US3033546A - Laundry drier and control therefor - Google Patents

Description

J. ROSENBERG LAUNDRY DRIER AND CONTROL THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 8, 1962 Filed Aug. 2, 1960 a i I 163 T '1 x E f o INVENTOR.

JOSEPH ROSENBERG BY {I g g ATTORNEY May 8, 1962 J. ROSENBERG LAUNDRY DRIER AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed Aug. 2, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH ROSENBERG ATTORN EY May 8, 1962 J. ROSENBERG LAUNDRY DRIER AND CONTROL THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 2, 1960 anew-ac.

INVENTOR.

JOSEPH ROSENBERG 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. ROSENBERG LAUNDRY DRIER AND CONTROL THEREFOR H O V.

RELAY TUMBLER MOTOR May 8, 1962 Filed Aug. 2,

2 S 1 D MR I AME 5 R H F h M 0 I K. MLC O 1 5 A0 G TT f R T7 2 4MLHN o 3 ERH 1 A9 8 R C IR U HE 7 L T SE M w s u mm RMW 5 \U S DE WVQWv w Y 6 OW w 0 E s I M f M R 4 E m R 7 E m 5 mo TM w m 5 6 6 V.- 8 AV 6 5 HE R 9 4 5 6 too 1 G |l I... [I'll m G T H NY. NH SKWNW Z 3 RC IA POC U T OT DL OT T AA 3 3 3 MSW MM aw 4 4 4 ,2 S H SB 5 E m S 4 L y 5* 52 INVENTOR VlSUAL JOSEPH ROSENBERG RM ALA FIG.7 BY

ATTORNEY 3,033,546 Patented May 8, 1962 3,633,546 LAUNDRY DRIER AND CQNTRGL THEREFGR Joseph Rosenberg, 2450 Harrison St, San Francisco, (Calif. Filed Aug. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 47,076 4 Claims. (til. 263-33) The invention, in general, relates to the laundry art and more particularly relates to an improved laundry drier of the tumbler type having a self-unloading feature and incorporating unique control means for regulating the thorough drying of a tumbler load or, as desired, for preconditioning a tumbler load for subsequent finishing operations, such as pressing or smoothing in a mangle or like apparatus.

While in recent years considerable attention has been devoted to improving commercial-type laundry drying equipment wherein heavy volumes of laundry are handled daily, the improvements have largely been made only with respect to structural and mechanical elements of the equipment and, in the main, have been directed towards combinations for facilitating the loading and unloading of the equipment. Little attention has been devoted in the past to the provision of automatically operable control means for insuring a thorough drying of the laundry, or to effect the reduction of the moisture content of the laundry articles to a desired extent in order that subsequent finishing operations may be carried on efiectively. The present invention is directed to the provision of improved control means for laundry driers which are automatically operable during the drying intervals or periods, as well as improved unique features for unloading the drier at the termination of drying.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved laundry drier and control means therefor whereby either a thorough drying of tumbler loads or a partial drying thereof as desired can be automatically accomplished in a minimum of drying time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved laundry drier of the aforementioned character which embodies automatically operable electromechanical control means for not only regulating the volume of fuel supplied to the heater of the system thereby tending to maintain a constant drying temperature to effect uniform drying of loads but also embodies compensating means for heat surges or other temperature variations during the drying period that may occur irregularly.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageous features thereof, will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that I am not to be limited to the precise embodiments shown, nor to the precise arrangement of the various parts and elements thereof, as my invention, as defined in the appended claims, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, this view showing the discharging of dried laundry into a portable receptacle.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the control lines and apparatus for regulating the burner of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view, partly in transverse section and partly in top fragmentary plan, of certain of the elements of the preferred embodiment of the invention, this view illustrating the motion of the dried laundry items upon discharge from the equipment into the portable receptacle.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view, parts also being shown in fragmentary side elevation, of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this view showing the direction of movement of the heated and exhaust gases during drying operations. 7 1

