US2143854A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet l Awewroa: P500 5 BAR/r0? Arron/vars Jan. 17, 1939.

P. E. BARKER WASHING MACHINE Filed April 3, 1935 i H III i. K J

Jan. 17, 1939.

P. E, BARKER WASHING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 //w.s'w TO/P. PERCY 5 5/79/5277 JWRQQM Arron/vira- Jan. 17, 1939. I P. E. BARKER WASHING MACHINE Filed April 3, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 17, 1939. R E KER 2,143,854

WASHING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 88Ciaims.

My invention particularly relates to washing machines of the agitator'type in which the washing operation is performed by forward and backward movements of gyrator vanes which cause washing turbulence in the washing fluid. The invention is particularly applicable to washing machines of the portable typebut is alsoverypracticably serviceable for use in stationary laundry trays wherein any compartment will serve as the washing chamber.

Objects of the invention are to provide a gyrator assembly in which all linkage and crank elements are eliminated and which, preferably, is wholly located in the washing tub or chamber. However, essential features of my invention can be embodied in a washingmachine in which the motor, gearing, and associated mechanism are located outside of the washing chamber. My gyrator assembly includes the motor and its housing, the gearing and other mechanism necessary to eifect the movements and reversals of the gyrator vanes, and the assembly casing, all as one compact unit which can be economically manufactured and assembled, and which, after being assembled, will be hermetically sealed, and in which all moving parts work inwoil which is en-. closed and protected from pollution by dust and injurious gases.

My improved gyrator assembly cushions the energy that is generally abruptly expended and comparatively slowly recovered in starting and' stopping an agitator incident to themeriodic reversals of the directions of movement of its vanes,

Other and related objects of my invention will appear from the detailed description. of the construction and operation thereof hereinafter given,

by reference to the accompanying drawings.

The annexed drawings and the followingdescription set forth in detail certain means embodying my invention, such means constituting, however, but three 01' the various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may i be illustrated.

Figure 3 is a broken horizontal section, taken in the planes indicated by the line 3-4, Figure 1, two extreme positions of certain spring elements and related parts during the reversing actions of the gyrator being shown in broken lines and in 5 dot-and-dash lines, respectively;

Figure 3a is a fragmentary central ,vertical sec tion, taken in the planes indicated by the line Sit-3a, Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the i0 effect upon certain movable bearings of certain weights eccentrically secured to certain rotating parts of my gyrator assembly, the weights cooperating with certain spring members which alternately assist and oppose the movements of 15 the bearings which are induced by the inertia of the eccentrically mounted rotating weights;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary central vertical section of a form of washing machine embodying my invention in which the agitator actuating mecha- 20 nism is located in a chamber separate from the washing chamber;

Figure 6 is a central vertical section, partially in elevation, of a form of my inventionapplied to a compartment of a standard laundry tray;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the gyrator assembly shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of two compartments of a laundry tray in one of which is mounted my improved gyrator assembly, certain extreme posi- 30 tions assumed by the assembly during the reversing actions being indicated in broken lines.

Refen-ing to the annexed drawings in which the same parts are indicated by the same respective numbers in the several views, and particu- 5 larly referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 3a, and 4, a tub I, which may be any suitable vessel 01' practicable size and material, serves as a washing chamber, and is provided with a close fitting cover 2 having an exterior central knob portion 3 forming a support for an upper bearing 33. The tub I is provided with handles 62. Within this tub,

I position my improved gyrator assembly 36 which is adapted to turn in the upper bearing 33 and in a lower opposed bearing 23' upwardly extended 45 from a base plate 23 secured to the inner wall of the bottom of the tub I. A plate 22 is secured to the bottomof the gyrator casing and is formed with a downwardly-extended trunnion 22' which is Joni-nailed in the bearing 23'. The gyrator as- 50 sembly includes an enclosed outer casing comprised of a saucer-shaped base member I! upon which is erected an upper member 5 which converges inwardly and upwardly and at its upper central portion merges into a tube 32 extended 55 upwardly through a sleeve 34 which is journalled in the upper bearing 33. The tube 32 is provided with an electric socket (not shown) which is adapted to removably accommodate a plug 34' in which are secured electric conductors 3|. Downwardly extended through the tube 32 and through a plug 35 tightly fitted within the tube 32 and disposed adjacent the bottom of the tube are electric conductors 3| running to a motor 4, the motor being of suitable R. P. M. to effect,

through the speed reduction gearing used, to and fro movements of the gyrator vanes at a washing frequency, which frequency, as is well known, comparatively low as compared with a vibrating frequency. The conductors 3| above the plug 35 and within the tube 32 are enclosed by an airtight sleeve 63 of sealing wax. Mounted upon the upper casing member 5 and exteriorly of the tube 32 and tightly fitted to the latter is an elongated hub 31 to'which are secured the inner edges of a plurality of spaced agitator vanes 37.

