US2438737A - Tumbling drum for laundry machines - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1948. c. c. BATINA TUMBLING DRUM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed Oct. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 r ,w a a. w F. d fi. 1. 4 .3 1h M 4 6 March 30, 1948. c. c. BATINA TUMBLING DRUM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed 001:. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 r .4 Z i ad 9 e 1 m av 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 awn u '9 P w u 0 W -0- t U .O

o. I o .o :0 o'o'o' 6.9.9...

C. C. BATINA Filed Oct. 8, 1941 TUMBLING DRUM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES [Hill I a wa vm March 30, 1948.

Match 30, 1948. c. c. BATINA 2,438,737

TUMBLING DRUM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed Oct. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 m 1e? 1 225m i 166 1;; L M 16.7

I WM zia/fitwvzqg- March 30, 1948 .c. c. BATINA TUMBLING DRUM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 30, 1948. g, c, BA-HNA 2,438,737

TUMBLING 1mm FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed Oct. 8, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet e jg'g Zea (3425224 ,B

atented Winn 3% 1948 UNITEDv STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,438,737 TUMBLING DRUM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Charles 0. Batina, Chicago, m. Application October 8, 1941, Serial No. 414,075 6 Claims. (Cl. 68-143) My invention relates to laundry machines and. more particularly, to washing and drying machines of the rotatable or oscillatory type in which a perforated drum or cylinder containing the laundry to be washed is thoroughly agitated with the washing solution or fluid to thoroughly cleanse the articles being washed and the invention generally relates to a construction of shell for containing the washing fluid and for feeding soap to the hot water and steam contained therein and a drum rotatable in said shell and perforated in a novel manner to prevent injury to or tearing of the articles being washed while permitting free and unimpeded circulation of the washing fluid into and out of the drum, as well as causing violent agitation of the clothes and fluid therein to quickly cleanse the same without damage to the articles.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the machine that it may be readily disassembled to lift or remove the drum from within the stationary shell and to construct the shell in two parts which can be readily separated for such purpose and as easily assembled to conveniently mount the drum for rotation or oscillation therein in what is generally known as a tumbling action, or otherwise.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high class and eflicient construction of washing machine, particularly with reference to the stationary shell and the rotatable perforated cylindrical drum so as to give maximum strength and reinforcement thereto to insure long life without catching in or tearing the clothes or articles being washed.

Another object of the invention is to provide walls for the shell and drum which eliminate weaknesses, breaking or falling apart as heretofore experienced in connection with such members when constructed of woven wire or any other types, due to the enormous weight and pressures or stresses from the agitation of the washing fluid and laundry during the operation of the machine whereby the capacity thereof may be'trebled, say from 200 to 600 pounds, or more, per machine.

A stillfurther object of the invention is to provide novel sliding or hinged door constructions for either the shell or drum, whereby loosening and breaking down of the parts at the door openings is prevented and the same rendered capable of withstanding the stresses and pounding from the agitated washing fluid and laundry therein, particularly with reference to the drum, and the shell rendered water tight so that the splashing of the washing fluid through the shell and especially at the door openings, is prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel brace structure for the drum and shell as well as novel perforations or perforated walls for the drum-and the doors thereof together with novel latching or fastening means for the doors and joints between the doors and the coacting walls of the shell and drum.

Further objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a washing machine in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 1A is a fragmentary exploded view of the rotary drum wall, partition and reenforcing rib structure;

Fig. 1B is an elevation of a portion of a partition wall;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation with the gear housing partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the brake mechanism taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the control lever and brake operating and locking means.

FiFii. 4A is a section taken on the line lA-lA of Fig. 5 is a front sectional elevation ofthe machine with the shell in section and the upper part of the drum, bearings and spiders in section;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, and showing the hinged door latch construction;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section of the latch taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal gelctlgnal elevation taken on the line ,8-8 of Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line 8-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 5, showing the stationary shell in elevation and partly broken away;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the shell taken on the line ll- -H of Fig. 5, showing the soap box;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded sectional view of the shell, showing the connection between the separable sections thereof; FlFig. 13 is a section taken on the line l3-I3 of Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the lower part of the rotating drum of Fig. 13 showing one of the hinged doors, d partly broken away at a latch;

Fig. 15' is a elevation of one of the trunnions of the Fig. 16 is enlarged face view of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to l3, butshowing a sliding door instead of a hinged door for the rotating drum;

Fig. 17A is an enlarged fragmentary section of the perforated druinwall and doors;

Fig. 18 is adront elevation similar to Fig. 14 of the drum, as shown in Fig. 17, and with a latch partly broken away;

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal section taken on the line l9-i9oi Fig. 18; I v

Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the latch taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 18

Fig. 21 is a cross-section taken on the line 2I- 2| of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 23 is a face view of a portion of the perforated rib wall: and

Fig. 24 is a section taken on the line 24-24 of Fig. 23.