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational veiw of certain temperature control elements of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view, partly in fragmentary showing, of a preferred embodiment of the invention with both loading and discharge doors in open positions.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical control circuit associated with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a detail of a pressure-responsive mechanical element associated with a time-delay unit contained in the electrical circuit of the control systemincorporated with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In its preferred form, my improved laundry drier and control means therefor, including unique laundry unloading means, preferably comprises a rotatably mounted tumbler for holding laundry items to be dried, a casing surrounding said tumbler and having a hingedly mounted door or doors thereon for loading and unloading said tumbler, heater and blower means for causing heated gases to circulate through laundry items contained in said tumbler, an exhaust flue conencted to said heater and blower means for carrying off heated gases containing moisture of evaporation, together with an electrical circuit containing means for rotating said tumbler in both directions of rotation, at time-delay unit, as well as an automatically operable switch controlling said time-delay unit, and a fuel feed line connected to said heater means, a flow-regulator valve in said feed line, a temperatureresponsive element mounted in said flue and controlling said valve, and a pressure transmission line leading from said feed line and pneumatically controlling said auto matically operable switch whereby not only the flow of fuel to said heater means but also the elapsed time ofdrying operations is automatically regulated.

While the temperature-responsive element as well as associated members of the electrical control, hereinafter described, have been devised primarily in combination with a laundry dryer and have been satisfactorily utilized in such environment, the said element and control are equally applicable to any industrial or commercial system wherein moisture-laden gases are exhausted so that op erating units of any such system are suitably regulated by said temperature-responsive element and said electrical as well as pneumatic control as to time interval of operation as well as with respect to temperature operating conditions.

In accordance with the present invention and as particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, inclusive, of the annexed drawings, my improved laundry dryer includes a rotatably mounted tumbler, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 11, arranged within a casing 12 which is supported on a suitable framework 13 that may be made in any desired structural form. The tumbler 11 preferably comprises a foraminate cylindrical wall 14 closed at the rear by an imperforate wall 16 but entirely open at the front for the reception as well as the discharge of a load of laundry articles; the open front of the tumbler communicating with the exterior of the casing conveniently through a door 17 or, if desired, through a pair of casing doors 17 and 18 which may be hingedly secured on the front wall 19 of casing 12. As shown, the entire tumbler 11 is slightly spaced from the various walls of the casing so that free circulation of air and gas currents may be had at all times. Rear wall 16 of the tumbler supports a hub 21 which constitutes a trunnion 22 in which is keyed a shaft 23. The shaft 23 is placed in driving connection by means of a sprocket and chain drive 24 with the shaft of a suitable reversing motor 25, for transmitting rotary movement in both directions of rotation to tumbler 11. While not shown in the drawings, an overdrive may be combined with the reversing motor-for rotating the tumbler at increased speeds, when desired. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer periphery of the tumbler 11 engages and receives additional rotative support from a series of rollers 26 and 27 journaled in brackets 28 and 29, respectively, which extend inwardly from the framework 13 to project the rollers through the lower wall of casing 12; the tumbler being rotated both clockwise and counter-clockwise, as indicated by the double arrow 30 in FIG. 4, during all drying operations.

