US2959403A

US2959403A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: US2959403A
Application number: US798067A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard A Fisher
Original assignee: Anderson Machine and Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Anderson Machine and Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 1959-03-09
Filing date: 1959-03-09
Publication date: 1960-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 1977-11-08
Also published as: GB869790A; DE1220646B; BE588410A

Description

Nov. 8, 1960 R. A. FISHER 2,959,403

WASHING MACHINE [6 Filed March 9, 1959 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent WASHING MACHINE Richard A. Fisher, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Anderson Machine and Tool Works, Inc., Chaska, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Mar. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 798,067

Claims. (Cl. 259-75) This invention relates to a device for use in washing or cleaning and more particularly to a means for imparting agitation to a removable container in which washing fluid and elements to be cleaned are disposed.

In general, the invention is addressed to a device of the type described which embodies a platform mounted for reciprocating movement and which is adapted to support a pail or the like to which reciprocating movement is imparted by the platform support to achieve agitation of the materials contained therein. Means are provided to control the reciprocal movement of the platform in a manner to permit processing of delicate material, such as in the washing of eggs and the like and which embodies features in the actuation of the platform to minimize wear; to protect the elements of the device from corrosion or attack by any of the materials being processed; which provides for a desirable balance of load to prevent spilling; which minimizes the need for maintenance, care or lubrication and which is adapted for use in various type of cleaning operations or otherprocessing steps.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter appear and, for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning machine being used to wash eggs;

Figure 2 is a view of the inner surface of the platform of the cleaning machine, showing the nylon bearings and parts of the motive mechanism secured to it;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the cleaning machine; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the cleaning machine, showing the bearings secured to the platform riding on the rim of the machine housing.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawing, a cleaning machine indicated generally by the reference numeral comprises a driving mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 12. A container 14 is mounted on this mechanism. As seen in the drawing, the container in this particular embodiment is filled with eggs 16 to be washed, but it is apparent that the container could be filled with other objects and the claims should be construed accordingly. Additionally, the container 14 may have a heat source built inside which is connected to power line 18, for regulation of the temperature of the container and its contents.

The driving mechanism 12 comprises an all-steel onepiece dish-like housing 20 which is substantially circular in cross-section. As seen in Figure 3, the housing includes a base member 22 with an integral, upwardly extending, peripheral flange 24. This upwardly extending, peripheral flange terminates in an arcuate outwardly bent flange or rim 26, and in this particular embodiment the flange or rim is shaped like a quarter of a circle, see Figure 4. This shape is advantageous for many reasons, and in particular from a production standpoint, but as will become apparent below, under certain circumstances, other shapes may be useful and the claims should be construed accordingly.

The central portion of base 22 is provided with a recess 28. An opening 30 extends through the base communicating with this recess. The lower end 32 of a retaining shaft 34 is mounted in this opening by any conventional means. The upper end 36 of the retaining shaft extends through an opening 38 in the central recessed portion of a support plate 40, and is held in this opening by any conventional means, not shown, see Figures 2 and 3. This holds the support plate on the housing, and support plate 40 and the retaining shaft 34 are connected to each other and to housing 20 in such a way that support plate 40 can rotate on the axis of the retaining shaft.

As seen in Figure 2, the support plate 40 includes a disk-shaped central portion 42 and a downwardly ex tending, peripheral flange 44, see Figures 3 and 4. Three uniformly angularly spaced tabs or bearing flanges 46 are cut from the central portion 42 of support plate 40 and are bent parallel to the peripheral flange 44 in inwardly radially spaced relation thereto, see Figure 4, but as will become apparent below, greater load requirements may require a larger number of these bearing flanges to be formed, and the claims should be construed accordingly. The opposite ends of shafts 48 are mounted in openings 49 in peripheral flange 44 and openings 51 in each of the bearing flanges 46 so the shafts are supported between them. As seen, the shafts are designed to rotatably support roller bearings 50, and the shafts may be locked in

openings

49 and 51 by means of a conventional Tinnerman-type clip 52.

As seen in Figure 4, each roller bearing 50 has the shape of a surface of revolution formed in part by revolving a curve shaped like flange 26 around an axis of revolution. Each roller bearing is formed from molded nylon, for its self-lubricating shock-absorbing properties, and is provided with an axial bore 54 through which shaft 48 extends. As seen, there are three uniformly angularly spaced roller bearings secured to support plate 40 to provide a stable three-point support for the support plate 40, although as explained above, additional roller bearings may be necessary to support heavier loads, and the claims should be construed accordingly. When the support plate 40 is secured to the retaining shaft 34 as described above, the roller bearings ride on the flange or rim 26. This rim or flange, in addition to strengthening the housing, also serves as an annular track for the roller bearings, so that the support plate 40 can rotate freely on the axis of housing 20.

A platform 56, formed from some plastic moistureproof, resilient material, includes a disk-shaped container support surface 58 and a downwardly extending peripheral flange 60. The platform is positioned over the support plate 40, as shown in Figure 4, and is shaped so that flange 60 resiliently engages flange 44. This securely holds the platform in place on the support plate 40 and provides a continuous support surface for the container 14. This is important because it prevents cleaning flu-id, such as a detergent and water mixture which may be accidentally spilled on the surface of the platform, from penetrating to the interior of the housing and corroding the mechanism there. Additionally, support surface 58 is provided with formations or grooves 62 to prevent the container from sliding thereon, as will become apparent below.