Referring to the drawings, the improved laundry machine is illustrated particularly as a washing machine of the rotary or oscillatory type known as a tumiilef and comprises a stationary cylindrical shell 25 which is imperforate and therefore forms a tank or housing for containing.

the washing fluid usually composed of hot water and soap solution in which steam is usually inj ected to assist in the cleansing action. This cylindrical shell is made up of a lower semicylindrical section or half 28 and a similar upper section 21 composed of a. lateral wall made up of semi-cylindrical or arcuate plates bent on a common concentric arc or circle of the same radius throughout the circumference. The shell is mounted and rests on intermediate supports 28 in the form of legs or cradles and is usually positioned over a drain gutter or trough in a cement or other floor of the laundry building and straddled thereby. The endsof the shell are supported by end legs, bearing frames or standards 29 having inwardly extending supporting flanges 29a for the ends of the shell to rest on. The end walls or heads of the shell include a lower semi-circular section 30 and a similar upper section 3! which,

like the other parts of the device, may preferably be of stainless steel or some non-rusting and noncorrosive metal of proper strength and gauge according to the capacity of the machine. An angular ring 32 is provided at the periphery of each end wall or head of the shell at the inside and is welded to the sections 26, 21, 30 and 3! at the joints or edges thereof, but may be additionally reinforced by rivets'or other fastenings to rigidly connect said sections in a structure of maximum strength. A pair of U-shaped pieces or connecting bands 33 are provided at the inside of the lower section so that the upper edges thereof project above or beyond the top edges of the lower section 26 of the lateral wall and the lower sections 30 of the end walls or heads. Spacing pieces or hands 34. also of U-shaped form, are

provided outside of said sections with their top edges in line or flush with the top edges of the sections and immediately outwardly thereof are similar U-shaped bands or sections 35 all of which may be joined to the sections 28 and 30 oi the shell as by means of rivets 38, thus forming grooves 31 in which the edges of the upper sections 2! and iii may be received in connection with U-shaped pieces or hands 28 correspondingly riveted at the i a. outside of the upper sections and in connection with which an interposed packing or wedding may be employed to efi'ect a watertight joint. The bands would be of rectangular form except that they terminate at spaced distances from the center of each end of the shell, thereby providing legs at the ends of the U-shaped pieces. The projecting portions of the strips or bands 33 are provided with tapped holes 40' which register with holes 4! in the bands or strips 35 and corresponding holes 42 in the sections 21 and 3| as well as the bands or strips 38 secured thereto to take bolts or screws 43 which serve to connect the sections or upper and lower halves of the shell and draw the parts together at the joint, as well as to render the same capable of being easily assembled or disassembled when it is desired to remove the upper half of the shell on a line extending diametrically in an inclined position toward the front, as more particularly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, so that the rotatable drum or cylindrical tumbler may be placed therein or removed therefrom for any purpose. The end members or heads of the shell are provided with semi-circular recesses 44 at their axial centers which are provided in the coacting edges of the sections 30 and 3i forming circular openings to take packing rings 45 made up of semi-circular sections or a split ring and secured by riveting or bolting the same to the sections of the end walls as seen more particularly in Figs. 5 and 10. At spaced intervals adjacent the peripheries of the end members of the shell, plates 46 are secured by means of rivets 41 and each is provided with a central tapped hole 48 registering with corresponding holes 50 in the end walls of the shell. These plates are provided with shoulders or notches 49 to receive the radial end flanges of the rings 32 and may be made up of one or two sections, as desired, to form lugs or the end walls or heads of the shell so as to prevent longitudinal shifting of the latter when connected, as will now be described. Bolts 5| are engaged through the tapped holes 48 and 58 of the plates or lugs 46 of the lower half section of the shell and through the spacing collars or lugs 29b and into the frame members 29. While three of such bolts are shown, it is to be understood that a plurality of any number may be employed. Housings 52 are provided at the ends of the machine and are generally circular formed, flanged inwardly at the periphery with circular radial extensions at the top and back, the flanges abutting against the end frames 29. Bolts 53 are engaged through these housings at the lower section of the shell and with the frame members 29 which have threaded holes for this purpose as shown in Fig. 5 so as to fasten the housings to the bearings frame. Corresponding bolts 54 are provided in the upper section to fasten the latter to the end frames and housings at the corresponding top holes 48, these bolts extending entirely through said parts, including the end frames and the lugs or bosses forming the spacing collars 29b. Corresponding bolts 55 are provided through the extensions of the housings to connect the same to the extensions of the frame members 29 adjacent thereto and serve to support the gears and shift: ing device to be later described and which, in the present instance, is shown as means for causing oscillation of a rotatable drum or tumbler 6B.

