US1997990A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

i April 16, 1935. A. H. ADAMS WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 pril 16,1935. f A, Hl ADAMS 1,997,990

WASHING MACHINE AKTHQR H. ADAMS INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY ApriH 16, 1935. A. H. ADAMS WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 vnon.oseosseeeoov Lijm ARTHUR WHbM 1NVENToR.

9 A TTORNEY April 1e, 1935.

A. H. ADAMS WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f2 HR'THUR H ADAMS INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 16, 1935' 'UNITED 'ls-TAT Delaware Application Septemberzai-szs, seran N0. come?.

R 14 Claims,

This vinventionyrelatesto washing machines, particularly to washing machines suitableior use. in commercial laundries." f l It is an object of myinvention toprovide a washing machineeompri'sing two Aunitso'onnectrotating the drum.

ed toa single power means by a transmission including reversing mechanism and safety meclnr anism, whereby the two unitsmay be used to carry out successively the various` steps necessary in the washing of clothes. 5

Another object is to provide an improved form ofl washing machine unit having an open top enclosing drum rotatably mounted so that the water can be emptied from the machine merely by Further objects are to provide the above inentioned washer unit with accessories including a chemical supply tank, special heating coil, pump, valve and various safety means. i In accordance ywith my invention, I constructa washing machine comprising two similar washing units. each of said units being interconnected with a common power source by means ofr a special transmission. The transmission come prises a drive pinion for rotating in opposite directions two driving gears, -either of which through suitable clutches'may be interconnected with the common drive shaftof the'washer units at will. lThe means for operating thev clutches, and. hence for intereonnecting the driving sou-roe with the washer units, comprises alservomechanism arrangement including a hand operable meanswhereby the clutches may be positively connected or semi-connected, as desired.. The hand operable means for interconnecting the clutches provides an extremely eicient form of inching or spotting mechanism which` maybe used to advantage in positioning the cylinders of the washer units opposite1 ther openings rthe outer shell or drum when it isdesired to insert or remove clothes from the cylinders. -Forinterconnecting each of the washer units with the main drive shaft of the transmission, provide specially arrangedr clutches comprising a safety arrangement which permits a clutch to 'be enf gaged only at the moment when the drive shaft .is moving very slowly. n order to'in'sure that powerv cannot be applied to one of the washer units when the cylinder of that unit is 'freely accessiblev to the operator, I incorporate interlocking 'safety means for disconnecting at the transmission thedriving source from the unit.- On top of each washer unit is mounted a mixing tank into which watermay be admitted through a supply pipe having. afloat operated valve which shuts oit YtheV supply lof water when the tank has `vheen filled to any` de'- sired predetermined point. .nterconnected with this mixing tank is a vcirculating system compris-v ing a pump and a chemical supply tank,L This (ci. etais) f chemical -supplyvtank may helisconnectedirom the circulating system at will by means of suitable valve gear. In the mixing ltank is positioned a thermostatically controlled steam heating coil which serves to warm the water to be'used in washing and for admitting water vfrom the mixingtank to the washer drum a quicl operating pumpvalve is provided; In order to insure thatv the pump valve will be operated only when the washer drum is in the proper position to receive the water a lock is furnished whichprevents the valvefromgheingopened when the drum is in any other than the4 safe position. y l In t-he drawings, Fig. V1 shows inV plan View a washer constructed in accordance with my inventionl h h h n -Fig.2 is a, sectional plan-view ot the transmission ofthe washer shown in Fig. 1:

FigQS 'is ya detail View of one of the clutches interconnecting the washer units with the transmission.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the clutch Shown in 'Iigl 3 taken along lsection lines 4 1.

is a detail View of a portion of the reversing mechanism of the'transmis'sion-t Fig. is a View -in elevation of one of the iiits of the washer taken along section vline B--B of Fig.V -1. I Fig. is a front elevation View f the washer shown in Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 87" d a plan view of one f the washer units illustrated in Fig. 1. g Y

Fig. 9 illustrates in detail a portion of the clutch mechanism for shifting the clutch shown in Figf.

Fig. 'ibis a detail View partlyin section taken alongsection line lil-ID of Fig. 2. Figs. -1i and d11i are detailviews of the chemical supply tank andtassociated valves for interconnecting'it with the washer unit. i, Referring more particularl to the drawings, reference numerals I and 2 indicate washer units interconnected through transmission A3 with a common driving motor 4. Each of the units l and 2 is connected with the transmissionby suitable clutching mechanism 5 by means of which either one or both of the units canbe connected with the driving motor at will.

Y The washer' units The two washer units l ,and `2 are identical and comprise anienlclosinf.;l drum or shell 6"for` holding the washing water, this dr'um Lbeing Vsupported thrcugha journal l bymeans of a pair ofV roller bearings B rotatably mounted on a frame-9. The enclosing drum 6 is, provided with avlarge opening I- in the/ top`l side thereof through which water, caribe introduced into the drum and outpf which water can be dumped `troumthe For rotating theldrum during the dumping process a series of hand grips or projections II are provided. .By means of these hand grips the operator is enabled to tu'rn the drum right-handedly, as viewed in Fig. 6, thereby carrying the opening I0 around toward the bottom and causing water in the drum, which might ordinarily fill it onethird full or thereabouts, to flow out of the opening into a. drain I2 provided `in the floor under the washer. In order to insure that Water shall not splash out on the floor during the dumping process and to guide'it into the drainage gutter I2, a shield or baie plate I3v is positioned adjacent the back of the machine. Watenasit is dumped from the drum 5 through the opening I9, strikes against the baiiie I3 and is directed into'the gutter I2," 4Positioned within the enclosing drum 6 is the usual form -of 'laundry containing cylinder I4 within which' the clothes to be washed are placed, the washing of the clothes being carried out by rotating the cylinder I4 successivelyr several turns in one direction and then'several turns in the oppositedirection; The cylinder I4 is supported by a shaft I5 which interconnects-through the clutching mechanism 5 with the transmission 3. This shaft may be supported by Isuitable standards I6 and I1 placed at the ends of the drum.

