US3102410A - Laundry machine utilizing a wobble-type agitator - Google Patents

Description

E. J. DOYLE Sept. 3, 1963 LAUNDRY MACHINE UTILIZING A woBBLE-TYPE AGITATOR `Filed Feb. 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllllllHI INVENTOR. EDA/ARD J.' ,Ow/LE Sept. 3, 1963 E. .1. DOYLE 3,102,410

LAUNDRY MACHINE UTILIZING A woBBLE-TYPE AGITATOR Filed Feb. 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Pfg. L3. BYM/Mwuozc United States Patent O 3,l02,410 LAUNDRY MAQHlNlS UTlLlZIN-G A WBE'BLE- TYPE AGHTATR- Edward l. Doyle, Hatboro, la., assigner to Philco Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 17mm@ This invention relates to laundry machines, and more particularly to laundry machines utilizing wobble-type agitators. i

In laundry machines generally, it is the practice to achieve -eifective washing by imparting vigorous movements to the clothes being laundered. In wobble-type laundry machines, the washing action is accomplished by 4freely journalling `an agitator of suitable conliguration on an obliquely disposed member, such as an inclined portion of a rotatable drive shaft, the agitator being prevented froni rotating with respect to the tub by-suitable restraining means. `Continuous unidirectional rotation of the drive shaft, acting through the inclined shaft portion, imparts a nonrotational undulatory or wobbling motion to the agitator, producing circulation of the washing uid and causing articles being Washed to be brought into intimate contact with the turbulent streams of water generated by movement 'of the agitator.

The problem of clothes smothering in wobble-type machines `has been met by provision of a column extending upwardly from the center of the agitator, rwhich column prevents clothes from covering the agitator assembly by virtue of its presence in this region. Apparatus tof this type is disclosed land claimed in U.S. Patent No. 2,902,851, issued to George C. Fields on September 8, 1959, and assigned to the assignee of this invention. In the reference patent, mechanism is provided whereby motion of the column is :distinct from that of the agitator assembly in order to set up culrents which .act to provide more eilicient Washing of the clothes while preventing smothering. In apparatus of this type linkage Ameans is provided to bring about the `above described movements, which means requires its own flexible seals.

lt is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved combination of -a stationary column and wobbletype agitator apparatus through which the number of linkages and linkage seals is reduced, and which combination achieves optimum washing action.

In achievement of the foregoing and other objectives, the invention contemplates provision of a wobble-plate agitator supported by a spider bracket structure aixed to Asuitable bearing means mounted upon yan inclined shaft extending into the tub and spin basket of a washing machine. A vertically extending column is supported concentrically with the tub yand basket by bracket means amxed to the basket and .including leg portions that interdigitate with the agitator support bracket structure. The construction and arrangement is such that the agitator support bracket undulates` within the spaces between the leg portions of the column support bracket. The agitator assembly is, in one embodiment of the invention, suitably apertured whereby turbulent streams of wash-duid are created by a pumping action which directs such streams downwardly through the `agitator and outwardly `from the bottom 1and through the space between the agitator and the basket.

For a better understanding of the foregoing as well as other objects and features `of the invention,` reference may be had to the following `description taken in light of the accompanying drawing, `in which:

FIGURE -1 is a perspective showing of `a laundry machine embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is 1an elevational view of the machine illuslCC trated in FIGURE l, partly 4in section and with` parts broken away, `and illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIC-JRE 3 is an elevational viewof the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, partlyin section and with parts removed;

FlGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, looking in the ygeneral direction `of arrows 4 4 applied to FIGURE 5, and illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;

and

FIGURE 5 is a plan View of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 4, and with parts removed.

With more particular reference to the drawings, and :irst to FlGURE l, the invention is embodied in a Washing machine l() of the type including a cabinet 11 having a top wall 12 provided with an access opening 13, vand la door `llihingedly mounted over the opening. Control means for the machine comprise control elements, see, `for example l5 and i6, mounted upon a panel 17.

In ythe embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 2 vand 3, an upward-ly presented tub Z1 is housed -Within the cabinet. Tub 21 is supported upon `a tubular column 22 that is resil-iently mounted upon suitable base means (not shown) forming part of the cabinet y1.1. There are `also housed Within the cabinet suitable motor and transmission means, such `for example as is disclosed and claimed in the icopending disclosure of Joseph Pelensky, tiled December 26, 1961, bearing Serial No. 161, 962, and assigned to the assignee ofthe present invention. The relationship of the motor rand transmission means to the apparatus of the present invention, while not necessary to an understanding of the latter, will be discussed brieiiy later in this description.