In order to effect the drying of articles placed in the tumbler 11 to the extent desired and within a minimum of time, I not only provide means for circulating heated air through and about the articles within the tumbler 11 but also provide control means for automatically regulating the temperaure of the drying air, the control means tending to maintain the operating temperature substantially constant at a relatively low value and, by the same function, tending to keep the quantity of fuel supplied to the burner of the system at a minimum; these control means also affording the automatic shutting-down of drying operations when the articles have been dried to a predetermined extent. The means for circulating heated air through the articles of laundry preferably comprise a gas heater, although other conventional heater means can be employed as desired, and a cooperating suction system; said means including a source, not shown, of natural gas or other fuel, which is fed to a valve-controlled burner 31, together with a suction fan 32, driven by a suitable motor 32 with which is associated a stationary, vertical take-off stack 33 for releasing spent air to the atmosphere.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, 4 and 6, the casing 12 is supported in an upright, stationary position and is provided with an outlet 34 in the bottom thereof which communicates with an outlet flue 35 supported in horizontal position and in communication with the stack 33. Fan 32 draws air from the exterior of the casing 12 into and through a passage defined by a housing 36 which is supported on the casing 12 with its inlet 36a overlying the burner 31; the heated air currents following the path indicated by the small arrows 37 and entering the casing 12 at the top thereof'to pass through and about the tumbler 11. Thereafter, the heated air which has become moisture-laden by reason of drawing out moisture from the wet laundry items in tumbler 11, passes out of the casing 12 through bottom outlet 34 and thence through the flue 35 and out of the stack 33. Due to the spacing between the tumbler 11 and the casing 12, as well as to the perforations in the cylindrical wall 14 of the tumbler, the heated air is drawn through the perforations and around the tumbler 11 so as intimately to contact all of the laundry itmes disposed in the tumbler; such items being continuously tumbled about during the rotation of the tumbler and all portions thereof being subjected to the heated air with the result that the drying action is carried out relatively rapidly.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide electro-mechanical means for regulating all operations of my improved laundry drier, including the operation of safety elements associated therewith in order that the likelihood of damage to equipment by reason of fire or other cause, as well as possible injuries to equipment is reduced to a minimum. These control means include a main electrical circuit which can receive its energy from a source of 110 volt 60 cycle alternating current through main conductors X and Y as well as through an auxiliary group of conductors hereinafter described and as more particularly illustrated in FIG. 7 of the annexed drawings, for effecting the operation and control of reversing motor 25 which drives the tumbler 11. A starter switch 4-2, preferably of the push-button type connects into the electrical circuit upon being depressed, per FIG. 7, whereupon the supplied energy effects the energization of a holding coil 43 in the circuit to effect the closing of related switches as hereinafter explained; the relay or holding coil 43 remaining energized until the expiration of a predetermined time interval and completion of the drying of laundry itemsrfed to the dryer to an extent desired.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 7 the relay 43 is connected through starting button 42 and a stop button 44 to conductor X, and through wire 56 as well as thermal protective relay contacts 45 to conductor Y. The relay 43 automatically controls the operation of a series of switches 43-1; 43-2; 43-3; and 43-4, by closing the first three mentioned and opening the latter, which are connected into auxiliary circuits for operating various units of the drier; switch 43-4 being so arranged in the circuit that it remains, open until the completion of drying operations when it closes, while switches 43-1; 43-"; and 43-3 are held closed by the holding coil 43 until the completion of a drying cycle at which time they all open. Switch 43-4 is connected across main conductors x and y into an alarm circuit, which may include either a visual or an audible alarm device; such alarm circuit having conductor 50 leading from one contact of the switch 43-4 to a contact of an alarm device 51, which in the embodiment shown is a visual type alarm, and from the other contact of the alarm device to the line Y over conductor 52. The switch 43-1 is connected across main conductors X and Y into a circuit including a line 53 and a standard reversing timer switch 54 and magnetic starter 55 therefor, both shown in elementary form only. Magnetic starter 55 controls the rotation of tumbler 11 by starting, stopping and reversing the tumbler actuating motor 25. The switch 43-2 is connected across main conductors X and Y and to a contactor coil 57, by means of a conductor 58, which controls the operation of the suction fan '32 by starting and stopping the fan motor 32' which is mechanically connected to the coil 57 through a coil-actuated switch 57-1 by an electrical conductor 58; this auxiliary circuit preferably being completed from the solenoid or coil 57 through thermal overload switches 57-2 to the main conductor Y. Switch 43-3 is connected across main conductors X and Y over lead 65' to one connection of a solenoid 65 of a solenoidactuated cut-off valve 66 which is interposed in the fuel feed line of the drier so that upon completion of a drying cycle and automatic opening of relay 43, the valve 66 is closed to shut off fuel flow to the burner 31; the other contact of solenoid 65 being connected overload 66' to line Y. A door switch 46 is connected in series with the holding coil or relay 43 so that its contacts open whenever the door or doors of the casing 12 open, thus deenergizing the relay 43 and opening the entire circuit.

Switch 43-3 is also connected to a pressure-sensitive sensing element including a single-pole switch 69 and a delay element 6h. Switch 69 is normally open during the drying cycle but closes on decrease in pressure of fuel in burner 31 as more fully described below. Delay element 60 may be thermal, electronic, pneumatic, or other type, and is here shown as a thermal element which is heated by passage of current.