An electric motor 64 is mounted in housing 20 by any conventional means, and this motor is connected to a speed-reducing gear system 66, see Figure 3. A horizontally extending arm 68 is secured to the upwardly extending output shaft 70 of the speed-reducing gear system.

A horizontally disposed roller wheel 72 is rotatably mounted on the top surface of the end of arm 68 so that operation of motor 64 causes the roller wheel 72 to move in a circle around the axis of shaft 70.

As seen in Figure 2, spaced parallel radially extending

guide bars

74 and 76 are mounted on the inner surface of support plate 40 with their roller wheel bearing surfaces 78 and 80 facing each other. The separation of these surfaces is substantially equal to the diameter of the roller wheel 72, and as seen, the support plate is mounted in housing so the roller wheel 72 is positioned between these guide bars.

With this arrangement, operation of motor 64 which causes the roller wheel 72 to move in a circle, first causes the roller wheel to ride on one of the roller bearing surfaces, surface 78, for example. This causes the wheel 72 to exert a force thereon which is transmitted to the support plate 40 and platform 56, causing the support plate and platform to rotate on the roller bearings 50 in one direction. Then, as the roller wheel 72 continues to move along its circular path, it eventually moves so it rides on roller wheel bearing surface 80, exerting a force thereon which causes the support plate 40 and the platform 56 to rotate in the opposite direction. Continued operation of the motor produces, therefore, an oscillatory motion of the support plate 40 and platform 56.

In operation, a container filled with a cleaning solution and objects to be washed, is mounted on platform 56. This oscillatory motion produces an agitation of the liquid in the container which is suflicient to clean the objects therein. To prevent creep caused by this oscillatory motion, downwardly extending bosses 82 are formed on the base 22 of the housing 20. These bosses are covered with rubber tips 84 to increase the friction between the housing 20 and any supporting surface.

As seen in the drawings, the diameter of the housing 20 is large in comparison to its height. This is important because it results in a low center of gravity which eliminates tipping and promotes stability.

In addition, the nylon bearings have been made oversize. This is important, because in addition to their function of permitting the support plate 40 and platform 56 to rotate freely on the rim of housing 20, when heavily loaded containers are on the platform, they reduce bearing wear, insuring a long, trouble-free life. Furthermore, these nylon bearings function additionally as shock absorbers and help insulate the motor 64 and its associated mechanism from shocks caused by carelessly placing heavy containers on the platform. The distribution of these bearings is also very important because the economical stable, three-point support for the platform which they provide is sufircient to properly balance the weight of the container and its contents on the platform, and this further reduces bearing wear and power requirements. In addition, the shape and position of these nylon bearings helps to keep the supporting plate 40 and platform 56 properly centered on the housing.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof as set forth in the claims, and the present embodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and it is intended to include all changes which come within the scope and range of the claims.

1. A machine of the class described comprising a housing, said housing being substantially circular in crosssection and including a base member and an upwardly extending flange secured to the periphery of the base member, said flange terminating in an annular track, a platform having roller bearings secured thereto, said platform being mounted on said housing with said roller bearings rotatably mounted on said track whereby said platform can rotate on said housing, motive means within said housing and connected to said platform for causing a rotatable oscillation of said platform on said housing, an upwardly extending retainer shaft centrally mounted on said base member, a support plate secured to the upper end of said shaft, a downwardly extending peripheral flange formed on the periphery of said support plate, at least three uniformly angularly spaced, downwardly extending bearing flanges positioned in inwardly radially spaced relation to said peripheral flange, said roller bearings rotatably mounted between the peripheral flange and each bearing flange, said platform covering said support plate and said retaining shaft to provide a continuous container support surface and thereby prevent liquid spilled on said platform from penetrating said housing and corroding said motive means.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a housing, said housing being substantially circular in crosssection and including a base member and an upwardly extending flange secured to the periphery of the base member, said flange terminating in an annular track, a platform having roller bearings secured thereto, said platform being mounted on said housing with said roller bearings rotatably mounted on said track whereby said platform can rotate on said housing, motive means within said housing and connected to said platform for causing a rotatable oscillation of said platform on said housing, said annular track comprising an arcuately bent flange formed on the upper edge of said upwardly extending flange so that the arcuately bent fiange additionally strengthens the housing.

3. The apparatus described in claim 2 wherein said roller bearings have the shape of a surface of revolution formed in part by revolving a curve shaped like said arcuately bent flange around an axis of revolution.

4. The apparatus described in claim 3 wherein said roller bearings are formed from a self-lubricating shockabsorbing material so that the roller bearings have the additional function of insulating the said motive means from accidental shocks and blows.

5. The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said roller bearings comprise three uniformly and angularly spaced nylon wheels secured to said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 732,341 Devine June 30, 1903 2,469,884 Masone May 10, 1949 2,793,010 Menken May 21,1957