US3232433A - Locking system for a laundry appliance - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 1, 1956 c, COBB T 3,232,433

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A LAUNDRY APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 9. 1960 16a 43 13a 32 2 2 4) 46 48 L a r/ 42 FIG. 3 P %I 36c 35 A y/M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,232,433 LOCKlNG SYTEM FOR A LAUNDRY A?PLIANCE Clifton A. Cobb and James T. Williams, t. Joseph,

Mich., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph,

Mich, a corporation of Deiaware Fit-ed Dec. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 74,962 11 Claims. (Cl. 210-144) The present invention relates broadly to method and apparatus for counterbalancing unsymmetrically distributed centrifugal forces in a rotating body as exemplified by a substantially horizontal axis type laundry drum, and is more particularly concerned with novel means for assuring that the counterbalancing system is accurately indexed prior to initiation of high speed drum rotation and before and after any movements of the laundry appliance.

Various ways have been proposed to shorten the drying time of the washing and drying cycles of a domestic laundry appliance as exemplified by an automatic washer or combination washendryer. One approach is to increase the drying heat input to the dryer, however, this is disadvantageous in view of the power requirements, as Well as from the standpoint of engineering design considerations which are required because of the increased power input to the drying means.

A second and preferred approach is to increase the rotative cylinder speed used during the extraction part of the wash cycle, thereby removing larger amounts of water from the load prior to the beginning of the tumble drying in the machine or line drying of the load. This accomplishes a power consumption savings of the order of approximately eight to fifteen times as compared with the high power input drying process. However, it frequently occurs that when a load is introduced into a laundry receiving cylinder or drum and the drum rotated at relatively high speeds, the load distributes itself in such a manner that the center of mass of the loaded cylinder does not coincide with the cylinder bearing axis. As a result, there is produced an unbalanced centrifugal force which is directly proportional to the mass of the unbalanced portion of the total rotating mass, the square of the angular velocity of such unbalanced mass, and to the radius of the unbalanced mass from the axis of rotation of the cylinder.

To overcome the unbalancing problem, it has been proposed to limit the spin speed of the horizontal axis type drum so that unbalanced loads encountered during normal operation do not produce a suflicient amount of centrifugal force to cause serious machine vibrations, which at times may be suflicient to actually lift the machine from its supporting surface and produce a violent movement colloquially referred to as walking. Other solutions to the problem which have been proposed include control means which deactivates a spin mechanism in response to the excessive motion in the apparatus, so that the drum or cylinder decelerates to a tumbling speed for redistribution of the contents thereof. Such an arrangement can readily be appreciated to be disadvantageous since less liquid is centrifugally extracted from the contents of the drum or cylinder than is desired, and in consequence, a longer drying period is required, whether or not machine or line-drying is utilized.

There is also within the prior art disclosures suggestions of the use of suspension systems to suspend the entire laundry machine along with an additional mass producing dead weight within an enclosing cabinet on a complex spring system. Quite clearly when this approach is used there is required an enclosing cabinet of greatly increased size to allow for the violent gyratory motions of such a system during operation of the machine, or if the cabinet size is limited the machine drum or cylinder must be reduced in size to the extent that the drum capacity is too small to accomplish quality washing and drying operations on normal loads.

In one construction wherein markedly improved results are obtained a casing is rigidly supported upon a base frame and a drum is mounted within the casing for rotation and vibratory movements relative to the base frame. In such a machine, a plurality of liquid balance compartments are disposed on the periphery of the drum, and the vibratory movements of the drum or cylinder are sensed by a movable deflector member or by a movable fluid introduction nozzle to control the addition of counterbalancing liquid to a particular liquid balance pocket or pockets.

The counterbalancing control means for such a machine must be indexed or coordinated with respect to the pockets and their respective collector segments to assure addition or counterbalancing fluid to the proper pocket or pockets during the counterbalancing of the drum at precisely the correct time. In the past, any machine movements either by shipment from the factory or by change of location by the user have tended to destroy the original critical adjustment of either the deflector or the nozzle. The services of a technician at the site of installation of the machine are usually required to effect a partial dismantling of the machine to restore the control means to a proper or zero indexed position.