Over-temperature switch 48, which may be a standard stack-temperature switch and which is not otherwise shown, and contacts 57-1, which are contacts on fan starter 57, are connected in series in the electrical circuit with the contacts of switch 61 so that the opening of switch 48, or of the switch 61, which is responsive to the action of the delay element 60, or of the contacts 57-1, will break the path of current to the coil or relay 43 thereby extinguishing the burner as well as stopping the motors actuating the tumbler 11 and the fan 32, and actuating the alarm 51 through switch 43-4 which closes upon the opening of relay 43. Coil or relay 43 may also be opened at anytime manually by use of the stop-button switch 44. A jog button 71, which is of the momentarycontact type, is connected across main conductors X and Y, as more particularly hereinafter explained, and the manual depression of such switch 71 to close the circuit will effect the reversal of reversing motor 25 and con sequent reversal of rotation of the tumbler 11 since the electrical circuit, diagrammatically shown in FIG. 7, includes conductors connectingthe contacts of jog-button switch through the contacts 54 and 54 of the reversing timer switch 54. As shown, the timer switch 54 may take the form of a rotatable cam, carrying the contacts 54' and 54" at opposite ends thereof, which is driven by timer motor 55.

The feed of natural gas or other fuel from a source of supply thereof, not shown, conveniently is made through a main feed pipe 91, the flow therethrough being suitably controlled by a manually-operable cut-off valve 92 which, when closed, completely shuts off fuel flow to the burner 31. As is customary a by-pass 94 establishes communication between the main fuel line 91 and the pilot burner 93 which normally is kept lighted. The main fuel line 91 includes the solenoid-actuated cut-off valve 65, as well as a conventional pressure regulator 96. In accordance with the present invention, I interpose in the main fuel line'91 a temperature-responsive fuel flow regulator unit, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 97, and which comprises a valve 98 that is throttled by the expansion and contraction of mercury in a mercury bulb element 99; the bulb 99 being carried on the free end of a flexible tube 100, see FIG. 2 of the drawings, with the bulb fixedly secured within the flue 35.

At the outset of a drying cycle for effecting a complete drying of laundry articles, the valve 98 of regulator unit 97 is manually adjusted to a fully open position so that full fuel flow through the regulator unit is had to the burner 31, and in this fully open position of the valve 98 the temperature of the moisture-laden exhaust gases in the drier flue 35 attains a value of approximately 300 F. to 310 F. At this high temperature, the expansion of the mercury in bulb 99 is rapid and causes the valve 98 to move towards a closed position, thus lowering the volume of fuel supplied to the burner 31 and, perforce, the temperature of the heated air through the drier and in the exhaust flue 35. As a consequence, the mercury in bulb element 99 will contract and the valve 98 will tend to move toward a fully open position again. This throttling of valve 98 will continue during the drying cycle with the valve 98 having a greater tendency of moving toward a closed position with the result that the drying temperature tends to be held to a substantially constant lower value or approximately between 240 F. to 260 F. Whenever it is desired to pro-condition a laundry load for subsequent finishing operations, the valve 98 of the regulator unit 97 is manually adjusted to a less than fully open position so that a lesser volume of fuel is supplied to the burner 31 and, consequently, an initial temperature of approximately 240 F. to approximately 270 F. is attained in the exhaust flue 35 of the drier at the outset. As the mercury in the mercury bulb 99 starts to expand,'the valve 98 will move towards its closed position, thus lowering the fuel supply to the burner 31 and, perforce, lower the temperature of the heated air. The action of throttling in this type of conditioning operation is similar to that when a load is desired to be completely dried, but the entire conditioning operation is carried out within lower temperatures ranges, as indicated. Due to occasional heat surges by reason of the exhaust gases in flue 35 randomly carrying increased moisture driven off from the laundry articles in the tumbler 11, the main circuit is caused to open and to close at somewhat frequent intervals, especially near the close of the full drying cycle or the conditioning cycle as the case may be, in response to a hunting or a sensing device controlling such opening and closing of the circuit and until the main circuit finally is broken and remains open indicating the finishing of the drying or of the conditioning of a given laundry load.

While any conventional temperature-responsive fuel flow regulator unit may be employed and interposed in the fuel feed line 91, I preferably employ a regulator unit 97 of the type shown in FIG. 5 of the annexed drawings which generally comprises a pair of housings 191 and 102 arranged in juxtaposition and threadedly connected together, as shown. The housing 1411 is provided with openings at its opposite ends for passing the feed line 91 and is formed with an interior valve seat 103 for the ball valve 98 which is carried on the free end of a lever 104. The lever 104 extends through a common passage 105 establishing communication between the two housings 101 and 102 and is pivotally mounted on the end of a bracket 106 carried on a threaded adjusting rod 107 which extends through one end of housing 102. Valve lever 104 is actuated by a plunger 108 surrounding the flexible tube 100 on the free end of which the mercury bulb 99 is carried. Upon expansion of the mercury in bulb 99, the plunger 108 moves upwardly to engage an inner shoulder, not shown,'of a spring-loaded movable element 109 which, in turn, engages and rocks the lever 104 to cause the ball valve 98 to move toward its seat 103 or towards a closing position. Contraction of the mercury bulb 99, on the other hand, will retract the plunger 108 and also the element 109 under the influence of its associated spring 110, permitting the lever to rock in the opposite direction and cause the valve 98 to open.

