US2993354A - Apparatus for washing clothes - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES @Armen/Uf July 25, 1961 Filed DSG. 19, 1952 T. E. D. BlLDE APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zai/W INVENIOR.

July 25, 1.961

T. E. D. BILDE APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES Filed Deo. 19. 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ava /NG 007217' @PE/Y INVENoR.

July 25, 1961 T. E. D. BILDE 2,993,354

APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES Filed Dec. 19, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 25, 1961 T. E. D. BILDE. l 2,993,354

APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES Filed DeO. 19, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 25, 1961 T. E. D. BILDE APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed D60. 19, 1952 wwwole.

QM/if d f77-@Mery July 25, 1961v T. E. D. BILDE 2,993,354

APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES July 25, 1961 T. E. D. BILDE APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Deo. 19, 1952 United States Patent 2,993,354 y APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES Tor-d Erik Daniel Bilde, Stockholm, Sweden, assignor to Aktieholaget Elektrolux, Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Filed Dec. 19, 1952, Ser. No. 326,991 Claims priority, application Sweden Dec. 21, 1951 25 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates to apparatus for washing and rinsing clothes and other textile materials and extracting liquid therefrom.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide apparatus of the kind in which washing and rinsing operations are performed in a space having a contractible inner liner employed to extract liquid from laundry in such space. It has been further proposed to employ in apparatus of this type an impeller or agitator which is arranged to be oscillated w-ithin the contractible inner liner xed to stationary parts of the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this type in which the impeller or agitator is disposed within the contractible inner liner in such a manner that the agitator will not subject the inner liner to angular movement `about the axis about which it oscillates, particularly when the liner is contracted, but instead the agitator will oscillate back and forth in a way in which relatively extensive surface areas thereof will contact similar extensive surface areas of the inner liner.

AAnother object of the invention is -to provide such an improved apparatus in which a region of the agitator during one stroke of its oscillation moves in a rst direction toward the inner liner and the liner while being contracted moves toward the region of the agitator in a second direction diametrically opposed to the first direction.

A further object is to provide such yan improved apparatus in which the contractible liner, which is of upright cylindrical form and defines a space having a top opening and also a bottom opening, embodies provisions for mounting the agitator for oscillation about a horizontal axis which is substantially at or below the vicinity of the bottom opening of the space.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved agitator or impeller having a fish-tail actionv for effectively imparting movement to washing liquid and the clothes being washed. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for washing and rinsing clothes having an outer housing embodying an upright frame in which a stationary laundry receptacle is suspended and removably held in place.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such an improved apparatus in which the electric motor and mechanism for oscilltaing the agitator in their entirety are carried by the laundry receptacle which in turn is removably held in a xed position on the frame.

A still further object is to provide such an improved apparatus in which the laundry receptacle is suspended on the frame of the apparatus and the electric motor, mechanism for oscillating an agitator and control provisions in their entirety are carried by the laundry receptacle and constitute a part of the dead-weight load transmitted through the receptacle to the frame of the apparatus.

A still further object is to provide in laundry mechanism an improved clutch or coupling having a ring member formed with internal teeth adapted Ito engage the teeth of a gear rotatably mounted within the ring inember, and `an element movable parallel to the axis of rotation of the gear which is adapted to move into the gap between adjacent teeth of the gear, thereby preventing fic rotating movement of the gear and locking the gear and ring member together.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings, FIG. l is a vertical sectional View, taken at line 11 of FIG. 3, illustrating a combined washing, rinsing and liquid extracting apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical view, partly broken away and in section, of the apparatus of FIG. l when viewed from the bottom left-hand Acorner to the top right-hand corner of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section, of the apparatus of FIGS. l and 2;

FIG. 4 is a chart diagrammatically illustrating a preferred ycycle of operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views of the upper part of the apparatus of FIG. l, taken at right angles to one another and at lines 5 5 and 6--6 of FIG. 3, respectively, illustrating the exible inner liner in a contracted position;

FIG. 7 is yan enlarged top plan view of the control mechanism shown in FIG. l to illustrate details more clearly;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the control mechanism shown in FIG. 7 to illustrate certain parts in another position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the agitator shown in FIG. l to illustrate details more clearly;

FIG. l0 is a sectional view taken at right angles to the sectional View of FIG. 9;

FIG. 1l is a sectional view taken at line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a vertical view, partly broken away and in section, of another embodiment of apparatus generally like that shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary topplan view, partly in section, illustrating another embodiment of features shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional View, taken at line 14-14 of FIG. 13, to illustrate details more clearly; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical View, partly in section, of details shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

In FIG. 1 I have shown my invention embodied in apparatus comprising `an outer housing H within which is disposed an inner receptacle R having a flexible liner L therein which forms a space S for washing and rinsing clothes therein and also extracting liquid from the clothes by contracting the liner. An upwardly extending agitator A iat the bottom of receptacle R is arranged to be oscillated with the aid of a combined belt and gear drive D which 'is driven by a motor M. The motor M is also employed to actuate control mechanism C for controlling the operation of agitator A and the supply of liquid during the washing, rinsing and liquid extracting steps of the washing cycle.

The outer housing H is of rectangular form and includes upright corner members 10 which are L-shaped in section and side walls or panels 11 therebetween. The panels 11 are removably mounted on an opstanding metal frame which is provided with supporting legs 14 and includes the upright corner members 10 and horizontally disposed cross members 12 connected thereto at the top and bottom, respectively. The top edge portions 1S of the side panels 11 are of inverted U-shape to form catches for holding the panels 11 in a suspended position from the Patented July Z5, 1961 upper edges of the top cross members 12, as best shown in FIG. l. Further, the inner surface of each panel 11, at the vicinity of the bottom edge thereof, is provided with tabs 16 forming spaced apart catches which t over one of the bottom cross members 12 to lock the bottom part of each panel in position on the metal frame of the apparatus, as best shown in FIG. 2.

The outer housing H is provided with a top 17 having side walls 18 whose bottom edges rest on the top edges of the panels 11 and corner members 1i). One side of the top 17 is removably hinged to one pair of corner members in any suitable manner. This may be accomplished by providing at each of the corner members 10 at the bottom of FIG. 3 a part 19 which is fixed to the corner member and spaced therefrom, such part having an elongated slit to receive one arm 20 of an angle member having another portion thereof secured to the inner face of one of the side walls 18. After one side of the top 17 is placed in position by a pair of separable hinges of the kind described, holding screws 21 passing through openings in the opposite side wall 18 are tightened in threaded openings of lugs 22 extending upwardly from the top edges of the two corner members at the upper part of FIG. 3. Additional lugs 23 project upwardly from the top edges of corner members 10 to guide the top 17 and prevent horizontal shifting thereof when it is being mounted in position.

When the top 17 is secured in position, removal of the side panels 11 cannot be eiected. The corner members 10, panels 11 and top 17 form the outer housing H which is appropriately finished to provide a pleasing appearance. In view of the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the outer housing H can easily be taken apart and put together again when it is necessary to gain access to parts of the apparatus retained within the outer housing.