assays? preferably two and one-half revolutions in each direction alternately.

The rotating drum I! is also cylindrical, but whereas the shell is imperforate, the drum is perforated or reticulated and is made up of a plurality of segmental arcuate sheets or sections 51 forming a lateral wall of slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of the shell 25 and altemating with a plurality of longitudinally extending reenforcing and agitating ribs to be later described. There are preferably five of the ribs and five panels, but four of the sheets or sections 61 extending longitudinally and perforated as shown at 58 in Fig. 17A. These sheets are stamped to provide the perforations and depressed portions or concavities 8! at the inside so that the walls adjacent the perforations are removed from the inner surface of the sheet, thereby providing a smooth surface eliminating all possible corners or projections at the inside which would be likely to catch in the articles being washed. Immediately around the perforations, annular shoulders 80 are formed and at the outside, the depressed portions of the sheet around the cavities are rounded in convex form, as indicated at 8|. That is, the metal around the perforations project outwardly, and this facilitates the free and unimpeded outward flow of the washing fluid while also permitting the ready entrance thereof through the perforations in that portion of the drum which is immersed in the washing solution contained in the shell. While the perforations are shown staggered or arranged indiagonal rows, it is to be understood that they may be arranged in parallel rows, or otherwise. It will be noted from Figs. 10 and 13 of the drawings that the four panels or sheets 51 are of equal width and extend lengthwise of the drum, but the other panel space is wider and has a narrow upper strip 82 also running longitudinally and a similar lower strip 63 providing door openings 64 at spaced points along the length of the drum. outwardly turned flanges 55 are provided along the longitudinal edges of the ribs 66 which are substantially V-shaped in cross-section. being relatively arched and projecting radially inwardly. In cross-section, these ribs have inwardly converging flat sides 81 which are perforated as previously described, and an intermediate inner wall 88 which is imperforate. Where the ribs are applied to a' drier, as distinguished from a washing machine, the ribs are imperi'orate at the sides as well as at the inner wall. The flanges 85 are riveted to the strips or sheets 51 in connection with outer end flanges 69 at the corners of angle brackets 10 which are shaped to conform to the ribs and serve to attach the ribs to the lateral wall as well as to the end walls of the drum and partitions thereof, to be later described. Thus, the flanges of the brackets or hangers II are riveted to the walls 61 and 68 of the ribs and also to the end disks or heads ii of the drum with the ribs extending the entire length of the drum and freely open at the outside between the spaced edges of the sheets or sections 51 and the strips 62 and 63 located in the widest panel of the drum. Flanges 12 are provided on the end disks ll between the ribs 66 to reenforce and brace the same by abutting the flanges 88 thereof. as shown in Figs.

