US2678052A - Watch and like parts washing machine - Google Patents

Description

y 11, 1954 s. 'r. MORELAND 2,678,052

WATCH AND LIKE PARTS WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l May 11, 1954 5. T MORELAND WATCH AND LIKE PARTS WASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12, 1948 a I .M RL 7 m m MW 0 r m N f H W 7 I 5 Y 0/ w .4 a U F w .4, a w n W n w w ma 5 1 Rm] 1 y 1954 s. T. MORELAND 2,678,052

WATCH AND LIKE PARTS WASHING MACHINE Filed 001,. 12, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR. 675mm 7 Hakim/m May 11, 1954 5,1 EL D 2,678,052

WATCH AND LIKE PARTS WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TOR. 575 /15 7? Mam-2,9110.

Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Ohio, a corporation Application October 12, 1948, Serial No. 54,134

This invention relates to a machine peculiarly suitable for the cleaning of watch parts.

In the repair and cleaning of watches it is necessary to disassemble same and clean the several parts. These initially were cleaned by hand brushing, washing, rinsing and drying. Then the parts were supplied to a cleaner having a reciprocatory and revolving cage. However, the cleaning solution was of attacking character so that the jeweler frequently, due to attending trade, left the parts exposed to such solution for too long a time resulting in damage thereto.

It is the chief object of this invention to provide a device to which the watch parts may be applied and then the power manually initiated and the rest of the cycle of washing, rinsing, drying, etc., is entirely automatic and when these operations are effected the machine is automatically stopped.

The chief feature of the present invention resides in the construction and operation of the machine whereby cyclic operation is attained to accomplish the foregoing object, such feature being chiefly directed to the full automatic control of the machine.

Another feature of the invention resides in the circulating character of the parts supporting cage.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

6 Claims. 134-77) Fig. is a perspective view of the cage member illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

In the drawings I0 indicates a segmental table having a depending wall 5 I. Formed therein are three wells [2, see Fig. 2, to detachably receive and partially nest jars or vessels i3 adapted to receive covers. The several liquids are contained in said vessels. Seated in a fourth well'is a tubular shield 15.

Extending downwardly from said table H], see Fig. i, and adjacent its vertex is a tubular portion It terminating in elongated bearing l! for seating the upright member 58. Collar member l9 and set screw cooperate with bearing H to seat the upright is which projects upwardly and has a thread 2| thereon above which is a shaft [8a. Upright I8 is free to move upwardly, but collar I9 limits downward movement as shown.

In radial alignment with member 2i and each well is a tubular member 22 detachably secured to table it as at 23. Table I0 in alignment with the bore of member 22 includes a reduced aperture at 24 of smaller diameter than the bore of member 22.

A head, indicated generally by numeral 25, see

Figs. 1 and 2, is rotatably and cantileverly sup- The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. l is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in the so-called idle or standby position, the parts receiving cage being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same parts with the head in lowered position and at the third station, the liquid containing vessel being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a top plane view of the head with cover removed.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the invention with the head in the elevated position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the back member, table and shock absorbers.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of one form of cage.

Fig. 7 is a radial sectional View of same taken on line l-'i of Fig. 6 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the basket holder with basket removed and is taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 and in the direction of the arrows. Q Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram.

ported by means associated with upright member 18. Depending from said head is plunger 26. When the head is lowered plunger 25 enters tube 22 and initially insures precise alignment. As the plunger 26 finally seats, it serve as a cushioned pilot. Herein plunger 2 5 comprises two telescopically associated parts 25a and 2th with oppositely directed stop flanges as shown. Disposed therein and constraining the parts 26a and 26b to extended position is spring 2! guided by stem 28.

The free end of head 25 includes an offset portion 25a providcdwith boss 25b to accommodate tube 29 secured as at 29c. Slidable upon the tube is skirted cap 30, the downward motion of Which is limited by stop 2%, see Fig. '7. Within the tube are upper and lower bearing Sid and 3| b which rotatably support shaft 32 that projects beyond said tube at the opposite ends thereof. The lower projecting end, see Figs. 4, 6 and '7, has secured thereto, as at 33c, the hub of a spider, the arms of which are in the form of fan blades 33. The arms are extended at 34a. and terminate in ring 34; Also carried by the hub are the spring fingers 35, see Figs. 6 and 7.

A cage 40 includes upper ring 3i from which there projects upwardly the arcuate latches 38 adapted to look upon extensions Sta. When associated therewith, the spring fingers 35 then operatively bear upon the basket cover 39 of the uppermost basket 36. Successive baskets 36 are stacked and thus close the next lower basket. Herein the cage 40 includes ribs and the internal bottom flange 40a, see Fig. 7. Each rib of cage it is beveled as at 4027, see Fig. 8, to draw liquid into the cage trapped basket during rotation thereof.