Positioned above the top of the enclosing drum E is a mixing or tempering' tank I8in which the washing water'andsolution is thoroughly mixed before. being pass-ed into `the drum. This mixing or tempering tank I3 is provided with a Water inlet pipe I9 having a controlling valve 20 operated by a float 2| positioned in` a `chamber 22 interconnected'with the tank I8.' The float 2| is connected With thevalve 20 through a lever 23 to which both the stem of the valve 20 and the stem of the'float 2| are pivotally connected. This lever 23 is pivoted to a support 24 adjustably secured to an arm 25 attached to theside of the mixing tank I8. The connection between the support 24 and the arm 25 is made through elongated slots in the two members through which a connecting bolt 26 is passed. This bolt may be provided with a wing nut so that it can be loosened and the support 24 moved with respect to the arm 25 in order that the water in the tank will act on the float2l at a greater or lesser height as desired. By means of this arrangement the amount of water necessary to be in the mixing tank I8, in order to shut off the Water supply valve 29, may be adjusted. This amount of water may be indicated in gallons or other suitable measure by means of an indicating ringer 21 attached to the support 24 and pointing toward measuring marks on the arm 25. vFor heating the Water in the circulating tankA I 8 a steamcoil 28 is provided. This steam coil is interconnected with a steam supply pipe 29 through a valve 30 automatically controlled by a thermostatic arrangement 3 I. As this valve may be of any ordinary type well known to the art, further description of it is believed to be unnecessary. The steam entering from the pipe 29 passes through the Ysteam coil 28 heating the water surrounding the coil, and then ilows out'through an` outlet pipe 32. In order to indicate the amount of water in the mixing tank an ordinaryform ofgage glass 33 may be used. The temperature of the Watermay be determined by meansof an ordinary form of thermometer 34. l Y

In the washing of `clothes various chemicals are mixed with the water to make a 'washing solution and in order to supply-this chemical and thoroughly to mix it with the water, a circulating system'35 is provided. This circulating system comprises a pump 36, which draws water from the tank I8 through a pipe 31 and returns it to the tank through another pipe 33.v Interconnected in the pipe line 31 between the mixing tank I8 and the pump 36 is provided a chemical supplyV unit indicated generally by the reference numeral 39. This chemical supply unit includes a chemical supply tank or injector vpocket 40 havingan inlet pipe 4I and an outlet pipe 42. The inlet pipe interconnects with the pipe line 31 through a two-Way valve 43 and the outlet pipe 42 interconnects with the same pipe line througha Vtwo-way .valve 44. Each of the valves 43 and 44 is operable by means of an arm 45 pivoted to a common operating rod 46. This rod 46 is connected to a slotted lever 41 pivotally attached at 48 to a'standard 49 secured toY the chemical supply tank 4I).A Lever 41 is operatively secured to a hand lever 50 by means of which the lever 41 can be rocked and the valves 43 and 44 correspondingly operated. The chemical supply tank 49 has a cover plate 5I which has an aperture 52 therein. Secured to the end side of the cover plate 5 I at pivot point 53 is a flap valve or closure 54. This flap valve 54 has pivotally secured thereto a link 55 slotted at 51 and interconnected with an extension 56 of the slotted lever 41. Flapvalve 54 is provided with a gasket 58 of rubber, leather or other suitable material, and in order to keep the valve in a closed position a tension spring 59 is provided. A hand lever 50 has the usual form of-catch mechanism 6I) which cooperateswith a plurality of notches 6I, 62 and 63 in an arcuate member 64 forming a part of the standard 49. When the catch mechanism 6D of the hand lever 50 is positioned in the notch 6I the valves 43 and 44 are in the positions shown in full lines in Fig'. 11 land consequently the flow of water or solution is directed by the valves through the chemical tank 40 and the section 65 of the pipe 31 isby-passed. When the hand lever 50 is moved so that the catch mechanism coacts with notch 62 the valves 43 vand '44 assume the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. l1. In this position of the lever it will be noted that the valve 43 is closed and the valve 44 is open, hence, no water or solution can enter the chemicaltank 40, but the tank itself will be drained by the suction of the pump 36 acting through the pipe 31, to which the tank 40 is connected by the open valve 44. It will be noted that the valve 54 Will open under the pump suction to admit any. air that isnecessary. When the lever 50 is moved still farther so that the catch mechanism 50 coacts with the notch 63, the two valves 43 and 44 occupy the position shown in full lines in Fig. 12. The water or solution now passes straight through the pipe 31 and section thereof and the chemical tank is entirely by-passed. When the lever is in this position the flap valve 54 of the tank can be opened and chemicals inserted therein. It will be noted that the spring 59 keeps the flap valve normally shut but that, due to the slotted link 55, the flap valve can be pushed open by hand without interference from the extension 56 of the lever 41 to the position shown in'dotted lines in Fig. 10. In the lling operation the flap Valve is held open and the chemicals inserted in the tank, then the valve is released and at once is snapped shut by the spring 59. Upon thewater or solution being caused to circulate through the chemical tank in response to movement of the hand-lever 50 to the verticalposition, as shown in full lines in Fig. 11, the pressure of the fluid in passing Llof neath the'. valve opening so that it will catch Vany" This'gutter 'I4 may be openi i at one end and tilted so as to carry olf the drop if through the chemical tank. presses the nap valve 54 against the cover plate 5|,1thus insuring a tight leak-proof joint.

In preparing a solution to beusedin the wash-V ing of clothes the mixing tankv I8 isiiirst. filled with water controlled by the valve 2D, then' av quantity of chemical soapwashing fiuid or the.

likeis placed in the chemical tank l0 and the hand lever 59 moved to the position shownfin full lines in Fig. ll and the circulatingfpump started.l The pump 36 circulates waterthrough the mixing tank I8, which maybe providedy with baiile plates VIl, if desirable, inthe direction shown by the arrows, carrying. the chemicals from' the tank M3 up into the mixing tank and circulating them with the water in such manner as to bring about a thorough mixture.` Should it be necessary to put in more than one tank full of kchene` icals it is necessary merely to move the hand lever 50 to the notch 62 and hold it there momentarily to drain the chemical tank, then to move the.