The motor 4 is formed with and secured to a cover member I and a base member 21, from the center of the latterof which a boss 28. extends upwardly and forms a bearing for a downwardlyextended motor shaft 38. The motor base member 21 is formed with outwardly-extended diametrically-opposed portions 29 having downwardly-ex'tended tubular bosses 29 within which pins 9 and it are dependingly secured. These pins 9 and ID are enclosed in bushings 30 which form journals for a pair of elongated hubs 1 and 8 secured respectively to horizontally-spaced gears 1 and-8 which engage at their inner adjacent edge portions with the opposite sides 'of a pinion 8 secured to the lower end of the motor shaft 38. The bodies of these gears I and 8 are formed with a plurality of spaced openings 1' and 8' in order to reduce their weight. The motor base member 27 is also formed with diametricallyopposed ears 45, Figure 2, spaced ninety degrees from the bosses 29' and forming supports for downwardly extendin pins 46 which bear upon the casing member I2 and assist in supporting the motor 4.

The motor and gearing are secured to the easing comprised of the members l2, 5, and 32 by means of pins 28 and 2| secured in and downwardly extended from the pins 9 and I8, respectively, and passing through the casing member l2. These pins 29 and 2| also secure to the lower surface .of the casing member |2 an inverted saucer-shaped plate l9. Projecting downwardly from, and secured to, the plate l9 are a pair of diametrically opposed lugs 4| and 42, Figures 3 and 3a, whose function will be later described.

From the aforeg'oing description and 'the accompanying drawings, it is evident that the axes of thebearingpins 9 and I forthe gears land 8 are not fixed but, if means are provided for swinging them to and fro in arcs having centers concentric with the axis of the motor shaft 38,

they are free so to swing, and that such swinging movements will be communicated to the gyrator assembly including the casing l2, 5 and 32,

and vanes, the motor, and the plate l9. 7 I shall now describe means for efiecting' such swingin movements.

Secured to the gears peripheries thereof, and to symmetrically disposed portions thereof, are weights |5|8- -'-|'Il8, the weights being in opposed pairs |5-l6 and |'I|8,

respectively, fastened to the top and bottom faces- ,of the gears I and 8 by rivets 49.. when the gears I and 8 are rotated from astarting position such I and 8, adjacent the I as illustrated, for instance, by the full line showing thereof in Figures 2 and, 4, and the motor shaft 38 turns in a counter-clockwise direction, the gears and 8 turn in a clockwise direction,

and the weights |5-|8|'|-|8 move toward the.

- pins 9 and I0 so to be moved continues until the rotation of the gears l and 8 has carried the weights through a sufiicient arc to reverse the direction in which the centrifugal force created by the weights tend to move the axes of the pins 9 and- M. Then, until the continued rotation of the gears I and 8 has again reversed the direction of the throw induced by the inertia of the weights, the weights l5--| 8--| 8 and the gears I and 8 move toward the positions shown there- I for in broken lines, Figure 4, and the axes of the pins 9 and I0 move in the arcs in a counter-clockwise direction. These cycles are periodically repeated by the continued rotation of the gears and 8, and the axes of the pins 9 and I0 move back and forth in the paths of the two arcs shown in Figure 4 and, consequently, the whole gyrator assembly 36, including the vanes 31', .will have to and fro oscillating movements.