An upwardly presented rotatable clothes container means or basket 23 is nested within tub 21 and supported upon hub means 24 journalled within bearing means 25 provided in the bottom `of stationary tub 21, in the region `of the upper end of column 22. A hollow shaft 26 extends downwardly from hub means 24, concentrically as respects column 22, and -is connected to the output drive of the transmission 'which provides high speed spin of basket 23. A solid shaft 27` is disposed concentrically within the hollow shaft 26. Shaft 27 is journalled by bearings 28 and 29 for rotation within hub means 24 land its extension 26, and `is adapted to be rotated by the `output drive of the transmission which provides 4for operation ofagitator 31. Agitator 31 will be described in `detail in what follows, `and rst as respects theyembodiment of the invent-ion illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The upper end of shaft 27 includes an inclined portion 32, Aand an annular base 33 for agitator 31 lis iournalled -to inclined shaft portion 32 by bearing means 34; Agitator base 33 is restnained from rotating relative to basket 23 by a flexible sleeve 35 that extends from clamped sealing engagement with base 33 into clamped sealing engagement `with basket hub 24. Hub 24 is sealed yto tub Z1 by means of cylindrically formed seal 36 4and flexible and resilient face seal 37 which seals, with slidable abutting engagement, `against a ring 41 disposed concentrically with 'and in the :bottom of tub 21. Ring seals are provided vas seen at 42 between base 33 and shaft portion 32, and at t3 between hub 24 `and shaft portion 32. A plate 44 is clamped to agitator base 33 and `closes the end of this element. Plate i4 is clamped to base 33 by base portions 46 of the spider element 4S, which portions 46 Iare :forcibly urged against base 33 by studs 47 through the intermediation of the plate 44 `and the gaskets as shown.

Spider 45 includes 'legs 53 that extend with clearance through generally vertically extending slots provided in a generally conical member 54 mounted at its base to basket 23, in concentric relation thereto. At the vertex of member 54 is ia vertically extending rod 56 upon which ismounted a generally tapered column 57 including a downwardly flared portion 58 at its lower end.

Agitator 31 further includes a ring 61 provided with a ila-t portion 62 which is supported upon legs 53 of spider 45, and -a generally downwardly presented undulatory portion 63. An annular flexible and resilient llipper or vane 64 is clamped against undulatory portion 63 of ring 61 by ia ring 65 which includes a `similar undulatorly portion 66, and vane 64 assumes the undular shapes thereof.

Ring 65 also comprises a flattened upper portion 67 which.

includes a central opening 68 through which column 5,6 extends with substantial clearance. Portion 67 of ring 65 ,is disposed and adapted, upon undulatory movements of the agitator, to move into and out of the space enclosed by downwardly aringportion S of 'column 57, whereby to effect lat liuid pumping action.

The central portion of basket 23, in the region of hub means-24 'beneath conical member 54, includes a depression 71 which has `a plurality of apertures 72. Apertures 72 together lwith slots 55 in member 54 provide lluid How communication between the interior of basket 23- and tub 21. The lluid flow path provided by apertures y72 and slots 55 is so positioned relative to the agitator as to accommodate flow of turbulent streams of wash iluid downwardly -throughthe opening 68, slots 55, apertures 7 2, and into tub 21. From tub 21, the iluid ilows upwardly through apertures 73 provided in the bottom of basket 23, following which the fluid is drawn between column flare 58 land rin-g 65 for subsequent turbulent flow as described previously. Pumping Iaction is achieved by the agitator, to create this turbulent ow, through `the alternate squeezing and releasing of the Huid between column flare 5S and 'agita-tor ring 55 :concurrently with alternate releasing and squeezing of the liuid between agitator vane 64 and ring 61, and member 54 and basket depression 71.

93 and hub 83 of the basket. Hub 83 is sealed to the tub by means of face seal 96.