handle to the position 63 which' entirely closes the tank orf from the pipe 31 and the circulating` water, place the necessarychemicals in the tank,` move thehand lever b ack to the position 6I, as shown in Fig. ll, whereupon the vfresh supply of chemicals will be circulated with the water through the mixing tank I8. In order to admit water from the mixing' tank to the drum a dump valve 6l is provided. This Valvernay be of the spigot type, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 6' and is positioned in the bottom of the tank VVI8 extending the entirer length thereof. The valve comprises an outer shell or stationary portion` E8 within which is rotatably mounted a slotted internal member 66. 'IheV valve is vsubstantially similar to any spigot type valve except that it is very long and hence, when the valve is open the solution in the tank I8 passes to vthe drum 6 in the form of a long sheet. The reason for making the valve in this manner is to insure thatv water will pass quickly from the tank `to thedrum and still not splash very much upon striking the cylinder I4. The valve is provided with an operating lever 'l0 and is: open when the` lever is in the horizontal'position shown in full'lines in Fig. 6. When it is desiredto shut the valve the lever I8 is moved downwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6. It is preferable to have the valve operate in this manner so that if it should become loose the weightof` the operating lever would tend to close ity rather than open it. In order to prevent the valve from-being. opened when the opening I- ofthe ydrum' is at any other than the top position, a safety stop 'Il is attached to the end of the slotted member 69. 'Ihis safety stop I'I strikes against the rim I2 of the drum /6 in' all positions except the correctposition oi the drum, that is, the position of the drum where the opening I8 is at the top, when the stop is adapted to enter adepression 'i3 in the rim l2 and permit the valvev to be opened. In order to catch drops of fluid when-the valve is shut and prevent the drippihg solution from falling on the surface of the drum 6, which may be then in some position other than with its opening i il at the top as illustrated in Fig. 6, a catch gutter 'I4 is provided. This gutter 'ill may be attached to the endof the slotted internal member 6B, as shown, or may be attached to the operating lever I8, if desired. This catch gutter, when the valve is open, is carried with the operating lever and slotted internal member to a position out of line with the path of the water through the valve, but as the valve is I shut the gutter isrotated to aposition directly be,-

drippings therefrom.

there is any appreciable'amount of it, or may be closed atboth` ends so that any slight amount `or" huid that may leakthrough the valve will be' retained until the valve is next opened, when this a pair of flaps` 'I5 `is provided. Each of the naps lfcomprises 'a metal portion 16, hinged at l1 to the tank I8. At each/rend. of the metal portion 16 is;` an extensionl 18S provided with a roller 'I9 which rides on the rim 'I2 lofthe drum Vl. These extensionsV and rollers serve to keepthe metallic portion I6 spaced slightly away from the periphery of the drum G. In order to make a relatively tight joint with the drum and prevent leakage of water which may be spilled against the inside of the metal portionl a piece of rubber or similar material 80 is secured tothe edge of the metal portion. Attached to the inside of the metal portion 16 is a baffle plate 8! which directs any largeamount of splash water back kinto the drum away from the naps 'i5 and prevents this water from running down between the edge of the drum 6 adjacent the opening I@ and the rubberfd In order to hold the drum E in its operatingposition, asshown in Fig. 6, a catch means 82 of any suitable type maybe provided, for example, a; root operative mechanism comprising a lever 83 held in upward position'by a spring 84 and having a projection 85 for engaging a notch 86 in the rim 'I2 of the drum. When it is desired to rotate the drum 6 to'n dump *the water therein 'or for some other reason it is necessary merely to step on the lever 83, thus releasing the catch mechanism, and then turn the drum'by means of the hand grips I I. y'Iheframe members 9 are so constructed as to place the drum 6 highenough away from the oor level to permit a lift truck to be run underneath the drum to place a basket in position to take clothes out of the machine.

' Taking outy of the clothes .is accomplished by turning the drum 6 aroundV so that the ,opening IU is at the botto-m and then turning the cylinder I4V s o that the door therein coincides withk the opening, thus dumping the clothes directly into the basket carried by the truck positioned under the drum. As I have shown in Fig. 7, a pair of rails 81 may be bridged across the gutter I2 for supporting the truck, which is indicated in dotted lines in the figure. When it is wished to load the clothes the drum 6 is turned in a left-hand manner, when viewed as in Fig. 6, so that the opening I isat` a proper heightto be accessible to theA operator. Then the cylinder I4 is turned around so that the cover therein coincides with the opening IU in the drum. The cover of the cylinder is then opened and clothes trust in. In order to hold the drum in thek correct position vfor dumping the wash a'stop pawl 88 is pivotally secured to the frame 9. This stop pawl is weighted at 89'so as normally to assume' the position'shown in Fig. 6, in whichposition itis held by a stop pin 90 on the frame. This pawl 88, when the drum is in the dumping position engages a projection 9| onthe edge of the drum and prevents lthe drum opening from 'turning to the ,back position where the power can be thrown on to rotate the cylinder, as described more'fully hereinafter.

. The transmission The transmission 3 comprises a housing` 92 within which is coupled a main drive shaft 93, having keyed thereto two driving gear members 94 and 95 interconnected with each other by means, of bolts 9B passing through bosses 91 and positioned in recessed holes 98. Each of the driving members 94 and 95 is provided with aclutch band supporting portion 99 around which is encircled a clutch band |00. At a point in the periphery of the band supporting surface 99 is provided a projection against which one end of the clutch band |00 can be forced. The band is made slightly shorter than the periphery of the band supporting portion 99 so that there is a space between the projection |0| and one end of the band l 00. Into this space extends a finger |02 joined to a clutch controlled gear |03 journalled on sleeves |04 vof the driving members 94. The gear |03 has a plurality of apertures |05 through which the bosses 01 of the driving members project. The apertures are made larger than the bosses so that there is a certain amount of freedom of rotation between the driving members 94 and 95 and the gear |03. The member 94 is provided withl a gear portion |90 which meshes with a gear |01 borne by a jack shaft |08, one end'of which is journalled in the housing 92.r Mounted on the jack shaft |08 and keyed thereto is another gear |09 which is slightly larger than the gear |01 and which meshes' with the gear |03. Between the gears |01 and |09 is'positioned'a friction disc ||0. The other end of thek jack shaft |08 is feather keyed in an opening in a shaft ||2 journalled in the housing 92 and in a member |3 attached to the housing. Between the end of the shaft |08 extending inthe end of the opening is placed a compression spring ||4 which tends to thrust the shaft |08 in a left-handed direction carrying with it the gear |09 which is keyed to the shaft, forcing the friction disc ||0 against the gear |01, which gear is in turn forced against a thrust bearing I5 cooperating with the housing 92. On the inner face of the member ||3 is provided a friction disc I6. Attached to the outside of the housing 92 is a bracket ||1 in which is journalled a shaft ||8 carrying a finger ||9 which engages the end on the shaft |08. The nger |'|9 is adapted to `be rocked through the agency of the shaft ||8 Yby means described hereinafter and when the finger is rocked in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2,the shaft |08 is thrust4 endwise in a right-hand direction carrying with it gear |09, thereby releasing the frictionalcontact between the gear |01 and |09 and forcingthe gear |09 against the stationary friction disc I6.