I provide means for intensifying the strokes", of the vanes 31 in an assembly such as thus far described, and forcushioning or equalizing the energy that would be expended in such an assembly in stopping the pins 9 and Ill and the related elements in one direction of movement and in starting the movementof these pins and elements in the other direction. These means will now be described. 7

Journalled upon the upwardly-extended bear- I ing 23 of the base plate 23 is an inner spring I incident to the reciprocatory movements of the gyrator assembly. The lugs 4| and 42 are of a horizontal length slightly less than the distance between the opposed inner leaves of'the springs 25 and 28, as clearly indicated in Figure 3 by the space 68". There are other lugs 43 and 44, a pair of them and diametrically opposed, projected upwardly from the stationary base member 23, and lying, normally, adjacently-interiorly of the movable lugs 4| and 42. These fixed lugs 43 and 44 are disposed between the opposed springs 25 and 26 so as also to contact with the inner long leaves of the springs 25 and 26, after a slight -movement of the latter from their normal positions, the amount of such movement being represented by the space 69', Figurea. Y

From the aforegoing, it is eviden that the reciprocatory movements of the gyrato assembly will cause the lug 4| to engage and move an end of one spring 25, and the lug 42 to engage and move an end of the other spring 26, both spring movements being-clockwise, if the direction 01. movement of the gearing is such as indicated by the dot-and-dash showing in. Figure 4. However, the opposite ends of the respective springs can- 2,14a,ss4

not move clockwise, as is true of the ends firstmentioned, but are stopped and bent into symmetrically opposite positions, to those assumed by the first-mentioned spring ends, by the fixed lugs 44 and 43. The result is indicated in the dotand-dash showing of Figure 3. If the gyrator assembly had been moved in the opposite direction to that just described, 1. e.,. to, the positions shown in broken lines in Figures 2 and 4, then the effect upon the springs 25 and 26 and the positions assumed by the latter would be those indicated in the broken line showings of Figure 3. The operation of the aforementioned elements, and the effect upon the reversing of directions of movement of the vanes 31, are as follows:

When the gyrator assembly tends to move in counter-clockwise direction, for instance, Figure 4, the springs 25 and 26 are increasingly tensioned toward the position illustrated by the broken line showing of Figure 3; this tensioning of the springs continuing until the reactive forces of the springs 25 and 26 are equal to the tangentially-directed forces of the weights I5|6I'Il8,. by which time the rotation of the gears I and 8 has carried the weights to approximately the broken line positions shown in Figures 2 and 4. Then there is a dwell or rest period in the movement of the gyrator assembly in its reciprocatory path until the tangentially-directed forcesof the weights tends to reverse the direction of movement of the gyrator assembly. During this dwell period the gears I and 8 continue to rotate and the tangentially-directed forces of the weights I5- l6l1--l8 are reversed in direction. As soon as these tangentially-directed forces tend to move the gyrator assembly in a direction the same as that in which the reactive forces of the tensioned springs 25 and 26 tend to move the gyrator assembly, then the weights and springs aggregate their impulses and snap the gyrator assembly toward the opposite end of its reciprocatory path of movement, or tend to so snap it.

This induced snap action of the gyrator assembly is through an arc of about 90, when the cycle has been repeated often enough to have built up the full accumulative effect of the springs 25 arid 26.

6 Thus, the action of the springs 25 and 26 not only gives the gyrator assembly a snap action and increases its speed of-reciprocatory movement at the beginning of its stroke in one direction, but also slows up its movement at the end of the stroke in each direction and thus cushions or equalizes the energy which is expended in stopping the movement of the gyrator assembly in one direction and in starting its movement in the opposite direction, when the weights rotate by the centers which define the changes of direction in which the tangentially-directed forces are exerted. This cushioning and smoothing out of energy application is occasioned, of course, by

, the resistance of the springs 25 and 26 to com- I 3 and I4 downwardly extended from the main 4 bodies of the gears I and 8 and. spaced somewhat from the bottom ends of the bushings 30 so as to form oil cupsfrom which by means of openings 41 in the bushings 30 and hubs I and 8 therefor the lubricant finds entrance to the moving surfaces, there being provided a felt and wick arrangement 48 for effecting the transfer of the lubricant. The lubricant is splashed up into the cups l3 and I4 by their movement with the gears 1 and 6 from an oil well 39 which is formed in the bottom of the casing member l2 and is filled to about the height of the bottom of the cups I3 and I4. The lubricant also travels upwardly and outwardly along the conical sides of the cups l3 and I4 due to the rotation of the gears 1 and 8.