10 and 17 of the drawings and flanges 13 are panel at the door opening 64, as previously stated, is wider than the other panels between the ribs, and in order to counterbalance the weight of the door at this longer panel, counterbalancing weights 15a are provided between the spiders 15 at the diametrically opposite side so that the drum will rotate in true balance. At the center, the casting forming the spider It produces a hub at the center which is circular and forms a depressed circular flanged disk portion 18 adapted to support trunnions or stub shafts 11 which are of step formation and provided with base flanges 18 to set in the recesses or depressed portions of the hubs or disks l8 and are bolted or otherwise removably secured thereto as at 19. The flanges are also provided with a pair of tapped holes for attaching, eyebolts or the like so that the flanges may be displaced from the recesses and the shafts pulled outwardly to disconnect or displace the same from the ends of the drum so that the latter will be free to be lifted out of the shell when the upper half section thereof is displaced by removing the bolts 43, as previously described. Each trunnion H is provided with a bronze or similar bushing 8| adapted to take a roller bearing cage 82 or other similar anti-friction bearing and has a further reduced portion 83 provided with a key slot or spline 84 with a longitudinal key therein for a purpose to; be hereinafter set forth. The trunnions have bearing in split bearings 85 carried by the frame members 29 and the upper caps or sections 86 thereof have sleeve extensions 81 inside of the packing rings 45 with an intermediate packing to prevent the escape of the washing fluid at these points. At the ends of the drum between the door openings 84 and the end disks or heads, strips 88 are provided, these strips being narrow and extending circumferentially between the ribs, the same as the sheets or sections 51 of the lateral wall, but need not be perforated. Corresponding strips 89 are secured between the door openings and the strips 88 and 89 are secured in position to the ribs, the same as the sections 51 by means of the brackets 10 and the out-turned flanges oi the ribs 88. That is, the brackets have a flange conforming in shape to the shape of a rib and riveted thereto and also having a second flange disposed at right angles to the first flange and riveted to the adjacent end disks or drum heads, as seen more particularly in Fig. 13. Circular partitions in the form of disks 9!] are provided equidistantly between the door openings 64 and opposite edges of the strips 89 and form compartments therebetween and between them and the drum heads. These partitions are secured in position by means of lateral peripheral flanges 9| similar to the flanges i2 and disposed between the ribs, as seen in Fig. 1B. V-shaped cut-outs 82 are provided in thepartitions 90 at the ribs 66 so that the outer portions of all of the ribs are freely open for the entire length of the drum. To render the structure more'rigid, tie rods 93 connect the drum heads or end members and are disposed intermediately of the open outer portions of the ribs, the threaded ends being suitably anchored as by means of nuts 94 on the threaded ends thereof at the outside of the drum heads and for safety, the ends of the rods may be upset against the nuts. Stiff ening and reinforcing ba ds 95 may be provided around the drum to resist the great pressure and stresses imposed thereon and are shown ribbed or'beaded outwardly in the center for rigidity, particularly at the partitions 80.

In order to give additional strength to the t erai. wall of the at the strips or and-es and along the ass thereof at the top and "f tom of the door openings, flanged ribs as running longitudinally are riveted thereto as also seen in Fig. 13, and the inner flanges thereof may be extended slightly into the door openings to form overlapping portions or seats 31 for the doors to resist inward movement thereof in the mannerof shelf extensions. Door seats 03 are also provided between the ribs at the sides of the door openings (it in conjunction with strips at the outside at the curved side edges of the door openings and keepers I00 are mounted in these strips by riveting the flanged ends thereof to the strips. These keepers may be made with one or both edges beveled as indicated at IN to facilitate engagement of latch bolts therewith and in either case, are reversible. One type of door I02 is hinged to cooperate with the door openings and provide means for the deposit and withdrawal of articles into and from the drum and are preferably perforated as shown. The doors are hinged by means of a top hinge leaf I03 riveted to the drum wall in conjunction with said reinforcing strips and having leaves I04 riveted to the door with the curled ends'or edges of the leaves interfltting and taking one or more pintles or pivot pins I05 to swingingly support the door. Latches I08 are riveted or bolted to the door I02 and the side leaves I04, the casings or housings thereof being flanged at the top and bottom for this purpose and suitably apertured to receive the fastenings. These casings have hollowed out latch pockets I07 with tapered portions I00 forming a recess and flanged seat I00 with an extending V-shaped flange IIO adapted to receive the ends of a rib III at the inside of the door adjacent the bottom or free end thereof and having out-turned flanges at the sides corresponding to the shape of. the ribs 66 by means of which the same are riveted to the door to reinforce and strengthen the same. The latch bolt is designated at II: and operates in the latch pocket I07 at the outside of the casing with a stem II3 passing through the recess I03 and a compression spring II4 encircling the stem between the seats I09 and M2 to normally force the beveled latch end H5 into engagement with the keeper. The latch end is preferably reduced to form shoulders IIB engaging seats I" at the inside of the casing where the latch end of thebolt pro-i jects through and an undercut finger recess H8 is provided in the latch bolt to permit disengagement thereof foom the keeper. Openings II9 are also provided in the door and are larger than the finger recesses M8 which set behind the wall of the door, so that the latches may be operated.

