US2721574A

US2721574A - Water-saving device

Info

Publication number: US2721574A
Application number: US237938A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer J Parker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1951-07-21
Filing date: 1951-07-21
Publication date: 1955-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 1972-10-25

Description

Oct. 25, 1955 5 E. J. PARKER 2,721,574

WATER-SAVING DEVICE Filed July 2l, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l ELE- l 20 IN V EN TOR.

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Oct. 25, 1955 Filed July 2l 1951 E. J. PARKER WATER-SAVING DEVICE INVENTOR.

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0d` 25, 1955 E. J. PARKER 2,721,574

INVENTOR. zMf/e' z Abk/ff@ mjfw Oct. 25, 1955 E. J. PARKER 2,721,574

WATER-SAVING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 21, 1951 1 l f I6 79 94 aa /0/ INVENTOR.

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United States Patent O WATER-SAVING DEVICE Elmer J. Parker, Saginaw, Mich., assignor of one-half to William T. Sevald, Royal Oak, Mich.

Application `luly 21, 1951, Serial No. 237,938

12 Claims. (Cl. 137-122) This invention generally relates to a water saverfor household or domestic washing machines and-in particular to a new, novel, and inventive water-switch for interrupting the automatic discharge of used water from such a machine to effect automatic, selective storage of the hot, soapy, wash-cycle water.

The conventional washing machine used universally prior to the automatic washer and still presently widely employed comprises a tub for containing the hot, soapy wash-water, an agitator in the tub for effecting washing the clothes, and a wringer for squeezing the water out of the clothes. Sometimes a rotatable horizontal drum supplants the agitator andfsometimes a centrifugal extractor supplants the wringer.

The usual practice in washing and rinsing clothes with the conventional machine basically includes filling the tub with hot water, adding soap, putting the white' clothes in and allowing the machine to agitate the clothes in the water for a period, during which time the user fills the two adjacent laundry trays with rinse water and sorts out the rest of the clothes to be washed.

The used then wrings the washed clothes into the rinse water in one of the trays, fills the washer tub with the second load of clothes, and, while the machine is agitating, wrings the clothes from the first rinse tray to the second rinse tray; wrings the second rinse tray to the wash basket, and hangs the clothes up on the line to dry. By this time the second load of clothes is washed and the user then wrings the second load into the initial rinse tray, and then puts the third load of clothes into the machine and repeats the operations of rinsing, wringing, and hanging while the second load is being washed. The user then repeats the operations with the the third, fourth, fth and sixth or more loads of clothes using the same wash water in the machine tub and the same rinse water in the laundry trays.

The conventional machine rates in dry kweight clothes washing capacity usually from 4 to 8 lbs. and uses between l5 and 30 gals. of hot water; each laundry tray uses a like amount of warm or cold water s'o that the user effectively washes four to six loads of clothes from 4 to 8 lbs. dry weight in 45 to 90 gals. of water. The approximate minimum is 4 loads of 4 lbs. or 16 lbs. in 45 gals. of water; the approximate maximum is 6 loads of 8 lbs. or 48 lbs. in 90 gals. of water. Thus we see` that the user can wash clothes with the conventional machine, used to normal advantage, at the rate of a pound of clothes to two or three gals. of water. Obviously the machine can be so used to destroy the above relationships; however, the above relationships are based on methods usually employed and is mentioned here only by way of illustrating water consumption with such a machine in contra-distinction to water use with automatic machines hereinafter stated.

The automatic washing machine is rated in dry weight clothes capacity from 4 to 9 lbs., but, with one known optional exception, the wash water and rinseuwaters are dumped down the drain after each use. In other words,

' or disposal.

2,721,574 Patented Oct. 25d, 1955 ice the clothes are washed and the wash water dumped; the clothes are rinsed and the rinse water dumped, and the clothes are rinsed again and the second rinse water dumped. lf the automatic machine is a 4 lb. capacity with a l5 gal. tub, the machine will` use 45 gals. of water for four pounds of clothes or use ll gals. of water for each pound of clothes. If the machine is an 8 lb. capacity with a 20 gal. tub then the machine will use 60 gals. of water, or use 71/2 gals. of water for each pound of clothes. Recently 3 or 4 gal. spray rinse has been substituted for one deep water rinses thereby saving ll to l7 gals. of water so that the machine would use only 32 or 43 gals. of water thereby bettering the clotheswater ratio to approximately 8 gals. to 51/2 gals'. of water per pound of clothes which is still two or three times the ratio in conventional machines.