Rotatably mounted on sleeve |20 of the driving members 94 and 95 are bevelled drive gears |2| and |22 respectively. These drive gears are rotated in opposite directions by means of bevelled drive pinion |23 secured to a power shaft |24 supported by a bearingv |25 and journalled in the housing 92 and |26. This shaft |24 has secured thereto a gear |21 which meshes with a spur gear |28 secured to a shaft |29 journalled in the housing 92 and coupled to a source of power such as electric motor 4. As the clutch band |00 encircles the Adrivingvmember 94 and has one end thrust `against the projection |0| of the driving member and has coacting with its other end the finger l02'of the gear |03, it wili be seen that if it is desired to expand the band it is necessary merely to move the nger |92 against the end of the band with which it cooperates, thus causing the band to expand, as it cannot slide around the driving member because it is held by the projection 0|. Upon expansion of the band the friction surface at |30' thereof engages the ,inner braking portion |3| of the drive gear |2| (see Fig. 10). This engagement of the clutch band with the drive gear efiectually interlocks the gear |2| with the driving member 94 so that the driving member is turned in unison with the gear. The movement of the nger |02 necessary to cause the expansion of the band and the resultant engagement with the drive gear |2| is but a small amount and is slightly less than the freedom of movement with the gear |03 as with respect to the driving member 94 because of the difference in size between the bosses 91 and the aperture |05. The clutch band associated with the driving member 95 can be operated in similar fashion. The two driving members 94 and 95 are exactly similar regarding the relation of the projection |0| of each with respect to the end of the clutch band |00 of each and hence, as the .two driving members face each other, upon movement of the gear |03 the nger |02 associated with the band |00 of the driving member 94 will be moved away from the projection |0 |l so as to expand the band, while the finger |02 associated .with the band |00 of the drive member 95 will be moved toward the projection away from the coacting end of the band and will not expand the band but will leave it its normal size. From this it will be seen that if the gear |03 is rotated in one direction the drive gear |2| will be locked with the driving member 94 and if the gear is moved in the opposite direction the drive gear |22 will be locked with the drive member 95. As the two gears |2|, |22 are normally rotating in opposite directions by the motor 4 acting through the gear mechanism described heretofore and as .drive members 94 and 95 are keyed to the main drive shaft 93, it will be seen that in order to cause rotation of the main drive shaft 93 in either right-hand or left-hand manner, it is necessary merely to rotate the gear |03 in the proper direction so that the proper one of the drive gears |2|, |22 will be interlocked through one of the -driving members 94 and 95 to the clutch control shaft. In order to rotate the drivegear |03 which is inaccessible and not adapted to be gripped directly by the hands, a hand-wheel |32 is provided. This hand-wheel is secured to the shaft 2 which is journalled in the member I3, as stated heretofore. As the shaft ||2 is feather-keyed to the jack shaft |03 carrying the gear |09, rotation of the hand-wheel slightly in either direction causes rotation of the gear |03, and as a result of such rotation one of the clutch bands |00 is expanded and one of the drive gears |2| and |22 locked with the main drive shaft 93.

As the driving gears are rotating all the time at a constant speed under power derived from the driving motor 4, it will be seen that unless the control gear |03 is continually rotated that the band |0| will not be held in an expanded position and hence that the main drive shaft 93 will not remain locked to the drive gear. This may be more readily understood byreference to Fig. 10. The rotation of the main drive gear |2| is indicated by the arrow to be right-handed as Viewed in this figure, and hence the rotation of the control gear |03 carrying the finger |02 must also'be right-handed in order to vcause the clutch band to'continue to be expande-d. NowJ if thegear' |03 is turned to the right the finger |02 will be pushed against the coacting end of Vthe clutch band, causing the band to be expanded. Upon expansion of the band the clutching portion |3| of the drive gear |22 is engaged, causing a looking action ofthe drive gear through the band and projection i, withthe driving member '34. The driving member 34 is therefore rotated in a right-handed direction and it will be seen that if the nger |02 is not also moved in a right-- handed direction that'rthe expanding force v.onthe band will-immediately be released, as the pro-r jection' I0| will move toward the finger |192, which is the equivalent of moving the nger |02 away from the cooperating end of the band |03.. They clutch is therefore a self-releasing one and hence, in order to keep the drive shaft S3 rotating at all times under the influence of the driving motor 4 it will be necessary to keep the control gear |03 alsoy rotating all the time. The force necessary to move the finger |02 against the band` |00A and expand the band to cause the interlocking between the drive gear |2| and the member 94 is relatively small and hence I have inthe apparatus described a sort of force magnifier by means of Vwlhichthesmall turning effort of the human hand can be made to control the turning motions of a drive shaft carrying a vlarge amount of power. As the gear |03 need only be rotated in one direction or the other to vcause the main drive shaft 93 likewise to be rotated in one direction or the other, it is evident that in order to cause rotation of the main drive shaft in one direction it is necessary merely to rotate the hand-wheel |32 in a corresponding direction. Due to the particular construction outlined heretofore, it is possible for one to cause but a fractionlo a rotation ofthe main drive shaft S'Sbyturningthe hand-wheel |32 acorresponding portion of a rotation, asupon slight `movement of the hand-wheel, a clutch band is expanded and upon expansion of the band the 'drive gear immediately turns the driving member 'so that the band is automatically contracted. Likewise, in order to cause' rotation of'the ldrive shaft 93 at a speed slower thanits normal Adriv ingspeed, itis only necessary to rotate the handwheel at a, corresponding speed. k,From this it will be vseen that we have an excellent inching or spotting mechanism by means of which any mechanism attached to the shaft, which mecha-- nisin is in this case a laundry machine cylinder, may be turned exactlyA to' lany desired `angular position. v