A member 24, which forms a horizontal supporting ledge, is secured to the upper part of each upright corner member 1li, as shown in FIGS. l and 3. The ledges 24 form supports for the outwardly extending flanges 25 of brackets 26 fixed to the receptacle R. When the receptacle R is positioned within the outer housing H and supported on the members 24, the receptacle may be removably secured in place by bolts 27 which pass through aligned openings in the members 24 and flanges 2S and receive suitable tightening nuts. As seen in FIG. l, the drive D, control mechanism C and motor M are all carried by the receptacle R. Hence, the members 24 constitute the only support on the frame of the outer housing H for all of the parts housed within the latter. In this way easy access to the drive D, control mechanism C and motor M is elected by simply loosening screws 21 on the top 17 to remove such top and thereafter removing the bolts 27. When this is done the receptacle R and all parts carried by the receptacle can be lifted or raised from the outer housing H as a single unit.

The receptacle R comprises a main cylindrical-shaped body 28 and a top or upper part having an inwardly sloping wall section 29 and a vertical neck portion 30 having an inwardly extending top flange 31 which defines the access opening 32 of the receptacle R. When the top 17 is secured in place the downwardly extending ange 33 deiining the central opening therein bears against the top flange 31. The access opening 32 is adapted to be closed by a cover 34 of circular shape having a rubber gasket 35 fixed to the peripheral edge portion thereof.' The cover 34, which is provided with a handle 36, is of greater diameter than the access opening and in its closed position the gasket 35 of the cover bears against the underside of Ithe flange 31, as shown in FIG. l. In such closed position the cover 34 is held in place by a number of spaced apart locking members 37 which are biased radially inward by springs 38, as shown in FIG. 3. The members 37 and springs 38 are disposed within hollow sleeves 39 fixed to the neck portion 30 of the receptacle R.

A pair of recesses or notches 4t) are provided diametrically opposite one another in the top 17 and ange 31 about the access opening 32 to permit the cover 34 to be moved therethrough for insertion into and withdrawal from the receptacle R. When the cover 34 has been inserted into the receptacle R, it can then be raised upwardly while more or less horizontal. With such upward movement of the cover 34 the extreme outer edges thereof act against the rounded inner ends of the locking members 37 and cause the latter to move radially outward against the biasing action of the springs 38 to allow the edge of the cover to move past the locking members. When the gasket 35 snugly tits against the underside of the top liange 31, the locking members 37 effectively hold the cover 34 in its closed position under the action of the springs 38. The cover 34 and locking provisions therefor are of the kind described in my application Serial No. 267,653, filed January 22, 1952, to which reference may be made, if desired, for a detailed description of these features.

A collar 41 of annular form and of the shape shown in FIG. l cooperates with the sloping wall section 29 and neck portion 30 to form a hollow manifold or trough 42. The trough 42 forms a part ofV a top liquid overflow from the receptacle. R and receives liquid from the latter through a number of small openings 43 distributed about the neck portion 30 immediately beneath the cover 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of a discharge conduit 44 is connected to the trough 42, such conduit being eiiective to carry overflow liquid to waste. Accordingly, the conduit 44 extends downwardly in the space between the receptacle R and housing H and the lower end thereof communicatesv with suitable drain provisions.

The main body 28 of the receptacle R is formed with downwardly sloping bottom 45 terminating in a, seat or liange 46 delining a bottom opening 47 of the body 28, as seen in FIG. 2. Into the opening a vessel 48 is adapted to be lowered, such vessel having an outwardly extending shoulder 49 which is supported by an inner peripheral edge portion of the seat 46. As best shown in FIG. 10, the vessel 48 is secured in position by a number of threaded bolts 50 which draw a anged collar 51 tightly against the underside of seat 46. An electrical heating element 52 is disposed within the vessel 48 which is desirably formed of relatively thick walls. To the bottom 45 of the receptacle R are connected conduits 53 and 54, respectively, for conducting water to and from the space between the receptacle R and liner L in a manner which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The flexible liner L, which may be of rubber, bears against the inner surfaces of receptacle R in its fully expanded position, asshowninFIG. l. The upper end of the liner L is securely heldin arecessed part of the neckA portion 30 of the receptacle by a ring-shaped metal band 55. The top edge portion of the liner L desirably may be formed with a series ofy circularcorrugations (not shown) in order to produce a labyrinth packing between the liner and the part of the neck portion 30 in which it is held by the metal band 55. The bottom of the liner L is formed with a bead 56 which `is disposed in the outer part of seat 46 adjacent to the shoulder 49 of vessel 48. The bead V56 is securely held in place by a metal Vring 57 secured by screws 58 to the bottom of the receptacle R.

A disk 59 having a number of openings 60= therein is removably positioned over the ring 57. Hence, the disk 59 covers the ring 57 and the top opening of receptacle 48 which is in communication with the space S. The disk 59 is provided with a number of upstanding ridges 61 which are spaced apart yand act to prevent clogging of the openings 60 by laundry in the space S.

Th agitator A osci-llates back and forth about a horizontal shaft 62 which is journaled in the upper part of the vessel 48 below the disk 59. As best seen in FIG. 9, the shaft 62 is journaled in bearings 63 and 64 in the upper part of the vessel 48. The end of the shaft 62 journaled at 63 projects exteriorly of the vessel 48, a liquid seal being provided at such region which comprises suitable packing 65 biased against the inner end of bearing 63 by a coil spring 66 disposed about the shaft 62.

The 4agitator A is provided with a hub 67 which is keyed lat 68 to the shaft 62, as seen in FIG. 10. To the hub 67 are secured the lower e-nds of the agitator blade including an inner core 69 and an outer envelope 70. As seen in FIG. 10, the disk 59 is formed with a rectangular opening 71 at the vicinity of which the outer curved surface of the hub 67 moves back and forth. The hub 67 is formed with a groove 72 in which the lower ends of the core 69 and outer envelope are fixed. The outer envelope 70, which desirablly is formed of rubber, extends upwardly a greater distance than the core 69 from the hub 67. The core 69 is formed of metal and essentially constitutes a paddle which receives the outer envelope 70. Accordingly, only the extreme upper part of the envelope is solid while the port-ion thereof fitting over the core is formed with a suitable cavity to insure a glovelike t of the two blade parts.

The blade-shaped core 69 is bent and of the general shape shown in FIG. l0, so that, when the outer envelope '70 is fitted thereon, a cup-like shape is imparted to the upper part of the envelope in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 10 and l1. In addition, the envelope 70 is of lishtail appearance in which the upper part thereof is offset from the vertical and projects laterally in Aa direction parallel to shaft 62. While it has been stated above that the envelope 70 is of a resilient character and may be formed f rubber, the rubber employed preferably is sufficiently hard so that the outer portion thereof is self-sustaining and will retain its shape when it contacts and impinges laundry when the agitator A is oscillating back and forth on the shaft 62.

The envelope 70 may be readily removed from the core 69. However, it should be noted in FIG. 9 that the core is formed with an indented section 73 at one edge thereof which receives a correspondingly shaped part of the envelope 7 i) to hold the latter securely in position on the core.

The agitator A is oscillated back and forth by motor M with the aid of a combined belt `and gear drive D. Referring now especially to FIGS. 2 and 7, an attachment bracket B is connected by bolts 75 to the bottom of the vessel 48. The motor M is suspended from and carried by the bracket B with the aid of metal bands 76 removably connected at their lower ends at 77. Electrical conductors 122 and 123 for connecting the motor M to a source of electrical supply extend through a hollow duct or tube 78.