A cylindrical member 97 `of the lagitator includes a lower outwardly presented flange portion 101 and an upper, inwardly presented undulated flange portion 102. Member 97 is mounted to base 93 by means of bolts (not shown) that clamp flange portion 101 to 'a confronting annular flange portion 103 of agitator base 93. The peripheral portions of flanges 101 and 103 are so configured `and adapted to 'clamp 'a bead portion of an annular seal 103 that is `clamped also along its outer rim to the bottom of basket 82, along the edge of a depressed portion 104 of the latter disposed below the agitator.

An annular vane 105 is clamped between undulatory flange 102 anda similarly undulatory plate 106, by bolts Ias shown. Agitator vane construction of this general type is disclosed in the hereinbefore mentioned U.S. Patent No. 2,902,851, :and reference may had thereto for a full showing if desired. The vane 105 includes an upwardly extending bellows portion 107 Ithat is `clamped in lluidtight relation to a suitably `formed portions of a central column designated generally by the numeral 111. Seal 100, bellows portion 107 landsleeve 95 cooperate to restrain the agitator from rotating relative to basket 82.

According to lthe invention, the agitator base 93 has three slotted openings 112 through which extend the rodlike legs 1'13 of column 111, in interdigitating or interposed non-interfering relation to leg pontions of the slotted base. Legs 113 of the column serve as a rigid support for the same and are mounted upon hub means 83 of basket 82. Legs 1,13 include horizontally extending portions that converge centrally as respects the agitaltor and support an upwardly extending rod 114. Col- In achievement of the above described washin-g action basket 2.3 is held stationary by suitable brake means (not shown) vwhile agitator shaft 27 is rotated by the drive f motor. Such mechanism, las noted earlier in this description, mayl be marde in 'accordance with the referenced Pelensky disclosure. As `shaft 27 is rotated, the inclined portion 32 moves orbitally with both translational and rotational movements. In rotating, the inclined shaft portion has relative movement with respect to agitator base 33, through bearing 34. The agitator 31, however, is prevented -rom rotating relative to basket 23 by flexible sleeve 35, such 4that movements of the agitator are undulatory, land legs 53 of spider 45 move up-'and-down within slots 55 provided in conical member 54, -as clearly appears Iin FIGURE 3, `and in non-interfering relation with respect to leg portions of the conical member comprising the solid sections between the slots 55.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 in a machine comprising a non-rotable tub 80 supported upon a resiliently mounted, vertically extending tubular column 81.

A rotatable container means or basket S2 (shown fnagmentarily) is supported upon hub means 83 which, as in the embodiment illus- `trated in FIGURES 2 and 3, includes ya hollow shaft 85 extending downwardly therefrom concentrically 'with `.column 81. Hub means 83 is journalled for rotation within tub S0 by bearing means 84 disposed between hub extension 85 and column 81. A solid shaft S6 is concentric with hollow shaft 85, and is journalled by bearing 87 within ihub means 83 for rotation relative to the hub means and its shaft extension 85.

'Ihe upper end` of shaft 86 includes lan inclined portion 91 aixed to the former by a pin 92. A `generally ydisk shaped agitator base93 is journalled to inclined shaft portion 91. by a bearing 94, and agitator base 93 is restrained from rotating relative to basket S2 in part by a flexible sleeve 95 that is clamped in fluid-tight relation to the base umn 111 further includes a vertically extending tapered member 11S provided with a lower, downwardly ilared portion 116 that overlies undulated plate 106 and is mounted to a clamping plate 117 which clamps bellows portion 107 of flipper 105 to llared portion 1116 of member 1f15. Plate 117 is, in-turn, xedly mounted upon rod 114 by a screw threadedly received within the latter.

In the achievement of the washing action, basket 82 is held stationary and agitator shaft 86 tis rotated by the drive motor. Rotation of shaft 86 causes agitator lbase 93 and structure aliixed thereto to undulate in the same manner as the agitator in FIGURES 2 and 3. The agitator undulates freely relative to the column 11, the lagitator base moving ventically as respects the legs 11-3 which extend with clearance through openings 1212 lprovided in the former. As a result of this movement, uid is alternately squeezed and released between vane 1105 and its bellows portion 107, and further is impelled alternately upwardly and ,downwardly by vane 105.

From the foregoing description it will be apprecir'ated that the linvention achieves optimum washing action,

by virtue of the turbulent streams of wash fluid impelled by the agitator vanes. These vanes cooperate with the iixed support column to achieve improved washing action, while the latter element prevents smothering of the agitator action by preventing fabrics being Washed from settling atop the agitator. Moreover, by xedly mounting the column upon for example tripod means as illustrated, there is achieved a desirable relative movement between the same and the agitator which enhances the washing action, yet requires no mechanical linkage between the agitator and column.