As it would not be practical. to have/an attendantk on hand at kall times to rotate the handwheel 32 a feed-back or regenerative gearing has .been devised. This regenerative gearing comprises Athe gear portion |03, gear |01, gears |09 and |03, and a friction disc ||0 which have already been described in detail heretofore. By reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that if the hand-wheel :|32 isiniti-ally rotated in, say, alefthanded direction, as indicated by the arrow, that the control gear |03 will be rotated in a right-y hand direction, carrying with it finger|102, as shown more clearly in li), and causing the band mi! to be expanded. Upon expansion of the band the driving gear |2| immediately seizes the driving member 9d and rotates the same. Upon rotation of the drivingmember 94 the gear portion |03 thereof rotates likewise the thereforebea slippage between the driving members |06 and |03, and this slippage is taken care of. by friction disc H3 through which thegear |01 drives thegear |09. As the regenerative effect ofthegearing above mentioned is dependent upon the gear |01 driving the gear |09, in .order v to Vstopthe. regenerative effect, and henceto dis-y connect themain drive shaft 93 from the drivingl gears HH,` |22, the .finger H9, already' de.-v

scribed, is provided; Whe-n this iinger is rotated in adirection indicated by thearrow in lFig. 2, the shaft |08 is thrust endwise against the confrpr-ession `of Aspring H4 lcarrying with it the gear |89 and releasing ythe pressure of the gear |09 through ythe fri-ctiondisc |10- against the gear |00, whichvpressureis entirely due to the 'com-, pression spring H4. The actionoiv this hnger in thrusting the shaft endwise and stoppingthe regenerative e-ffect of .the gearing is made use of in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

The 'transmission reversing mechomsfm For bringing about the reversing of the rota-Iv tiony of the main driveshaft 93in a periodic fashion so-that it will make a certain predcter mined `number ofrevolutions in one direction, then reverse and make alike number of revolu. tions :in an opposite direction, reversing mecha-` nism provided. Thiswreversing rmechanism comprises a y wheel |34 keyed to the shaft I2 andhavingmounted therein a pinmember |35.

This pin member carries at one end a counting disc |33 having attached thereto` fing-ers |31.

This structure is shown most clearly in `lig.5 .y

A stop|138 is fastened tothe fly wheel in such manner as to engage iingers fl 31 upon rotation -of counting disc |36.` Because ofthe relative position of the counting :disc with respect to the stop, the disc-may be rota-tedfor a portion of a revolution ldeinem-lined by thexangle between the ringer |31 with which the stop |38 cooperates. Rotatably mounted on the `shaft ||2 is anA arm |39' which ha'sat its outer end a -projection |40 which is so positioned as upon relative rotation of the iiy-'wheel with respect to thearm to engage the ngers |31 of the counting disc '|36 and cause rotation of the disc, `that is to say for each rotajtion of the fly-.wheel with respect to the arm the projection strikesa iinger |31 and causes'a port-ion; of -a revolution'of the counting disc |36. Where three pins are used, as illustrated in Fig. 5, it will be seen. that two revolutions of a fly wheel will cause one of the `two pins |37 between which thecstop |38 is positioned, to strike the stop and thus prevent any further rotation of the counting disc. vWhen the-countingfdisc is in `the position show-n in Fig. 5 and is moving in thedirection indicated kby the arrow, one nger has already been turned land the projection vM0 is engaging a seconder middle iinger. Asthe rotation of the y wheel continues from the position shown in this figure the seconder middle finger will be turned, thus causing the'nger indicated .by |31 to strike against the stop |38. For holding the arm |39 in a neutral position helical springs |4| and |42 are provided. These springs are positioned respectively in chambers |43 and |44 of the member I3. These two springs are anchored at their inner ends in the member |-|3 and at their outer ends are provided respectively with bent portions and |46. By this arrangement, the arm |39 is held in a neutral position under spring tension, and in order to move it away from neutral position it is necessary to tension `either one or the other of the two helical springs.

The operation of the reversing mechanism is as follows:

Thefmain drive'shaft 93 is rst set into rotation in one direction by giving the hand-wheel |32 a twist. As soon as the main drive shaft starts to rotate the regenerative action of the gears |01, |09 is initiated. Consequently, the main drive shaft continues to rotate. The fiy wheel |34 being secured to the shaft 2 which is feather-keyed to the jack shaft |08 driven by the gear |01, is rotated in step with the rotation of the maindrive shaft. As the fiy-wheel rotates, in this case two revolutions from a normal position, the counting disc turns so that one of the fingers |31 engages the stop |38 thereby preventing any further turning of the disc. During rotation of the shaft I2 the fiy-Wheel has gained a certain momentum and upon the finger 31 being turned against the stop |38 the momentum of the fly-wheel is expended in tensioning one of the springs |4| or |42. The fly-wheel thereforeI turns to a certain angular position at the same time tensioning one of the springs until the momentum of the fly-wheel is used up and the spring is tensioned so much as to prevent the gear |01 from driving the shaft |08 through the friction disc |0. The shaft |08 then comes momentarily to rest and consequently the gear |03 through the action ofthe gear |09 is likewise Vbrought to rest. This action causesthe clutch band which has heretofore been expanded to contract and free the main drive shaft793r from the gear which has been drivingv it. .Upon the stopping of thefiy-wheel |34 the kinetic 'energy stored in it during rotation thereof has been transformed into potential energy in the tensioned spring. This potential energy of the spring causes the fly Wheel, after a momentary stoppage, to be thrown into reverse rotation. This reverse rotation of the fly-wheel causes a reverse rotation of the shaft |2 which results in the expansion of the other clutch band |00, and the consequent interlocking of the main drive shaft 93 With the driving motor for rotation in the opposite direction.

' This operation is cyclically repeated in the manner described and as a result of it the main drive shaft 93 turns first a predetermined number of revolutions in one direction and then a predetermined number of revolutions in the opposite direction. In order to change the number of revolutions the number of fingers |31 on'the counting disc |36 may be changed. Due to the difference in `size between the gear portion |06 and the gear |01 the fly-wheel |34 is not necessarily turned at the same speed as the main drive shaft and hence two revolutions of the drive shaft would not mean two revolutions of the fly wheel. However, a constant ratio would obtain and hence the number of fingers on the counting disc could be correspondingly adjusted. In order that the reversing mechanism may be rendered inactive the pin member |35 has been provided with a catch |41 and a spring |48. The spring |48 serves to hold the counting disc inoperative position and in orderto place the disc in inoperative position the pin member |35 is withdrawn against the action of the spring and turned slightly so as to hold it in a retracted position. In order to facilitate gripping of the pin member a head |49 is provided. It will be vunderstood that the handwheel |32 is not absolutely necessary as the iiywheel |34 could be fashioned in such manner as to be used as a-hand-wheel.