The shell 25 may be provided with corresponding hinged doors at the front of the upper section or may be provided with sliding doors, as will now be described. For this purpose. door openings I20 are provided in the shell over the door openings 65 in the drum and the hinged doors I02 in the wall 5'! of the upper section 2?. The lateral wall of the shell at the bottom of the door openings I20 is bent inwardly and downwardly as at |2I to provide an ovenhanging flange, bafile or deflector for the washing fluid to prevent the same from passing outwardly or splashing on the operator, especially in conjunction with the formation of the bottomedge of the door to be later described. The top edge of the door opening is bent outwardly and upwardly as shown at I22 in the form of a hook to also produce a 1 joint or liquid tight connection with the door. as will be later described. In order to cunt the door, spacing strips I23 are riveted or otherwise secured to the lateral wall at the opposite edges of the door opening or to reinforcing strips provided at such points in connection with removable guide strips I24 which project inwardly beyond the spacing strips to form grooves.

I25 for the door I20 to slide in, in conformity with the periphery of the shell by reason of said parts all being produced on the same are or radius. The top edge I21 of the door plate is bent inwardly and downwardly or forwardly in hook formation to interflt the hook I22 and form a lock joint which will absolutely prevent the door from dropping down further than a closed position and also the escape of the washing solution from splashing therethrough at such point. The bottom edge of the door is bent inwardly and downwardly or forwardly to overlap the bent portion I2I at the bottom edge of the door opening and positively prevent the escape or splashing of the washing solution at the bottom of the door. It is to be understood that water is supplied to the shell or tank in the usual or any preferred way, this usually being hot water with injections of steam through a separate supply source and soap or soap solution or powder for cleansing is supplied through a soap opening I29 over which a soap box I30 is mounted. This box is of triangular cross-section with a straight sloping top edge and has flanged sides bolted or riveted to the lateral wall of the shell. Aflanged cover It! is provided for the box and is hinged at the top of the opening I29, preferably with a pintle having removable cap nuts on the ends thereof for facility and cleaning.

Where sliding doors are provided in lieu of the hinged doors I02 for the 'drum, the strips 62a and 68a, as shown in Fig. 17 corresponding to the strips 62 and 53, may be correspondingly bent. However, the strip 62a is preferably bent outwardly and upwardly or backwardly and the top edge of the door I33 is bent inwardly and downwardly or forwardly, but preferably offset or bent slightly outwardly to pass the offset portions 0| at the perforations in the wall of the drum. The shell doors may be of the same or any preferred construction and strips I35 are provided at the sides and bottom of the door openings 6| and riveted to the strips 52a and 63a at the lateral wall 57, including the bottom edge. Spacers I35 are riveted to the strips I35 and removable strips I3? are provided on the outside to form guide grooves I38 at the sides and overlapping joints at the bottom for the bottom edges of the doors so that when the latter seat is in the grooves, ex-

treme rigidity is provided at this point.

The strips I35 are provided with recesses or cutouts I39 to take keepers I40, these keepers being in the form of rectangular sockets, and like the aforesaid keepers I00, being reversible in position. They are provided with top and bottom flanges MI bolted, riveted or otherwise fastened to the adjacent ends of the strip I35 at the recesses I33. The latches cooperating with each keeper at the opposite sides of the door I25 includes a flanged latch casing or housing I 62 bolted or riveted to the wall of the door adjacent the sides and bottom edge and having a pocket I43 opening at the outside with a slot or'recess I at the inner end thereof forming seats or shoulders at the inside of the pocket on opposite sides of the recess. The inner end is also provided with a V-shaped flange I45 adapted to take the ends of V-shaped ribs I46 corresponding to the ribs III and flanged for riveting the same to the door on the inside. The latch bolt body is designated at I41. and has areduced portion I48 to enterthe keeper H46, the reduced engaging portion of the latch bolt being recessed at I49 for this purpose so that the outer face of the bolt will lie flush with the outer face of the keeper. The latch bolt body is also recessed at the outer side or undercut to provide a handle I56 in the form of a hook accessible through a larger opening I56a in the door I33 for releasing the bolt. A pocket I! is provided on the inside of the latch bolt at the back cooperating with the opposed pocket of the latch housing which has an outwardly projecting -ll1g I52 between which and the outer end of the pocket I5I of the latch bolt, 2. compression spring I53 is mounted to project the bolt. Shoulders I54 are provided to limit the projection of the bolt through a slot I55 in the casing and the strips I35 are provided with notches I56 at opposite sides to hold the door up,

