US3335584A

US3335584A - Clothes washer fluid distributing and filling device

Info

Publication number: US3335584A
Application number: US527567A
Authority: US
Inventors: John A Urban
Original assignee: American Motors Corp
Current assignee: American Motors Corp
Priority date: 1966-02-15
Filing date: 1966-02-15
Publication date: 1967-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-15

Description

Aug. 15, 1967 1 A URBAN 3,335,584

CLOTHES WASHER FLUID DISTRIBUTING AND FILLING DEVICE 1 N VE N TOR. Ja/w1 4. MPa/m J. A. URBAN 3,335,584 CLOTHES WASHE FLUID DISTRIBUTING AND FILLING DEVICE Aug. 15, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l5, 1966 Y N mw e X am. o M m M m wm o mm m B m k\\ ww. N /f O .1 4 v Q w a Q JM vm um United States PatentI 3,335,584 CLOTHES WASHER FLUID DISTRIBUTING AND FILLING DEVICE John A. Urban, Livonia, Mich., assignor to American Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Maryland Filed Feb. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 527,567 11 Claims. (Cl. 68--207) The present invention pertains to a clothes Washing machine and more particularly to a fluid distributing and filling `device for the admittance of cleaning fluid into the machine.

In present day clothes washing machines the wash water is admitted from a spout to flow as a single stream into a basket containing articles of clothing to be cleaned. Being a single stream from the spout, usually, it will strike one area and a-ll articles of clothing Within this area Will become wet and be submerged. However, the articles of clothing outside this area generally have the tendency to trap pockets of air and to float above the rising fluid. Consequently, -upon the start of the agitation period the floating articles are beaten by the agitator while in a dry condition and until the trapped air is released and they can submerge. This is a very undesirable condition in that clothing not thoroughly wetted can be easily torn or shredded by the agitator.

Another undesirable feature in filling a wash basket by a single flowing stream is that such a stream is generally under sufficient pressure that it tends, when striking an object, such as the agitator, to cause splashing and misting. Misting is ineffectual in providing an immediate wetting of the clothing as is desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid distributing and filling arrangement which Will thoroughly wet articles of clothing in all areas of the wash basket so that the clothing will be submerged in the cleaning fluid at the start of the agitation period.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a distributing and filling arrangement wherein the cleaning fluid is admitted through a plurality of small streams arranged adjacent an d about the circumference of the wash basket.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lling arrangement for a wash basket wherein the cleaning fluid is admitted in a plurality of flowing streams arranged about the basket whereby each stream is directed upon the articles to be washed without striking either the sides of the basket'or the agitator whether the basket or agitator are stationary or in movement.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a distributing arrangement comprising an endless channel for receiving cleaning iluid and having a plurality of outlet ports for directing a plurality of streams into a wash basket whereby the outlet ports are arranged and sized so that the iluid will be equally distributed to all parts of the channel providing an equal or like flow from each outlet port.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid distributing channel arranged in a housing that can readily be attached as a cover for an outer tub encasing the wash basket, serve as a barrier for the wash basket to prevent articles of clothing passing out of the wash basket, serve to catch cleaning huid splashed from the basket during the movement of the agitator and returning it to the outer tub, and said channel having outlets for directing the flow therefrom into the basket without effecting splashing or misting of the fluid.

The above and other objects of the invention will Iappear more clearly from the following more detailed deseription of the invention and from the drawing wherein:

3,335,584 Patented Aug. 15, 1967 ICC FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a clothes washing machine embodying the distributing and iilling arrangement for admittance of the cleaning uid into the wash basket;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along .line 2--2 of FIGURE 1 with parts broken away and parts shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3` of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken alone line 6-6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 2 with parts broken away and parts shown in section.

Shown in the drawing is a clothes washing machine 20 having an imperforate stationary tub 22 within which is positioned a perforated basket 24. The tub 22 is attached to and supported by a housing 26 enclosing a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism (not shown) supports and drives the basket 24 in rotational movement during certain periods and the agitator 30 within the basket 24 during other periods. The housing 26 is suitably supported upon a base (not shown) forming a part of cabinet 32 that encases the tub, basket and operating mechanism. The mechanism may be any well known type.

The cabinet 32 includes a top Wall 34 having an access opening 36 for entry into the basket 24 through which is inserted articles of clothing to be washed, and after washing removed therethrough. The opening 36 is closed by a suitably hinged cover 38.