The automatic machine hot, soapy, wash-cycle water is usually full-hot water with no cold water added whereas the rinse cycle waters are metered hot and cold water in an effort to save on the amount of hot water used. It is pertinent to note, therefore, that if the hot-soapy wash-cycle water is saved, then the major portion of hot water used by an automatic washer is saved thereby eliminating supplying a whole tub of full-hotv water for the subsequent wash-cycles.

While users may be willing to use the additional hot water to obtain the convenience, usually the hot water production capacity of the home is taxed beyond its limit thereby not only failing to produce enough hot water for the automatic washer but also failing to produce hot water for any other purpose such as baths, showers, dishes, etc., especially if the automatic washer is used repeatedly to do load after load washes on a wash day.

Manufacturers suggest that soiled clothes be washed immediately as soon as a load is accumulated to obviate this difficulty. This is a good suggestion, but many users do not have the opportunity to follow the advice, or nd it inadvisable from other standpoints such as wash-time allotted in multiple dwellings, ironing, drying space, weather, and opportunity, etc. In other words, such advice does not t in with the users way of doing the washing in the users circumstances.

The known device for saving the hot soapy water from the wash-cycle of the machine is integrated in the automatic cycle and in the fabrication of the machine thereby prohibiting its use on any automatic machine after the machine has been manufactured. The known device is also apparently covered by active, unlicensed patents.

With the foregoing and other well known facts in view, it is the primary purpose of the instant invention to provide an inexpensive, hot, soapy, wash-cycle, watersaver for use in conjunction with any manufactured automatic washing machine which does not infringe the patents on the known device and which does not necessitate mechanically integrating the device orV its action with the automatic cycle of the machine.

An object of the invention is to provide a water-switch mountable on an adjacent tub or container which will store the wash-water in the tub to a predetermined level and then switch the subsequently discharged rinse waters to the drain for disposal.

An object of the invention is to provide simple inexpensive means for switching the discharge flow of water from the storage tank to the drain.

An object of the invention is to provide a water-switch easily mountable on the usual laundry tray.

An object of the invention is to provide a water-switch easily mountable on the usual dual laundry trays capable of storing the hot-soapy water in one tray and capable of switching the rinse Waters to the other tray Ifor storage An object of the invention is to provide a tube switchable from a position of discharge into a storage tank to a position of discharge to the drain.

An object of the invention is to provide a tube associated with .a .drain .in .the .Storage tank 4capable `ot receiving the discharge from vthe switchable tube.

An object of the invention is yto provide a combined storage water level, accidental overflow, and subsequently used .water discharge tube.

An object of the invention is to provide a water-saver adapted to automatically vcoact with the automatic cycle of an automatic washer without alteration or integration.

A n object o f the invention is to provide ,2.1 .Single compartment water tank with a discharge tube and a switch tube so coordinated that the hot-wash water is stored in the tank and other waters 'by-passed through the tank.

YThese and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the selected embodiments of the inventive device as Aassociated with an automatic home washer taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. v1 is an end elevational .view of the inventive device mounted in conjunction with a gravity tank shown partly in cross-section in conjunction with a diagrammatic view of an automatic washer.

Fig. -2 is a face elevational view of the device and tank of Fig. 1 with the tank partly broken away with tank filling with water.

Fig. `3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the tank full of hot-wash water with the subsequent rinse water being discharged down the drain.

Fig, 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 in conjunction with a diagrammatic partial showing of an automatic washer illustrating the gravity feed-back of the stored hot water to the washer tub.

Fig. v5 is an enlarged face elevational view of the switch in the position seen in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 5 taken on the line 6 6 thereof.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged face elevational view of the switch in the position ofFig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 taken on the line 7-7 thereof.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 5 taken on the line 9-9 thereof.

Fig. v10 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 taken on the line 10-10 thereof.

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the switch mounted on a laundry tray via adjustable supports, tubes, and mechanism.

Fig. 12 is an end-elevational view of the device of Fig. 11 taken on the line 12-12 thereof.

Fig. v13 is a perspective view of adjustable stop setting on the slide rod.

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention mounted on a double laundry tray with the tray shown in cross-section.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 14 taken on the line 15-15 thereof.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 14 taken on the line 16-16 thereof.