that is, in open position at the opening 64 by engagement of the latch bolts at opposite sides of the door therewith. The bolt is withdrawn by inserting the fingers behind the hook or handle I56 and compressing the spring so that the door may be moved, and, in each instance, the engagement of the bolt with the keeper is automatic and assisted by the weight of the door, but may be entirely manually operated.

As before stated, the drum or tumbler 56 is adapted to be rotated within the cylindrical shell Or tank 25, and, in order to oscillate the drum, that is, to periodically reverse the direction of rotation thereof after two and one-half revolutions in each direction, or otherwise, the drum is provided at opposite ends with driving gears I51 which are mounted on the reduced portions 83 of the trunnions or stud shafts 11 and fixed by the keys 84, but it is obvious that, by disengaging the base flanges 18 from the end members or heads of the drum by removing the bolts 19, both the trunnions may be replaced or the gears removed by removing the bolts 54 of the housings 52. The upper extensions of the housings 52 house idle gears I58 which are in mesh with the gears I51, these idle gears being fixed to stud shafts I59 journaled in bearings I66 of a frame extension I6I at the upper back portion of the machine corresponding to the position of the extension housing for the gears I58 and including upper and lower longitudinal channel members I62 and I63. A smaller inion I64 meshes with each gear I58 and completes the gear train in the housing from a drive shaft I65 to which the pinions are fixed. This drive or countershaft is journaled in bearings I66 on the frames 29 and I6I and carries a pair of loose pulleys I61 and I68, the former being adapted to take a straight belt I69 and the other a twisted or crossed belt I16 for driving the shaft in a reverse direction from that in which it is driven by the belt I69 when the belts are alternately shifted in opposition directions onto a fixed pulley I1I keyed to the shaft I65 between the pulleys I61 and I68. Of course, the machine may be driven in any other suitable way as by an individual motor, but, as illustrated, a worm I12 is fixed to the shaft I65 in mesh with a worm gear I13 rotatably mounted on a stud shaft I14 in a frame I15 on the housings 29, which forms a housing for the worm and gear. A roller I16 is mounted on a stub shaft I11 eccentrics-11y on the gear I19 near its periphery and lugs I18 on the frame I16 support a rod I19 on which a cam plate I86 slides horizontally. This cam plate has an irregular surface substantially X-shaped on the inside, that is, with opposed oppositely sloping surfaces I8I and a segment I82 concentric to the pivot center of the gear I13 at the bottom. This segment has a central notch I83 engaged by a pivoted latch arm I84, the other arm I85 of which is longer or heavier and adapt ed to overbalance the arm I84 tending to normally hold the latter in the notch I83 so that the latch arm I84 and a bar I88 to which it is pivoted, will reciprocate with the plate I86 which is prevented from sliding independently of the I96 to engage the arm I85 of the pivoted latch arm so that when it is raised, the arm I86 will be disengaged downwardly from the notch I86. This trip arm H6 is fixed to a stub shaft i911 mounted to turn in bearings I92. A depending arm I93 is fixed to the shaft I99 and is forked at its lower end to engage a sleeve I94 which is adjustable on a shifter rod I95 by means of nuts I96 threaded on the rod on opposite sides of the arm I 93 so as to adjust the degree of throw thereof. A hollow or tubular shaft I91 is mounted t6 turn or oscillate in the frame 29. that is, an extension thereof, and has a control lever I98 pivoted at I99 to a segment casing 266 fixed to the tubular shaft I91 by means of a set screw 26I disposed through a sleeve extension of the segment casing. A link I88a has a fork connected to the arms I88 and is pivotally connected to a rocker arm l88b keyed t0 the shaft I91 for the purpose of shifting the belts by hand by rocking said shaft through the medium of the lever I98 which is thereby caused to oscillate during the automatic shifting of the belts. A spring latch 262 is provided on the lever I98 to engage notches 263 of the ratchet segment so that by depressing the latch, it may be disengaged from the ratchet teeth or notches to permit the lever to be shifted forwardly and backwardly, but the lever and segment may oscillate with the hollow shaft I91 which is rigidly connected to the segment 266. An arm 264 is fixed on the stub shaft I 9| and has its free end pivotally connected by an adjustable link 265 with a rocker arm 266 fixed to a rocker shaft 261 mounted in the upper channel I62 in a bearing 268. A rocker arm 269 is also fixed to the shaft 261 and is connected to one end 'of a brake band or strip 2I6 which operates on a brake drum 2 suitably supported on the shaft I 65 and fixed thereto. A post 2I2 is connected to the other end of the band or strip 2I6 and is simply stationarily mounted on the bearing 268 so that by rocking the shaft 261 from the lever I98, the band may be retracted to frictionally grip the drum or to release the same whereby the machine may be brought to a stop with the doors n oted to the extension of the frame 2!. as shown in Figs. 4 and 4A of the drawings, to press against the lever I98 and additionally lock the latter against movement in an intermediate position where it is also held by the spring actuated plunger 2I3.