As shown in FIGS. 7-8, inclusive, the hunting or sensing device of my improved automatic control for my improved drier includes the combination of a switch 69 and a time-delay unit es; the latter, in this embodiment, comprising a time-delay unit commercially available under the trademark Amperite. The switch 69 conveniently is actuated in response to surges in the fluid pressure on the down-stream side of the modulator valve 98 in line 91, although other equivalent means including mechanical actuation of such switch from an indicator arm, not shown, on the regulator unit 97 may be employed, as desired. Switch 69 is conveniently mounted in a casing 121 which is removably secured upon an apertured case or housing 122 composed of two complementary sections 123 and 124 which are removably fitted tightly together by means of a plurality of screws 126 passing through and threaded into outwardly extending flanges 127 and 128 on such housing sections, all as particularly illustrated in FIG. 8 of the annexed drawings. A strip 129, such as a length of spring steel, is pivotally mounted on a block or fixed member 131 secured within and to the base of such casing 121; such mounting permitting the pivotal upward swing of the free end of the strip 129 under the influence of a slight force to open Witch d9, the switch being returned to its normal closed position not engaging either of the contacts 141 and 142 of the switch 69 under the influence or" a spring, not shown. Switch 69 may be of the spring-loaded contact type, the tilting-mercury type, or other types; the former being shown in this embodiment.

In accordance with the present invention, I mount a flexible diaphragm 132 within the housing 122 so that it is normally retained fiat or planar therein; the diaphragm mounting conveniently being effected by forming a plurality of openings therein adjacent to its periphery to permit the passing of the screws 126 which pass through the openings, not shown, of the diaphragm and which are screwed down into the flanges 12? and 128 of the housing sections 123 and 124 of the casing 121. The diaphragm 132 carries at its center an elongated pin 133 which is rigidly fitted upon a boss 134 fixedly secured to the diaphragm 132 by means of a nut 135; the pin extending through aligned openings in the casing 121 and housing 122 to bear upon the pivotally mounted strip 129. As illustrated, the lower section 124 of housing 122 is formed with a vent opening 136 therein which communicates with a passage 137 opening through an enlarged section of the passage to the exterior of the housing. The housing section 124 is internally threaded at the outer end of the passage 137 for removably receiving a threaded pipe fitting 133, to which is removably attached a pipe or conduit 139 establishing communication between gas or fuel feed pipe 91 and the interior of the housing 122 below the diaphragm 132; the connection between conduit 139 and the pipe S 1 being on the downstream side of the modulator or regulator valve unit 97, i.e., on the side thereof toward the burner 31, thus allowing under certain conditions fluid pressure to be applied to the underside of the diaphragm 132 to raise such diaphragm and, in turn, to force pin 133 against the pivotally mounted strip 12? which, by such raising action, engages the lever of switch 69 to throw it in one position and to open the contacts of such switch. Conversely, when there is a decrease in fluid pressure on the underside of the diaphragm 332, the diaphragm flexes in the opposite direction under the Weight of the boss 134, thus retracting the pin 133 and automatically throwing the switch 69 to another of its positions and thus closing the contacts thereof.

Included in the sensing device of the time-delay unit which comprises a bi-metallic switch 61 pivotally mounted on a contact 146 and spanning a space to engage a second contact 147, together with the resistor 63- which is mounted in close proximity to the bi-metallic switch 61. The switch 69 and the time-delay unit are electrically connected together and to the main electrical circuit by means of a lead 14-9 connecting main conductor X through switch 43-3 to contact 141 of switch 69 and a lead 150 connecting the other contact 142 of switch 69 to one side of the resistor 69, and a conductor 151 connecting the other side of the resistor fill to line Y. With the switch 69 positioned so that its arm engages contact 142 thereof, the time-delay circuit is closed and connected into the main electrical circuit which effects the heating of the resistor 69 to an extent that one member of the bimetallic switch 61 expands and tends to cause the element to break engagement with the contact 147. This action is recurrent near the end of each drying cycle.