In accordance with this invention there is provided what may be termed a zero locking system. This zero locking system functions to assure that whenever the drum is to be rotated at high spin speeds, the correct dimensional relationship will always exist between the balance fluid collector-segments and the balance fluid deflector or pivotin nozzle even if the machine is moved from one location to another between machine operating cycles and initially changes this relationship. This system desirably embodies a pair of resiliently loaded individually pivoted lever arms positioned in engagement one with the other, one of the lever arms being pivotally mounted upon the means which supports the drum for rotation and for vibratory movements, and the second lever arm being pivotally supported by the stationary casing. The second lever arm is originally located in a zero or neutral indexed position that properly coordinates the correct reiative position between the balance fluid receiving collector segments and the deflector or pivoting nozzle controlling the balance fluid, and the one or first lever arm is rigidly locked or connected to the drum mounting means during vibratory movements of the drum caused by unbalanced loads therein. Vibratory movements of the mounting means causes corresponding movements of the first lever arm, and in turn pivotal movement of the second lever arm as driven by the first lever arm to permit the addition of counterbalancing fluid to a pocket or pockets which are generally diametrally opposed to the unbalanced load.

Further, in accordance with this invention, when counterbalancing has been accomplished or at the end of the extraction cycle the rigid connection between the first lever arm and the mounting means for the receptable is released, and the pivotal mountings provided, in combination with spring forces, restores the second lever arm to its original zero or indexed position. The laundry machine may be moved as desired, and :by the structure herein provided, the counterbalancing control means is automatically indexed with respect to the water balance pockets and their respective collector segments at the initiation of drum rotation.

It is accordingly an important aim of the present invention to provide improved counterbalance control means for a rotating receptacle.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a balancing system for a laundry apparatus wherein the laundry liquid may be effectively utilized as a balancing fluid.

Still another object of this invention lies in the provision of a balancing system for a rotatable receptacle provided with fluid receiving counterbalancing pockets thereon, and wherein there is provided means in control of the addition of fluid to the pockets to eflect counterbalancing, as well as means for automatically indexing the control means relative to the pockets prior to the initiation of the balancing operation to assure addition of the counterbalancing fluid to the proper pocket or pockets during counterbalancing of the receptable.

' A further object of the present invention is to provide an indexing or Zero locking system of the foregoing character, which has utility with balancing systems of various types, and which is constructed of a relatively few comparatively simple parts of high reliability.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, particularly when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is a rear elevational view of a laundry machine constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, with parts removed and with parts broken away to more fully illustrate one form of the control means and indexing means of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the control and indexing structure shown in FIGURE 1; and, with portions somewhat misaligned to more clearly show the operative relationship between the pivoting control members.

FIGURE 3 is a View similar to the right hand portion of FIGURE 2 but constituting a different embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line IV-IV of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown an illustrative structural organization for accomplishing the purposes of this invention. As appears, there is provided a laundry machine designated in its entirety by the numeral 10, and which may take the form of an automatic washer or combination Washer-dryer. The machine embodies therein a base plate or support structure 11 on which the complete external cabinet (not shown) is amounted. It is appreciated that the cabinet forms a complete enclosure and is therefore provided with the customary top wall and opposed side and end walls.

The machine 10 is maintained in a position elevated from a supporting surface S by leg means 12 connected to the support structure 11, and mounted on this structure is a casing 13 shown as having a rear wall 13a. As is customary in the art, the casing 13 is shaped along its lower portion to define therewithin a sump 13!) providing a reservoir for laundry fluid.

In order to support the operating mechanism herein exemplified as an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pylon support structure although any suitable support structure such as an A-frame or other basket or drum supporting means could be provided.