The stationary tub 22 is formed with an open top having a collar 42 extending upwardly and preferably with a slight taper outwardly. The collar is also formed at a point along its axial length with a circumferentially extended shoulder 44. Adapted to be wedged downwardly into the collar 42 until it rests on the shoulder 44 is my iluid distributing device 50.

The device 50` comprises a horizontally positioned annular ring member 52 having a circumferentially extended vertical flange 54 for engagement with the collar 42 and upon the shoulder 44 and is held in securement therewith by an inverted U-shaped clip 56. The clip 56 is formed with a tab 57 adapted to engage the underside of the shoulder 44 which prevents upward lifting or removal of the device 50 from the outer tub.

T-he ring member 52 extends across and over the rim 60 of the basket 24 with an incline sloped downwardly towards and into the opening 62 of the basket. The member 52 is formed with a trough or channel 64 that extends circumferentially about and within the opening 62. A side 65 of the trough extends upwardly to forrrl an access opening 66 that is aligned with the opening 36 for access into the basket. The trough or channel is closed by a cover plate 67 which connects from the terminated end of the side 65 to the ring member 52 to form an inclined top wall .to direct splashed uids from the basket to d-rain towards the member 52` from which it passes through openings 68 into the tub 22. The openings 68 are spaced circumferentially about the ring 52 adjacent the cover plate 67 and each opening is formed with a detlector 69` arranged to permit fluid to drain into thettub but prevent fluid from splashing outwardly through the openings 68.

To Iadmit lluid into the channel 64 the member 52 is formed with vertical walls that cooperatively form with the cover plate 67 an inlet chamber 70 and connecting passages 72, 74` that interconnect chamber 70 with the channel 64. The passages 72, 74 are divided by a partitioned Wall 75 :formed with arcuate extensions 76, 77 to direct the Huid to course in opposite directions about t-he endless circumferential channel 64. The extension 76 directs the flow to enter tangentially the channel 64 from the passage 72 and continue in the channel in a counterclockwise direction, while the extension 77 will direct the flow in `an opposed direction in the channel 64, that is, clockwise as it enters from the passage 74. Both flows terminate at a diametrically opposed point from their entry into the channel.

Cleaning fluid is conducted from a suitable source of supply through a hose or conduit 80 that connects to a vacuum breaker 82 which in turn is connected by a hose or conduit 84 to the inlet chamber 70. The vacuum breaker 82 comprises a cup shaped receptacle 83 to receive the ow across an yair gap from the outlet of the conduit 80, being deflected into the cup by an arcuate wall85.

The channel or trough 64 is provided with a plurality of spaced about outlet openings 90. As stated, the trough 64 is positioned within the opening 62 of the basket 24 and in this position the outlet openings 90 are in communication to direct a gravity flow into the basket. The openings 90 yare spaced about the channel and are progressively sized. The smallest sized opening is adjacent the point of the flows entry into the channel. In the present illustration the extensions 76, 77 are each terminated a spatial distance from the side wall 65 of the trough 64 to form an open pocket 92 into which the uid may flow from both passages 72, 74, It is in this pocket that the smallest opening 93 is formed and progressing in opposite direction from this opening 93, in the direction of each ow, the openings progressively increase in size until reaching the opening 94 which is diametrically opposite the opening 93. Each opening is formed in the bottom wall 95 of the channel' and extends a distance upwardly on the side wall 65. Each opening has the same width, that is, in the direction of the flow. The progressive changes in size mentioned are elTected by increasing progressively the height of each opening from the opening 93 to the opening 94 as graphically indicated by the openings 96, 97, 98, 99 shown in FIGURE 3.

The openings 90 are so arranged and sized that substantially the same flow will be had from each opening entering the basket. The smaller openings adjacent the ows entrance from the passageways 72, 74 will, because of the greater pressure of the iiuid in this area, provide a flow substantially equal to the flow exiting through the larger openings at the farthest point downstream where the pressure is less. Substantially each flow is approximately equal and by the circular arrangement of the outlets there is a uniform wetting of the articles of clothing in all parts of the basket. Further, as the iluid is made to ow as a plurality of small streams splashing, misting within the basket is reduced to a minimum.

Adjacent the downstream side of each opening 90 is a respective baffle 110. The baiiles 110 are preferably molded integral wit-h the walls of the channel to protrude into the channel 64 so as to disturb the flow at each opening to provide -a distribution of the flow to each opening 90.

VThe cover plate 67 is secured to the member 52 by studs 115. The studs 115 are preferably molded integrally with the member 52 and are adapted to receive a respective ange 117 of the cover. As the cover is set on the studs a heating tool 118 is applied upon the end of the stud to reduce the stud to a semi-fluid condition and reshape it into a rivet head 119 upon the ange 117.