By virtue of these connections, as well as by reason of the fact that the switch 69 is closed and opened recurrently near the end of each drying cycle in response to the increase and decrease of external pressure applied to the underside of diaphragm 132 in housing 122 which, in turn, effects a closing and opening of the time-delay circuit, the main circuit is finally opened at the end of each drying cycle. That is to say, after a series of sensing actions during which the switch 69 and time-delay circuit recurrently close and open due to temperature conditions in the exhaust flue 35 of the drier, the contacts of switch 61 will stay open until resistor 66 cools sufiiciently to cause the bi-metallic element again to span the contacts 146 and 147, or close switch 61, which is the normal position thereof as shown in FIG. 7. As a result of the reduced flow of fuel passing valve 98 either to the pressure conduit 139 leading to diaphragm 132 or to the burner 31, and by reason of a completion of the sensing or hunting action, the main electrical circuit is finally broken upon opening of switch 61 which automatically opens switch 43-3 to close the solenoid-actuated valve 66 in the fuel feed line 91; it being understood that the fuel pressure has in the interim been throttled down to a relatively low pressure. Simultaneously with the breaking of the main circuit at switch 43-3, the action of holding coil 43 is broken thus extinguishing burner 31, stopping the motors which actuate the tumbler and the fan 32, and closing switch 43-4 for actuating the alarm 51, thus advising the operator that it is safe to open the unloading door or doors 17 and 13 of casing 12 which, in turn, opens switch 46. Upon receiving a second and successive loads in the tumbler of the drier, a re-closing of the doors of the drier casing closes the switch 46 so that upon manually closing the main switch 42 again, the main electrical circuit is again energized to close relay 43 and reopen switch 43-4 and thereafter a second as well as successive drying cycles can be started and completed.

While any suitable electrical means may be employed for insuring the effective reversal of tumbler driving motor 25 so that the tumbler 11 is recurrently rotated in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction during drying operations, I have conveniently provided three conductors 171, 172 and 173, leading from a source of volt 60 cycle alternating current and of which conductor 172 may be considered a neutral line. As is understood by those skilled in the art, two of such conductors, say leads 171 and 172 or lead 172 and 173, will serve to transmit electrical energy to the tumbler drive motor 25 at a potential of 220 volts. Preferably I include in this higher voltage circuit a series of solenoid-actuated switches 174, 17-5, 176, 177, 178 and 179 of which the switches 174-176 inclusive are connected to the spring-loaded shaft, not shown, of a solenoid relay 181 while the latter mentioned switches 177-179 are connected to the spring-loaded shaft, not shown, of a solenoid or relay 182. When the coil of relay 181 is energized, the shaft thereof draws the switches 174-176 into engagement with their contacts, or closes such switches. Simultaneously, the switches 177-179 are opened because of the de-energization of the coil of relay 182 and the action of the spring-loaded shaft thereof. On the other hand, when the coil of relay 182 is energized, the shaft thereof draws the switches 177-179 to their closed positions, with a simultaneous opening of the switches 174-176 in response to the action of the springloaded shaft of the relay 181, the coil of which is deenergized. As shown, the contacts of the switch 174 are connected into the 220 volt 6O cycle alternating current circuit through, the leads 171 and 171', the latter being connected to reversing motor 25; the contacts of switch 175 are connected into this circuit through the conductors 172 and 172, the former being connected to a source of supply of electrical energy and the latter being connected to motor 25; and the contacts of switch 176 are connected into this circuit through the leads 173 and 173', the latter being connected to motor 25. Also, it is to be noted that the contacts of switch 177 are connected into the circuit through conductors 171 and 171; the contacts of switch 178 are connected into this 220 volt circuit through leads 173 and 172'; and the contacts of the switch 179 are connected into such circuit through the conductors 172 and 173'.