Fixedly secured to the support structure 11 is a pair of uprights 14 and 15 which may be formed at their lower ends with inwardly turned portions 14a and 15a to receive therethrough bolt means such as the legs 12 or to provide a weldable connection with the support structure. Connected at the upper or opposite ends of the uprights 14 and 15 is a generally horizontal member 16, which constitutes means mounting a drum or receptacle 17 on the supporting means 14 and 15 for rotative and vibratory movements relative to the support structure 11. The horizontal or pylon member 16 mounts bearing means (not shown) and receiving shaft means 13 for mounting the drum or cylinder 17. The shaft means 18 may be seen to have mounted thereon for corotation pulley means 19 about which is trained belt means 20 wrapping pulley means 21 supported on shaft means 22 of motor means 23. Of course, the motor means 23 may connect with a two or three speed transmission means (not shown) to provide the desired range of rotative speeds for the drum or cylinder 17 to accomplish tumbling, low spin speed and high spin speed.

Rotation of the drum 17 with an unbalanced load therein causes the pylon member 16 to vibrate in opposed horizontal directions as indicated by the arrows 24 thereon, and in the absence of the application of counterbalancing forces, such vibration may be sufficient to cause the machine 10 to actually walk upon the floor.

At a plurality of circumferentially spaced points on its periphery the drum or basket 17 is provided with recess means to accommodate mounting therein a liquid balancing receptacle, of which three are provided in the illustrative embodiment shown and designated therein by the numerals Z5a-c. Each balancing receptacle is of essentially identical construction, and as may be noted in connection with the receptacle 250, comprises a generally trough-shaped tray member having a pair of radially spaced imperforate walls 22' and 27, a pair of circumferentially spaced imperforate side walls 28 and 29, and opposed end walls (one only of which is shown and designated by the numeral 30). As will be apparent as the description proceeds, the end wall adjacent the front end of the drum 17 is imperforate, and the rear end wall 30 of each balancing receptacle is passaged at 31 for a purpose now to be described.

Mounted upon the rear wall 17a of the receptacle 17 is a fluid collector assembly generally designated by the numeral 32 and having an inner diameter 32d, and desirably provided by a generally U-shaped ring member divided at 33ac to provide three collector segments 3Zac extending through of are on the rear wall 17a of the drum 17. As was indicated, each fluid balancing pocket 250-0 communicates with its respective inlet segment 32a-c by a passage 31 in the end wall 30 of each receptacle.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 4 there is provided a pivoting fluid introduction control member 36 having an end portion 36b. Mounted firmly in end portion 36b and extending through the rear wall 13a of casing 13 with clearance is a nozzle assembly 35 having an outlet opening 35a. The outlet opening 35a is adjacent the collector segments 32a-c, and when a predetermined amplitude of vibration of the drum 17 and the pylon cross member 16 exists due to the high speed spinning of an unbalanced load or mass M in the drum 17, the control member 36 will pivot about pivot point 46 to allow the end portion 36b to lift the nozzle outlet opening 35:: above the inner diameter 32d to introduce balancing fluid into the proper collector segment or segments and thus into the proper balance pocket or pockets to counterbalance the unbalanced mass M and reduce or substantially eliminate the vibrations. It should be understood that whenever the vibrations are not great enough or are in the wrong direction, the fluid emanating from the nozzle outlet 35a during the extraction cycle will impinge against the outside wall of the collector segments below the inner diameter 32d and be directed back into the sump 11% from where a pump (not shown) will direct the fluid back to the nozzle assembly 35.

The embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 except that in the embodiment of FIGURE 3 the nozzle assembly 35 is mounted in a stationary position in the casing rear wall 13a. Also, the pivoting fluid introduction control member 36 with the oifset stream deflector end 360 extends through the rear wall 13a of the casing 13 with clearance space provided. In this embodiment the offset end portion 36c of the control member 36 does not carry a movable nozzle but instead serves to either deflect the fluid flow emanating from the nozzle opening back into the sump 13b or allow it to pass into the collector segments 32zz-c. The stationary nozzle opening 35 is targeted to deliver the balancing fluid to the collector segments 32ac when the fluid is not blocked by the deflector or stream interrupter end portion 360. Both embodiments respond identically to the amplitude of vibration of the drum 17 and pylon cross member 16.

