USRE18010E

USRE18010E - By the johnson

Info

Publication number: USRE18010E
Authority: US
Publication date: 1931-03-24

Description

March 24, 1931. B SCHUYLER Re. 18,010

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES Original Filed Nov. 1, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 23 C V 0 2a 5 J /-Z I, I PM March 24, 1931. F. B. SCHUYLER DRIVING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES Original Filed Nov. 1, 1926 2 SheetsSheet 2 Reisaued Mar. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK B. SCHUYLER, DECEASED, LATE OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, BY THE JOHNSON WASHER COMPANY, ASSIGNEE, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, AND CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE JOHNSON WASHER COMPANY, A COR- PORATION 01'! CALIFORNIA DRIVING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES Original No. 1,742,616, dated January 7, 1930, Serial No. 145,535, filed November 1, 1926. Renewed June 20, 1928. Application for reissue filed May 17, 1930. Serial No. 453,427.

This invention relates to clothes washing machines of the impeller type and especially to a driving mechanism whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the im- 5 peller. I

The object of the presentinvention is to generall improve and simplify the construction an operation of washing machines of the impeller type and to provide an impeller type of washer which will ermit proper and efficient handling of all viding means whereby the velocity of the water and movement of the clothes may be .15 regulated so that injury or excess wear on the fabric is prevented.

The invention more specifically stated,

' embodies in combination with an impeller and its driving shaft, gearing connections of simple nature whereby the amplitude of oscillation of the impeller may be varied while maintaining its frequency substantially constant; the result being that-the peripheral velocity of the impeller may be increased or its speed as indicated by the number of strokes per minute.

One form which the invention may assume is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

F1 re 1 is a central vertical section of the washing machine.

FigureQ is a horizontal the line IIII of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the notched segment 20 and theoperating lever 19.

Referring to the drawings, in detail and particularly to Figures'l and 2, A indicates a tub of suitable construction, B a frame su porting the same, C an impeller, D the drivin shaft whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the impeller and E indicates, in eneral, a driving mechanism whereby the riving shaft and the impeller are actuated. The tub is, in this instance, centrally perforated to receive 'a bearing tube 2 and a bearing bracket 3, the tube and the bracket being connected by a threaded connection, as indicated at 4. This connec- 50 tion secures the members with relation to section taken on abrics or clothes from the coarsest to the most delicate by protherewith. The

decreased substantially Without change in type of connection is of'further importance as it permits endwise movement of the impeller when drying out the tub, cleaning the same or otherwise.

The driving mechanism generally indicated at E is enclosed in a housing consisting of a base section 7 and a cover section 8, the

cover section being, in this instance, a part of the bearing bracket 3, as it is formed integral I driving shaft extends through the housing section 8 and it is j'our-, naled therein, as at 9. It also extends downwardly into the housing section 7 and the lower end is journaled in a bearing member 10.

' Keyed or otherwise secured on the driving shaft intermediate the bearing members 9 and 10 is a gear pinion 11 and pivotally mounted as at 12 in a lateral extension of the housing indicated at 13, is a rocker arm 14 and formed on the swinging end of the rocker arm are a pair of reciprocable driving gears or segmental racks 15 and 16 of unequal radius and hence of different linear speed and mechanical advantage. These racks are disposed on opposite sides of the gear pinion 11 and in the same plane and means are provided whereby either rack may be moved into mesh with the pinion. This is accomplished, as follows Extending down one side of the tub is a shaft 17. The lower end of this'shaft extends through the housing sections 7 and 8 and is journaled therein, as indicated at 18. Secured on the shaft intermediate the bearing members is an excentric 12. This excentric forms a. pivotal support for the rocker arm 14, previously referred to. The upper end of the shaft is provided with an operatspeed or velocity of the impeller will ing lever 19 which is adapted to be swung over a notched segment 20. The lever serves the function of rotating the shaft 17 and the excentric 12 secured on the lower end thereof and it may berotated through an arc of 180. The segment in the upper end of this shaft is provided with three notches. The operating lever engages the notch 21 when the excentric assumes the position shown in Figure 2. It engages the opposite notch 22 when the excentric is rotated 180 and it engages the intermediate notch 23 when a neutral position is to be assumed, as will hereinafter be described.

Endwise movement is imparted, to the rocker arm 14 and the gear racks '15 and 16 carried thereby during rotary movement of the excentric. \Vhen the excentric assumes the position shown in Figure 2, the gear rack 16 will intermesh with the pinion 11. \Vhen the excentric is turned 180, endwise movement is imparted to the rocker arm causing the gear segment 15 to move into engagement with the pinion-and when the excentric assumes an intermediate position, neither rack will engage the pinion and the neutral position referred to IS, accordingly, resumed.