To the shaft of motor M is xed a pulley 79 which is connected by `an endless belt Sil to ya larger pulley 81 mounted for rotation on a hollow sleeve 82 carried by the bracket B. The pulley S1 is formed integrally with a smaller pulley S3 which is connected by an endless belt 84 with a pulley 85. As best seen in FIG. 7, an elongated hollow spindle a6 is formed integrally with the pulley 85 to provide a single rotatable member which is journaled at 87 to the bracket B. One end of a hollow sleeve 8? is xed to the end of the spindle 36, the opposite end of which is journaled `at 89 in an apertured boss 9i) of the attach-ment bracket B. Hence, the pulley 85 is supported yat two places or parts of the bracket B.

A clutch is provided on pulley S for transmitting movement therefrom to the agitator A. This clutch comprises ian outer ring-shaped member 91 which is formed with teeth 92 at the inner periphery thereof and secured by screws 93 to one face of pulley 85. A gear 94 is mounted for rotation at 95 on a crank plate 96 having a hollow tubular part 97 `formed integrally therewith which is journaled within the spindle 36 of pulley 85. As seen in FIGS. 2 `and 7, the gear 94 is eccentrically mounted on the crank plate 96 iand the teeth 98 at the periphery thereof engage the teeth 92 of ring member 91. An elongated rod 99, which is axially movable within the hollow sleeve 8S land tubular part 97 of crank plate 96 in a manner which will be explained presently, is formed with a rounded end 100 at the region of the crank plate: 96. When the rod 99 is in the position shown in FIG. 7 in which the end 190 thereof is disposed between adjacent teeth 98 of gear 94, then gear 94 is prevented from rotating at 95. When rotating movement is transmitted lto pulley S5 from motor M under these conditions, the pulley 85, ring member 91, gear 94 and crank plate 96 `are locked together and rotate as a single u uit. When this occurs the crank plate 96 becomes operable to actuate a strap 191 which in turn is pivotally connected to a lever 102 fixed to the shaft 62 upon which the agitator A is mounted. Since the lower end of strap 101 is eccentrically journaled at 101 to the crank plate 96, rotating movement of the latter imparts an oscillating movement to the lever 162 and shaft 62 to which it is fixed.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, all of the valves for controlling the supply and withdrawal of water to and from the apparatus are incorporated in a single unitary valve casing V which is secured at to bracket B. Cold water and hot water are supplied to the valve casing V from suitable sources of supply through conduits 111 and 112, respectively. When appropriate valves within valve casing V are moved to their open positions, either hot or cold water flows from casing V through a conduit 114 into the bottom of vessel 48. Further, when an appropriate valve in casing V moves to its open position, water from the bottom of space S flows through conduit 114 into casing V and passes from the latter through a discharge pipe 115 extending downwardly from the bottom of the valve casing. When other appropriate Valves in casing V move to their open positions, cold water either flows from such casing through conduit 53 into the space between receptacle R and liner L to causethe latter to contract, or water is allowed to flow from the space behind the liner L through conduit 54 to thel casing V and then pass from the latter to waste through the discharge pipe 115. Although I do not wish to be limited thereto, the valve housing V may be. of a type like that described in Bilde et al. application Serial No.` 242,822, filedv August 21, 1951, now Patent No. 2,743,599, granted May l, 1956, which includes provisions for supplying and withdrawing water to and from washing apparatus in a manner generally similar to that just described. In order to simplify the drawings, the valves in casing V have not been shown, their illustration not being necessary for an understanding of my invention. However, to the extent necessary, the disclosure of the aforementioned Bilde et al. application may be considered as being incorporated in and forming a part of this application disclosure with respect to any features referred to herein although not illustrated and described in detail.

The several valves in valve casing V, which have been referred to above, are provided with stems which project exteriorly of the casing at the top thereof and formed with enlarged heads or buttons at their upper ends. The control mechanism C, which is mounted on the valve casing V in any suitable manner, comprises a plurality of cam disks fixed to a shaft which are arranged to act on the enlarged heads of the different valve stems at appropriate times in a washing cycle, to operate the elongated rod 99 to render motor M operable to oscillate agitator A, and to operate a switch 121 which is connected in conductors 122 and 123 of the circuit of motor M which may also be provided with a manually operable switch 124, as diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 7.

The cam shaft 120 of the control mechanism C is arranged to be driven by the motor M. In order to obtain the necessary speed reduction for cam shaft 120, provision is made for transferring movement from the hollow sleeve 8S to the shaft 120, the sleeve 88 being an extension of hollow spindle 86 which forms a part of the pulley 85, as described above. This is accomplished by providing a rocking member 125 having the lower end thereof eccentrically mounted at 126 on the rotatable sleeve 88 and the upper end thereof guided on the cam shaft 120,

asbest shown in FIG. l. In this way the rotatable sleeve 88 imparts a Vertical upand down movement to the rockingl member With each revolution of the sleeve. As best seen in FIG. 7, the rocking member 125 is provided with a cross bar upon which is mounted a pawl 127 adapted to engage successive teeth' (not shown) which are formed about the peripheries of a pair of ratchet wheels 128 and 129 carried by the cam shaft 120, the ratchet Wheel 12S being freely rotatable on the shaft 120 while the ratchet Wheel 129 is secured thereto and turnable with' the shaft;

The ratchet wheels 128V and 129 and pawl 127 cooperating therewith are formed in such a manner that most ofthe time the pawl is only effective to engage successive teeth of the ratchet wheel 128. Hence, for each revolution of the sleeve 88 the pawl 127 will only be effective most of the time to advance ratchet wheel 12S thedistance of a single tooth thereon. During such time the pawl 127 cannot engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 129, so that the back and forth movement imparted to the pawl 127 only renders the latter operable to turn ratchet wheel 128 which is freely movable on the cam shaft 12d. However, one of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 1128 is of greater depth than the other teeth, the depth being such that, when the pawl engages this particularl tooth, it will also engage a tooth on the ratchet wheel 129 and impart movement to the latter for the distancel of one tooth. When the pawl 127 engages the next tooth on ratchet wheel 12g following the tooth of greater depth, the pawl will again be ineiective to engage a tooth on the ratchet Wheel 129. Hence, for each revolution of' ratchet wheel 128, the ratchet wheel 129 is. advanced a distance of one tooth.

It may be assumed that each ratchet wheel is formed with ninety teeth and one tooth on ratchet Wheel 128 l* is of greater depth than the others, and that pawl 127 will be effective to advance ratchet wheel 129 a distance ofone tooth when itv engages such tooth of greater depth on ratchet wheel 128. In such case ninety revolutions of the sleeve 88 willturn cam shaft 126' an angular distance determined by the advance of a single tooth on ratchet wheel 129. In washing apparatus like that being described herein and having a pair of ratchet wheels 128 and 129 each having ninety teeth and in which the motor operates at a speed of about 1420 revolutions per minute, the` speed reduction obtained is such that the cam shaft will turn or rotate 1.60 of a revolution every 54 seconds.

Each cam disk Xed to the cam shaft 120 is provided with peripheral edge portions having a radius greater than other portions thereof, the peripheral edge portions of each disk constituting va cam and an' efective instrumentality to eifect a particular act at an appropriate moment duringva washing cycle. For example, cam disk 13) in FIG. 7 is utilized to move the elongated rod 99 in a lengthwise direction to render motor M inoperable to drive the agitator A. In FIG. 7 it will be seen that the rod 99 is biased toward the left by a helical coil spring 131 which is under tension and held in place between a stop nut 132 at the right-hand end of the rod and an angle bracket 133 flixed to the yvalve housing V. In such position of the rod 99, the rounded end 161)` thereof passes into a gap between adjacent teeth 98 on gear 94, whereby the latter and ring member 91 are locked together and rotating movement will' be imparted to crank plate 96 by thel motor M'to oscillate the agitator A with the aid of strap 101 and lever 102.