In order that a pivoting deflector or pivoting nozzle fluid balancing system as above explained may be retained in proper adjustment even after the machine is moved within the home or in shipment, the improved zero locking or indexing means of this invention is provided. The loss of the proper adjustment prevents proper accomplishment of the balancing function. it has heretofore sometimes been required that the pivoting deflector or pivoting nozzle be adjusted upon original installation in the users home, and if the machine is then thereafter moved, as is not infrequent, an additional adjustment may be required. Since the indexing must be accomplished with preciseness, it is beyond the normal talents of the householder and necessitates the services of a trained technician Such problems are herein effectively eliminated by provision of a zero locking system embodying means inter connected between the mounting means 16 and the lever arm 36 for automatically indexing the nozzle outlet opening 35:: of FIGURES 1 and 2 and deflector end 360 of FIGURE 3 with respect to the balancing receptacles 25a-c to assure addition of the counterbalancing fluid to the proper receptacles or pockets 25 during counterbalancing of the drum or rece tacle 17.

The zero locking system of this invention is designated generally in the drawings by the legend L, and may be seen to comprise first lever means 40 pivotally connected at 41 to an integral dependent pylon portion 16a, and having an enlarged end portion 40a to be selectively-engaged by clamping portion 42:: (FIGURE 2) of locking means 42. The locking means may take various forms, and illustrative devices are an air cylinder or an electric solenoid, the latter upon energization causing travel of the plunger or clamping portion 42a into temporary releasable locking engagement, pressing the enlarged lever arm portion 40a firmly against the pylon portion 160.

The opposite end of the first lever means or indexing means 40 is shaped to provide a pawl portion 40b and supported by the pawl portion is pin means 43 engaged by pawl portion 36a formed on the control member 36. Engagement of the pawl portion 36a on the control member 36 with the pin means 43 on the first lever arm 4-9 is automatically accomplished by provision of spring means 45 connected adjacent the first lever pawl portion 40b and to rear wall 13a of the casing 13. The spring means 45 is sized and coiled to provide a relatively small spring force, sufficient only to effect an engagement between the member 40 and the control member 36 to take up the lost motion between pawl portions 36a and 40b, and insufficient for actual pivotal movement of the control member 36 by the member 40.

The control member 36 is pivotally mounted at 46 to the rear wall 13a of the casing 13, and this pivotal mounting may be accomplished by provision of the pin means more clearly illustrated in FIGURE 2, and similar pin means may effect the pivotal mounting of the lever arm 4-0 upon the pylon extension 16a.

As was indicated hereinabove, the control member 36 is permanently set or adjusted to a zero or indexed position at the factory or other desired site, and subsequent movements of the machine 19 do not necessitate a further manual adjustment. The means for this purpose may take the form of an adjustable stop or abutment member 48 screwed or otherwise adjustably attached at 49 to the casing rear wall 13a. The stop member 48 is slotted for vertical movement to effect an original factory adjustment,

and one configuration which the stop member can take includes a tab portion 48a engageable with one surface of the control member 36 and providing with the remaining body portion of the stop a ledge upon which the control member rests or abuts. It will be noted that stop member 48 is in effect rigidly connected to base plate 11 by means of its connection to casing wall 13a.

As shown in FIGURE 1, control member 36 is interconnected to the rear wall 13:: of the casing 13 by means of a spring 50. Spring 50 because of its size and mechanical advantage with respect to pivot pin 46 will readily overcome the force exerted by spring 45 and force control member 36 against the tab portion 48a of the adjustable stop member 48 whenever lever arm 40 is free to rotate about pivot pin 41.

After the machine has been completely assembled in the factory, the proper adjustment of the control member 36 with respect to the inner diameter 32d of the collector segments 32ac is made. This adjustment is made with the machine in its neutral or inoperative position by adjusting the stop member 48 vertically (While still in contact with control member 36) until the proper dimen sional relationship is established between the control member 36 and the inner diameter 32d of the collector ring 32 for controlling the flow of balancing fluid to these collector segments. This dimensional relationship is determined from test conditions and will allow balancing fluid to be introduced into collector ring 32 precisely at the correct amplitude of vibration of the drum 17 and its mounting means 16.