Fig. 17 is a partial plan view of an inventive device employing twin horizontal slides.

Fig. 18 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention mounted on a double laundry tray with the tray shown in cross-section; and

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the slide member of Fig. 18 showing the end of the washer discharge hose being used as the switch tube.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the selected embodiments of the invention shown therein comprise a rod or guide slide, a slide member slidably disposed on the slide rod, a tube adapted to move with said member from a first position discharging into a storage tank to a second position discharging to a drain, a spring to effect sliding from the first to the second position, and lock for locking the tube in the rst position against the spring, and a water level ball float mechanism adapted to release the lock when the water level of the storage tank reaches the desired predetermined level therein to allow the spring to move the tube from the first storage discharge position to the second drain discharge position.

More particularly, the automatic washing machine 20, hereinafter referred to as the washer 20, is equipped with a tub 21 for containing the washing and rinsing water, a motor 22 for driving the agitator, not shown, to effect movement of the clothes through the water and the water through the clothes to accomplish washing and rinsing, a basket, not shown, also driven by the motor 22 for effecting centrifugal extraction of theiwater from the clothes to accomplish damp drying, a pump 23 also driven by the motor for pumping the water in the tub to disposal, a hose 24 connecting the tub 21 to Vthe pump 23, a hose 25 leading from the pump 23 to disposal. Such a machine is disclosed in United States Reissue Patent 21,020 to Wales and United States Patent 1,897,414 to Baldner. A timing or synchronizing device automatically controls the operation of the machine so that it selectively opens and closes valves to admit, maintain, and discharge water to and from the tub; shifts motor drive from agitator to basket and vice-versa to elect washing, rinsing and drying; and coordinates the entire operation of the machine. The washer l20 herein only schematically shows such a machine with the parts designated which are necessary to the proper understanding of the instant invention. Such machines are well known today and are marketed under well known trademarks and are too well known and too numerous to mention.

It is sucient if it is understood that each automatic washer is equipped with a tub, a motor, and a pump capable to deliver water above the level of the machine; namely to an elevated sink, laundry tray, tank, or drain so that as the water is discharged from the tub via the pump it ilows into the sink or tray and down the drain. It is to be noted that if the drain in the sink or tray is plugged, all the water will be mixed and saved in conjunction with the automatic discharge from the washer.

In one embodiment of the instant invention, the gravity tank 3,0 is positioned adjacent the washer 20 so that the hose 3 1 outlet 32 is above the top 26 of the washer 3) so that water in the tank 30 can be gravity fed back into the washer20.

The tank 30, Figs. 1 to 8, is equipped with a discharge tube 33 leading through the bottom of the tank 30, the tube 33 being coupled to a hose 34 on the discharge tube 33 leading to a laundry tray or to a drain. Semi-surrounding the top of the tube 33 and mounted thereon so as to extend above the upper end of the tube 33 and so as to extend sidewise of the tube 33 as a closed, sidewalled loop open at the top and bottom is an oblong collar 3 5. A slide rod 36 is mounted between the side walls of the tank 30 and a slide member 37 is adapted to slide on the rod 36. Mounted on the slide member 37 for movement therewith is a switch tube 3S depending at its lower end within the loop of the collar 35 just above the top of the discharge tube 33 so that when the switch tube 38 is aligned with the discharge tube 33 it transmits thereto and when the switch tube 38 is not aligned with the discharge tube 33 it transmits to the tank 30. A spring 39 biases the slide member 37 and switch tube 38 into alignment with the discharge tube 33 and slide member 37 is stopped by the collar 35 when the tubes are in alignment. On the rod 36 is a dog 40 and also on the rod is a sleeve 41 rotatably mounted on the rod 36 having an interruption therein for receiving the dog 40 therein when indexed therewith, the sleeve 41 and dog 40 constituting a lock. A torque arm 42 is fixed on the sleeve 41 for rotationally moving same .and a oat-ball 43 on the arm 42 is adapted to move the arm 42 to rotate the sleeve 41 to index the interruption therein with the dog 40 so that the sleeve 41 by-passes the' dog 40 allowing the spring 39 to move the slide 37 to carry the switch tube 38 into alignment with the discharge tube 33.

Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9, show the position of the device prior to the tank being iille'd to the desired level with the first emitted hot, soapy, wash-cycle water from the washer 20. In this position the'arni 42 and ball 43 are down and the sleeve 41 rotated so that its interruption or channel 44, Fig. 9, is out of phase with the dog 40 on the rod 36 so that the dog 40 bears againstfthe end of the sleeve 41 holding the sleeve 41, the abutted slide 37, and the carried switch tube 38 out of alignment with the discharge tube 33 against the spring 39 so that emission from the switch tube enters the tank 30. The stop 45 on the sleeve 41 sidewise abuts the dog 40 preventing the arm 42 and ball 43 from approaching dead center. In this position the tank 30 receives the iirst hot, soapy, washcycle emission of water fromV the washer 20.

Figs. 3, 7, 8, and l0 show the position of the device after the tank 30 has been iilled to the'd-esired level with the hot, soapy, wash-cycle water from the washer 20. As the tank 30 fills, the ball 43 moves from the position seen in Fig. 2 to that seen in Fig. 3 lifting the arm 42 to rotate the sleeve 41 to move the sleeve 41 from edge abutting relationship relative to the dog`40 to interruption 44 receiving relationship relative to the dog 40 so that the sleeve 41 slides past the dog 40'When the water is at the desired level allowing the spring 39 to pull the slide 37 along the rod 36 until the lower end of the switch tube 38 contacts the collar 35 semi-surrounding the discharge tube 33 which steps the switch tube 38 in alignment with the discharge tube 33 against the pull of the spring 39 so that water subsequently emitted from the washer 2? via the hose 25 is transmitted via the switch tube 38, discharge tube 33 and hose 34 to a' drain. The hose 25 has a relatively smaller transmission capacity than the

tubes

38 and 33 so that no water escapes the

tubes

38 and 33 at their juncture. The discharge tube 33 may be slightly larger than the switch tube 38 to insure against water escapement, Fig. 7, but tubes of the same size herebefore employed have not permitted water to escape at the juncture due to the syphoning effect of the relatively

larger capacity tubes

33 and 38 and hose 34, which action also relieves the head on the pump 23. The armn42 is capable of being bent to'coordinate operation of the device at the desired water level as in a conventional toilet oat shut-off valve. The collar also acts asia slide guide for the switch tube 38 to keep the slide 37 from pivoting on the rod 36. j

The user or operator desiring to save the hot-soap water, puts the clothes and soap in the washer 20 and initiates the automatic cycle. The user then moves the slide 37, sleeve 41 and associated parts to the left as seen in the drawings against the pull of the spring 39 until the dog is outside the sleeve 41, the user then lets the arm 42 drop rotating the channel or interruption 44 away from the dog 4t) putting the bodyof the sleeve 41 in abutting relation to the dog 4t) thereby positioning the switch tube to emit into the tank 30 and preventing the spring 39 from pulling the

tubes

33 and 38 into alignment. At this point the device is set to save the desired water from the washer Upon the washer 20 completing its washtcycle, it automatically emits the hot-soapy wash water and same is transmitted via the pump 23, hose 25, and switch tube 38 into the tank 30. Uponthis water rising to the desired predetermined level in the tank 30, the ball 43 lifts the arm 42 rotating the sleeve 41 so as to index the dog 40 with the sleeve 41 interruption to by-pass the dog 40, and, the spring 39 then pulls the switch tube 38 into alignment with the discharge tube 33 and all subsequently discharged waters from the washer 20 are transmitted to a drain via the discharge tube 33 and hose 34. The

6 tank 30 is preferably insulated to keep the stored water hot.

After the washer 20 has completed its cycle to wash the rst load of clothes, the user moves the hose return 31 from the positioning of Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 4 and the stored water is returned by gravity to the tub 21 of the washer 20. The user then puts the second load of clothes in the washer 2t) and initiates its automatic cycle which automatically does not introduce any new hot water to the tub 21 or only a desired predetermined amount of hot water to the tub 21, as tub 21 is equipped with waterlevel sensitive devices, such as iioat operated switches, which automatically cut oi the water supply valves of the washer 20 when the proper water level is established in the tub 21. In the event the washer 20 is not equipped with a tub water-level sensitive control device, the user merely sets the automatic timer at a point advanced past the fill-portion of the cycle which is marked on the timer control knob to obviate more hot water than desired being put in the tub 21. The inventive water saving device is then reset as hereinbefore described to save the same hot, soapy, wash-cycle Water after the second load of clothes is Washed. The third, fourth, and additional loads are washed and the water saved until the last load is being washed. When the last load is being washed the user does not reset the inventive device to the position of Fig. 1 but leaves it in the position of Fig. 3 and the spent hot, soap water is transmitted to the drain.