However, whenv the cam of disk 131i contacts a short arm of an angle lever 134 pivoted at 135, the longer arm thereof bears against the stop nut 132 and moves the rod 99 toward the right in FG. 7 against the tension of spring 131, thereby moving the rod 99 to the position shown in FIG. 8 in which the rounded end 1&1@ thereof is out of' engagement with the teeth 98 of gear 94. Under these conditions the motor M will continue to impart rotating movement to thev pulley and ring member 91 fi l) til) carried on such-y pulley. Since theY outer. end, of rod 99 now does not prevent rotation of: the gear 94, the` latterwill rotate since the teeth 98 thereof are always in e11- gagement with the internal teeth 92 of the ring member 91. Such rotating movement of the gear 94 takes place more or less freely about the screw 95 while crank plate 96 remains stationary. Hence, in the position of the parts illustrated in FIG. 8, the clutch parts are disengaged, that is, crank plate 96 is disengaged from ring member 91 and the motor M is rendered inoperable to oscillate agitator A.

After the cam ofy disk has moved past the short arm of angle lever 134i and no longer can hold the latter in the position shown in FIG. 8, the spring 135 becomes eiective to move the rod 99 toward the left and the parts will again assume the position seen in FIG. 7. When this occurs, the motor M will again be rendered operable to oscillate the agitator A.

In IFIG. 7 two cam discs 136 and 137 are fixed to the cam shaft 12b adjacent the disk 139. The disc 136 is provided with a cam arranged to act on the enlarged head or button 13S of a stem of a valve in the housing V which, when moved to its open position, permits cold water supplied through conduit 111 to flow through conduit 53. "t he conduit 53 is connected at one end to the valve housing V and at the opposite end to the bottom of the receptacle R, as shown in FIGS. l and 7. The disc 137 is provided with a cam arranged to act on the enlargedhead or button 139 of a stem of a valve in the housing V which, when moved to its open position, permits water in the space between the receptable R and liner L to flow therefromthrough the conduit 54 into the housing V and pass therefrom through the discharge conduit 115.

Another cam disk 140 on the cam shaft 12@ is provided with a cam arranged to act on switch 121 to connect the motor iM to the source of electrical supply by the conductors 122 and 123. The switch 121 desirably may be of a solenoid operated type of a kind well known in the art.

Adjacent to the disk 14@ is positioned a cam disk 141 which is provided with a cam arranged to act on the enlarged head or button 142 ofy a stem of a valve in the housing V which, when moved to its open position, permits water in the space S to flow therefrom through vessel and conduit 114 intothe housing V and pass there-V from through the discharge conduit 115.

The two right-hand cam disks 143 and 1411 fixed to thecam shaft 120 are provided with cams arranged to act on the enlarged heads or buttons 145 and 1146, respectively, of the stems of valves in the housing V. When button i145 is acted on by the cam disk 143 to effect opening of the valve associated with such button, cold water supplied through the conduit 111 ilows into the housing V and passes therefrom through conduit 114 and vessel 43 into the space S. When button 146 is acted on by the cam disk y1654 to effect opening of the valve associated with such button, hot water supplied through the conduit 112 iiows into the housing V and passes therefrom through conduit 114i and vessel 43 into the space S.

The hot and cold water supply valves in casing V may also be opened manually by raising upward the knobs 147 and 14S located at the top of the housing H, as seen in FIGS. 2 3. As shown in lFIG. l, the knob 147 is connected to the upper end of a vertically extending rod 149. is hinged to a lever 1513 which is pivoted intermediate its ends and also effectivek to act on the button 14S of Y the cold water supply valve to open the latter when knob 147 at the top of the housing H is raised. As also shown in FIG. 7, another vertical rod 151, which is provided with the knob 148 at its upper end, is hinged to a leverv In FIG. 7 the lower end of the rod `i149 .g cam shaft 120 and the cam disks thereon. Such mechanism includes a beveled gear 153 xed to the end of the cam shaft 121B and a cooperating beveled gear 154 fixed to the lower end of a vertical shaft 155 which extends upwardly through an opening in the top 17 of the housing H. To the upper end of the shaft 155 is iixed a hand knob V1515 which is provided with a suitable indicia on a dial 157 to indicate the different steps yor stages of the washing cycle, a suitable button 158 being secured t0 the top 1'7 at the vicinity of the knob 156 to indicate the position to which the latter should be turned to be in the start position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, a preferred cycle of operation for the apparatus just described is diagrammatically `depicted in which the several stages or periods of the washing cycle are listed horizontally at the top line of the chart. The different acts effected during the washing cycle are listed vertically at the left-hand column of the chart. Under the headings of each stage `or vperiod of operation are block-out areas which indicate that particular acts are being effected, the length of each such area showing the duration or interval of time such act continues at the particular period of the washing cycle. By way of example and without limitation, a washing cycle .like that depicted in FIG. 4, beginning with the washing stage or period and terminating Vwith emptying lor draining, requires fifty-tive time units in which each time unit is equal to about 54 seconds, the interval of time necessary for ratchet wheel 129 to be turned or rotated a distance of one tooth by one turning impulse of the fpawl 127.

The washing cycle depicted diagrammatically in FIG. 4*.may be started by closing the switch 124 in FIG. 7 to enable the apparatus to receive electrical energy from the source of supply. The knob 156 at the top of the housing H is manually turned so that the start" position of the indicia on dial 157 will be opposite the button 158. Such manual turning of the knob 156 will lcause beveled gear 154 to drive gear 153 and rotate cam shaft 120 so that cam disk 141 will be effective to act on the valve stem button 142 and move the drain valve coacting therewith to its closed position. In such position of cam disk 141, the bottom drain opening of the space 12 is `closed and Water cannot drain from the latter and pass into the discharge conduit 115.

Soaking- This is the rst stage or period of the washing cycle depicted in the chart of FIG. 4 which is initiated vby manually opening the cold and hot water admission valves coacting with valve stem buttons 145 and 146, respectively. `As previously explained, this is effected by raising knobs 147 and 148, preferably one at a time, until the desired amount of hot and cold water is admitted into the space S, such water for soaking flowing through conduit 114 into the bottom of the vessel 48 `and through the apertured disk 59 into the space S. Ifl desired, a suitable bleaching agent may `be added to the water in space S through the top access opening 32, and, after thorough mixing of such agent and the water, the clothes to be washed are inserted into the water through the top access opening.

After closing the top access opening 32 with the cover '34 in the manner previously explained, the knob 156 is turned slightly by hand `to cause camshaft 120 to turn a suflicient distance for cam disk 140 to act on switch 121 to complete the electrical circuit for motor M. When this occurs the motor M will be energized and commence to drive cam shaft 1211. The cam shaft 120 will also -actuate vertical shaft 155 and cause the dial 1`5f7 to turn `allows angle lever 134 to move `from the .position shown in FIG. 8 to that shown in FIG. 7, so that Hthe elongated rod 99 will move toward the left to the position illusel O trated in FIG. 7 and enable the-roundk end 100 thereof to lock the gear 94 and ring member 91 and prevent relative movement therebetween, as previously explained. When this occurs the motor M is rendered operable to oscillate agitator A in the manner described above.