During actual operation of the machine it is necessary that the locking means 42 be energized only during the high speed extraction part of the cycle. Energization of the locking means 42 could conveniently coincide With the energization of the transmission clutch means that causes the drum 17 to be accelerated to high spin speed. It is preferable, however, that this locking be made when the machine is subject to no vibratory movement.

As mentioned earlier, prior to the energization of the locking means 4-2 the control member 36 will be biased by spring 59 against the stop member 48 and the lever member 40 is free to pivot about pivot pin 41. When locking means 42 is energized, it securely locks lever arm portion 40a against the dependent portion 16a of pylon cross member 16. Lever member 40 then becomes an integral part of pylon cross member 16.

Under normal conditions, there will be an unbalanced load or mass such as M in the drum. When this unbalanced load is spun at a high spin speed, it will cause the drum 17 and pylon cross member 16 to deflect or vibrate with respect to the support structure 11. With the drum rotating in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 1, the drum and pylon will begin to deflect or the left as shown in FIGURE 1 when the unbalanced load M passes the vertical centerline of the machine below the pylon cross member 16. This, of course, assumes that there is little or no angular phase difference between the unbalanced load and the deflection it produced.

As the pylon cross member 16 moves to the left, pin 43 of lever member 49 increases its pressure or force against portion 36a of control member 36. This action causes the control member 36 to pivot about pivot pin 46 against the force of spring 59. As the pylon member reaches a certain deflection in its movement to the left, the control member 36 will have pivoted upwardly enough whereby the interceptor portion 360 (FlGURE 3) of the control member 36 will no longer deflect the fluid emanating from the nozzle assembly 35 back into the sump 13b. As explained for the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, or in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 the pivoting nozzle mounted in end portion 36a of control member 36 will have pivoted upwardly enough to allow the fluid emanating from nozzle outlet 35a to pass over the collector segment inner diameter 32d. The fluid will then strike the back wall 17a of the drum 17 and enter the proper collector segment or segments from where it will enter the proper balance pocket or pockets to counterbalance the unbalanced load M.

As the unbalanced load crosses the horizontal centerline, deflection of the pylon cross member to the left will be at a maximum and the control member 36 will be in its uppermost position. As the unbalanced load M travels toward the upper portion of the vertical centerline, the pylon cross member moves to the right and the control member 36 moves downwardly. The control member 36 will again, for both embodiments, serve to divert the fluid flow from the collector segments back to the sump before the unbalanced mass M crosses the vertical centerline.

At the instant the unbalanced load M crosses the upper portion of the vertical centerline, control member 36 again comes in contact with the tab 48a of stop member 48. Whenever the unbalanced load M is to the right of the vertical centerline, the pylon cross member deflects to the right of this centerline but the control member 36 cannot pivot downwardly from its neutral position, thus pin 43 of lever member 40 moves away from portion 36a of the .cross member 36. Of course, the control member interceptor portion 36b, for both embodiments, will not allow fluid to enter the collector ring 32 whenever deflections of the pylon are to the right of the vertical centerline.

vWhen the pylon deflection is again to the left, the fluid balancing function will continue as explained. At the end of the extraction cycle, the locking means 42 again is deenergized and the lever arm 40 is free to rotate about the pivot 41.

The importance of this zero locking system can be appreciated by referring to the geometric relationship of the individual parts comprising the structure of FIGURE 1. As explained above, as the pylon cross member 16 moves or deflects to the left during the extraction cycle, the locked lever member 40 drives the end portion 36a of control member 36 about the pivot point 46. Because of the respective moment arms of the end portions 36a and 36b of control member 36 with respect to the pivot point as, the actual true horizontal deflections of the drum 17 and pylon cross member 16 as sensed by the end portion 36a are amplified to the extent that end portion 36b will move a much greater distance than end portion 36a. For a structure as shown in FIGURE 1 this ampification is desirably about 16 to 1. Thus, if pylon cross member 16 deflected .050 to the left of the vertical center-line, end portion 36b would pivot upwardly .800 to clearly allow balance fluid to pass into the collector segments.

