to the plate 56.

The housing 21 encloses the tub 28, and other parts, and receives wash and rinse water ejected from the top of the tub, as will later appear. Pipe 62, extending from the bottom of the housing and through the plate 58, is provided for draining the housing 21. The housing comprises a thin sheet of metal lower cup like portion 33, having an upper vertical peripheral flange 38 to which is secured an upper thin sheet metal cylindrical member II. At its upper end, the cylinder II is provided with an annular thin sheet metal shell or cap I2 having an offset perimeter I3 secured tothe top periphery of the cylinder H. The remainder of the cap I2 is of substantially half round section, forming a relatively large upwardly convex bead or toroid, having a relatively small radially inwardly extending flange I1 about the upper part of the tub 28 and in closely spaced relation thereto. A bushing 18 is provided in an opening in the shell '12, for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

The tub The tub 28 is of the oscillating type for operation about a vertical axis, relative to which its sheet metal body 19 is of somewhat elongated globe shape having a clothes receiving opening at its top, and being shaped at its upper and lower portions for the reception of, and cooperation with, the baffle elements 32 and 34 of the agitator means which will be later described.

The tub has a portion BI pressed upwardly at the center of the tub bottom (Fig. l). A disclike metal mounting element 82 is provided outside the tub bottom, and the agitator 33 has a disc-like base 84, provided inside the tub bottom, these elements extending about the portion BI, and conforming to and being secured to the tub as by rivets (not shown).

The bottom mounting 82 has a recess for the reception of the upper end of a drive shaft 81, which is operatively connected to the mounting 82, as indicated by a pin 88 and to the oscillating drive mechanism M. The lower portion of the tub also has an aperture in which is secured the bushing 89 of a valve 36, for controlling the movements of the diaphragm.

Any suitable mechanism may be provided for oscillating the tub, the details of one such mechanism being shown in my aforesaid copending application. Such mechanism is enclosed in the casing 4I.

Bolts 288 secure to the casing 4I laterally ex tending plates 23I which are connected to leaf springs 292, of the suspension means 42, which, in turn, are secured to two of the legs 5| of the machine.

At about its vertical central portion, the tub is provided with a peripheral channel 92, Fig. 1, open at the inner side of the tub and constituting part of means for attaching the diaphragm 33 to the tub, as will further appear.

The top of the tub has secured thereto a metal casting forming a neck portion 36, of cylindrical or ring-like character, having a depending tapered flange 91 conforming, at its outer surface, to the inner surface of the sheet metal body I9 of the tub, and having its inner surface gradually merging and curving into the curved inner surface of the sheet metal body, whereby to preserve the gradually rounded inner top contour of the tub. The neck portion 96 has an outwardly projecting peripheral flange I02 (Fig. 3) in which is a top groove I03. A plurality of peripherally spaced ducts or outlet ports I06 extend diagonally downwardly and outwardly through the casting 96 from the groove I03 to the exterior of the tub, for allowing water from the tub to drain into the housing 21 through the radially narrow peripheral space between the flange 1! on the shell 12 and the upper part of the tub.

A plate like element III of the lid structure 3I is of inverted shallow substantially dish shape. The metal of the plate at its periphery encircles a ring H3, in this instance of square cross section, which forms a flange that overlies and cooperates with the flange I02. Mounted concentrically with the ring H3 is an annular clamping frame I32 having a peripheral inner lip H4 between which and the lid III is disposed a rigid screen element I33 conforming in general to the shape of the plate III. The frame I32 is appropriately secured to the lid and has peripherally spaced, downwardly extending ducts I34 which communicate at their lower ends with the peripheral groove I03 and at their upper ends with the screen openings.

The screen I33, as better seen in Fig. 4, is of large mesh and also has radial grooves or corrugations I35, which when the clothes mass is pressed against the screen by the diaphragm, form gutters or channels for better draining off the water outwardly through and around the annular space between the lip II4 of the ring I32 and the plate III, the water draining downwardly through the ducts I34 into the top annular groove I63, and thence through the ducts I06, into the housing 21, as above mentioned. Of course, before the clothes are tightly pressed against the screen, the main bulk of the wash or rinse water being displaced by the diaphragm flows freely outwardly through various parts of the screen, irrespective of the grooves I35. Although the drawings show the ducts I06 and I34 substantially in register, the groove I03 and the ducts I06 may be of sufficient capacity to carry off the water admitted to the groove by the ducts I34 irrespective of the location of the ducts around the groove. Obviously, grooves or corrugations, similar to the grooves or corrugations I35, may be provided in the lid element III, in

' addition to, or instead of, those in the screen I33.

