US2733610A

US2733610A - Lodge

Info

Publication number: US2733610A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1956-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 1973-02-07

Description

Feb. 7, 1956 A. LODGE DRIVE FOR DOMESTIC LAUNDERING MACHINES Original Filed May 1, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l Milk IN V EN TOR.

Alvin 0 (/50 ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1956 A. LODGE DRIVE FOR DOMESTIC LAUNDERING MACHINES Original Filed May 1, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Hu 53 6| 1 I 57 5q 5 '5 4- 77 I M A ;'L I {r 54 1 .1... r7 1 g -2 5 V l] l 5| q l :U' o H II! !I A .8 l 'l '6 l3 l7 3 4'5 41L Fax 2.

86 13 q! .ll H Q2 10 W I H 3 l I I F 16 3 INVENTOR.

Alvin Lodge,

Feb. 7, 1956 A. LODGE 2,733,610

DRIVE FOR DOMESTIC LAUNDERING MACHINES Original Filed May 1, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

ATTOR MEY A I vln Lodgc Feb. 7, 1956 A. LODGE 2,733,610

DRIVE FOR DOMESTIC LAUNDERING MACHINES Original Filed May 1, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

2,733,610 DRIVE FOR'DOMESTIC LAUNDERING MACHINES Alvin Lodge, Erie, Pa., assignor to Blackstone Corporation, Jamestown, N. Y.,.a corporation of New York Substituted for application Serial No. 285,509, May 1, 1952. This application January 26, 1954, Serial No. 406,123

4 Claims. (21. 74-81) This invention generally relates to improvements in domestic washing machines of the type in which a single receptacle is utilized for the operations of washing, rinsing, and centrifugally drying clothes, and is a substitution for my abandoned application, Serial No. 285,509, filed May 1, 1952. More particularly, the invention is directed to structural features having to do with the operation of washing clothes by means of an oscillatable agitator.

In all washing machines of the type to which this invention relates, it has heretofore been necessary to provide clutch mechanisms to enable both oscillating and rotating motions. These clutch mechanisms, from the very nature of their use, are required to be of rugged construction in order to be capable of satisfactory operation over a long period of time, even when a machine is operated in a careless or unskilled manner. In fact, many breakdowns in machines of this type are directly attributable to damaged or worn clutch mechanisms.

The present invention is directed to and has for a pur pose and object thereof, the provision of a mechanism that is particularlywell suited for use to connect or disconnect a washing agitator with a source of power without the use of any parts that are required to bodily move into and out of engagement to effect such connection or disconnection.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism that, not only is capable of transforming a rotary motion into an oscillating motion, but includes parts that are adjustable at will to render the mechanism operative or inoperative as between the source of power and an oscillatable member.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism for transforming rotary motion into oscillating motion through the use of cooperative eccentrics, the eccentrics being relatively adjustable to selectively effect oscillating motion or to neutralize such motion.

Another and important object of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism that is rendered operative or inoperative by reason of the direction of rotation of certain of the parts thereof.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism of such proportions and construction as to be capable of assembly into the base of a washing machine receptacle and serves, during a drying operation, as a part of the ballast of said receptacle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a cabinet enclosed washing machine in which one form of the present inven tion is embodied, a part of the side wall of said cabinet being broken away to disclose the general location and arrangement of the parts of the inventive structure;

, Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View of the central portion of the receptacle base and mounting therefor, the receptacle being shown in a position in which an agitating operation may take place; Fig. 3 is a still further enlarged vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 5 and shows the parts of the oscillating mechanism in neutral or inop erative position;

Fig. 4 is an exploded vertical sectional view of the' parts shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, the parts thereof being disposed in inoperative or nonoscillating relationship;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and shows the position of the parts when the mechanism is adjusted to produce oscillating movement; and

Fig. 7 is a further plan View of the mechanism and shows the relationship of the parts during their adjustclosing the general proportions required to enclose the.

structure. The cabinet may be considered as divided into upper and lower compartments 11 and 12, respectively, by

a partition 13. This partition is attached, in any suitable manner, to the cabinet walls and terminates in a centered circular opening 14 that is defined by an upstanding rim 16. The opening 14 receives certain operative structure. A ring-like opening, between rim 16 and this structure, is bridged by a flexible boot 17 which is rolled upon and clamped to the rim 16 as suggested at 18. The inner edge of this boot is secured by a clamp 19 to a housing of the structure that projects through the opening 14.