The embodiment of the inventive device seen in Figs. 11 to 13, is essentially that of the device seen in Figs. 1 to 10 except that the device is used in conjunction with a laundry tray 5t) and is adjustable to iit any size laundry tray with the telescoping discharge tube 51 being adjustable as to height via its

interfitting sections

52 and 53 as secured by the set screw 49, and adjustably supported as to side-wall distance by the tray bracket 54 clamped on the tray side-wall via the telescoping support arm 55 as secured by the set screw 56, with the telescoping slide rod 57 adjustably supported by the

brackets

58 and 59. The slide rod 57 carries the slide 37 and sleeve 41 with the slide 37 carrying the switch tube 38 biased by the spring 39. The torque arm 42 and ball tioat 43 operate as hereinbefore described in conjunction with the previously described embodiment, Figs. 1 to 10. The rod 57 is equipped with spaced tapped holes 62 for selectively positioning the dog 61 so that the switch tube can be properly spaced for emission to the tub 50 and proper alignment of the switch tube 38 with the discharge tube 52 is insured by the collar 35 as hereinbefore described. The action of the device is also as previously described except that the saved water is transmitted back to the washer by a pump on the washer via the hose U as the tray S0 is not high enough to do same via gravity. Obviously the Washer return pump can be deleted and the water manually returned with a dipper.

Referring now to the embodiments seen in Figs. 14 to 1 8, the device disclosed therein does not employ a specific discharge tube but rather works in conjunction with a double laundry tray or a single tank alongside a drain and the switch tube is switched from a plugged tray or tank for saving the desired water to an unplugged tray or drain for disposing of unwanted water to effect automatically saving the hot-soapy water of the wash-cycle of an automatic washer.

Specifically, the tray is composed of a section 71 and a section 72 with the inventive device suspended over the tub 70 via brackets 73 and '74 clamped to the outside sidewalls of the tub 7l with the slide rod 75 supported between the brackets and having a channel 76 therein adapted to receive the key 77 on the slide 78 in sliding relationship to prevent relative rotational movement between the slide '78 and the rod 75. A suitable spring 79 is connected to the bracket 73 and to the slide 78 for pulling the slide 73 from a position over the plugged tray 72 to a position over the unplugged tray 71. The slide 78 carries the switch tube 80 which receivably retains the end of the automatic washer discharge hose for movement therewith and a suitable stop 81 is located on the rod to stop the slide 78 over the tray 71. A bell-crank automatic catch 82 is pivotally mounted on the device, such as on rod 75 and is ,equipped with a cam and hook or latch portion 84 adapted to ride over the lug .85 on the slide 78 when .the slide '78 is moved to the right as seen inthe drawings against the tension of the spring 79. A cam 86 is rotatably mounted on the device such as on rod "75 and adapted to co-act with the bottom portion 87 of the bell-crank 82 to effect release of the catch portion 84 on the lug 8S as hereinafter more fully described. The lug and cam portion 84 constitute a lock. A

suitable spring

8,8 clamped on the tub as at 89 is secured on the bell crank 82 to urge the catch portion 84 into engagement with the lug .85. A torque arm 90 is connected to the cam 86 and a ball yfloat 91 is attached to the torque arm 90 and adapted to rotate the cam 86 to effect release of the bell crank Catch under certain conditions hereinafter set forth.

When the slide '78 is against the stop 81, the bottom portion 87 of the bell crank S2 abuts the low side of the cam 86, Fig. 16, preventing the spring 88 from overdepressing the cam-catch portion 84; the bell crank 82 is thereby positioned so that the cam portion 84 will ride over the lug 85 automatically when the slide 78 is manual-ly pushed to the position seen in Fig. 14.