The plate II I is removably held upon the tub by a clamping ring I H of channel section, which embraces the lid flange H3 and the tub flange I02, when the lid is in place on the tub. The ring is split, as at one position about its periphery, and provided with operating means for peripheral expansion of the clamping ring to release the lid for opening, and for peripheral contraction of the ring for locking the lid in closed position.

At the top outside center of the plate III, an aperture therein is surrounded by a nipple I36 (Fig. 1) attached thereto and on which is a grooved ferrule I31. A cap-like member I38 is in rotative water sealed relation to the nipple, being provided with a spring clip I43 engaging the groove of the ferrule and the inner end of which removably extends through an opening in the cap. The cap I38 is connected, by a coupling I39, to a flexible conduit I40, which extends through the bushing I8, and between the housing 21 and the tub 28, to a nipple MI in the bot- 5 tom wall of the housing. Water is supplied to the conduit I40 from an inlet connection 142, secured to the bottom disc '56, through ahose r conduit 144, which extends through an opening in the shell 57, to a valve of an automatic con tool mechanism (not shown), andtfrom the valve through a hose :or conduit M9, to the nipple Hi.

A section Ii! of the conduit M0 operates as a hinge, or flexible mechanical connector, between the housing 2.7 and the lid 31, to prevent complete separation of the lid from the tub when the lid is open, and to hold the lid in convenient position for closing the tub. Also, the section i5'l oi the conduit 1-40., may move back and forth through the bushing 18 to avoid buckling of the conduit and to better control the action of opening and closing the tub.

The tub, as above described, thus has its main body and lid constructedand arranged relative to each other to render the body capable of receiv ing and confining a substantially full tub of clothes while the cover is open, rendering it unnecessary to manipulate the clothes in closing the lid, and in conjunction with a novel diaphragm for squeezing the clothes dry, and novel screen means against which the clothes are squeezed, generally improves the machine.

The agitator means Although agitation or stirring of the clothes and water may be obtained by agitating means operating relative to a stationary tub, in the example here given, it is obtained by ba-files fixed to the oscillating tub, whereby the water and clothes are given a special tumbling action substantially in accordance with the arrows D. Either or both sets of baflles 32 and 34 may be employed, and either or both may be formed in the tub by being pressed therein, and may be of any desired shape.

The upper baflles 34 are herein shown as intogral parts of the top metal casting 96, although they may be separately attached thereto, or to the tub, or constitute parts of the tub body as indicated, and may be varied in number, two being shown, located at opposite sides of the tub. They are of fin-like character rounded at the inner thinner edges I56 which, as indicated in Fig. .l, slope downwardly and inwardly from the casting 96, substantially as chords ofv the cross sectional arc of the tub body 19, to a position close to the mid-channel 9.2, where they are suddenly sloped into the tub surface. Each fin has a lower, broad side I51 which is tapered downwardly and outwardly from the edge I56 and, at its lower edge, merges gradually into the inner surface of the tub body. Each fin also has an upper side I58 which is straight so as to present a fiat, radially extending side. The flat sides of the baffles 34 face in the same direction with respect to the direction of tub oscillation, for a purpose to be referred to later.

The broad sides of the bafiles extend in a gen eral radial direction to the tub axis at any horizontal section, but are inclined upwardly, and, longitudinally, they slope relative to the vertical at an angle of about twenty-five degrees.

The lower agitator 83 (Figs. 1, 2 and 7) comprises the disc-like base 84, on which are a plurality of bafiles 32 which extend radially from the center. At the upper edge, the baffles are rounded, and the sides are divergingly tapered to the base. In vertical plane outline each bafile is of generally curved or rounded contour conforming somewhat to the lower recess of the tub, and has an outer enlarged portion I63. These baifles, in relation to such recess and to the globular rising sides of the outer portions. of" the tub, cause the water and clothes mass to fresh rinse water entering the tub, in the flir ed-1 tion of the arrow E. At the sametim'e, the'fresh water is introduced and mixed in definite and symmetrical manner, ensuring its diffusion to all par-ts of the clothes mass, and avoiding rinsing more at one part than another.