An oscillating movement is imparted to the rocker arm and the gear racks carried thereby, when the washing machine is in operation and this movement is transmitted as follows J ournaled in one end of the housing menibers 7 and 8 is a shaft 25. Secured on the shaft is a worm gear 26 and carried by the worm gear is a crank pin 27. Similarly mounted on the rocker arm 14 is a crank pin 28 and connecting the

pins

27 and 28 is a connecting rod 29. Journaled in one side of the housing is a primary driving shaft 30. Secured thereon andmeshing with the worm gear 26 is a worm pinion 31. The primary driving shaft is connected in any suitable manner with an electric motor or the like indicated at 32. Hence, when the motor is in operation, the shaft 30 will be rotated and this rotary movement will be transmitted through the gears 26 and 31 to oscillate the rocker arm 14 through means of the

pins

27 and 28 and the connecting rod 29.

If the gear racks assume a neutral position, no movement will be transmitted to the pinion, but if either rack is moved into mesh, within the pinion. an oscillating movement will be transmitted to the inion, the driving shaft and the impeller and the washing ma'- chine will be in operation. The peripileral least when engagement is made with the gear rack 16 and will be considerably increased when the pinion meshes with the gear rack 15. Eflicient handling of all fabrics or clothes from the coarsest to the most, delicate is thereby taken care of, as the .velocit of the water andthe movement of the clot es may the 1 racks carried thereb another of the rack ars'into mesh with the constant attention and lubricating troubles.

Leakage of water from the hub is prevented, removal of the impeller is permitted and ready control is maintained at all times, as the speed of the impeller is regulated by the controlling'lever. which may be swung from one notch to another as the operator. may desire.

While certain features of the present in vention are more or less specifically described, it should be understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly that various materials and finishes of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide or varying conditions or -uses may demand.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is':

1. In a washing-machine, a driving shaft, an impeller on the "shaft, a gear pinion on the shaft, a pair of rack barsvone on each side of the pinion, means whereby an endwise movement back and forth is transmitted to the rack bars, and means whereby either rack bar may be moved into or out of mesh with the pinion.

2. In a washing machine, a driving shaft,

an impeller on the shaft, a gear pinion on the shaft. a pair of rack bars. one on each side of the pinion. means whereby an endwise movement back and forth is transmitted to the rack bars, and a' single actuating member whereby either rack bar maybe moved into mesh with the pinion or maintained out of engagement therewith.

3. In a washing machine, a driving shaft, an impeller on the shaft. a gear pinion secured to the shaft, a rocker arm, a pivotal support for one end of the arm, a pair of gear racks on the swinging end of the arm and disposed one on each side of the gear inion, means whereby either rack bar may moved into or out of mesh with the gear pinion, and means for transmitting an oscillating movement to the rocker arm and the gear racks.

4., In a washing machine, a driving shaft, :"lan impeller; on the shaft. a gear pinion se- =cure'd to the shaft, a rocker arm, a pivotal support for one end of the'arm, a air of gear racks on the swinging end of t e arm and disposed one on each side of the gear pinion, means whereby an endwise movement is impartedc'to the rocker arm and the gear so as to move one or the gear racks.

5. In a Washing machine, a driving shaft, an impeller on the shaft, 2.- gear pinion secured on the shaft, a rocker arm, an excentric member forming a pivotal support for one end of the arm, a pair of gear racks mounted on the swingin end of the arm and disposed one on each si e of the gear pinion, means for rotating the excentric so as to impart an endwise movement to the rocker arm, and thereby bringing one or another of ciprocatin the gear racks into mesh with the gear pinion, and means for transmitting an oscillating movement to the rocker arm and the gear racks.

6. In a washing machine, a driving shaft, an impeller on the shaft, :1 gear pinion se cured on the shaft, a rocker arm, an expentric member forming a pivotal support for one end of the arm, a pair of gear racks mounted on the swinging end of the arm and disposed one on each side of the gear pinion, means forrotatin-g the excentric so as to impartan endwise movement to the rocker arm and thereby bring one or another of the gear racks into mesh withthe gear pinion, means for securing the excentric against movement when one or another of the gear racks is moved into mesh, and means for transmitting an oscillating movement to the rocker arm and the gear racks.

r 7. In a washing machine, a driving shaft, an impeller on the shaft, a plurality of re ciprocating driving membersadapted to oscillate the shaft at different speeds and means for selecting and connecting any one of the driving members with the shaft and for maintaining the other driving member out of engagement with the shaft.