In Figure 5, I disclose a form of my invention in which the motor gearing, and related mechanism are disposed in the space 65 located exteriorly of and beneath the washing chamber of the tub 64 and between the legs 66 upon which the tub is supported. A casing 61 for the operating mechanism is formed withan elongated standard 68 which extends upwardly into the washing chamber of the tub- 64 and is connected to an agitator of any desired style provided with vanes 68. The standard 68 is supported by and turns in an elongated bearing I mounted upon the inside face of the bottom of the washing chamber of the tub 64.

Referring particularly to Figures 6, '7, and 8, I therein disclose an adaptation of my invention to a compartment of a standard laundry tray, in which 50 represents such compartment of ad standard tub assembly which is supplied with hot and cold water through the pipes 5|. For supporting my improved gyrator assembly 36' in such a tray compartment 50, I provide an upper cross bar 52adapted to be tightly secured to the top of the compartment 56 by 'means of clamps 53. This bar 52 has an elongated downwardly-extended boss 54 interiorly of which and adjacent the bottom of which is mounted a cylindrical journal member 55 forming the top of the gyrator assembly 36'. Secured to the top of the journal member 55 is a tube 56 which extends upwardly through the bar 52 and forms a conduit for conductors 51 leading to the motor 4. Extending upwardly from the casing member 5 is a central vane support 6| to which are attached a plurality of outwardly extended spaced vanes 31*. The journal member 55 projects upwardly from this vane support 6|. Surrounding the conductor tube 56 is a coiled spring 59 secured at its upper end in the stationary member 52 and at its lower end in the journal member 55. The upper end of the tube 56 is exteriorly threaded and engaged by a nut 58 whereby the whole assembly can be locked in position, the nut 58 being adapted to turn freely'and smoothly upon the portion of the upper surface of the bar 52 with which it, contacts. Such turning is caused by the turning of the tube 56 and the journal member 55 in the boss 54, and the turning of the vanes 31 and the motor 4, and the entire gyrator assembly, by means within the casing members 5 and I2 substantially identical with those described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3-, and 3a, except that the fixed base 23, the leaf springs 25 and 26, the cupshapedmember l9, and the related mechanism beneath the member I9, which are described and shown with reference to the form of invention shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 3a, are dispensed with in the form of invention shown in Figures 6, '7, and 8,'and the effect of the springs 25 and 26 upon the swinging movements of the bearings 9 and I0 described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3,

and 3a, is accomplished in the form of invention shown in Figures 5 6, and 7, by the spring 59. Also, in this form of the invention, the casing members 5 and I2 are secured together by countersunk screws 62,'Figure 7. It is evident that the arcuate movement of the axes of the pins 9 and Ill, under the action of the weights l5I6-l1-l8, will put the spring 59 under tension which will effect alternately a cushioning for, and a snapping of, the strokes of the vanes 3G.

The form of invention shown in Figures 6, '1,

between the lugs 4!, 42, 43, and M, and the adjacent leaves ofthe springs 25 and 26.

What I claim is:

1. A gyrator assembly for a washing machine consisting of an entirely sealed casing, agitator vanes suitable for effecting washing turbulence carried by said casing to move therewith, a motor and a reciprocable inertia mass carried in said casing, said motor being operatively connected to said mass so as to reciprocate the latter, said mass beingoperatively connected to the casing so as to effect reciprocatory movements of the .latter and of the vanes when the mass is reciprocated by the mbtor, and the motor and its connections with the inertia mass, and the connections of the latter with the casing, being such as to effect the reciprocating movements of the casing and vanes at a washing frequency.

2. A gyrator assembly for a washing machine consisting of an entirely sealed casing, agitator vanes suitable for effecting washing turbulence carried by said casing to move therewith, an electric motor and a shaft driven thereby, and a reciprocable inertia mass, said motor and shaft and inertia mass being carried in the casing, said driven "shaft being operatively connected to said ,ma'ss so as to reciprocate the same, said mass being operatively connected to the casing'so as to effect reciprocatory movements of the latter and of the vanes when the mass is reciprocated by the shaft, and the motor and its connections with the inertia mass, and the connections of the latter with the casing, being such as to effect the reciprocatory movements of the casing and the vanes at a washing frequency.