After an interval of time which may be about 8.1 minutes, for example, the cam disk 130 will become effective to shift angle lever 134 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 8. Under these conditions the round end of rod 99 no longer is effective to lock gear 94 and ring member `91 together and the motor M is rendered inoperable to oscillate the agitator A. However, the motor M remains energized, and, at the time the agitator A stops oscillating, the cam disk 141 will have turned such a distance that it will be effective to act on valve stem button 142 and open the drain valve coacting therewith. When this occurs, soaking water will commence to drain from the bottom of space S through the vessel 48 and conduit 114 into valve casing V and pass from the latter through discharge conduit 115.

After an interval of time which may be about 2.7 minutes, for example, the cam disk 141 will have turned such a distance on cam shaft that it will no longer be effective to keep the drain valve closed. When draining of soaking water is terminated, cam disk I will have turned such a distance that switch 121 opens and motor M will be deenergized.

Before the washing stage or period is initiated, the top cover 34 isremoved from the access opening 32. The knob 148 at the top of the housing H is then raised to lift the vertical `rod 151 and manually open the hot water admission valve coacting with valve stem button 146. When an adequate quantity of hot water has been introduced into the space S at the bottom thereof, which may be about 45 liters, for example, the knob 148 is lowered to close the hot water admission valve. A suitable washing agent is added to the hot water through the access opening 32 and thereafter the Vcover 34 may be locked in position at the access opening.

Washing-The dial 157 is turned slightly which will cause cam disks 14) and 130 to turn sufficiently to close switch 121 to complete the circuit for motor M and couple the gear 94 and ring member 91 together to render the motor M operable to oscillate the agitator. After an interval of time which may be about 9.9 minutes, for example, the cam disks 130 and 141 will have turned such a `distance that the motor M is rendered inoperable to oscillate the agitator A and at the same Itime the drain valve opens due to valve stem button 142 being acted upon by cam disk 141. After the drain valve has been open .for an interval of time which may be about 1.8

minutes, the cam disk 141 will have moved such a distance that the drain valve again closes to complete the washing period of the cycle.

.First rima-At the conclusion of the washing period, the cam disks 143 and 144 will have turned such a distance on cam shaft 120 that the cams thereof will be effective to act on valve stem buttons 145 and 146 'and open the hot and cold water admission valves coacting therewith. The tepid mixture of hot and cold Water enters the .bottom of the space S, and, after the liner L is lled with 4an Aadequate `quantity of such mixture, the cam disks 143 and 144 will have moved such a distance that the hot and cold water admission valves are again closed. This may -occur after an interval of time of about 0.9 minute, for example, during which period as much as 40 liters of watermay be delivered to the space S. When the Ysupply of rinsing water terminates, the cam disk 130 will again ybe effective to cause axial movement of rod 99 and render the motor M operable to oscillate the agitator A.

After `an interval of time which may be about 3.6 minutes, for example, the cam disk 130 will have turned suchy adistance that the motor M will again be rendered inoperable to oscillate the agitator A and the cam disk 141 will have turned a sufficient distance to -actuate valve stem button 142 and effect opening of the drain valve coacting therewith. After the drain valve has been open for an interval of time which may be about 1.8 minutes for example, during which period rinse water flows from the bottom opening of the liner L, the cam disk 141 will have moved such a distance that the drain valve coacting with valve stem button 142 again closes.

Second rinse.-At the conclusion of the first rinse the cam disk 143 will have turned such a distance that valve stem button 14S is acted upon Ito open the cold water admission valve coacting therewith. When this occurs, cold water enters the bottom of the space S defined by the flexible inner liner L. After an interval of time which may be about 0.9 minute, for example, the cam disk 130 will have turned a sufficient distance to cause axial movement of rod 99 and render the motor M operable to oscillate the agitator A. From the chart of FIG. 4 it will be observed that the supply of cold rinse water continues after the agitator A starts oscillating. During the latter part of the interval of time during which cold rinse water is being supplied to the space S, overflow of rinse water occurs through the openings 43 in the neck portion of the receptacle R, such top overflow water collecting in the trough 42 and passing therefrom through the discharge conduit 44. After the cold water admission valve has been open for an interval of time which may be about 2.7 minutes, for example, which means that the agitator A has oscillated for about 1.8 minutes, the cam disk 143 will have turned such a distance that the cold water admission valve, which coacts with valve stern button 145, again closes and overflow of rinse water through the openings 43 will stop.

After the agitator A has oscillated for about 2.7 minutes during the second rinse, which is about 0.9 of a f minute after the cold water admission valve closes, the cam disk 13G will have turned such a distance that axial movement is again imparted to rod 99 to render motor M inoperable to oscillate the agitator A. At this same time the cam disk 141 will have moved a sufficient distance to cause opening of the drain valve which coacts with valve stem button 142. After the drain valve has been open for about 2.7 minutes and the space S is depleted of rinse water, the cam disk 141 will have moved such a distance that the drain valve, which is elected by movement of this cam disk, again closes.

Third rinse-This is essentially a repetition of the second rinse, the cam disks 143, 130 and 141 being effective in the same order as in the preceding rinse period to admit cold rinse water to the space S and effect oscillation of the agitator A after the supply of rinse water has been started and while overflow of rinse water takes place through the top openings 43. After about the same interval of time as in the second rinse, the supply of cold rinse water stops and thereafter the agitator A stops oscillating and the drain valve opens at about the same time. After the space 12 is depleted of rinse water, the drain Valve is closed.

Fourth rinse-At the beginning of the fourth rinse it is highly desirable to make certain the cover 34 is in its closed position at the top access opening 32. When the third rinse is completed and the drain valve is closed, the cam disk 143 will have moved such la distance that valve stem button 145 will be acted upon to open the cold water admission valve coacting therewith. The cold water flows through conduit 111, valve casing V, conduit 114 and vessel 48 into the bottom of space S. After an interval of time which may be about 0.9 of a minute, the cam disk 130 will become effective to cause the rod 99 to shift axially and render the motor M operable to oscillate the agitator A. After an interval of time, which may be about 0.9 of a minute, for example, overflow of water commences through the openings 43 in Ithe neck portion 30 of the receptacle R. After the agitator A has oscillated for an interval of time which may be 1.8 minutes, for example, the cam disk becomes effective to effect axial shifting of the rod 99 and render motor M inoperable to oscillate the agitator A. However, the cold water admission valve remains open and water continues to overflow through the top openings 43. After remaining ineffective for about 1.8 minutes, the cam disk 130 again renders motor M operable to oscillate the agitator A for another period of about 1.8 minutes.

After cold rinse water has been supplied to the space S for about 5.4 minutes, an interval of time which corresponds to ratchet wheel 129 turning a distance of six ratchet teeth, the cam disk 143 again becomes effective to close the cold water admission valve coacting with valve stem button 145. At the same moment the cam disk 141 becomes effective to open the drain valve coacting with valve stem button 142, whereby rinse water starts to drain from the bottom of space S through conduit 114 to valve casing V and pass from the latter through discharge conduit 115. The agitator A continues to oscillate for an interval of time, which may be about 0.9 of a minute, for example, after the drain valve opens so that the clothes being rinsed will fall to the bottom part of the inner liner L defining the space S whereby liquid will be extracted more effectively from clothes during the subsequent squeezing period. Before the termination of the fourth rinse, which may be about 0.9 of a minute before this stage or period of the washing cycle terminates, the cam disk 130 will become effective to shift rod 99 and render motor M inoperable to oscillate the agitator A. f