8. In a washing machine, a driving shaft, an impeller on the shaft, a plurality of redriving I members adapted to oscillate t e shaft at different speeds and means for selecting and connecting any one of the driving members with the shaft and for. maintainlngthe other driving member out of engagement with the shaft, said means also adapted to maintain all the driving members out of en agement with the shaft.

9. In a was ing machine a driving shaft, an impeller on the shaft, 3, gear vpinion on the shaft, a plurality of rack bars, means whereby an endwise movement back and forth is transmitted to the rack bars, and means whereby one of the rack bars may be moved into or out of engagement with the pinion, said means also adapted to maintain all of the rack bars out of engagement with the pinion.

10. In a washing machine a driving shaft, an impeller on the shaft, a gear pinion secured on the shaft, a rocker arm, an eccentric member forming a pivotal support for one end of the arm, a pair of gear racks mounted on the swinging end of the arm, and disposed one on each side of the gear pinion, means for rotating the eccentric so as to impart an endwise movement to the rocker arm and thereby bring one or the other of the gear racks into mesh with the gear pinion, means for securing the eccentric against movement when one or another of the'gear racks is moved into mesh with the pinion, or when both racks are out of mesh and means for transmitting an oscillating movement to the rocker arm and the gear racks.

11L In a washing machine the combination with a tub, of a vertical shaft movablymounted therein and an agitating member; a rotatable constant-speed driving mechanism underneath the tub; a plurality of selectively usable driving gear connections of dissimilar mechanical advantage between the driving mechanism and the vertical shaft adaptwith a tub, of a vertical shaft traversing the bottom thereof, an agitating member secured to said shaft inside the tub, a. plurality of reciprocating-driving gears movablesimultaneously at different speeds and equal frequencies adapted to oscillate said shaft selectively, means for operating said driving-members at a uniform frequency, and means for connecting any one of the driving-members to said shaft selectively in operating relation.

13. In a washing machine the combination with a tub, and a. reciprocating agitating member therein of a driving element operated at substantially constant speed and means for operatively connecting said driving element to said agitating member. said means including selectively usable toothed elements of dissimilar radius for imparting to said agitating member dissimilar amplitudes of reciprocation with a substantially fixed frequency.

14. In a washing machine. the combination with a tub, of an oscillatable agitating eleadapted to impart to said rack element a motion of uniform oscillation. said rack element having plural sets of driving teeth located at unequal distances from its pivot,

cooperating toothed means coaxial with said shaft, and means for'connecting' said rack element to said shaft b 'way of either of said sets of driving teeth, selectively, soas to impart to said a 'tating element any one of a plurality of issimilar amplitudes of oscillation.

15. In a washing machine, an oscillatable agitating element, a-driving element operating at uniform speed, and movement transmitting means comprising mechanism for connecting said driving element to and disconnectin it from said washing element, and inclu 'n selectively operable gear members adapte said oscillating element any one of a plurality of amplitudes while retaining the frequency of such oscillations substantially the same, in combination with manually operable devices accessible during the washing operation to eflect the connecting an selecting movements of said mechanism.

16. In a washing machine, an agitator, a driving mechanism therefor including a rotary reciprocating member having a plurality of sets of teeth arranged in arcs of unequal radii and means for connecting said member to said agitator through any one of said sets of teeth selectively for actuating the agitator at different speeds.

17. In a washin machine, a motor, an agitator, and drivin means of different speeds for actuating t e agitator, including a duplex gear sector operatively connected to said motor, and means for connecting either of said sector agitator.

18. In a washing machine, an agitator, a multiple speed drlvemechanism including a duplex reciprocating gear sector, a motor for reciprocating said gear sector and means to connect said sector to said agitator through either of-its sets of teeth for ac'tuating'the agitator in accordance with either of said speeds.

19. In a washing machine, an agitator, a one-way rotatable shaft, a multiple speed drive mechanism including a crank arm car- 'ried by said shaft, a multiple gear sector operatively connected to said arm and havdrivingprovisions of different itch ra ii for translating the movement 0 said shaft into reciprocating movements, cooperating gear-means adapted to be actuated by said sector and to transmit its motion to said agitator, and means for operatively and selectively connecting said sector to said agitator through either one of its driving pro visions. I

20. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub of an oscillatable agitating element mounted therein with its axis substantially vertical, a driving element of substantially fixed speed type, means including separate trains of gearing of unequal mechanical advantage or connecting said driving element to said agitating element in opand arranged to lmpart to gears to operate said v