3. A gyrator assembly for a washing machine consisting of an entirely sealed casing, agitator vanessuitable for effecting washing turbulence carried by said casing to move therewith, a motor and a reciprocable inertia mass carried in said casing, said motor being operatively connected to said mass so as -to reciprocate the latter, said mass being operatively connected to the casing so as to effect reciprocatory movements of the latter and of the vanes when the mass is reciprocated by the motor, and the motor and its connections with the inertia mass, and the connections of the latter with the casing, being such as to efiect the reciprocatory movements of the casing and vanes at a washing frequency, and means alternately opposing and assisting the actions of said mass and thus regulating the character of the reciprocatory movements of the casing and vanes.-

4. A gyrator assembly for a washing machine consisting of an entirelyse aled casing, agitator vanes suitable for'efiecting washing turbulence carried by said casing to move therewith, a

motor and a reciprocable inertia masscarried in said casing, said motor being operatively connected to said mass so as to reciprocate the latter, said mass being operatively connected to the casing so as to efiect reciprocatorymovements of the latter and of the vanes when the mass is reciprocated by the motor, and the motor and 5 its connections with the inertia mass, and the connections of the latter with the casing, being such as to effect the reciprocatory movements of the casing and vanes at a washing frequency, and resilient means alternately opposing and assisting the actions of said mass to slow up the movement of the casing and vanes during a portion of their stroke in each direction and to speed upsaid movement during the balance of the stroke.

5. A gyrator assembly consisting of an entirely sealed casing, agitator vanes. carried by said casing to move therewith, an electric motor having a driven shaft, a pinion secured to the shaft, a pair of speed-reduction gears symmetrically arranged about the axis of the shaft, and bearing pins which are carried by said casing and upon which the gears are respectively mounted, said gears having symmetrically arranged eccentric inertia masses, said motor, shaft, gears and inertia masses being carried in, said casing, and said pinion engaging the gears, thus to effect movements of the gears in an oscillatory path of movement, and hence, also of the casing and vanes.

6. A washing machine comprising a tub forming a washing'chamber, a gyrator assembly, and means for journalling the assembly in the tub, said gyrator consisting of spaced gyrator vanes positioned in the washing chamber and suitable for effecting washing turbulence and of a selfcontained oscillatory unit comprising an entirely sealed casing to which said vanes are secured and with which the vanes move, bearing pins carried by the casing, a motor having a driven shaft, rotatable members" carried by said bearing pins and operatively connected to the motor shaft so as to be rotated thereby at an angular speed different than that of" said motor shaft, and unbalanced inertia masses secured to the respective rotatable members, the motor, motor shaft, rotatable members, inertia masses and bearing pinsbeing carried in the casing, and the motor, the rotatable members, and the connection of the motor shaft with the rotatable members, being such as to effect the oscillatory move ments of the casing and the vanes at a washing frequency.

7. A washing machine comprising a tub form- 1 ing a washing chamber, a gyrator assembly, and means for journalling the assembly in the tub, said gyrator assembly consisting of spaced gyrator vanes positioned in the washing chamber and suitable for efiecting washing turbulence and of a self-contained oscillatory unit comprising an entirely sealed casing to which said vanes are secured and with which the vanes move, a motor having a driven shaft, gears symmetrically arranged about the axis of the motor shaft and having parallel axes offset therefrom and upon which they are rotatable, said gears being carried by the casing and being operatively connected to the motor shaft so as to be rotated, thereby, and unbalanced inertia masses secured to the. respective gears, the motor, motor shaft, gears and inertia masses being carried in the casing-and the motor, the gears, and the connection of the motor shaft with the gears, being such as to efiect the oscillatory the latter, and symmetrically arranged inertia movements of the casing and the vanes at a washing frequency.

8. A washing machine comprising a tub forming a washing chamber and provided with opposed bearings, and a gyrator assembly disposed in the washing chamber, journalled in the bearings, and consisting of spaced agitator vanes and of a self-contained oscillatory unit comprising an entirely sealed casing to which the vanes are connected to be operatively controlled by the movements of the casing, a motor having a driven shaft, a housing for the motor carried in the casing, a pair of opposed gears disposed upon opposite sides of the motor shaft and symmetrically arranged relative thereto, the gears being operatively connected to the motor shaft so as to be rotated thereby, bearing pins secured to the motor housing and upon whichthe gears rotate, the bearing pins beingalso secured to the casing, and the gears, bearing pins and gear connections being carried in the casing, and inertia masses eccentrically secured to the gears, thus causing the tangentially-directed forces created by the rotation of the gears to pull the bearing pins alternately-in opposite directions in arcs of a circle having its center in the axis of the motor shaft to effect the oscillatory movements of said self-contained unit.