The energization alternately of solenoids 181 and 182, with recurrent de-energization of one of such relays, is elfected conveniently through the reversing timer camtype switch 54 which, as shown, is controlled from the timer motor 55 connected into the main circuit X-Y through switch 43-1, conductor 53 and conductor 55'; the contacts 54 and 54" being connected to the timer motor 55 through lead 53. Upon rotation of timer motor 55 upon the energization of holding relay 43 which closes switch 43-1, the contacts 54' and 54" of cam timer switch 54- alternately engage a pair of conductors 181 and 182' which are connected, respectively, to one end of each of the coils of solenoids 181 and 182. The other end of each of the coils of such relays 181 and 182 are connected into the main 110 volt 60 cycle alternating current through conductor 56, the latter leading from holding relay 43 which is connected over lead 42" through starter button 42 and over lead 42, containing normally closed switches 44, 46 and 48, to main conductor X, and through a series of safety switches 45 to the other main conductor Y; the switches 45 being conventional thermal over-load switches for protecting the driving or tumbler motor 25. In addition to the foregoing components, the jog-button switch 71 having a slidably mounted button 71 connected thereto is connected into the circuit for effecting the actuation of tumbler driving motor 25, after the doors 17 and 18 of the drier have been opened upon the completion of a drying cycle, thereby to spin the tumbler 11 to assist and to effect rapid unloading of the dried laundry items from the tumbler. To this end, a sliding contact of jog-button switch 71 is connected by an electrical conductor 70 to main conductor X, with the stationary contacts of the switch 71 connected across the main circuit X--Y, upon bringing sliding contact thereof into engagement with its station contacts upon movement of button 71' inwardly, through relay 182 and the conductors 182, 182" and conductor 56 to main conductor Y.

One of the unique features of my present improvement resides in the provision of means for permitting the unloading of laundry articles from the tumbler without requiring a tilting either of the tumbler 11 or of the casing 12; the unloading being accomplished simply by spinning the tumbler 11. It is to be understood that the tumbler,

through the action of the electrical circuit and the motor reversing switch, continuously rotates first in one direction of rotation and then in the opposite direction of rotation until brought to rest when the circuit is broken and the door is open. That is to say, during a drying cycle with the casing door or doors closed, the motor which drives the tumbler both in a clockwise and in a counterclockwise direction operates alternately.

Upon completion of each drying cycle, therefore, the door or doors 17 and 18 of the casing 12 are opened and the operator closes the circuit again by jog-button 71 to rotate tumbler 11 and start the unloading of the dried laundry items. Those dried articles nearest the exterior of the casing will start to spill out of the tumbler and during this action the remainder of the laundry articles are being vigorously tumbled about over a plurality of bars 161 which are provided within the tumbler 11. Bars 161 are arranged in spaced relationship circumferentially about the inside of the tumbler 11 and are transversely arranged, as shown in FIG. 3.. Each of the bars 161 is made to such dimensions and is so formed that it projects normally to and for an appreciable distance above the wall 14 of the tumbler throughout a major portion of its length; each bar 161, however, being beveled or formed with a downwardly extending section 162, as indicated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, adjacent to the exterior of the tu bler. Thus, there are varying inner diameters provided in the tumbler 11, an over-all inner diameter from side wall to side wall, a shorter inner diameter resulting from the series of spaced transverse bars 161 which extend outwardly from the side walls, and a series of increasing inner diameters, from the start of the beveled sections 162 of bars 161 to the mouth of the tumbler 11. By virtue of these outwardly flaring transverse bars 161, at the beveled sections 162 thereof, the dried laundry articles tend to slide toward the exterior of the tumbler as these articles are jostled about. That is to say, on the reverse spinning of tumbler 11, the laundry articles are vigorously tumbled about over the bars 161 and through the spaces therebetween and down the beveled sections 162 of bars 161 to effect, by reason of some slight unloading of the laundry items as the door is opened, an intertwining of the articles one with another so that those articles near the front or exit of the tumbler will slide down the beveled or slanted section 162 of the bars 161 and pull with them the remainder of the intertwined and dried items. As shown, a suitable portable receptacle 163 is provided for placement in front of the tumbler door or doors to receive and convey away to storage the thus discharged dried laundry items.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate in scope with the advance made over the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a combination which includes a laundry drier containing an exhaust flue through which moisture-laden,