While I have shown a particular kind of counting mechanism and spring arrangement for converting the kinetic energy of the y-Wheel into potential energy and causing reversing of the driving gear, it will be understood that other mechanism might be used in place thereof. For example, in place of the counting disc arrangement might be used any other form of counting mechanism well known to the art, such as a screw and travelling nut.

The clutch mechanism two collars |52 and |53 secured to the shaft by pins |54 and |55. Mounted on the shaft |5 and freely rotatable with respect thereto, is a sleeve |56 grooved at |51 for engagement by yoke |18 of the clutch throw-out lever |59. Sleeve |56 has a projecting portion |60, providing a pair of spaced fingers |6| and having an upwardly and forwardly extending connecting arm |62 to which is joined a, collar |63. Extending back beneath the arm |62 from the collar |63 is a third finger |64. Pinned to the shaft 93 is a stop member |65 against which .a spring |66 acts. Coacting with the spring '|66 is a friction collar |61 feather-keyed to the shaft 93 and between the collar |63 and the friction collar |61, a disc of Afriction material .|68 is provided. The projecting portion |60 has an aperture |69 therein Within which is positioned a key |10 secured in the shaftl |5. The aperture |69 consists of three keyretaining. portions |12, |13 and |14 within which the key |10 can rest. When it is desired to disengagethe drive shaft l5 from the main drive shaft 93, the sleeve |56 is held in the position shown in Fig. 3. When the sleeve is in this position the third finger |64 Vis positioned between the two upwardly turned ends |1| of the helical spring. |50. 'Ihe main drive shaft 93 which is now rotating, through frictional engagement with the helical spring tends to turn the spring and consequently the finger l|64 which is inserted between the ends of the spring. However, as the helical spring is turned even a small amount the finger |64, being held relatively stationary by its connection with the shaft |5, causes the spring to be uncoiled slightly and hence reduces the gripping action between the spring and the main drive shaft 93 to an inoperative'value. When it is desired to engage the shaft I5 with the main drive shaft 93 the sleeve |56 is moved in a right-handed direction after being rotated slightly to center the key |10 in the ,f

portion |12 of the aperture |69 as explained hereinafter. When the sleeve is in this position the fingers |6| engage the outside of the end portions |1| of the helical spring and upon turning of the spring through friction engagement with the main drive shaft 93, causes the coilsrof the Spring to be tightened about the end of `the shaft, thus increasingl the frictional engagement therewith and causing the main drive shaft to drive, through' the spring I50,-ngers IGI, sleeve |56 and key I1,vthe shaft I5. It will be noted that as there are two of the lingers IBI that the clutch willwork equally well in' both directions. The fingers may be made in such manner as slightly to pinch the ends of the springs together so as to tighten the spring about the shaft, or may be made so as to slide freely on both sides ofthe end portions of thespring.

In-order to throw thev clutch into and outof engagement, a lever |59 is provided. This lever y comprises a handportion f |15 pivotally mounted on shaft |16 supported by a bracket |11 attached to the frame 9. Hinged Yto the hand portion |15 is a yoke member |18 'which has connected thereto a leaf spring 19which tends to keep the hand portion |15 aligned with the yoke meinber |18. In order to prevent the :hinge between the hand-portion |15 and the yoke memberv- |18 from being broken inthe direction opposite the spring |19, a stop arm |80 is securedto'the hand portion |15. This stop arm permits the hand portion |15 to be moved in a left-handed direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, relative to the yoke member |18r but prevents it from being. moved in a right-handed directionwith respect to the yoke member. When vit is desired to throw theclutch from a disengaged position to the engaged position the .hand portion |15 which has been heid by a catch mechanism I8I in the notch.|82 of a sector |33 is moved to the notch I 84 with which the catch mechanism' |8I engages and holds the lever in position. Now, if the main drive shaft 93 has been turning in one direction, say, such a direction as would cause the key 11|] to occupy the position shown'in Fig.. 3, that'is, to restv in the key retaining notchr |13, the yoke member |18 will not have been able to move in step with the hand portion |15 and hence the leaf spring '|19 will have been tensioned Friction collar |61, always rotating with shaft 93, vis pressed againstY the friction disc |63 by. spring |65. Collar |61 thus tends to'drag collar |63, by friction, together with the attached parts |52, IGI, i513, and |56. which .arefmounted onthe stationary shaft I in the same direction of rotation as shaft 93 until` the projecting portion .|53 of the sleeve |56 is `stopped by key |10.' .At each reversal of the oscillatory shaft B3 'shifter collar y|565 is'thus rocked back and' forth'so'. that key 11i! alternately assumes positions I13xand IM. "Upon the reversing ofthe rotation of the shaft 93, the key |16 willbe moved out. oi the key retaining slot |13.' into alignment with the notch I 12. When it has reached this aligned position' the sleevev |555 will be thrust'to theright, as viewed in either Fig. l or- Fig. 2, vunder the action of the'leaf spring |15. As the sleeve moves to the right the nngers rISI engage the end portions 111 of the helical spring ISB and cause the same more strongly to grip the drive shaft 93, and through the projecting portion it of the sleeve, and the key |16, to drive the shaft I5. From this it will he seen that the clutch shifts fromv a disengaged to an engaged position'only at the instant when the shaft 93 starts to vreverse its direction of rotation, regardless ci when the hand portion |15 was shifted.

The reason for making the clutch in this manner is to 'prevent` undue strains vsuch as would occur if the clutch were thrown into engagement the stop arm |851, moves with it the yoke member I 18, thus accomplishing immediate disengagement of the clutch.