A stop collar ll resting on bearing 3m holds shaft 32, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fixed to the upper end of said shaft is pulley 42 driven by endless belt 43 or the like. This in turn is driven by pulley M on shaft 45 within said housing. Shaft 45 at its lower end mounts pinion ts meshing with gear 41 to which reference will be had later.

Shaft d is driven at the desired reduced speed by reduction drive unit 43 driven by motor 49 disposed within housing 25. Plunger 5!], see Fig. 3, is normally constrained outwardly and controls a switch (not shown) normally constrained to closed position. When plunger 50 is forced inwardly, as hereinafter described the switch controlled thereby is opened, and this opens the circuit to the motor 49.

A tubular shaft 5i, see Fig. 4, depends from head 25. It is externally threaded as at 52 and near its lower end mounts a cam collar 53. A conventional roller or needle bearing 54 within shaft 5i rotatably supports the upper end of upright screw member I82i. Collar 53 includes inwardly directed pin 55 that is engaged with thread it. As the shaft 51 is rotated the pin 55 serves as a nut to cause the head rapidly to move downwardly.

As shown in Fig, 4 the upper end of tubular externally threaded shaft BI is rotatably supported by another conventional'roller or needle bearing 5%} in bracket 5? of the head 25. As indicated at led the upright member at its upper end nests within tubular screw 5|-52.

Disposed near the vertex of the table In and suitably secured thereto as at 58a is the arouately sectioned indexing frame member 58. This frame member includes in its inner face as many vertical channels 59 as there are wells in the table it. The upper ends of the channels are connected by a cross channel 60 which, see Fig. 5, at its right end is extended at tile and terminates in a short channel 6! as shown. Cross channel as is of successive biased length type, see tcb, which facilitates automatic step by step traversing.

The left hand edge 5% of this frame member 58 is adapted to engage plunger 5t. When so engaged the head carried follower 62, see Fig. 4, seats in channel 6|. Thus the head is held in the elevated position. When the elevated head is raised slightly and rotated so that follower 52 may completely traverse channel 60 to edge 58?) the head then is in radial alignment with the first well. It then automatically lowers, dwells, and then automatically elevates, as will be described. At the conclusion of this elevation follower B2, incident to angular torque of the head'rides the downwardly sloping wall '63 of channel be until the follower registers with the second channel 59 and the cycle is repeated until the follower enters seat 6| and edge 58?) actuates plunger 55] to stop the automatic functioning. Note each of the walls 53 slope downwardly to the right.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and the frame 58 slidably supports a plunger 64. It is radially directed toward shaft 51 and on its I free and adjacent end is provided with a partial nut having a suitably threaded face 65 adapted to mesh with threads 52. When said plunger and partial nut are meshed with said threads 52 the head 25 and screw Eli are elevated. When cam face 53a, in the rotation of member 5| and collar 53, engages beveled face 65a, the plunger Ed is forced rearwardly. This limits upper travel of head 25, etc. At this time follower 52 in engagement with curved cam surface tilb is disposed slightly above wall 63 and the inherent reaction of rotating parts 45 and il creates clockwise torque on head 25 and turns the head slightly so that follower 62 engages downwardly sloping wall 53 and then follows it to the next channel 59 which it enters.

Plunger t l is notched at 64c and disposed therein is the end 65 of lever 61 pivoted at 68. Ihe other end of the lever is pivotally connected to core 69 of solenoid it. When energized the solenoid it projects the plunger 6% into meshing engagement with threads 52.

Lever ti mounts arm H (see Fig. 5) which is disposed adjacent switch arm it. Thus only momentary fenergization of solenoid "It is required because upon such energization the arm l'l engages arm "E2 to close the solenoid maintaining circuit. When cam collar 53 engages plunger M and forces it rearwardly the arm ii disengages from arm 12 and the solenoid maintaining switch is permitted to open.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 9 there is shown a master switch 13, current supply lines i4 and a timer switch control 75. A motor it rotates plate Tl carrying cam pins 18 that, in rotation of motor i engage switch member 15. Cam pins it are spaced from one another and their movement is timed to provide a dwell period of the cage in each vessel l3 for a predetermined time interval calculated to provide adequate cleaning of the watch parts. It will be noted from inspection of Fig. 9 that pins 18 provide three dwell periods of equal time duration and a fourth dwell period of greater time duration. During each of the three equal periods cage 48 rotates within one of the vessels i3, but during the longer dwell period cage All rotates within the heated shield ill. Note also button 553 controls switch Elia. This is normally closed except when button 5c is forced inwardly by edge 58b as described.