If this machine did not incorporate the zero locking system and there was a solid connection between pylon cross member 16 and control member 36 and the machine were moved to a new position, it is possible that the cross member 16 would be shifted laterally slightly relative to base frame 11 if the machine was tilted from its original position. This would change the angular relationship between base frame 11 and the pylon assembly and would cause the resilient pylon and drum structure to move with respect to the casing 13. Although this movement would be very small, the solid connection between the pylon and the control member would amplify this movement 16 times such that in the new neutral position the ideal dimensional relationship between the end portion 36b of control member 36 and the inner diameter 32d of the collector segments would be destroyed. Thus, when the extraction cycle was initiated and the pylon deflected due to an unbalanced load in the drum 37, the end portion 36b would allow balance fluid to be introduced into the collector segments at the wrong time with the result that the balance system would either be less eflicient or completely inoperative. This condition would require a service call so that a proper adjustment could again be made.

The zero locking system of this invention eliminates this serious malfunction. Naturally, whenever the machine was to be moved the clamping or locking means 42 would not be energized, thus the control member 36 would be completely free from the pylon and drum assembly against the stop 48. When the machine was moved and the base plate or support structure assumed a different angular setting, the pylon and drum assembly would still move slightly relative to the casing 13, but in this case the inner diameter 32d of the collector segments would only move the same small amount relative to the end portion 361) of the control member and this small movement would not be amplified 16 times as in the former example.

In operation, when the machine is started in an extraction cycle, lever member 40 is locked against the pylon extension 16a. Since there is only a very slight dimensional change between the end portion 36b and the inner diameter 32d of the collector segments, the balance system will still operate as etliciently and properly as originally adjusted.

With the zero locking system of this invention, the control member 36 will always return to its neutral or proper adjustment position at the end of each extraction cycle and will be in its proper position at the beginning of the next extraction cycle regardless of whether or not the machine had been moved between cycles.

The deflector or control member 36 may be provided with an elongated slot in the deflector portion 36b to which the counterbalancing fluid is discharged, and as well, the deflector portion 36b could receive therethrough the nozzle assembly 35 so that when counterbalancing is not being accomplish-ed, the nozzle opening 35a will be directed away from the inlet segments and generally in the direction of the sump. These and other modifications can of course be effected without departing from the novel concepts of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for counterbalancing a rotatable receptacle comprising, a stationary supporting means, means mounting said receptacle on said stationary supporting means for rotative and vibratory movements relative thereto, means for rotating the receptacle, a plurality of fluid receiving pockets mounted on said receptacle for receiving counterbalancing fluid in response to vibratory movements of said receptacle, control means including a movable member controlling the addition of fluid to said pockets to effect the counterbalancing of said receptacle during rotation of unbalanced loads within said receptacle, and means including a releasable locking device for automatically locking said movable member of said control means in coordinated relationship with respect to said pockets and relative to said stationary supporting means prior to said rotation to assure addition of said counterbalancing fluid to the proper pockets during the counterbalancing of said receptacle.

2. Apparatus for counterbalancing a rotatable receptacle comprising, a stationary supporting means, means mounting said receptacle on said stationary supporting means for rot-ative and vibratory movements relative thereto, means for rotating the receptacle, a plurality of fluid receiving pockets mounted on said receptacle for receiving counterbalancing fluid in response to vibratory movements of said receptacle, means for directing fluid into said pockets to effect a counterbalancing of unbalanced loads in said receptacle, movable control means controlling the addition of fluid to said pockets from said directing means, and means including a releasable locking device between said mounting means and said control means for automatically locking said movable control means in coordinated relationship between said directing means and said mounting means prior to the initiation of centrifuging operations to assure addition of said counterbalancing fluid to the proper pockets during the counterbalancing of said receptacle.