In addition to the described actions of theupper baffles 34, they perform a further function in augmenting the thorough cleansing action on the entire clothes mass. Since the tub oscillates on a vertical axis, and the bafilcs have fiat sides facing in the same direction, as these sides move forwardly, they engage the clothes mass and move it part way around the tub circumferem tially to occupy a diiferent position with respect to the main forces exerted by the lower bafiles. As these bafiles move in the reverse direction, the clothes mass slides on the slanting faces thereof. The next forward motion of the fiat sides of the baffles engages a different portion of the clothes mass, and thus the clothes are moved around the vertical axis with a step by step motion, addition to all the other movements imparted thereto.

Diaphragm Other pressure diaphragms or contracting chamber type drying means have been heretofore suggested, but not in the term herein developed or with the advantages as will appear. :In the resent instance also, the diaphragm is employed as means for drying the clothes, and also may be employed as means .for effecting a flushing action.

The diaphragm 33 hereof is made of high grade durable soft rubber, or other material haw ing sufiicient weight, body or thickness to be firm and positive in action, of long life, and sufficiently flexible to ensure its ready response to expansion and contraction, as well as its ready conformation to the clothes mass whereby to insure uniform effective pressure thereon. It also is molded or formed such that, in its contracted or relaxed state, it not onl conforms closely to the shape of the tub, but also to the agitator baflles 32, and to other parts of the lower agitator 83.

The diaphragm is Somewhat semi-spherical or cup-like in shape, conforming, in general, to the inner lower sides of the tub it, and having an upper edge peripheral extension or bead I67, Fig. 1. An expansion ring Ill engages an upper peripheral part I12 of the diaphragm, under the bead Isl, pressing the part in into the channel 92 formed in the tub side wall; this ring having suflicient expansive force to hold the diaphragm securely in place, but not necessarily enough in all instances to in and of itself provide a perfect water seal against the ressures imposed thereon. When the diaphragm is expanded upwardly, especially to its utmost upper positions during the drying operation, which action tends to turn it inside out, the diaphragm wraps'itself about the ring I61. Downward slippage of the top edge of the diaphragm is prevented by the bead 151, and with the pressure now exerted on the inner side of the ring by the diaphragm, it acts on the ring with a substantially snubber effect, and thus increases the sealing effect of the part 112 and the extension 161, against the tub body 19 in and about the channel 92, and the ring l1l.

At its bottom (see Figs. 1, 2 and '7), the diaphragm is further provided with portions or pockets l6'8 of inverted substantially channel section closely conforming to, and in relaxed condition fitting over, the baffles 32. During expansion, the diaphragm lifts off the bottom of the tub, rising from the baflies and, since it does not turn relative to the tub, returns easily and accurately to position fitting the baliies; this action being ensured by the wider open lower portions and the gradually curved lower edges of the channel sections of the diaphragm, conforming to the curves of the baffles joining them to the base 84.

The flow of water, to and from the space between the diaphragm 33 and the bottom of the tub to expand and contract the diaphragm, is controlled by the diaphragm valve 36, indicated in Fig. 1. Water under pressure is admitted by the valve 35, through the bushing 89 to position under or behind the diaphragm, to push or expand the diaphragm upwardly in the tub.

. The water suppl to the valve 36 is from an inlet pipe 2l| (Fig. 1) secured to the disc 56 by a clip 2l2, through a conduit 2H5, which extends through an opening in the shell 51 to a valve of an automatic control mechanism, not shown. From the latter valve, the water is conducted through a conduit I81, which, after entering the shell 51, extends through a nipple 226 in casing portion 63 and is formed into a fiat spiral section 221, Of about two turns surrounding the drive shaft 81, before continuing to the valve 35. The turns of the spiral are of relatively large diameter and adapted to radially contract and expand so that the tub may oscillate without adversely affecting the fluid connections by reason of the relative movement between the tub carried valve 36 and the stationary nipple 22B. Arranging the conduit section 221 in a flat spiral coil, also allows the bottom of the tub to be spaced from the bottom of the housing by a minimum distanoe, whereby to conserve space at a place where such conservation is of importance in a selection of a height for the housing.