Squeezing.-As stated above, the drain valve open before the fourth rinse is concluded. During the squeezing period the cam disk 141 continues to remain effective to keep the drain valve open. Now the cam disk 136 will have turned such a distance that valve stem button 138 will be acted upon to open the valve coacting therewith and water from the cold water supply conduit 111 will flow under line pressure from valve casing V through the conduit 53 to the space between receptacle R and the flexible liner L. As the water pressure behind the liner L becomes increasingly greater, the liner will be contracted with different regions lengthwise of the liner moving more or less horizontally in a direction essentially parallel to the agitator shaft 62. Hence, the liner L is contracted from its fully expanded position shown in FIG. 1 to the contracted position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The liner L is formed with corrugations at the region of the top sloping wall part 29 of the receptacle R, as seen in FIG. 1, which facilitates contracting of the liner. The corrugations 160 also serve to prevent splashing of Water through the top access opening 32 when the agitator A is being oscillated during the washing and rinsing periods.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 it will be observed that the liner L is contracted in such a manner that all of the clothes will be subjected to downward pressure `and squeezing action, and all of the water squeezed and pressed out of the clothes is forced to pass out of the bottom opening of the liner L. After an interval of time which may be about 6.3 minutes, for example, the cam disk 136 will become effective to close the valve coacting with the valve stem button 138 and the space behind the liner L will no longer be subjected to the hydraulic pressure ofthe cold water supply line.

Draz'nng of squeeze water.-The cam disk 141 continues to remain effective to maintain in an open position the drain valve which coacts with the valve stem button 142, whereby water can continue to ow from the bottom of the liner L. However, by this time the cam disk 137 will have moved such a distance that the valve coacting with valve stem button 139 will open, so that water in the space between the liner L and receptacle R will flow through conduit 54 to the valve casing V and pass therefrom through the discharge con- 13 duit 115. After an interval of time which may be about 6.3 minutes, for example, cam disk 140 will become effective to open switch 121, lthereby deenergizing the motor M and stopping rotation of the cam shaft 120. The cover 34 now may be removed from its closed locked position, so that the clothes can be removed through the top access opening 32 when the squeezing step has been completed.

The valves coacting with valve stem buttons 142 and 139 remain open until the washing apparatus is used again, so that any water remaining in the space S and behind the liner L can freely pass from these regions. When the apparatus is used the next time, the manual turning of the dial 157 to the start position will cause cam disk 141 to become effective to close the drain valve for space S which coacts with the valve stern button 142.

In the preferred washing cycle which has been described, the motor M is energized and operates continuously from the beginning of the washing sta-ge or period for about 50.4 minutes, and during this entire time the washing apparatus is being controlled automatically. Since the motor M also operates for about 10.8 minutes during the soaking period, the motor operates for about 60.2 minutes during the entire washing cycle depicted in the chart of FIG. 4. However, the length of time of each period or stage of the washing cycle may be varied at will by manually turning the dial 157 while the apparatus is being operated.

The preferred washing cycle just described and depicted in the chart of FIG. 4 may be modified when desired. For example, the third and fourth rinse periods may be consolidated so that the third rinse is the last rinse before subjecting the clothes to squeezing action. Essentially, this means omitting the third rinse in which case the Washing cycle is shortened. If desired, the washing period may be lengthened in such a modified washing cycle. When the third rinse is omitted and the fourth rinse described above becomes the third rinse, cold water desirably is supplied to the bottom of the space S for about 7.2 minutes, and the agitator A is oscillated for about 2.7 minutes during each agitating phase of the final rinse, whereby the third and nal rinse will last about 9 minutes. If the Washing period remains the same, the modified washing cycle just referred to will require about 45.9' minutes from the beginning of the washing period and a total time of about 56.7 minutes when the soaking period is also included. In the event the total elapsed time for the washing cycle remains unchanged even when the third rinse is omitted in the manner just explained, the length of the washing period may be increased from about 9.9 to 14.4 minutes.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11, the heating element 52 is provided in the vessel 48. This heating element is connected in any suitable manner (not shown) to a source of electrical supply, and preferably is con trolled by a manually operable switch. In the event the hot Water supplied to the space S for the washing period is not at a sufficiently high temperature, the heating element 52 may be energized prior to initiating the washing stage or period. Further, the heating element 52 may be energized during the washing period, so that the washing water will be maintained at a high temperature during the entire washing period, thereby avoiding cooling of the washing water. In this way the washing efficiency is increased during the washing step or period described above.

In FIG. 12 I have shown a modification of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11 and just described in which similar parts are designated by like reference numerals. FIG. 12 differs from the first-described embodiment in that water does not flow directly from valve casing V through conduit 114 to the vessel 48, but instead is conducted from the valve casing V through conduit 114a, vacuum breaker 165 and iconduit 11.4b to the vessel 48 from which water enters the bottom opening Y 14 of the space S. The vacuum breaker comprises a covered shell 165a having vent openings 166. The upper end of conduit 114a is of inverted U-shape and extends downwardly through an opening in the top of shell 165:1. The upper end of conduit 114b is provided with a widened portion or funnel 167 disposed immediately below the discharge end 168 of conduit 114:1 and spaced therefrom by an air gap 169. A sump 170 is disposed below the funnel 167 and surrounds the conduits 114a and 114b, such sump communicating with the trough 42 at 171.

In operation, water supplied to the bottom of space S flows under pressure from valve casing V through conduit 114e. The water discharged downwardly from the end 168 of conduit 114e enters the funnel 167 of conduit 114b and is conducted through the latter to the vessel 48, as previously explained. The water passing through the air gap 169 will, of course, be at atmospheric pressure. In this way, the siphoning of Water back to the source of supply is prevented in the event of a drop in line pressure. Water overflowing from the vacuum breaker 165 collects in sump 170 and flows into the trough 42 from which Water passes through discharge conduit 44a.

FIG. 12 also differs Ifrom the embodiment first described in that water under line pressure does not flow directly from valve casing V through the conduit 53 to the space between liner L and receptacle R, but instead is conducted from the valve casing V through conduit 53a, vacuum breaker 172 and conduit 53h to the space behind the liner L. The vacuum breaker 172 comprises a receptacle 173 having vent openings 174 to atmosphere. An end of the conduit 53a is provided with a nozzle 175 which is directed downwardly in the upper part of the receptacle 173. To the conduit 53b is connected a funnel-shaped member 176 which is disposed below the nozzle 175 and separated therefrom by an air gap 177. In the funnel-shaped member 176 is provided a check valve 178 biased to its closed position bya spring 179.

A branch pipe 180 communicates with the conduit 5311 and with the high pressure side of a pressure pump 181. Water collecting in the receptacle 173 drains through a conduit 182 to the suction side of the pressure pump 181. The drain conduit 44a extending downwardly from the trough 42 is connected at its lower end with the suction side of a drain pump 183 to which is also connected the discharge pipe 115a. A suitable hose connection may be made to the outlet 184 of the drain pump 183 for pumping such water to waste in any suitable manner. An overflow connection is provided at 185 between the receptacle 173 and drain conduit 44a. The drain pump 183 and high pressure pump 181 may be provided with a common drive shaft 186 coupled at 187 to the shaft of the motor M.

Water for contracting the liner L flows from the valve casing V through the conduit 53a and is discharged downwardly from nozzle 175. Such liquid is discharged in the form of a jet or narrow stream and enters the funnelshaped member 177, the impact force of the jet being utilized to move the check valve 178 downwardly against the action of the spring 179. The water passing through the air gap 177 will be at atmospheric pressure, and, after passing the check valve 178, flows through conduit 53h to the space behind the liner L.