While a pair of preferred embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible of other modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: l. In a laundry machine, the combination comprismg: basket means within which may be disposed clothes to be washed; bracket means disposed within said basket means including a central portion concentric with the axis of said basket means, and leg portions having base means mounting the bracket means upon said basket means; column means suppor-ted by said bracket means and extending coaxially with said central portion of said bracket means; Vand wobble-plate agitator means within said basket means, including radially extending portions disposed in interdigitating relation with said leg portions ot said bracket means, and vane means supported by said radially extending portions.

2. The combination according to claim l, and further characterized in that said bracket means comprises a hollow member and said leg pontions are dened by apertured wall portions of said member through the apertures of which said radially extending portions extend, said member having its base portion amxed to said basket means.

3. The combination according to claim 1, and further characterized in that said agitator means includes a generally disk shaped base member having openings through which said leg portions of said bracket means extend.

4. The combination according to claim l, and further characterized'by: said vane means comprising an undulatory liexible and resilient annular member; and by the inclusion of a pair of plates clamping said member and supported upon said radially extending portions, one of said clamping plates being disposed above the other and comprising a ring portion including a surface disposed within angularity as respects, and in overlying relation to, said plate, said plate and ring portion encircling said column means with clearance; and by said column including a downwardly flaring portion spaced `from and substantially overlying said ring portion, the construction and arrangement being such that upon undulating movement of the agitator means, wash fluid within said basket is caused to be pumped, by the cooperative action of said ring and said column means flaring portion, through the central opening of said agitator means and through spaces between elements of said leg portions cf said bracket means. 4

5. In a laundry machine, the combination comprising: tub means; perforate basket means mounted for rotation about its axis within said tub means; bracket means disposed within said basket and including leg portions mounted upon said basket means and further including a central portion concentric with said axis; column means extending coaxially with said central portion of said bracket means; and wobble-plate agitator means Within said basket means, including radially extending arms disposed in interdigitating relation as respects said leg portions of said bracket means, and vane means supported by said arms.

6. The combination according to claim 5 and further characterized in that said bracket means comprises a hollow member and said leg portions are defined by apertured wall portions of said member through the apertures of which said support arms extend, said member having a base portion aiixed to said basket means.

7. The combination according to claim 5, and further characterized in that said agitator means includes a generally disk-shaped base member having openings through which said leg portions of said lbracket means extend.

8. The combination according to claim 5 and further characterized by: said vane means comprising an undulatory flexible `and resilient annular member; by the inclu* sion of a pair of plates clamping said member and supported upon said radially extending portions, one of said clamping plates being disposed above the other and comprising a ring portion including a surface disposed with angular-ity as respects and in overlying relation to, said plate, said plate and ring portion encircling said column with clearance; and by said column means including a downwardly haring portion spaced from and substantially overlying said ring, ythe construction and arrangement being such that upon undulating movement of said agitator means, wash fluid Within said basket is caused to be pumped, by the cooperative action of said ring and said column means daring portion, through the central opening of said agitator means and through spaces between leg portions of said bracket means.

9. In a laundry machine, the combination comprising: tub means; perforate basket means mounted for rotation about its axis within said tub means; tripod means mounted within said basket means and including a central portion concentric with said axis; a column extending coaxially with said central portion of said tripod means; and wobbleplate agitator means within said basket means, including radially extending arms disposed in interdigitating relation as respects said tripod means, and vane means supported by said arms.

l0. The combination according to claim 9, and further characterized in that said tripod means comprises a generally conical member including apertures through which said support arms extend, said conical member having a base portion aixed to said bracket means.

1l. The combination according to claim 9, and characterized in that said vane means comprises an. undulatory iiexible and resilient annular member, and further characterized by the inclusion of plates clamping said member and supported upon said arms.