' As the washer drum-.i`s"provided with a large I opening which serves'asv adoor and which is normally in an upwardposition, when the opening is turned toward the front there is danger that the operator might thrust his hand in upon the cylinder I4 which might be revolving at the time; likewise there is danger that when the drum opening is in the downor ldumping posi'v tion that the cylinder might bestarted accidently with the Wash half dumped-' For the purpose of safety an automatic arrangement is provided for releasing whichever clutch band of the transmission 3 may be at the moment operating. This safety mechanism comprises.l a cam |85, see Fig. 6, secured to or forming a portion ofthe end wall oi the drum 6, which cam cooperates'with a roller |36 fastened in the endof afdouble bell crank shaped member |81 pivotally supported at |88 on an extension |94 of the yoke member I 18. This bell crank is providedwith an'oifset portion 189, see Fig. l, which is' pivotally interconnected with a link IQ in turn pivotally attached to an arm II secured to a vertical shaft |58 journalled in the bracket |11 secured to the transmission 3. This shaft, it will be remembered, carries atits lower end the finger I|9 which coacts with the end of the jack shaft Hi8. lEach of the two washer units and 2, as has been stated heretofore, is exactly similar and each therefore is provided with identical safety mechanism which work throughthe common arm IEBI ifo-operate the iinger II9. .As it is impossible" for the operator to thrust his hand through the opening in the drum except when the drum is in a frontposition, the cam |85 extends around the end of the drum just far-enough tocau'se` theA bellvcrank |81 to he rocked and the finger I I9! thereby moved to thrust the jack shaft |08 on end and prevent the regenerative gearing kfrommaintaining the drive shaft 93 in consant driving engagemennonly while the opening in the drumisin .the front and accessible or downand dumping position. When the openingis either at the top or back position 'the bell crank |81 'is in its inactive position and the regenerative gearing in the Itransmission consequently connected to maintain the drive'shaft 93 in driving engagement' all thetime. As the bell crankl is pivoted on the extension |94 of the yoke member |18, whenthe' yoke yrnr-rmber is thrown to the notch |82, oorrespondingto the disengaged position 'of the clutch Imechanism 5, the roller B85 is moved outoi engagement with the cam |85 so that the opening in the shell of the inactive washing unit can be moved to the front and accessible position without stopping the drive shaft 93 whichlis meanwhile driving the other Washer unit from rotation.

'f The making loi `the washing machine in two units operated by a commondrive has many 'advantages and these advantages will appear more clearly in a `description of a method of operating the washingmachine which will be described hereinafter. As the shell has no doors, or maybe considered in itself as a sort of revolving doer, it is extremely easy to dump dirty washing solution, it being necessary merely to turn the shell to the back and down in order instantly to spill out all the solution therein and then to turn it to the front to get at the cylinder doors in order to load the cylinder, or to turn it to the front and down to dump the wash from the cylinder into a truck positioned underneath the machine. The spotting of the cylinder door to coincide with the opening in the shell when it is desired to load the clothes or to dump them is Very easily accomplished by the force magnifier arrangement described heretofore. The operator simply has to turn the hand-wheel in thel direction corresponding to that in which it is desired that the cylinder should turn and the cylinder, due to the force magnier connection, turns exactly a step therewith. Likewise, when the machine is turning and it is desired to stop it the operator just has to seize the hand-wheel thereby instantly stopping the cylinders of both units.

The clutch mechanism is used to cut off one washer unit for dumping, loading, etc. while the other unit is still running, and thereby save loss of time which would occur if both units had to be shut down in order for the operator to work on one unit. Accidental starting of the cylinder with the clothes partly dumped, which might occur if the shell were permitted to swing from the opening-forward to the opening-down position, is avoided by means of the ratchet stop 88 described in the preceding description.

Operation In order to make the operating features of my machine clear a detailed account is given of a typical series of operations in handling the two units in the most economical Way which I term the alternative cycle operation.

Assuming both units emptied at the start and with their shells in normal position, i. e. openings up, the manner of procedure is as follows:

Put break chemicals in injector pocket.

Start the mixing tank filling by opening the water valve.

Set adjustable float lever for gallons desired.

Throw vcirculating pump into action if not running.

Set thermostat at temperature wanted if solution is tobe warmed.

Open steam valves to mixing tank coil.

Calling one washer unit the A unit and the other the B unit for distinguishing them, next:

Turn the shell of the A unit so its opening is front for loading. It shouldv here be noted that even if the drive motor is running the transmission is in neutral and cannot rotate either the A or B cylinder because the A shell is open to the front and the safety mechanism associated therewith consequently operated. Start the motor of the drive unit if it is not already started. This motor would probably be normally running all the time unless the two washer units are to be shut down for some time.

Put the wash in the cylinder.

For facilitating dumping of the wash it will be remembered that the cylinder is mounted slightly higher than usual. To make the loading convenient the shell door and the cylinder door should be lower than is usual, measuring from the center of the cylinder or at the usual height from the iloor. The ability to raise and lower at will the position of the door of the shell, as well as that of the cylinder makes possible the higher setting of this machine and thus makes possible the dumping of wash directly in the trucks. If the voperator finds that he cannot get as much wash as he would like into the cylinder in the low position he may inch the opening in the cylinder up by the center before putting in the last few handfuls of Wash.

Close the cylinder door.

Turn the shell opening up.

The movement of the opening in the shell to an upward position releases the safety mechanism and permits the transmission to drive the washer unit.

Open the dump valve in the mixing tank. It will be remembered that this could not be done until the shell opening was in its proper posi-V tion because of the safety feature.

Start the driveunit. This mightbe started before opening the dump valve, as the operator chooses. To start thedrive merely turn the hand control wheel agfew degrees either way. The cylinders of the A` and B units will now start rotating, B unit as yet being empty, or B unit might be unclutched from the drive unit, if desired.

Put soap, etc. in the injector pocket.

Start the mixing tank filling.

Set the float and thermostat as before.

' f, A unit is now Washing on the break solution and a soap solution is being made up and warmed. Due to the circulating feature of the mixing tank no strong concentrations of any soap or chemicals can injure the wash as all of the chemicals are thoroughly mixed with the water before being dumped into the washer shell. Start the B tempering tank break solutions just as outlined above.

Turn B shell to the front. This, due toI the safety arrangement necessarily throws the drive unit into neutral, stopping the cylinders cf both units, but causing only a slight loss of time on the A unit.

Inch the B cylinder into alignment with the opening.

Unclutch the B unit from the drive unit.

Start the drive again by a touch on the hand wheel.

Open the B cylinder door, load and close door.

Turn B rshell up and discharge break solution into it.

fClut'ch B cylinder back on to the drive unit. If desired, this could have been done as soon as the B shell was up and before discharging break solution into the shell. However, this is a question of the desirability of having the cylinder turning or not while the break solution is being run through and over it. Both A and B units are now washing on break solution.