as well as hot air currents are moved and also containing a rotatable tumbler in which laundry items to be dried are tumbled about while being subjected to circulating hot air delivered thereto under pressure, and which also includes a gas burner and a blower for delivering hot air under pressure to said tumbler, as well as including a source of supply of gas and a supply pipe for delivering gas under pressure to said burner, an electro-mechanical control for regulating the rotation of said tumbler, as well as the circulating pressure and temperature of transmitted heated air to said tumbler; said electro-mechanical control comprising a main electrical circuit containing a manually operable main switch for opening and closing said main circuit at will, a temperature-responsive element supported within said flue and expanding and contracting in response to the rise and fall of the temperature of the exhaust air in said flue, a lever controlled .valve in said pipelinefor regulating fluid flow and pressure of fluid therein, a pivotally mounted lever connected to said valve and actuated by the expansion and contraction of said element in said flue for causing the opening and closing of said lever-controlled valve, as well as the throttling thereof between fully opened and fully closed positions, and a sensing element responsive to the throttling of fluid pressure by said lower-controlled valve for regulating the pressure of fluid in said pipeline, as well as for controlling the operation of said blower for circulating heated air through laundry items in said tumbler and the duration of rotation of said tumble; said sensing element comprising a time-delay unit connected into said main circuit, said time-delay unit consisting of an automatically operable normally closed pivota'bly mounted bi-metallic switch having its contacts connected into said main circuit, a resistor in said main circuit and mounted in close proximity to said bi-metallic switch to effect opening thereof when said resistor attains a heated state sufficient to cause the expansion of said bi-metallic switch and lift the same from one of its contacts, a pressure-controlled switch in series with said resistor, and a pressure-responsive member in communication with said pipe-line downstream of the location of therein of said lever-controlled valve and controlling the opening and closing of said pressurecontrolled switch whereby said resistor may be energized and de-energized in response to variations in fluid pressure in said pipe-line downstream of said lever-controlled valve.

2. A laundry drier comprising a casing having a vent permitting escape of heated moisture-laden air, a tumbler rotatably mounted in said casing for receiving, tumbling about and discharging successive loads of Wat laundry articles to be dried, a reversing motor for rotating said tumbler clockwise and counter-clockwise, a source of supply of an ignitable fluid, a pipe-line leading from said source and through which ignitable fluid is caused to flow, a burner in said pipe-line for burning supplied fuel, a solenoid-actuable shut-01f valve in said pipe line, a flue in communication with said vent in said casing for carrying away moisture-laden exhaust fluid, a motor driven suction fan for circulating heated air and fluid through laundry articles contained in said tumbler, temperature-responsive movable means in said flue, a lever-controlled valve in said pipe line, a movably mounted lever connected to said valve and mounted in the path of said temperature-responsive movable means for actuation thereby to effect throttling of fluid pressure in said pipe line, and electro-mechanical means for controlling the drying cycle of the contents of said tumbler; said electro-mechanical means comprising an electrical circuit containing said reversing motor as well as the motor for driving said fan and the solenoid of said solenoid-actuatable shut-off valve, a movable pressure-responsive element in communication with said pipe line on the downstream side of said lever-controlled valve, a pressure-controlled switch in said circuit actuated by the movement of said pressure-responsive.

11 element, and a sensing element in said circuit responsive to the closing and opening of said pressure-controlled switch; said sensing element comprising a time-delay switch connected into said circuit and consisting of a pair of electrical contacts, a oi-metallic member pivotally mounted on one contact of said pair of contacts and normally spanning the same to maintain said time-delay switch closed, and a resistor in close proximity to said bi-metallic member and connected in said circuit in series with said pressure-controlled switch whereby closing of the latter energizes said resistor to effect heating of said bi-metallic member to tend to cause said bi-metallic member to swing on its pivot and open said time-delay switch and whereby opening of said pressure-controlled switch tie-energizes said resistor allowing said bi-metallic memher to cool and to return to its normal position spanning 3. A laundry drier as defined in claim 2, and a relay in said electrical circuit, an alarm device electrically connected into said circuit, and an alarm actuating switch mechanically connected to said relay and closed by said relay upon the termination of rotation of said tumbler to actuate said alarm device.

4. A laundry drier as defined in claim 3, and doors hingedly connected to said casing for gaining access to said tumbler, and a door actuated switch in said main circuit for breaking said circuit upon the opening of said doors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,695,162 Kauttman Nov. 23, 1954 2,710,181 Parrett June 7, 1955 2,752,130 French June 26, 1956 2,883,174 Cobb Apr. 21, 1959 Cobb Jan. 5, 1960

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