3. Apparatus for counterbalancing a rotatable receptacle comprising, a stationary supporting means, casing means mounted on said supporting means, means mounting said receptacle for rotation within said casing and for vibratory movement relative to said supporting means, means for rotating the receptacle, a plurality of fluid receiving pockets mounted on said receptacle for receiving counterbalancing fluid in response to vibratory movements of said receptacle, control means including a deflectable member pivotally mounted on said casing controlling the addition of fluid to said pockets to effect the counterbalancing of said receptacle during rotation of unbalanced loads within said receptacle, and indexing means including releasable locking device means mounted on said mounting means and connected to said control means for automatically coordinating the correct relative position of said deflectable member with respect to said pockets and relative to said casing prior to the initiation of said rotation to assure addition of said counterbalancing fluid to the proper pockets during the counterbalancing of said receptacle.

4. Counterbalancing apparatus of the character defined in claim 3, in which said control means and indexing means each includes a lever biased into engagement with the other lever with the levers eflecting movement of the control means by relative movement between the mounting means and the casing means.

5. Apparatus for counterbalancing a rotatable receptacle comprising, a stationary supporting means, casing means mounted on said supporting means, means mounting said receptacle for rotation Within said casing and for vibratory movement relative to said supporting means, means for rotating the receptacle, a plurality of fluid receiving pockets mounted on said receptacle for receiving c-ounterbalancing fluid in response to vibratory movements of said receptacle, indexing means including a first lever member pivotally supported by said mounting means and movable therewith during vibratory movements of said receptacle and a second lever member pivotally mounted by said casing and connected to said first lever member for controlling the addition of fluid to said pockets to effect the counterbalancing of said receptacle during rotation of unbalanced loads within said receptacle, said indexing means further including a stop member and means biasin said second lever toward said stop member and being eflective to index said second lever with respect to said pockets prior to the initiation of said rotation to assure addition of said counterbalancing fluid to the proper pockets during the counterbalancing of said receptacle, and fluid introduction means controlled by the second lever member for introducing counterbalancing fluid to said pockets.

5. Apparatus for counterbalancing a rotatable receptacle comprising, a stationary supporting means adapted to be supported on a supporting surface, means mounting said receptacle on said stationary supporting means for rotative and vibratory movements relative thereto, means for rotating the receptacle, a plurality of fluid receiving pockets mounted on said receptacle for receiving counterbalancing fluid in response to vibratory movements of said receptacle, control means including a nozzle member and a deflector member positioned between said nozzle member and said fluid receiving pockets and movable relative to said nozzle member to control the addition of fluid to said pockets to eflect the counterbalancing of said receptacle during rotation of unbalanced loads within said receptacle, and indexing means including releasable locking device means interconnected between said mounting means and said deflector member for automatically compensating for movements of said deflector member away from a zero locked position relative to the stationary supporting means as caused by bodily movement of said supporting means relative to its supporting surface to assure addition of said counterbalancing fluid to the proper pockets during the counterbalancing of said receptacle.

7. Apparatus for counterbalancing a rotatable receptacle comprising, a stationary supporting means, a casing positioned on said supporting means, means mounting said receptacle for rotation within said casing and for vibratory movement relative to said supporting means, means for rotating said receptacle, a plurality of fluid receiving pockets mounted on said receptacle for receiving counterbalancing fluid in response to vibratory move ments of said receptacle, means for directing fluid into said pockets to eflect a counterbalancing of unbalanced loads in said receptacle, deflector means pivotally supported by said casing and movable with respect to said directing means to control the addition of fluid to said pockets, limiting means for indexing the position of said deflector means relative to said receptacle, lever means pivotally mounted by said mounting means and engageable with said deflector means, and locking means operable when counterbalancing is being effected to lock said lever means to said mounting means whereby vibratory movements of said mounting means are transmitted to said deflector means to pivot said deflector means into and out of blocking relation with respect to said directing means, said limiting means being cooperable with said lever means to automatically index said deflector means with respect to said pockets prior to the initiation of said rotation to assure addition of said counterbalancing fluid to the proper pockets during the counterbalancing of said receptacle.