When the pressure in conduit 53b reaches such a value that the liquid jet cannot displace the check valve 178, the water discharged from the nozzle 175 then flo-ws from the receptacle 173 through drain conduit 182 to the suction side of the pressure pump 181 from which it is delivered at a higher pressure through conduit 53b to the space behind the liner L. In this way the liner L will be contracted under sufficiently high pressure which desirably is about 5 kg./cm.2 gauge pressure. Under these conditions, the check valve 178 prevents Water discharged from the pump 181 from returning through conduit 53h to the receptacle 173. When the water entering the revceptacle 173 does not displace the check valve .178 and all of such water is not withdrawn therefrom by the lhigh pressure pump 181 connected to the drain conduit 182, such water collecting in the receptacle eventually overflows therefrom through the overflow connection 4185 into the drain conduit 44a and is pumped therefrom to waste by the drain pump 183.

ln FIGS. 13, 14 and l5 I have shown another form of vacuum breaker 172a which may be employed in place of the vacuum breaker 172 illustrated in FIG. l2 and just described. The vacuum breaker 172a may be located at the upper part of the washing apparatus so that water dripping therefrom may collect in the trough 42. As shown, the vacuum breaker 172a comprises a shell 190 fixed at 191 to the neck portion 30 of the receptacle R. The conduit 53a, through which water iiows under line pressure from the valve casing V, passes through an opening in an end wall of the shell 190 and is provided with a discharge nozzle 192. The discharge nozzle 192 is in axial alignment with an outwardly flared water inlet member 193 provided at the end of conduit 53h through which water is conducted to the space behind Ythe liner L.

The nozzle 192 and member 193 are spaced apart to provide an air gap 194 therebetween, and the shell 190 is formed with vent openings 195 to atmosphere. In the air gap 194 is positioned a detlector 196. The deiiector 196 desirably is formed of light sheet aluminum and fixed to one arm of a Uehaped member 197, the spaced apart parallel arms of which are apertured to receive a pin 19d having the ends thereof secured to the opposing end walls of the shell 19t).

The defleotor 195 and U-shaped member 197 assume the position shown in FIG. 13 when no water is discharged from` the nozzle i192. However, when water in the form of a jet or narrow stream issues lfrom the nozzle 192, such jet will strike the sloping wall portion 199 at the top face thereof and cause the dellector 196 to swing downwardly about the pin 198 a sufficient distance for the jet to pass through the notch 209 at the upper horizontal portion of the deflector. When this occurs the narrow stream or jet can pass without difficulty into the outwardly flared water inlet member 193. In practice the impact force of the jet on the sloping wall portion 199 more or less keeps the notch 2Gb constantly in such a position that the jet will readily pass into the inlet member 193. The provision of the gap 194 between the nozzle 192 and member 193 will prevent siphoning back of water through conduit 53a' in the event of a drop in line pressure. Further, water in any event can never pass from the member 193 to the nozzle 192, because any water issuing from member 193 will strike the underside of the sloping wall portion 199 of the deflector 196. Under these conditions the deliector 196 cannot swing about the pin 19S and the underside of the sloping wall portion 199 will be effective to deflect the liquid stream away from the nozzle 192. in View of the foregoing, it will now be understood that the liner L substantially in its entirety always will be disposed at one side of and above a plane passing horizontally through the axis of shaft 62 about which the agitator A oscillates. In other words, the entire liner L, whetherin its fully expanded or contracted positions or in any position therebetween, will always be located above a horizontal plane passing through the axis of the agitator shaft 62. With such an arrangement a region of the agitator A during one stroke of its oscillation moves in a rst direction toward the liner L, and the liner, while being contracted, moves toward the region ofthe agitator A a second direction diametrically opposed to the first direction. Hence, the agitator A will oscillate back and forth in such Va way that relatively extensive areas thereof will Contact similar extensive surface areas ofthe inner liner when the latter is being contracted.

Modifications of the .embodiments Yof the invention which have been described and illustrated will occur to those skilled in the art, so that it is desired not to be limited to the particular arrangements set forth. For example, the parts of the washing apparatus supported in the housing H may be supported in a suitable manner at the underside of a kitchen counter. Also, the underside of the knob 156, having the dial 157 xed thereto, may be removably mounted at the upper end of the vertical rod 155, as indicated at 157 in FIG. l, so that unauthorized use of the Washing apparatus cannot be effected. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, for example, the conduit 11d-b may be arranged to conduct water to the upper part of the space S through an opening of the neck portion 30 of the receptacle R at a region above the liner L. However, the actual arrangement shown in FlGS. l and l2 for supplying water to the space S at the bottom opening therein possesses certain advantages. Moreover, certain features of the invention can be advantageously employed independently of other features. Therefore, I intend in the claims to cover all those modifications and features which do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

l. An agitator for washing machines comprising a blade adapted to be mounted for oscillation about a horizontal axis and projecting upwardly from such axis during oscillation thereof, successive horizontally disposed portions at opposing faces of said blade at increasingly greater distances from the axis of oscillation, having midway points between the upstanding end edges of said blade which are progressively removed a greater distance lengthwise of said axis from a vertical plane perpendicular to said axis and passing through the midway Vpoint or center region of said blade at the extreme bottom part thereof at the immediate vicinity of said axis.

2. An agitator as set forth in claim l in which said blade is curved in vertical section.

3. ln a washing machine of the household type, the combination of an upright self-sustaining frame adapted to rest on a supporting surface, a receptacle for holding laundry, means fixed to said frame cooperating with means fixed to said receptacle for supporting the latter in its entirety on said frame, an agitator for agitating laundry in said receptacle, conduit means for conducting water tto and withdrawing water from said receptacle, valve means in said conduit means lfor controlling flow of water, means for extracting liquid from clothes in said receptacle, driving means for said agitator, and control means for controlling said valve means and liquid extracting means and driving means, said receptacle having structure for supporting said driving means .and control means in their entirety.

4. In a washing machine as set forth in claim 3 in which said driving means includes an electric motor and said control means includes cam operated mechanism actuated by said motor.

5. In a washing machine as set forth in claim 4 in which said means for extracting liquid from clothes includes a flexible liner within said receptacle, additional conduit means for conducting water under pressure into the space between said receptacle and said liner for contracting the latter and for withdrawing water from the space, additional valve means in the last-mentioned conduit means for controlling the ow of water, said control means including means for controlling said additional valve means.

6. In a washing machine of the household type, the combination of an upright self-sustaining frame and feet therefor adapted to rest on a supporting surface, a receptacle, mechanism for automatically washing and rinsing clothes and ,extracting liquid from the clothes without removing the clothes from the receptacle, supporting means iixedly positioning said receptacle on said frame, means for carrying said mechanism in its entirety on said receptacle, and a housing for said machine which includes wall members fixed to said frame.

gegaan-1.l

7. In a washing machine as set forth in claim 6 in which said receptacle is suspended on said frame by said supporting means and vertically removable therefrom.

8. In a washing machine as set forth in claim 6 in which said frame comprises four upright angle members and transverse braces connected thereto, each upright angle member having parts thereof at a right angle to each other, said w-all members forming the sides of said housing, and means for mounting said wall members on said transverse braces between each pair of adjacent angle members which constitute the corners of said housing.

9. In a washing machine as set forth in claim 8 in which said housing constitutes the outer shell of said machine which includes said upright angle members and said wall members and a top, and structure for positioning said top on the upper part of said frame.

10. In a Washing machine as set forth in claim 9 in which said top positioning structure includes means for removably hinging said top at one side thereof to the upper part of said frame, and means for removably securing an opposite side of said topy to said frame' when said top is in its normal position on said frame.