' sealed casing to which the vanes are connected to be operatively controlled by the movements of the casing, a motor having a driven shaft, a housing for the motor carried in the casing, a pair of gears disposed upon opposite sides of the motor shaft and symmetrically arranged relative thereto, the

gears being operatively connected to the motor shaft so as to be rotated thereby, bearing pins which are secured to the motor housing and to the casing and upon which the gears rotate, the gears, bearing pins and gear connections being carried in the casing, and inertia masses eccentrically secured to the gears, thus causing the tangentially-directed forces created by the rotation of the gears to pull the bearing pins alternately in opposite directions in arcs of a circle having its center in the axis of the motor shaft to effect the oscillatory movements of said self-contained unit; and a plurality of leaf springs associated with the tub and the self-contained oscillatory unit so as alternately to oppose and to assist the movements of the latter.

10. A washing machine comprising a tub having a washing chamber, and a gyratory assembly journalled within the tub and having spaced agitator vanes positioned in the washing chamber, an entirely sealed casing to the exterior surface of which the'vanes are secured, a pair of parallel bearing pins secured to and carried in the casing, a pair of gears relatively spaced edgewise and mounted to rotate on the respective bearing pins, a motor housing secured to the bearing pins and carried in the casing, a motor secured to and in the motor housing and having a driven shaft extended outwardly from the housing, a pinion secured to the shaft and disposed in the space between said pair of gears and engaging both of masses eccentrically secured to the gears.

11. A washing machine comprising a tub having a washing chamber, an upstanding bearing member secured to the inner face of the bottom of the tub, and an opposed bearing carried by the tub adjacent the top of the latter; a gyratory assembly journalled in said bearings and having spaced agitator vanes positioned in the washing chamber, an entirely sealed casing to the exterior surface of which the vanes are secured, a pair of parallel vertical bearing pins secured to and carried in the casing, a pair of edgewise-spaced and horizontally-aligned gears mounted to rotate on the .respective bearing pins, a motor housing secured to the bearing pins and carried in the easing, a motor secured to and in the motor housing and having a depending driven shaft extended outwardly from the housing, a pinion secured to the shaft and disposed in the space between said pair of gears and engaging both of the latter, and symmetrically arranged inertia masses eccentrically secured to the gears; a pair of oppositelydisposed leaf springs mounted upon opposite sides of said lower tub bearing; lugs secured to the tub bottom and upstanding therefrom and disposed between said springs and adjacent the ends thereof; and other lugs secured to and depending from the casing between said springs and adjacent the ends thereof.

12. A gyrator assembly mounted on a support for gyratory movement relative thereto and comprising a movable casing, a motor having component fixed to said casing and a second com ponent rotatable with respect to the first-mentioned component, an unbalanced inertia mass rotatably carried by said first-mentioned component, a driving connection between said unbalanced mass and said second component, and agitating means carried by the casing and rendered effective by the movements of the latter,

the gyrator assembly being so mounted on said support and said unbalancedinertia mass being so associated with said agitating means that controlled gyratory movement of said agitating means is effected.

13. In combination, a support having a bearing, and a gyrator assembly comprising a casing rotatably carried by said bearing, a motor having one component fixed to the casing and a second component rotatablewith respeit to said one component, an unbalanced inertia mass rotatably carried by said one component, a driving connection between said unbalanced mass and said second component, and agitating vanes carried by the casing and rendered efiective'by the movements of the latter.

14. A gyrator assembly comprising a casing, a motor having a rotatable component, a wheel mounted on the casing for rotation about an axis eccentric with respect to the axis of said rotatable component, a driving connection between said rotatable component and said wheel, an inertia mass carried by said wheel in unbalanced position, all such that oscillatory movements are imparted to said casing by the rotation of the wheel, and agitating means carried by the casing and rendered effective by the oscillatory move ments of the latter.

15. A gyrator assembly comprising a motor having a component which is rotatable with respect to a second component, wheels carried by said second component and rotatable relative to the latter, driving connections between said wheels and the rotatable component, inertia masses mounted on said wheels and respectively disposed in unbalanced positions, said wheels and said masses being so disposed with respect to the .axis of the rotatable motor component that the 75 actions of said masses are cumulative and cause oscillation of said second component, and agitating means associated with said second component and actuated by the oscillation of the latter.