The compartment 12 encloses the driving mechanism of the device. ln the present instance, a suspension is provided for this mechanism in the form of a series of rods 21, the upper and outwardly directed ends of which are suitably attached to the walls of the cabinet. The lower, inner ends of these rods project through flanges 22 of depending straps 23 that form part of a motor support. Blocks 24 have threaded engagement with the ends of the rods 21 and enable adjustment to provide balanced relationship between the motor support and the cabinet. At their upper ends, straps 23 are bent inwardly and permanently joined to a plate 26 which serves as a top or cover to the motor support. Secured to one of the straps are brackets 27, the remote ends 28 of which are secured to the end housings 29 of a motor 31. The motor is shown to be vertically disposed, the drive shaft 32 thereof extending beyond the upper housing 29.

Mounted on this shaft is a pulley 33. Another of the straps 2.3 supports a Water pump 34. This pump includes a vertical shaft which carries a double pulley 36. The lower portion of this pulley and pulley 33 are operatively connected by a belt 37.

The housing that projects through the boot 17 takes the is a drive shaft 44 that derives axial support from the bearing 42. The lower end of this shaft extends beneath the plate 26 of the motor mount and carries a pulley 45. A belt 46 connects pulley 45 with the'upper portion of the double pulley 36. member 38 is a bearing 47 which gives lateral support to the sleeve 43. The upper end of member 38 includes an outwardly extending annular portion 48 that provides sup- Near the upper end of the tubular port'for a plate 50. This plate constitutes a support for the central base 51 of the washing receptacle 52. Inasmuch as the present invention is only concerned with the central base 51 and operative structure carried thereby, no other details of the receptacle are shown or described.

The bottom wall of the receptacle 52 has a central opening thatis defined by a depending annular flange 53. Fitting this opening and seated on flange 53 is the base 54 of the center post 56 of the receptacle. The post 56 may, as suggested in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, be filled or integrally weighted, as at 57. Enclosing the post 56 is a hub 58 from which suitable agitator blades 59 extend in a generally radial direction. The agitator drive shaft 61 projects upwardly through the portion 57 and is connected with the hub 58 through suitable drive structure 62.

Depending from the base 54 of the receptacle post 56 are end bearings 63 and 64, into which the upper ends of pins, hereinafter described, project. The central base 51 includes a recessed member 68 which, in cooperation with the base 54 of the post, provides a housing for certain of the operative parts associated with the agitator hub 58. An annular rim 69, on the member 68, is in the vertical plane of the flange 53. Suitable material '78 is interposed between the base 54, flange 53 and rim 69 to provide a fluid tight seal as between the central base 51 and the adjacent portion of the receptacle 52. These parts are held together by studs 71. The member 68 is formed to provide

lower end bearings

72 and 73 on vertical center with the bearings 63 and 64.

Between the lower bearings is located a mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 74. This mechanism has to do with the operation of rotating the receptacle 52 at high speed during a spin drying operation. The only association of the agitator drive mechanism, with the spinning mechanism, is found in the upper end of the shaft 44. This shaft end is shown to extend above the spin drive mechanism 74 and takes the form of a pinion gear 76. It will be understood that this gear is driven by the motor 31 through the speed reduction mechanism already described. The lower end of shaft 61, as may be seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, extends beneath the weighted portion 57 of the receptacle post and is fitted with a gear 77.