As the clothes are compressed between the diaphragm and the screen [33, the wash or rinse water escapes from the top of the tub. Near the end of the drying operation, the pressure behind the diaphragm builds up to that of the incoming fluid. When the water supply has been stopped by the aforesaid automatic control mechanism, a bleeder valve of the valve 35 allows the water pressure in the valve casing to drop only gradually. After a certain amount of bleeding, during which the water pressure drops sufficiently in a few seconds, the valve 36 opens wide to release the water and pressure behind the diaphragm. The normal contraction of the diaphragm 33 also forces the water through the valve 36 into the bottom of the housing 21, from which it drains through the drain pipe 62. The water pressure applied behind the diaphragm during expansion of the latter being substantially uniform, the pressure developed in the drying and flushing operations are readily calculable, so that the valve 36 may be properly adjusted to effect 8, the desired draining, quickly and in proper sequence.

The pressure maintained by the adjustable bleeder of the valve 36 also enables regulating the duration of the period of high pressures on the clothes, that is to say, the rate of bleeding can be adjusted to determine the length of time before the valve 35 opens to dump the water from behind the diaphragm and, therefore, there may be a period of sustained higher pressures during the drying operation.

Special provisions are made to insure complete draining of the water from behind the diaphragm 33, and to insure against accidental and premature closing of the opening to the diaphragm valve. To this end, the lower face of the base 84 of the lower agitator has an annular groove 228, Fig. 1, having a peripheral portion 229. The head of the mounting bushing 89 for the diaphragm valve 36 is received in the groove 228. The base 84 has apertures 234 therethrough communicating with the groove 228, and the peripheral portion 229 also has apertures 232 communicating with the groove 22s. When water is admitted behind the diaphragm, it passes through the apertures 232 and 234 to start the diaphragm expansion. When the water is being expelled from below thediaphragm, it drains through the apertures 232 and 234 into the groove 228 and from the latter through the valve 38 to the tub housing 21, but without danger of the diaphragm fouling the opening into the diaphragm valve 36.

Operation At the beginning of the operation of the machine, the operator places the dry clothes in the tub. The machine is next filled with water and after soap, washing powder or water softener is added, the lid 31 is locked in place and tub oscillation started.

At the end of a selected washing time period, the automatic control mechanism may operate to admit the water behind the diaphragm 33, through the valve 36. This action is the beginning of a flushing operation in this case, in which the diaphragm lifts the clothes and wash water toward the top of the machine, so that the wash water is gradually forced out through the drain openings I34, in the lid, and the openings 36, in the tub. Thus, any scum and matter which has accumulated on top of the water is flushed out of the machine. At this time, the agitation of the machine has not stopped, and does not stop until the diaphragm has lifted the clothes and water past the center of the tub, which is about one-half or two-thirds of the flushing cycle, so that agitation continues, by means of the upper bafiies, and the accumulated matter is liberated from the clothes to float off with the water. The expansion of the diaphragm is continued until substantially all of the wash water has been extracted from the clothes, at which time the valve 36 operates to empty the water from behind the diaphragm, and the diaphragm returns to its lower position shown in Fi l.

The control mechanism next operates to admit water to the tub through the center of the lid to begin the rinsing operation. When sufficient water has been admitted to the tub to make agitation of the clothes and water of some benefit, which is about one-third of the time consumed by the rinsing operation, agitation is started. Agitation continues during the remainder of the 9 rinsing operation, and for a sufiic'ient length of time for the tub to completely fill with water and also to overfiowthrough the ducts i 34 and M6 for a suflicient interval of time to thoroughly rinse the clothes.

At'the conclusion of .the rinsing operation, the control mechanism again admits water through the diaphragm water valve 36 to again expand the diaphragm to eject the rinse water, and this is the beginning of the. drying operation. Agirationmay be continued until "the diaphragm is above the-center 01' the tub, and preferably during about half or the period of time for this Modified screen structure As shown in Figs. and 6, in which corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference-numerals having the sufifix (a) and new parts are designated :by numerals alone, a modified form of the screen 133, in a lid 3H1 of the machine, comprises a screen 133a, which, instead of being constituted of wire mesh, as in the case of the screen I33, i's-con'structed of sheet metal, such as stainless steel. It has the same general inverted shallow substantially dish shape, but instead of requiring the removal of screws or other parts for its removal, the screen 133a is provided with a depending peripheral portion 528 having a head 52? which interlocks with a bead 5-28 on a ring 132a of the lid, Thus, the screen adapted to be moved into position and removed with a substantially snap action. The ring 132a has apertures 138a communicating with a groove 103a in the top surface of a tub neck portion see, which is further provided with ducts filth, A ball member 111a embraces flanges Hts and 102a, to hold the lid in place, as heremabove-descr-ibed. Apertures 529 in the screen 1 3 342 take the place of the openings in the wire screen -'mcshab'ove set forth, and a central aperture 531 provided in register with the inlet nipple 13th. Raised portions 532 serve to maintain the screen l33a spaced from the lid plate Ilia. Portions similar to the portions 532 may, ofc'ouise, be provided on the lid element Ha, in addition to, or instead of the portions 532 on the screen element (33a.