Although a specific embodiment o-f this invention has been shown and disclosed, it will be appreciated that to those skilled in the art various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A washing machine having a basket for receiving cleaning uid and articles of clothing to be processed in said cleaning fluid and improved means for admitting said cleaning fluid into said basket, comprising;

a trough extending peripherally about and within an upper section of said basket;

cleaning fluid supply means being connected to said trough providing at least one point of fluid entry into said trough;

a plurality of outlet openings in said trough for directing the flow from said trough into said basket, and

each of said outlet openings being arranged in relation to its downstream location from the point of the fluid entry to provide substantially an equal flowing stream yfrom each of said openings.

2. The improvement in the washing machine of claim 1,

said outlet openings being each progressively sized in relation to their downstream locations from the point of the fluid entry and providing substantially an equal iiowing stream into said basket.

3. The improvement in the washing machine of claim 1,

bafe means arranged adjacent each of said outlet openings on the upstream side of the opening to control the iiow distribution thereinto.

4. The improvement in the washing machine of claim 2,

a cabinet enclosing said basket,

an access opening for said basket,

means being supported by said cabinet and supporting said trough.

5. A washing machine having a basket for receiving cleaning fluid and articles of clothing to be processed in said cleaning uid and improved means for `admitting said cleaning fluid into said basket, comprising;

an annular member extending peripherally about Within an upper portion of said basket and having a passageway extending therear-ound,

cleaning Huid supply means being connected for supplying fluid to circulate in at least one direction through said passageway;

a plurality of outlet openings communicating with said passageway and being arranged in said annular mernber to direct a plurality of flows therefrom into said basket directly upon the articles of clothing within said basket, and baille means arranged adjacent each of said outlet openings on the upstream side of the openings to control the iiow distribution thereinto.

6. The improvement in the washing machine outlined in claim 5,

deecting means associated with said cleaning iiuid supply means to divide and deflect the flow entering said passageway to provide opposed circulation therearound,

7. A washing machine having ran imperforate stationary tub and a perforated basket adapted for movement within said tub, said tub and basket being supported on a vertical axis, said tub and basket each being open ended at the top thereof;

and the improvement in said washing machine comprising;

an annular member secured to the open end of said tub,

said `annu'lar member extending in width over the edge of said basket `and having a trough formed and extending peripherally about and within the open end of said basket;

cleaning fluid supply means being connected to supply fluid into and for circulation about said trough,

said trough having a plurality of outlet openings to direct -a liow from each opening into said basket,

said outlet openings being progressively sized in relation to their distance downstream from said iluid supply means entry into said trough.

8. The improvement in the Washing machine outlined in claim 7,

battle means adjacent each of said outlet openings being on the downstream side of the opening. 9. The improvement in the washing machine outlined in claim 7,

a cover member for enclosing said trough; said cover member being shaped to direct cleaning lluid splashed thereon to ow therefrom onto the surface of said annular member, yand such annular member having a plurality of openings for draining the fluid from its surface into the tub. 10. The improvement in the washing machine outlined in claim 7,

in claim 8,

said outlet openings being progressively larger as their downstream position increases in said trough.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Loweke 68-207 X Zimarik 68-207 X Geldhof 68-207 X deflecting means associated with said trough to deflect 15 WILLIAM I- PRICE, Pl'l'mm Examiner#

Claims

1. A WASHING MACHINE HAVING A BASKET FOR RECEIVING CLEANING FLUID AND ARTICLES OF CLOTHING TO BE PROCESSED IN SAID CLEANING FLUID AND IMPROVED MEANS FOR ADMITTING SAID CLEANING FLUID INTO SAID BASKET, COMPRISING; A TROUGH EXTENDING PERIPHERALLY ABOUT AND WITHIN AN UPPER SECTION OF SAID BASKET; CLEANING FLUID SUPPLY MEANS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID TROUGH PROVIDING AT LEAST ONE POINT OF FLUID ENTRY INTO SAID TROUGH; A PLURALITY OF OUTLET OPENINGS IN SAID TROUGH FOR DIRECTING THE FLOW FROM SAID TROUGH INTO SAID BASKET, AND EACH OF SAID OUTLET OPENINGS BEING ARRANGED IN RELATION TO ITS DOWNSTREAM LOCATION FROM THE POINT OF THE FLUID ENTRY TO PROVIDE SUBSTANTIALLY AN EQUAL FLOWING STREAM FROM EACH OF SAID OPENINGS.