8. Counterbalancing apparatus of the character defined in claim 7, in which resilient means urge said lever means into continuous engagement with said deflector means to take up any existing lost motion between said lever means and said deflector means, and resilient means urge said deflector means against said limiting means.

9. Counterbalancing apparatus of the character defined in claim 7, in which said deflector means is provided with a pawl surface at one end thereof, and in which said lever means mounts pin means engaged by said pawl surface.

ill. Apparatus for counterbalancing a rotatable receptacle comprising, a stationary supporting means adapted to be supported on a supporting surface, means mounting said receptacle on said stationary supporting means for rotative and vibratory movements relative thereto, means for rotating said receptacle, a plurality of fluid receiving pockets mounted on said receptacle for receivin counterbalancin g fluid in response to vibratory movements of said receptacle, control means including a pivoting lever member having a nozzle mounted thereon adjacent said receptacle controlling the addition of fluid to said pockets to effect the counterbalancing of said receptacle during the rotation of unbalance-d loads Within said receptacle, and indexing means including locking means and lever means re'leasa'bly held by the locking means and having means urgin the lever means into engagement with the pivoting lever member of the control means in a release condition of the locking means between said mounting means and said control means for automatically compensating for movements of said control member as caused by bodily movement of said supporting means relative to its supporting surface to assure addition of said counter alancing fluid to the proper pockets during the counterbalancing of said receptacle.

11. Apparatus for counterbalancing a rotatable receptacle comprising, a stationary supporting means, casing means mounted on said supporting means, means mounting said receptacle for rotation Within said casing and for vibratory movement relative to said supporting means, means for rotating the receptacle, a plurality of fluid receiving pockets mounted on said receptacle for receiving counterbalancing fluid in response to vibratory movements of said receptacle, means for introducing counterbalancing fluid into said pockets, a control member pivotally mounted on said casing and controlling the flow of counterbalancing fluid to said fluid receiving pockets in response to vibratory movements of said mounting means,

1 1 1 2 a lever member pivotally mounted on said mounting References Cited by the Examiner means and in contacting relationship to said control mem- UNITED STATES PATENTS ber locking means on said mounting means enga 'eable 2,534,269 12/1950 Kahn et a1. 2l0-144 X with and controlling the pivotal movement of said lever 2,717,698 9/1955 Armstrong 21O 363 X member, means urging the lever member on the mount- 5 2760 383 8/1956 Dc M 088 X ing means into contact with the control member, limiting 9 1 3/1963 Scott et means adjacent said control member, and resilient means forcibly positioning said control member against said REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examine)- limiting means whenever said lever member is not con- HARRY B. THORNTON, HERBERT L. MARTIN, trolling the pivotal movement of said control member. Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR COUNTERBALANCING A ROTATABLE RECEPTACLE COMPRISING, A STATIONARY SUPPORTING MEANS, MEANS MOUNTING SAID RECEPTACLE ON SAID STATIONARY SUPPORTING MEANS FOR ROTATIVE AND VIBRATORY MOVEMENTS RELATIVE THERETO, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE RECEPTACLE, A PLURALITY OF FLUID RECEIVINGK POCKETS MOUNTED ON SAID RECEPTACLE FOR RECEIVING COUNTERBALANCING FLUID IN RESPONSE TO VIBRATORY MOVEMENTS OF SAID RECEPTACLE, CONTROL MEANS INCLUDING A MOVABLE MEMBER CONTROLLING THE ADDITION OF FLUID TO SAID POCKETS TO EFFECT THE COUNTERBALANCING OF SAID RECEPTACLE DURING ROTATION OF UNBALANCED LOADS WITHIN SAID RECEPTACLE, AND MEANS INCLUDING A RELEASABLE LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING SAID MOVABLE MEMBER OF SAID CONTROL MEANS IN COORDINATED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID POCKETS AND RELATIVE TO SAID STATIONARY SUPPORTING MEANS PRIOR TO SAID ROTATION TO ASSURE ADDITION OF SAID COUNTERBALANCING FLUID TO THE PROPER POCKETS DURING THE COUNTERBALANCING OF SAID RECEPTACLE.

Images