In operation the user plugs one tray of the double unit 70, such as section 72, with a plug 92 and sets the slide 78 in the position seen in Fig. 14; the user then loads the automatic washer and initiates the automatic washing machine timer and the -washer then goes through its cycle. At the point on the timer where the washer discharges its hot, soapy, wash-cycle Water the discharge is effected through the hose 25 via the switch tube 80 into the plugged tray or section 72 whereupon the water rises in section 72 elevating the float 91 lifting the arm 90 rotating the cam 86 turning the high side 86H of the cam S6 into Contact with the bottom portion 87 of the bell crank 82 causing the bell crank to rock thereby disengaging the bell crank catch portion 84 from the lug 85 at the proper predetermined water level thereby allowing the spring 79 to pull the slide 78 and attached switch tube 80 over the tray 71 so that subsequent washer emission via the hose 25 is transmitted into the unplugged section or tray 71.

After the first load of clothes is inished the user then places a second load of clothes in the automatic washer 20 and activates the auxiliary return pump 93 to return water from the tray 72 to the tub 21 via the hose 60, the pump 93, and the hose 94 to the tub 21. Upon initiating the washer 20 on its second load, the user manually pushes the slide 78 from a position abutting the stop 81 until it automatically passes the cam-catch portion of the bell crank 82 and falls behind the catch portion of the bell crank 22 thereby automatically locking the device for automatically saving the wash water from the second run of clothes. Obviously subsequent loads are handled the same as the described first and second loads. Fig. 17 shows a modification of the device of Fig. 14 wherein double horizontal slide rods 95 and 96 are employed in side-by-side relationship so that the slide 97 carries the switch tube 80 at a point so as to discharge between the rods with the bell crank 82 rockably mounted on the cross rod 98.

Referring now to the more compact embodiment of Fig. 18, a support frame 100 is braced against walls of the double laundry tray 101 via brackets 102 and 103 and clamped to the dividing wall by a bracket-clamp 104 with the

end portions

105 and 106 of the frame 100 supporting the

double slide rods

107 and 108 in vertical parallel relationship. A slide 109 is slideably positioned on the

rods

107 and 108 and tensioned or biased to the left as seen in Fig. 18 by the spring 110 which surrounds the pulley 111 mounted on the end 105 and leads back to and is anchored on the end 106. The slide 109 is equipped with a lug 85 co-acting in conjunction with a bell crank 82 and a cam 86 is mounted on the rod 107 and activated by .the torque arm 90 and ball float 91 to release the bell crank catch portion 84 from the lug 85 when the water level in the'tray 112 achieves a predetermined level which elevates the ball 91 and torque arm 90 as previously described in conjunction with the device seen in Fig. 14. The operation of the device of Fig. 18 is similar to that .of Fig. 14 with the switch tube 80 mounted on the slide 109 and moving therewith from a position over the plugged tray section 112 to a position over the unplugged tray section 113 of the double laundry trays 101 and the water is returned to the washer after each successive saving by a return pump on the washer or manually with a clipper as previously hereinbefore described.

Obviously the components of Figs. 14 and 18 are easily mountable in conjunction lwith a gravity tank 30; or the components of Figs. 1 to 1l easily used in conjunction with the double laundry trays shown in Figs. 14 to 18. Also the end of the hose 25 can be anchored on the slide to constitute the switch tube 38 and the actual tube 38 eliminated so that the hose 25 discharges directly into the

discharge tubes

33 or 51, or the laundry trays within the scope of the invention. It is important to note that the

discharge tubes

33 and 51 act as an automatic overflow for the tank 30 or tray 50 in the event the water level should inadvertently rise above the upper end of the discharge tube such as when the switch mechanism inadvertently did not function.

Fig. 19 shows the switch tube deleted and loops 120 carried by the slide 109 using the end of the washer discharge hose 25 as the switch tube.

It is important to note that the operation of the inventive device is not affected or controlled by any portion of the automatic washer, and also that the automatic washer is not affected or controlled by any portion of the inventive device. Water emitting as usual from the discharge hose of the automatic washer is merely stored in a receptacle, and, when a sufficient quantity has been stored in a receptacle, the washer hose is Yswitched to another tank or drain and the automatic cycle of the machine runs on as usual.