Bearings

63 and 72 provide end supports for a pin 78. Mounted for free rotation on this pin is a gear 79. Teeth 81, onthe rim of this gear, mesh with the pinion end 76 of shaft 44. Thus, gear 79 is required to rotate at all times that the motor 31 is in operation. Examination of Fig. 4 discloses the hub 82 of gear 79 to have a depending portion which rests on the upper edge of the lower end bearing 72. An eccentric hollow post 83, on the upper face of the gear, is formed in part by the upper portion of the hub 82. A groove 84 is formed in the outer face of the post and extends approximately half way around the posts circumference, substantially as shown in dotted line in several of the figures of the drawings. A nearly complete circular member 86 is formed with an uncentered opening 87 of such proportions as to enable fitting on the post 83 with the body portion of the member serving as a counter eccentric to the post. Through combination of the post 83 with member 86, a complete circular-bearing 88 is produced directly above the gear 79. A pin 89, carried by the member 86, projects into the groove 84 toprevent axial displacement of the member from the post and .at the same time to permit approximately 180 degrees relative rotation of the post and member.

A-connecting rod 90 is formed at one end with a large bearing ring 91, the diameter of which is such as to receive .andvfit the bearing 88. At the other end of this red isa smallbearing ring .92 which receives the enlarged portion: 93. of a pin 94. A gearsegment 97 includes teeth 98 that mesh with the teethof gear 77, carried by the lower end ofshaft 61. A downwardly offset arm-like portion '99 of this. segment includes a bearing ring 101, the opening therein being. adapted to receive the lower end of pin 94.

As will be understood from an examination of Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the bearing ring 101 is substantially'in the arc of the teeth 98 of the gear segment. The oflset portion 99 of this segment includes a further bearing ring 102, which represents the center about which the segment is intended to oscillate. Theopening through ring 102 permits projecting a pin 103 therethrough, this pin being similar to pin 78 and having its upper end projecting into bearing 64, and its lower end into bearing 73.

To fully understand the advantages of the invention, assembly and operation of the parts shown and described are set out as follows: The motor 31 is of the reversing type and, therefore, capable of rotating shaft 44 in either direction. When shaft 44 rotates in a clockwise direction, gear 76, formed on the upper end of this shaft, will rotate gear 79 in a counter-clockwise direction. Assuming the post 83 and member 86 to have the relationship shown in Fig. 5, it will be noted thatthe bearing 88, formed by these parts, is concentric with the shaft 78. It will also be noted that pin 89, carried by the member 86, is at one end of the groove 84. Keeping in mind the fact that the post 83 must revolve with gear 79, it is evident that contact of the pin 89 with the end of the groove will cause the member to rotate with the post. Since these two parts rotate together and cooperate to form a bearing concentric with the axis of rotation of the gear, no movement of the rod will take place. It is in this direction of rotation of the shaft 44 that the rod 90 and gear segment 97 are rendered inoperative and a spin drying operation may take place.

For purposes of explanation, it may be assumed that the above described arrangement of the partsnamely, as shown in Fig. 5represents completion of a laundering operation. The laundered pieces may be removed from the receptacle and other soiled pieces substituted. When the receptacle is filled to the proper level for a washing operation, the motor 31 is started and operates in a reverse direction. This causes shaft 44 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction and, of course, gear 79 now rotates clockwise. Initial movement of gear 79 swings the post 83 from the 'positionof Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 7. The only movement of member 86 up to this point is lateral, inasmuch as the pin 89, carried thereby, is free to travel in the groove 84. At such time as the gear 79 has made a one-half revolution, post 83 will have moved to the position shown in Fig. 6 and pin 89 of member 86 engaged with the other end of the groove 84. It is now evident that the post and member cooperate to form the bearing 88 in eccentric relationship to the axis of rotation of the gear 79 and, consequently, this bearing will act as a crank to produce reciprocating movement of the rod 90. Inasmuch as this rod is connected through segment 97 and shaft '61 with the agitator, said agitator will oscillate to an extent determined by the throw of the rod 90. It is immaterial at what position this mechanism is stopped inasmuch as the relationship of the parts forming the now eccentrically located bearing will remain the same even though the motor is again started, provided, of course,

' gear 79 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction.