16. A gyrator assembly comprising a motor having two components one of which is rotatable with respect to the other, a wheel rotatably mounted on said other component and peripherally engaging said one component, an inertia mass fixed to said wheel in unbalanced position and rotatable therewith, all such that rotation of the rotatable motor component causes oscillation of the other motor component, and agitating means associated with said other component and actuated by the oscillations of the latter.

17. A gyrator assembly comprising an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, a pinion fixed to the rotor, a gear wheel rotatably mounted on the stator and peripherally engaging said pinion, an inertia mass 'fixed to said wheel in unbalanced position and rotatable therewith, all such that rotation of the rotor causes oscillation of the station, and agitating means associated with the stator and rendered efiective by the oscillations of the latter.

18. A gyrator assembly comprising a casing, a

, motor sealed within the casing and having two components which are rotatable relative to one another, a pinion fixed to one of said components, a gear wheel rotatably mounted on the other of said components and peripherally engaging said pinion, said casing being secured to said other component, an inertia mass fixed to said wheel in unbalanced position and rotatable therewith, all such that rotation of said one motor component causes oscillation of said casing, and vanes carried by the casing.

19. In combination, a support; a gyrator assembly rotatably carried by the support and comprising a motor having two components each rotatable with respect to the other, an unbalanced inertia mass rotatably mounted on one of said components, agitating means carried by said one component and rendered effective by the movements of the latter, and a driving connection between said unbalanced mass and the second of said components, all such that operation of said motor causes gyration of said gyratory assembly relative'to said support; and means efiective between the gyrator assembly and said support alternately to dampen and to intensify the gyratory movements of the gyrator assembly.

20. In combination, a support; a gyrator assembly comprising a casing rotatably carried by the support, vanes on the exterior surface of the casing, a motor having a component fixed to the casing and a second component rotatable with respect to the first-mentioned component, an unbalanced inertia mass rotatably mounted on the first-mentioned component, and a driving connection between said unbalanced massand said second component, all such that operation of said motor causes oscillation of said casing and vanes relative to said support; and resilient means efiective between said casing and said support alternately to dampen and to intensify the oscillatory movements of the casing.

21. In combination, a support a gyrator assembly comprising a casing rotatably carried-by the support, vanes carried by the casing and rendered effective by the movements of the latter, an electric motor having a stator fixed to the casing-and a rotor, a pinion carried by the rotor, gear wheels rotatably mounted on the casing, said gear wheels being oppositely disposed with reamasse spect to said pinion and having driving engagement therewith, and an inertia mass carried by each gear wheel and so disposed in unbalanced position that the actions of the inertia masses are cumulative and'cause oscillation of said casing relative to said support; and resilient means efiective between said casing and said support to intensify the intermediate part of each unidirectional movement of the casing and to dampen the final part of each such movement.

22. A gyrator assembly comprising a casing, vanes on the exterior surface of the casing, a motor, oscillatory inertia masses located symmetrically about the motor axis, said motor and said -masses being carried in and connected to the and the mounting of said mass being such as to effect to and fro movements of said firstmentioned component, and hence of said casing, in a common path of movement when said mass is driven by the motor, and agitating means associated with said casing and actuated by the to and fro movements of the latter.

. 24. A gyrator assembly comprising a motor having two movable components which are relativelyrotatable, an unbalanced inertia mass rotatably mounted on one of said components, driving connections between the other of said com-v ponents and said unbalanced mass to rotate the latter, the gyrator assembly being so mounted and the mounting of said unbalanced mass being such as to efiect by its rotation to and fro movements of said one component in a common path of movement, and agitating means associated with said one component and actuated by said to and fro movements of the latter.

25. A gyrator assembly comprising a movable casing, an unbalanced inertia mass mounted on said casing for movement with said casing-and also for movement relative thereto, means for moving said unbalanced mass relative to said casing, the gyrator assembly being so mounted and the mounting of said unbalanced mass being such that movement thereof relative to said casing by said means efi'ects to and fro movements of said casing in a common path of movement, and agitating means associated with said casing and actuated by said to and fro movements of the latter.