Operation is as follows: Main switch 73 can be closed. As long as the head has member 62 disposed in slot seat 6! the switch 58a is open. The head drops by gravity being retarded by screw it and the cushion device 2? etc. 22. Solenoid it is energized at 75 and held energized until cam surface 53a moves plunger 54 and therewith arm H out of engagement with switch '52. Then the solenoid circuit is deenergized.

Also disclosed in Fig. 9 is a heater "lea, which is energized when power is supplied to motors l5 and i9. This heater is disposed in the bottom of the open top well [5. When the basket cage is disposed in well i5 the heat in that confined space drives off the liquid cleaner still adhering by surface tension to the small parts, etc. It, of course, is understood that the basket cage is rotated from the time it is lowered into the first station jar until it is elevated from open top well i5.

Fromthe foregoing the jeweler need only supply the several parts to the several baskets, apply same to the cage and it in turn to the head. Fig. 1 illustrates head 25' in its normal rest position. Switch 50a is normally open due to the fact that the plunger 50 is in engagement. with frame member 58 at the edge 58b and pushed inwardly. Switches 12, I3 and '15 are normally open. Therefore, to initiate operation the jeweller moves the head 25 in a counterclockwise direction, disengaging follower 62 from slot seat 6! and continuing the rotation of head 25 until follower 52 becomes aligned with the left hand vertical channel 59 (Fig. 5). During this action plunger 53 becomes disengaged from edge 58b, closing switch 590.. Master switch 13 may then be closed to energize motor 49, motor l3 and heater 76a. Motor 49 runs continuously and rotates the cage 40, together with shaft 5i. Rotation of shaft 5| has no effect since solenoid Hi is de-energized, and plunger 54 is disengaged from threads 52. When the Jeweller releases head 55, gravity causes it to move downwardly with the guide pin 62 in left hand channel 5B. Downward movement of head 25 is impeded by pin 55 engaging thread 2| of upright member [8. Member l8 floats freely within shaft 5! and rotates on collar member [9, whereby head 25 has controlled downward movement. Part 25b enters tubular member 22 and eventually engages the shoulders of the reduced aperture 24, whereupon spring 2'! acts to cushion engagement of plunger 26 with the upper end of tubular member 22. At this time the cage 48 will have entered the right hand container [3 (Fig. 1) and will come to rest in position to wash the parts being cleaned.

Meanwhile, timing motor 16 will have rotated plate H to such a position that pin liia will engage switch 15. It will be understood that Fig. 9 illustrates plate "ii in the position where switch 75 is to be operated for the third time. Cage 46 remains in the first container [3 for a calculated, predetermined period after which pin "ma closes switch 75. This timed closure of switch 15 energizes solenoid to actuate core t9, lever B! and plunger 64, moving the plunger to the left into threaded engagement with threads 52. This action of the solenoid moves the arm ll (Fig. 5) into engagement with switch arm i2, thereby to hold solenoid H3 in energized condition. This allows plate Tl to continue its timing cycle with pin 18a slipping by arm and permitting this switch to open. While plunger B l engages threads 52, the continuous rotation of member at causes head 59 to be elevated, thereby lifting cage 40 out of vessel 13. Meanwhile, pin 55 in engagement with threads 2i tends to lift upright member i3. However, since it floats freely in shaft 5|, the action of gravity causes member iii to rotate and either maintain its position shown in Fig. 4 or to move downwardly to that position as head 25 is elevated.

Upward movement of head 25 continues until cam face 53a engages the lower edge of plunger 54, moving it out of engagement with threads 52 and stopping the upward movement of head 25. Disengagement of plunger 64 simultaneously moves arm 1| out of engagement and rides downwardly along the sloping wall 53 of channel iii into the second channel 59, whereby the head 25 is permitted to move cage 4!] downwardly into the second vessel l3 in the same manner as described in connection with the first vessel i3. Meanwhile, timing motor 76 has been rotating plate 'i'i, and assuming that plate l'i' rotates in a clockwise direction, pin i8 will be moved into engagement with switch 15 after the cage has rotated within the second vessel id for a predetermined time period. Thereafter head 25 will be elevated as previously described.