Upon completion of an agitating operation, or the completion of desired reciprocal movement of the rod 90, the motor may be operated in the reverse direction, again causing the shaft 44 to rotate in a clockwise direction. The first half rotation of gear 79 in a clockwise direction will rearrange the parts of the bearing 88 so that the bearing again becomes concentric With the gear 79. Viewing the drawings, the steps by which this occurs are shown consecutively in Figs. 6, 7, and 5.

From the foregoing it will be evident that through use of the mechanism described it is possible to eliminate. any form of conventional clutch. Furthermore, the present device is rendered operative or inoperative, as desired, without manual manipulation of parts and merely by reversing the direction, of rotation of the motor shaft. The extent of reciprocation of rod 90 and oscillation of segnot w e.) w,

ment 97 may be varied by the simple expedient of changing the length of the groove 84. In other words, the parts making up the bearing 88 may be relatively adjusted to form a bearing that is less eccentric than the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. By reason of the design and arrangement of the parts that go to make up what may betermed a combined throwout and oscillating mechanism, it is possible to mount this entire mechanism within the base of a washing receptacle that is used in a spin drying operation. Thus, the parts of the present mechanism also serve as a weight or ballast in the base of the receptacle during a spinning operation.

Although applicant has shown and described only one form of the invention 'as applied to the operation of oscillating a washing machine agitator, it will be understood that the mechanism in its present or modified form is equally applicable for use in other instances requiring reciprocating or oscillating movement, and it is contemplated that the structural parts may be modified without in any way departing from the spirit and scope of the invention insofar as such modification is Within the meaning of the annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, What I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. A mechanism for reciprocating a rod having a bear- .ing ring at one end thereof, said mechanism, comprising a gear operatively engaged with a reversible drive shaft, a bearing on said gear engaged by said ring, relatively movable parts forming said bearing, said parts being relatively rotatable to form 'a bearing concentric with said gear when said shaft is rotated in one direction and being reversely relatively rotatable to form said bearing eccentric to said gear when said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction and cooperating means on said parts for eifecting relative rotation thereof.

2. A mechanism for selectively oscillating a fixed pivot segment comprising a gear mounted for rotation about a fixed pivot, said gear being engaged with a reversible drive pinion, a hub on said gear eccentric to the axis of rotation of said gear, a member interfitting said hub and being rotatable with'respect thereto, said member,

in one position, cooperating with said hub to form a bearing concentric with the axis of rotation of said gear and in another position cooperating With said hub to form a bearing of corresponding diameter eccentric to said gear axis, a rod pivotally connected at one end with of rotation of said drive pinion.

3. A mechanism for oscillating a fixed pivot segment comprising a gear mounted for rotation about an axis parallel with the pivot for said segment, a rod pivotally connected atone end with a swingable portion of said' segment, a hearing at the other end of said rod, an upstanding eccentric post on said gear, a member forming part of said gear cooperating with said post to provide a circular bearingoperatively engaged by said ring, said member being rotatable about said post to off-center said bearing whereby to produce a reciprocating motion of said rod when said gear is rotated in a given direction and means on said member and said post cooperating to efiect such rotation of said member.

4. A mechanism for selectively oscillating a fixed pivot segment comprising a gear mounted for rotation about a fixed pivot, said gear being engaged with and operable by a reversible drive pinion, a hub on said gear eccentric to the axis of rotation of said gear, said hub having a radially outwardly opening groove continuous through a portion of the periphery of said hub, a member interfitting said hub and being rotatable with respect thereto, a pin carried by said member projecting into said groove,

. said member, when said pin is at one end of said' groove,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 1,985,273 Altorfer Dec. 25, 1934 2,002,573 Green May 28, 1935 2,111,143 Geldhof Mar. 15, 1938 2,592,237 Bradley Apr. 8, 1952