1'1. In a washing machine as set forth in claim 6 in which said frame comprises a plurality of vertical structural supports, and said supporting means for said receptacle comprises brackets or ledges xed to said vertical structural supports and hook-like members fixed to said receptacle, said ledges being formed and arranged to receive said hook-like members.

12. A vacuum breaker comprising a first conduit having a nozzle for discharging liquid in the form of a jet or narrow stream, a second conduit having an inlet end which is spaced from and in alignment with said nozzle and adapted to receive liquid discharged from the nozzle, and a deflector in the gap between the nozzle and the inlet end of the second nozzle, means for mounting said deiiector for movement about a horizontal axis, said deflector having a part which is movable from a position of rest to a second position responsive to impingement by liquid discharged from said nozzle, the inlet end of said second conduit receiving liquid discharged from the nozzle when said part is in said second position, and which essentially maintains its position of rest responsive to impingement by liquid discharged from the inlet end of said second conduit, any liquid discharged from the inlet end of said second conduit being deflected from said nozzle by said part when the latter is in said position of rest.

13. In a washing machine, the combination of a container, means comprising a flexible liner within said conrtainer to form a receptacle for holding laundry, an agitator within the receptacle, means for oscillating said agitator about an axis, and means for producing a pressure differential at opposite sides of said liner to contract the latter, said agitator and said liner being so constructed and arranged that said liner substantially in its entirety, irrespective of whether it is in its fully expanded or contracted positions or in any position therebetween, always projects in one direction from a plane which is at the immediate vicinity of said axis of oscillation and substantially perpendicular to the direction said liner projects therefrom, said container being formed with a bottom having a rst opening and an upstanding side wall having a second opening at the upper part thereof, means for conducting liquid into the receptacle, said liner being of generally cylindrical form having the extreme upper end thereof iixed to the upper part of the upstanding side wall, the second opening being in communication with the interior of the receptacle, said liner at the bottom having an opening in alignment Wi-th the lirst opening of said container, means for securing said liner to the bottom of said container at the immediate vicinity of the first opening, said oscillating means oscillating said agitator about a horizontal axis at the vicinity of the first opening, and

said agitator comprisnga member projecting vertically upward into said receptacle from said horizontal axis.

` 14. In a washing machine, the combination of a container, means comprising a flexible liner within said container to form a receptacle for holding laundry, an agitator within the receptacle, means lfor oscillating said agitator about an axis, and means for producing a pressure differential at opposite sides of said liner to contract the latter, said agitator and said liner being so constructed and arranged that said liner substantially in its entirety, irrespective of whether it is in its fully expanded or contracted positions or in any position therebetween, always projects in one direction from a plane which is at the immediate vici'nity of said axis of oscillation and substantially perpendicular to the direction said liner projects therefrom, said oscillating means oscillating said agitator about a horizontal axis, said agitator comprising a blade which projects upward from said horizontal axis and is curved in vertical section, at least one ofthe upwardly projection side edges of said blade being inclined from the vertical in a direction lengthwise of the axis from the central or intermediate `section of said blade, the portion of said blade at the extreme outer end thereof extending in an axial direction beyond that portion thereof at the'immediate vicinity of said horizontal axis.

l5. A washing machine as set forth in claim 14 in which -both side edges of said blade are curved and inclined from the vertical in the same direction lengthwise of the axis, the extreme outer end of said blade extending in an axial direction beyond that portion thereof at the immediate vicinity of said axis of oscillation.

16. In a washing machine, the combination of a container, means comprising a flexible liner within said container to form a receptacle for holding laundry, an agitator within the receptacle, means for oscillating said agitator about an axis, and means for producing a pressure differential at opposite sides of said liner to contract the latter, said agitator and said liner being so constructed and arranged that said liner substantially in its entirety, irrespective of Whether it is in its fully expanded or contracted positions or in any position therebetween, always projects in one direction from a plane which is at the immediate vicinity of said axis of oscillation and substantially perpendicular to the direction said liner projects therefrom, said container being essentially upright and formed -wi-th a bottom opening, a vessel beneath said container having an open top communicating with the bottom container opening, said oscillating means including a shaft mounted for oscillatory movement in said vessel labout a horizon-tal axis at a region below the bottom container opening.

17. A washing machine as set forth in claim 16 includ- -ing an apertured plate at the vicinity of the bottom container opening, said plate having an opening through which said agitator projects upwardly into said receptacle.

18. A Washing machine as set forth in claim 17 including means communicating with said vessel for introducing and withdrawing liquid into and from said receptacle dened -by said liner.

19. A washing machine as set forth in claim 18 including a heating element disposed in said vessel.

20. In washing apparatus having an upright container 'for holding laundry, an agitator, means for oscillating said agitator about a horizontal axis at thebottom of the container, said agitator comprising a blade which projects vertically upward within the container from said horizontal axis and is curved in Vertical section, the portion of said blade at the extreme upper end thereof extending in an axial direction beyond that portion thereof at the immediate vicinity of said horizontal axis.

21. Washing apparatus as set forth in claim 20- in which both of the upwardly projecting side edges of said blade are curved and inclined in the same direction from the vertical. f

19 22. An agitator as set fonth in claim l in which said blade includes a curved sect-ion having convex and concave sides, `said concave sideforming the front of said blade which is eiective to promote movement 'of clothes primarily in one direction during alternate strokes of said blade in its oscillation, said blade being formed of resilient material and possessing such flexing characteristics that there is a tendency for the blade to straighten during movement thereof insaid one direction anda tendency to bend during movement thereof in the opposite direction.

23. In a washing machine having a container for holding laundry, means for agitating laundry in the container and an electric motor, mechanism for connecting said motor andv agitating means comprising a pair yof coaxial shafts and rst and second gears, means for concentrically fixing said rst gear to one of said shafts for rotation therewith, means for eccentrically xing said second gear to said other shaft for rotation therewith, said last-mentioned means including structure for mounting said second gear for rotation about, an axis which is movable in a circle concentric with respectV to the axis of said one shaft with which said first gear is rotatable, said irst gear being of annular Iform and having teeth at the. inner periphery thereof, said second gear having kteeth at the outer periphery thereof in engagementy with the teeth olf said first gear, a movable member, and means for moving said member into a gap between adjacent teeth at the outer periphery of said second gear to stop rotation of 2Q the latter with respect 'to 'said' iirst 'gear and Vrender said mechanism operable to` connect said motor and said agitating means.v Y p 24. A Washing machine a's' set forth in claim 23 in which said movable member is axially movable at the axisY of said other shaft.

25. A washing machine as set forth in claim 23 in which said means for xing said second gear to said other shaft includes a disk which is secured to said other shaft and rotatable therewith and upon which said second gear is eccentrically mounted vfor rotation thereon, said movable member being axially movable with Vrespect to said second gear at the axis of rotation of said disk.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS y2,014,990

Smith Sept. 17, 1935 2,076,280 Schroeder Apr. 6, 1937 2,250,291 y Boosey July 22, 1941 2,265,516 OhayieV Dec. 9, 1941 2,279,656 A Chamberlin et al Apr, 14, 1942 l,2,344,253 j Kirby Mar. 14, 1944 2,344,651 Smith Mar. 21, 1944 .2,407,660 I Graham Sept. 17, 1946 ,2,472,682 Rand June 7, 1949 l2,491,080 Bilde Dec. 13, 1949 `2,552,398 Briggs May 8, 1951

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