The head 25 is cyclically rotated from one vessel 53 to another and into the heated shell it. When the cage it and head 25 are elevated out of shell 15, the follower 62 enters the extension of cross channel fiii and at this point the head 25 has rotated in a clockwise direction to such a degree that the plunger 5ft engages the edge 58?) of the frame member 58, thereby opening the contacts of switch 553a to tie-energize motor G9 and terminate the last cycle of operation, with the head in the position illustrated in Fig. l. The cleaning fluid used is somewhat corrosive so that this device prevents destruction or excessive action upon the delicate parts being cleaned. The jeweler accordingly can wait upon trade without any worry relative to part wear, etc. Also member 75, Figs. 1 and 2 can regulate the time interval within the range of its capabilities.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposed well portions, a screw rotatably mounted on said table centrally of said well portions, a head rotatably mounted on said screw and including a depending basket and continuously operating driving means operatively associated with the basket and the screw, a partial nut movably mounted on said table adjacent said screw for operative engagement therewith, a solenoid operatively associated with said nut, timed switching means for energizing said solenoid to engage said nut with the screw for periodically initiating elevation of the head, cam means on the screw movable into engagement with said nut for disengaging it when the head reaches its uppermost position, guide means on said head, and an indexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement of said head and including a plurality of vertical guide channels for receiving said guide means and aligning said basket with said well portions, said indexing means also including cams extending between said channels for receiving said guide to hold said head in elevated position during rotation of the head and basket from one well portion. to another.

2. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposed well portions, a screw rotatably mounted on said table centrally of said well portions, 2. head rotatably mounted on said screw and including a depending basket and continuously operating driving means operatively associated with the basket and the screw, a partial nut movably mounted on said table adjacent said 7, screw for operative engagement therewith, a solenoid operatively associated with said nut, timed switching means for energizing said solenoid to engage said nut with the screw for periodically initiating elevation of the head, cam means on the screw movable into engagement with said nut for disengaging it when the head reaches its uppermost position, guide means on said head, and an indexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement of said head for receiving said guide means and aligning said basket with said well portions, said indexing mean also including structure for receiving said guide to hold said head in elevated position during rotation of the head and basket from one well portion to another.

3. A cleaning machine comprisin a table having arcuately disposed well portions, a threaded member rotatably mounted on said table centrally of said well portions, a head rotatably mounted on said member and including a depending basket and continuously operating driving means operatively associated with the basket and the member, a partial nut movably mounted on said table adjacent said member for operative engagement therewith, t'Lned actuating means for engaging said nut with the threaded member for periodically initiating elevation of the head, means on the member movable into engagement with said nut for disengaging it when the head reaches its uppermost position, and an indexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement of said head for aligning said basket with said well portions and for guiding the head and basket from one Well portion to another.

4. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposed well portions, a threaded member rotatably mounted on said table centrally of said well portions, a head rotatably mounted on said member and including a depending basket and continuously operating driving means operatively associated with the basket and the member, a partial nut movably mounted on said table adjacent said member for operative engagement therewith, actuating means for engaging said nut with the member for periodically initiating elevation of the head, means on the member movable into engagement with said nut ,for disengaging it when the head reaches its uppermost position, an indexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement of said head for aligning said basket with said well portions and for guiding the head and basket from one well portion to another, and shockabsorbing mean extending downwardly from said head comprising spring-biased telescoping tubular members movable into engagement with said table.

.5. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposed vessels, an elevator mounted on said table centrally of said vessels, a head rotatably mounted on said elevator and including a depending basket and continuously operating driving means operatively associated with the basket and the elevator, electromagnetic actuating means operatively associated with said elevator, timed switching means for energizing said electromagnetic actuating means to periodically initiate elevation of the head, cam means on the elevator in operative relation to said electromagnetic actuating means for resetting it when the head reaches its uppermost position and stopping elevation thereof, and an indexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement of said head for aligning said basket with said well portions, said indexing means including a stop portion for stopping motion of said head after a predetermined number of elevations thereof.

6. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposed vessels, an elevator mount ed on said table centrally of said vessels, a head rotatably mounted on said elevator and including a depending basket and continuously operating driving, means operatively associated with the basket and the elevator, means for periodically initiating elevation of the head, means for automatically stopping elevation of the head when it reaches its uppermost position, guide means on said head, and an indexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement of said head and including a plurality of vertical guide channels for receiving said guide means and aligning said basket with said well portions, said indexingmeans also including cams extending between said channels for receiving said guide to guide the head and basket from one well portion to another, and a stop for receiving said guide means when the head rotates through a predetermined angle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 556,358 Maxfield Mar. 17, 1896 1,310,495 Ford July 22, 1919 1,626,022 Corbett Apr. 25, 1927 1,795,167 Gross Mar. 3, 1931 2,195,123 Pabst Mar. 26, 1940 2,341,197 Weiskopi Feb. 8, 1944 2,341,198 Weiskopf Feb. 8, 1944 2,348,631 Keehnel May 9, 1944 2,416,475 Friedman Feb. 25, 1947 2,496,506 Wagner Feb. 7, 1950 2,510,912 Schurenberg June 6, 1950 2,559,921 Aiello et al. July 10, 1951 2,565,326 Schurenberg Aug. 21, 1951

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