Other modifications may bema'de in the shape, arrangement and location of parts within the spirit .and scope of my invention, and such modific-ations are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. :In a washing machine, a. tub, a diaphragm support disposed peripherally of the tub, a flexible diaphragm held peripherally between said support and the tub and extending .in one :-di-

rection axially of the tub from said support, and means for flexing the diaphragm in the opposite direction across the position of the support and causing it to cooperate with saidsupport in effecting-a-sealing action.

2. a washir-ig-machine a "tub having a-cover receiving portion and a side wall, an inwardly open groove. around the side wallof the tub intermediate the top and bottom thereof, an expansion ring around the inside of the tub wall opposite the groove, and a flexible diaphragm of substantially bowl shape having an open end peripheral portion clamped in said groove by the ring.

In. a washing machine, a tub, an agitator in the tub, afiexible diaphragm in thetub having a. normal position in which portions thereof substantially conform to the tuband the agitator, means for expanding the diaphragm, and means for sealing the diaphragm to the tub.

:4. In a. washing machine, a tub having .a lid opening, 'a flexible diaphragm in the tub for expansion toward said openmg, a lid for the opening, a screen mounted at the inner side of the lid against which screen the diaphragm presses clothes in the tub to extract water therefrom, said screen having portions thereof acting as radial channels at the lid side of the screen,.and ports communicating with the. channels for the discharge ofthe water pressed by the diaphragm from the clothes.

5'. In a washing machine, a tub. having a lid opening, .a flexible diaphragm in the tub for expansion toward said opening, a lid for the opening, a screen at the inner side of the lid against which screen the diaphragm presses clothes. in the tub, and means spacing the screen from the lid and bracing it against the pressing action of the clothes.

6. In a washing machine, a tub having a lid opening, a lid receiving seat around said opening having a p ripheral groove thereinJand outlet ports from such groove, a lid cooperating with said seat and having outlet ports therein also communicating with said groove, and a screen mounted at the inner side of the lid through which water may flow through said ports.

'7. In a washing machine, a tub having a neck portion defining a lid opening, a peripheral groove'in the neck portion,discharge ports communicating with the groove and extending to the outside of said tub, a lid fitting upon said neck portion, discharge ports in the :com municating with said groove, a screen in .said lid for the discharge ports, a diaphragm mounted 'in said tub, and means for expanding :the diaphragm to lift the articles :in the tub and the water toward the lid so as to discharge the water through said ports.

In a was'hingmachine, a tub, an agitator in the tub, and-a nexible diaphragm mounted in the tub and having portions normally conforming'to the agitator.

9. In a washing machine, :a tube having an upright axis and a bowl-li'kebottom portion, an agitator comprising hafiles extending transversely of the upstanding tula :axis and having upright side surfaces, and a flexible diaphragm molded to a shape substantially conforming to and 'fi-td-ng the baflies and the inner lmwi-like surfaces of said bottom pontion'when said dia phragm is in its position ofrest.

10. In a washing machine, a rough having an upright axis and a bowl-like bottom portion, an agitator mounted in the'hottom portion amd comprising bailies extending itransversely of supright too axis :andfham'ng upstanding side surfaces, and a flexible diaphragm in rthe'tub having portions molded to a shape substantially fititingthe agitator.

ill, In :a washing .machine, a v:tuh, a molded flexible diaphragm of substantially bowl shape and having a plurality of portions projecting upwardly from the bottom constituting partitions of inverted substantially channel section extending radially of the vertical axis of the bowl, and means for holding the diaphragm in said tub.

12. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitator having a substantially disc-like element mounted adjacent the bottom of the tub, a flexible diaphr-agm mounted in the tub and fitting about said agitator, said disc having an annular groove on the under surface thereof, perforations in the disc communicating with said groove, and a valve for admitting fluid in back of the diaphragm and mounted in the tub so as to communicate with said groove.

13. In a clothes washing machine, the combination of a tub, agitator means fixed to the tub, means for oscillating the tub, means opposite said agitator means against which the clothes are pressed in drying, means for pressing the clothes as aforesaid including a flexible diaphragm which, in contracted condition, has a portion constituted as a lining for said agitator means providing for the agitation of the clothes by the agitator means through the intermediary of said lining and, in its expanding action, removes said lining from the agitator means, means securing said diaphragm to the tub to provide for such action, means for expanding and contracting the diaphragm, and means for receiving and draining water from the tub as it is pressed from the clothes.

14. In a clothes washing machine, the combination of an upright tub including a plurality of agitator elements fixed thereto and extending upwardly of the tub bottom spaced from each other about the upright axis of the tub, means for oscillating the tub, means above said elements against which the clothes are pressed in drying, fluid operated means for pressing the clothes as aforesaid including a flexible diaphragm which, in contracted condition has portions fitting about said agitator elements and,

in its expanding action, removes said portions from said elements, means securing said diaphragm to the tub to provide for such action, means for expanding and contracting the diaphragm, means below the said diaphragm for exhausting said fluid, and means for receiving and draining water from the tub as it is pressed said cover, and means for pressing the clothes r as aforesaid, at least one of said seating means including means for passing water from the clothes as so pressed and draining it from the tub through said space.

16. In a washing machine, a tube, a, flexible diaphragm, a clamping means for holding and sealing the diaphragm relative to the tub, and means for expanding the diaphragm and thereby causing it to coact with said clamping means for increasing the sealing effect thereof.

17. In a washing machinara tub having an opening through which clothes are inserted into and removed from the tub, annularly disposed drain means surrounding said opening and including a plurality of spaced ports around said opening, means for pressing the clothes toward said opening, perforate means mounted across said opening and through which water from the clothes is forced, said perforate means bein 1movable to a position to afford access to the 18. In a washing machine, a tub having an opening through which clothes are inserted into and removed from the tub, annular drain means comprising a covered channel surrounding said opening, and means for compressing the clothes to remove water therefrom, at least some of which water enters said annular drain.

19. In a washing machine, a cabinet, a tub positioned in and spaced from said cabinet and having imperforate side walls, an opening in said tub through which clothes are inserted into and removed from the tub, a perforate closure means for said opening, means for compressing the clothes to remove water therefrom, at least some of which water passes through said closure and overflows the tub into said cabinet, and means for draining the water from said cabinet.

20. In a washing machine, a substantially spherical tub having an opening for the insertion and removal of clothes in the tub, a bowl shaped diaphragm secured in said tub and forming a lining for the lower part thereof, baffle means in the upper part of the tub, means for moving the baflle means for agitating clothes and water in the tub, and means for admitting fluid behind said diaphragm to lift the same to compress the clothes against said tub and baflie means to remove water therefrom and to bring the clothes to a semi-dry condition, at least some of which water flows out of the tub through said opening.

21. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitator mounted therein, a flexible diaphragm mounted in the tub and overlying said agitator, means for admitting fluid behind the diaphragm to expand the same and for removing the fluid after expansion of the diaphragm, and means for removing fluid trapped about said agitator.

22. In a washing machine, a tub, an agitator mounted therein, a flexible diaphragm mounted in the tub and overlying said agitator, means for admitting fluid behind the diaphragm to expand the same and for removing the fluid after expansion of the diaphragm, and perforations in the agitator for removing water trapped about said agitator.

GEORGE C. GRAHAM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,531,924 Graham Mar. 31, 1925 1,547,266 Robe July 28, 1925 1,854,745 Keltie Apr. 19, 1932 1,968,638 Ducker July 31, 1934 2,023,215 Yandell Dec. 3, 1935 2,039,951 Cocks May 5, 1936 2,056,466 Kaufiman Oct. 6, 1936 2,099,365 Kemper Nov. 16, 1937 2,147,303 Lang Feb. 14, 1939 2,187,770 Chamberlin Jan. 23, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 648,293 Germany July 28, 1937

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