12. The combination `according to claim 1l and fur-ther characterized by: one of said clamping plates being disposed above the other and comprising a ring portion including a surface disposed with angularity as respects, and in overlying relation to, said plate, said plates and ring portion encircling said column with clearance; and by said column including a downwardly flaring portion spaced from and substantially overlying said ring, the construction and arrangement being such that upon. undulating movement of said agitator means, wash liuid within said basket means is caused to -be pumped, by the cooperative action of said ring and said column flaring portion, down- Wardly through the central opening of said agitator means and through spaces between elements of said tripod means. `13; A combination according to claim 9, and further characterized in that said tripod means comprises a plurality of legs supported upon said basket means, and said agitator means comprises a generally disk shaped base member including openings through which said legs of said tripod means extend.

14. In a laundry machine, the combination comprising: tub means; perforate basket means mounted for coaxial rotation within said tub means and including a depressed central portion having apertures therein; tripod means mounted within said depressed por-tion of said basket means and including a central portion concentric with the basket means; column means extending upwardly from said central portion of said tripod means, the latter comprising a generally downwardly aring conical member having apertures therein; `and wobble plate agitator means disposed within said basket means, said agitator means including radially presented arms extending through said apertures in said conical member, said agitator further including an undulatory liexible annular member and a pair of plates clamping said member and supported upon said arms, one of said clamping plates being disposed above the other and including a ring portion having a surface disposed with angularity as respects and overlying relation to said one plate, said plates and ring portion encircling said column means with clearance, and said column means including Ia downwardly aring portion spaced from Iand substantially overlying said ring portion, the construction and arrangement being such that upon undulating movement of said agitator means, wash iiuid within said basket means is caused to be pumped, through the cooperative action of said ring and said column means and the cooperative action ofsaid resilient member and said conical member, downwardly through the central opening of -said agitator means and through openings in said conical member thence outwardly through apertures provided in said depressed portion of said basket means.

l5. In a llaundry machine, the combination comprising:

container means within which clothes to -be Washed may be disposed; bracket means disposed Within said container me-ans and including leg portions provided with base vmeans forY mounting said bracket means within said container means; wobble-plate agitator means within said container means, including radially presented portions interposed in noninterfering relation with leg portions of said Ibracket means, and vane means supported by said radially presented portions; and column means carried by said bracket means land extending therefrom upwardly within said container means.

16. The combination according to claim 15, and turther characterized in that said `bracket means comprises a hollow member, said leg portions are defined by apertured Wall portions thereof, and said radially presented portions extend through such apertures.

17. The combination according to claim 15, and ffu-rther characterized in that said agitator means includes a generally disk shaped base member having openings through which said leg portions of said bracket means extend. Y

18. 'Ihe combination according to claim 15, and `further characterized in that said bracket means comprises a generally conical member having apertures through Which said radially presented portions of said agitator means extend, the base portion lof said conical member defining said vbase means and afxed to said container means. l

acterized in that said leg portions lare dened by individual rod-like members extending upwardly from pads delining said base means.

20. The combination according to claim 15 and iurther characterized by: said vlane means comprising an undulatory exible and resilient annular member, and by the inclusion of a pair `of plates clamping said inember and supported upon said radially presented porti-ons, one of said clamping plates being disposed above the other and comprising a ring portion including a surface disposed lwith angularity las respects, and in overlying relation to, said plate, said plate and ringportion encircling said column means with clearance, and by said column means including la downwardly Haring portion spaced from and substantially overlying said ring portion, the construction andV arrangement being such that 'upon undulating movement of said agitator means, wash uid within said container means is caused to be pumped, by the cooperative action of said ring portion and isaid column Haring portion, through the central opening of said agitator means and throng-l1 spaces Ibetween leg portions of said bracket means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims (1)

1. IN A LAUNDRY MACHINE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: BASKET MEANS WITHIN WHICH MAY BE DISPOSED CLOTHES TO BE WASHED; BRACKET MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BASKET MEANS INCLUDING A CENTRAL PORTION CONCENTRIC WITH THE AXIS OF SAID BASKET MEANS, AND LEG PORTIONS HAVING BASE MEANS MOUNTING THE BRACKET MEANS UPON SAID BASKET MEANS; COLUMN MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID BRACKET MEANS AND EXTENDING COAXIALLY WITH SAID CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID BRACKET MEANS; AND WOBBLE-PLATE AGITATOR MEANS WITHIN SAID BASKET MEANS, INCLUDING RADIALLY EXTENDING PORTIONS DISPOSED IN INTERDIGITATING RELATION WITH SAID LEG PORTIONS OF SAID BRACKET MEANS, AND VANE MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID RADIALLY EXTENDING PORTIONS.

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