26. A gyrator assembly comprising a symmetrically formed casing, a motor carried in said casing and having a rotatable component, an unbalanced inertia mass relatively rotatably secured to said casing for rotation about an axis eccentric with respect to -the axis of symmetry of said casing, driving connections between said rotatable component and said unbalanced mass to rotate the latter, all such that said casing is oscillated when said unbalanced mass is rotated about said eccentric axis, and agitating means carried by said casing and rendered efiective by the oscillations of the latter.

27. In combination, a support and a gyrator assembly comprising a motor carried by said support so as to permit movement of said motor relative to said support, said motor having two components which are rotatable relative to one an other, an unbalanced inertia mass mounted on one of said components for rotation about an axis eccentric with respect to the motor axis, driving connections between the other ofsaid components and said unbalanced mass to rotate the latter, and

agitating means associated with said one com-' ponent, all such that said agitating means are rendered eifective when said motor is operated.

28. A gyrator assembly comprising a motor having two movable components which are relacasing, a power driven rotor, an unbalanced inertia mass carried by said casing and-rotatable relative thereto about an axis eccentric with re spect to the rotor axis, driving connections between said rotor and said unbalanced mass to rotate the latter, and agitating means associated with saidcasing, all such that rotation of said unbalanced mass effects movement of said casing and renders said means effective.

30. A gyrator assembly comprising a casing, an unbalanced inertia mass carried by said casing and rotatable relative thereto, means carried by said casing for rotating said unbalanced mass relative to 'said casing, the gyrator assembly being so mounted and the mounting of said unbalanced mass being such as to effect-to and fro movements of said casing in a common path of movement when said unbalanced mass is rotated relative to said casing, and agitating means associated with said casing in such manner as to be rendered eflfective by said to and fro movements of the latter.

31. A gyrator assembly comprising a symmetrically formed casing, an unbalanced inertia mass carried by said casing "and rotatable relative thereto about an axis eccentric with respect to the axis of symmetry of said casing, means for rotating said unbalanced mass about said eccentric axis, and agitating means associated with said casing in such manner as to be rendered eflective by the rotation of said unbalanced mass about said eccentric axis.

'32. A gyrator assembly mounted on a support for movement about an axis of gyration and comprising agitating means, an unbalanced inertia mass mounted for rotation about an axis eccentric with respect to said axis of, 'gyration and associated with said agitating means in such manner that rotation of said unbalanced mass about said eccentric axis eflects oscillatory movements of said agitating means, and means for rotating said unbalanced massabout said eccentric axis.

bearing element for rotation about said eccentric axis, and means for rotating said unbalanced mass about said eccentric axis.

34. In combination, the gyrator assembly set forth in claim 32 and means to dampen andto intensify the oscillatory movements of the agitating means.

35. In combination, a gyrator assembly having an axis of gyration and comprising agitating means, an unbalanced inertia mass mounted for rotation about an axis eccentric with respect to said axis of gyration and associated with said agitatingmeans in such manner that rotation of said unbalanced mass aboutsaid eccentric axis effects oscillatory movements of said agitating means, and means for rotating said unbalanced mass about said eccentric axis; and means to dampen and to intensify said oscillatory movements of said agitating means, the last-mensomewhat subsequent to the commencement of the oscillatory movements of said agitating means.

36. A gyrator assembly comprising agitating means, an unbalanced inertia mass, the gyrator assembly being so mounted and said unbalanced inertia mass being relatively rotatably secured to said agitating means in such manner that rotation of said unbalanced mass relative to said agitating means efiects to and fro movements of said agitating means in a common path, and means for rotating said unbalanced mass relative to said agitating means thereby to move said agitating means to and fro in a common path.

37. In combination, the gyrator assembly set forth in claim 36 and means to dampen and to intensify the to and fro movements of the agitating means.

38. Incombination, a gyrator assembly comprising agitating means, an unbalanced inertia mass, the gyrator assembly being so mounted and said unbalanced inertia mass being relatively rotatably secured to said agitating means in such manner that rotation of said unbalnced mass efl'ects to and fro movements of said agitating means in a common path, and means for rotating said unbalanced mass relative to said agitating 1 otsaid gyrator assembly, said last-mentioned means become operative somewhat submuent to the commencement of the to and fro movements of said agitating means.

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