Although but a few embodiments of the invention have been shown .and described in detail, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape, detail, and arrangements of the elements of the invention and the substitution of mechanical equivalents such as reversal of function between the spring and lock, or the use of cams to effect movement of the switch tube within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic, selective water-saver for use in conjunction with an automatic washer comprising a storage tank, a slide guide mounted in said tank, a discharge tube leading through said tank, a slide member slideably mounted on said guide, a switch tube mounted on said member for movement therewith from a first position of emission into said tank to a second position of emission to said discharge tube, a spring biasing said member and switch tube into the second position, a lock adapted to secure said switch-tube and member in the first tank emission position, and a tank water level sensitive mechanism adapted to release said lock at a predetermined level of water in said tank to allow said spring to move said member from the first tank emission position to the second dischargetube emission position.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, a collar semi-surrounding the upper end of said discharge tube and extending sidewise outwardly therefrom and endwise upwardly therefrom constituting a guide for said switch tube in the first and second positions and for movement therebetween.

3. An independent, separate, non-valved water-switch for automatically saving the wash-cycle water emitting from an automatic washing machine without mechanically or electrically integrating the action of the device with the action of the automatic cycle of the washer comprising a storage receptacle, a discharge tube in said receptacle extending to a point above the desired water level therein and leading through a wall thereof to a drain, a switch tube switchably disposed on said tank adapted to switch from a first position of emission into said tank to a second position of emission into said discharge tube, and means effecting movement of said switch tube from the first position to the second position when the receptacle has filled to a predetermined desired level.

4. In a device as set forth in claim 1, a lock comprising a split sleeve and a dog on said slide, and water level sensitive means comprising a float ball and torque-arm adapt ed to rotate said sleeve split portion into registry with said dog so as to be capable of by-passing said dog to release said lock.

5. Apparatus for automatically introducing to a tray the hot and soapy water emitted by a washing machine at the end of the washing cycle, including, a tube in the tray for draining the water passing through it, a discharge tube for withdrawing the water from the washing machine and for discharging the water into the tray in one position and for discharging the water into the drain tube in a second position, a rod, a spring constrained to produce a force on the discharge tube for movement of the discharge tube along the rod into alignment with the drain tube, means for restraining the movement of the discharge tube into alignment with the drain tube for water levels in the tray below a predetermined height so as to provide a discharge of the water into the tray, and means for releasing the restraining means for water levels in the tray greater than the predetermined value so as to produce a movement of the discharge tube into alignment with the drain tube for passage of the water through the drain tube.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, including, a oat member adapted to ride on the water to indicate the level of the water, and a sleeve mounted on the rod and pivotable in accordance with vertical movements of the float member to release the restraining means after a rotation through an angle corresponding to the predetermined level of water.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, including, a sleeve positioned on the rod to restrain the movement of the discharge tube into alignment with the drain tube, means for rotating the sleeve in accordance with variations in the water level in the tray, and means for releasing the sleeve for axial movement on the rod after a predetermined rotation of the sleeve so as to produce a movement of the discharge tube into alignment with the drain tube.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, including, a collar having a hollow interior to receive the lower end of the discharge tube and the upper end of the drain tube and to maintain the discharge tube in one position for the passage of the water into the tray and to maintain the discharge tube in a second position for passage of the water into the drain tube.

9. Apparatus for connection to an automatic washing machine and to a storage compartment and disposal means for automatically saving and storing rst cycle hot soapy water and for by passing subsequent rinse Water comprising a rod spanning a storage compartment and a disposal means, a slide mounted on said rod, means on said slide for securing thereto a tube leading from a washing machine, lock means locking said slide and tube in a first position on said rod over a storage compartment, biasing means urging said slide and tube to a second position on said rod over a disposal means, and automatic unlocking means for unlocking said slide and tube relatively to said rod when the storage compartment is filled to a certain level whereupon said slide and tube are automatically urged from said first position over the storage compartment to said second position over the disposal means by said biasing means so that all subsequent water is emitted and disposed via the disposal means.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said lock means includes a dog on said rod, a collar having a channel therein rotatably disposed on said rod, said collar being disposed between said dog and said slide, said slide being locked in said iirst position when said collar is rotated so that said channel s out of alignment with said dog, and means for rotating said collar to align said channel and said dog.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said lock means is adjustably positioned on said rod.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said lock means includes a lug on said slide, a latch on said rod releasably engaging said lug, and means for releasing said latch whereupon said biasing means urges said slide to said second position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 612,165 Judd Oct. 11, 1898 1,529,585 Gameson Mar. 10, 1925 2,024,374 Langebrake Dec. 17, 1935 2,182,415 Thigpen May 20, 1939 2,391,561 Geldhof Dec. 25, 1945