`StartB tank on the first soap solution in the same manner as outlined above for the tank. After the A unit has run enough on the break solution turn the A shell back until the solution runs into the drain. It will be noted that this does not put the drive unit into neutral as the shell opening is at the back and consequently the safety mechanism does not operate. As the drive unit is still running the cylinder continues to tumble the Wash while the solution is being drained off.

Turn the A shell by going up the back with the opening so as not to stop the drive unnecessarily. Dump in A the tempered soap solution. Start next solution in the A tank.

Turn the B shell up. Dump in B the vsoap solution. f

The ,above outlined operationsvare repeated cyclically at proper intervals on A and B alternately until the A shell has been turned back and the last rinse water dumped. Bbthcylinders are still going. Turn the A shell to the front. This will cause the 'drive stop on both A and .B units. Inch the A cylinder door to frontand open it.

Turn A shell down. This is the forward down position reached by lowering the shell down front until the ratchet stop is struck. If this lstop were not short the shell might be turned too far so as to get into the back position where the safety device would no longer prevent the drive from acting. If so, the cylinder would start with its door open and might damage some of the clothes.

Place a truck under the A shell door. y

Inch the A cylinder until the door is down and the wash falls Vinto a truck positioned under the unit. Unclutch the A unit and start the drive again in order to complete the Voperation of the B `unit unless the B unit is lfinished rinsing and further tumbling is not necessary. The wash dumping steps just outlined in connection with the A unit would berepeated on the B unit at the proper time, thus leaving both units empty and readly to start a new cycle of operations following the above outlined steps.

While I have disclosed a particular embodiment of my invention for the purpose of illustration, it will be understood that various modiiications and adaptations such as would occur to one skilled in the art may be made without a departure from the spirit of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a laundry machine, a driving unit comprising a power shaft and a main drive shaft, a self releasing clutch for interconnecting the two shafts, means for operating said clutch, and feed-back means interconnecting said main drive shaft with the clutch operating means for maintaining said clutch in driving condition.

2. In a laundry machine, a driving unit com-V prising a power shaft, a drive pinion mounted on said shaft, a pair of drive gears intermeshed with said pinion so as to be rotated in opposite direction, a main drive shaft, a clutch for connecting each of said drive gears to said main drive shaft, operating means for said clutches comprising a control shaft; hand means for turning said control shaft and feed-back gearing for interconnecting said control shaft with one of the first mentioned shafts.

3. In a laundry machine, ay driving unit comprising a pair of oppositely rotating power gears, a main drive shaft, a clutch for each of the power gears for interconnecting the same with said main drive shaft, a control shaft for operating either of said clutches at will, hand means for operating said control shaft and feed-back means interconnected between said main drive shaft and said control shaft for maintaining a clutch, when operated, in operated condition.

4. In a laundry machine, a reversing drive unit comprising a power shaft, a main drive shaft,`

means including two self releasing clutches mounted on said main drive shaft for interconnecting said main drive shaft with said power shaft for rotation in either direction at will and means responsive to rotation of said main drive shaft for engaging said clutches alternately to cause periodic reversals of the direction of rotation of saidvmain drive shaft.

5. In a reversing drive unit, a power shaft, a main drive shaft, means Afor interconnecting said power shaft withsaid drive shaft' to rotate said drive shaft inonedirection and means forinterconnecting said power-shaft with said drive shaft to rotate said shaft in the opposite direction, a manuallyv operable control shaft for actuating said interconnecting means, friction means connecting said drive shaft to said controi shaft yto maintain operation thereof and means comprising a flywheel for operating said control shaft to cause said interconnecting means to be actuated alternately.

6. A reversing drive unit according to claim wherein the flywheel is keyed to the control shaft and is provided with a counting means for connecting said flywheel with an energy storing spring adapted to stop and then produce a reversal of rotation of said flywheel.

7. In a laundry machine, a rotatably mounted enclosing drum having an opening in the side thereof, a laundry container inside of said drum, power means for driving said container, and safety means responsive to rotation of said drum to an unsafe position for rendering said driving means ineffective.

8. A laundry machine according vto claim '7 wherein the safety means comprises a cam on the enclosingdrum and a lever interconnected with the drivingV means.

9. A laundry machine according to claim '7 wherein the driving means comprises arself releasing clutch and a feed-back means for maintaining said clutch in engagement and said safety means comprises means for rendering said feedback means ineffective.

l0. In a laundry machine, a rotatably mounted enclosing drum capable of being turned to a safe and unsafe position, a washing device inside of said drum,`power means for driving said device, said device being connected to said power means through a clutch, safety means responsive to rotation of said drum to an unsafe position for rendering ineffective said power means, and means responsive to disengagement of said clutch for rendering ineffective said safety means.

11. In a laundry machine, a driving unit comprising a power shaft and a main drive shaft, a drive pinion keyed to said power shaft, a pair of drive gears rotatably mounted on said main drive shaft and adapted to be rotated in opposite directions by said pinion, a self releasing clutch mounted on said main drive shaft for each of said drive gears for interconnecting the gear with said drive shaft, a rotatable control shaft for operating said clutches, and feed-back means comprising twoY gears mounted on said control shaft for maintaining a clutch in operated conditiorn the first of said Ygears being keyed to said shaft and the second of said gears being rotatably mounted on said shaft and held in frictional engagement with said rst gear by means of a spring.

12. A driving unit according to claim ll wherein means is provided for moving said rst and second gears out of frictional engagement.

13. In a laundry machine, a rotatably mounted enclosing drum capable of being turned to a safe and unsafe position, a washing deviceinside of said drum, power means for driving said device, said device being connected to said power means through a clutch, safety means responsive to rotation of said drum to an unsafe position for rendering ineffective said power means, and manual means adapted to render said power means intermittently eiective to inch said washing ,device to any desired position.

14. Clutch mechanism for driving laundry machinery from an oscillating drive shaft, comprising, in combination, a drive shaft and a driven shaft, a main clutch and a. pilot clutch which affects the engagement of the main clutch, said 10 main clutch including a sleeve revolving with the driven shaft and slidable thereon, and a spring loosely encircling the driving shaft connected With said sleeve and capable of frictional engagement with the driver by the movement 0I" said sleeve, the pilot clutch being a slip clutch always in engagement, one of whose elements is connected to the driver and the other to the sleeve, and serving to rock the sleeve past the engagement position of the main clutch at each oscillation.

. ARTHUR H. ADAMS.

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