Should the door openings not be in perfect registration, means is provided to rotate the drum manually to bring the door openings of the drum in alignment with the door openings of 'the shell in the different compartments which,

in the present instance, are designed to accommodate two hundred pounds of articles or launstirring and agitating the washing fluid. The

resistance ofiered to such movement in a washing machine is decreased by the perforations which, due to their peculiar construction. or formation. are prevented from catchin in articles of clothing. The ribs upon the interior of the drum also carry the articles aroundin such a manner that the greatest benefit from the fluid agitation is received and the resnlt is that the articles are thoroughly cleansed, assisted by the periodical reversing of the rotation of the drum by means or the oscillating reversing mechanism, all of which contributes to the thorough clean..- ing of the laundered articles in the shortest possible time with the least possible consumption of power. The manual means for turning the drum is normally out of gear when the machine is in operation and is shown, more particularly, in Figs. 2 and 22 of the drawings. This hand turned unit is designated generally at 2th and consists of a frame removabiy secured to the top of the frame 29 as by means of screw bolts did. It carries a pivot 2i 7 for a yoke arm Bid which carries a worm 2E9 keyed to a shaft 229 adapted to be turned by a hand wheel 222 which may ice-operated from the front of the machine at one end. An arm 222 is provided at the inner end of shaft 220 and is pivoted eccentrically to a disk 223 fixed to one end of a shaft 22s mounted to turn in the frame of the unit die. The forward end of the shaft 22d carries a depending am 225 adapted to rest against the shaft see of the worm and is provided with a handle whereby it may be turned. The housing s2 is provided with an opening 226 so that the worm its may mesh with the adjacent gear 55? so that by turning the hand wheel 22L rotation may be imparted to the drum when thepower drive mechanism is out of gear. However, by swinging the parts upwardly on the shaft 224 as a pivot, the hand turning unit will be rendered inoperative by disengaging the worm 2I9 from the gear I51. Suitable means is provided for supplying water, preferably hot water and steam to the shell or tank, the water supply pipe being designated at 221. An outlet or drain 22B is provided in the bottom of the shell preferably near the center as shown in Figs. 1 and id and is in the form of a valve having a seat 229 with which a valve head or plate 2% CO P" assets:

' eratea'this valve head being preferably spring held and adjustable with respect to the seat. A

lever MI is pivoted at 282 to an auxiliary frame forming part of the valve beneath the bottom of the shell and has a foot plate 233 at its free end, the top portion of which is pivoted to a link 23 in turn connected at its inner end to a looking arm 23! with a roller 2" adapted to engage beneath the casing or auxiliary frame of the valve to lock the valve in a closed position but permit the same to be readilyreleased by depressing the lower portion of the foot plate and withdrawing the roller from-its locked position so that thevalve may be readily opened by the weight of thewater or washing solution in the shell and discharged into the usual drain trough or gutter usually provided in floors of laundries equipped with such machines. On the other hand, in driers, where the walls of the shell and drum need not be perforated, the ribs are also made imperforate and the parts merely supplied with the necessary heat to take up the moisture in the laundered articles so as to partially or completely dry the same.

The positioning of the door openings of the drum adjacent the door openings of the shell is assisted and facilitated by the counterbalance weights 75a In connection with the brake mechanism operated by pulling the lever 558 forwardly to rock the shaft Isl in a clockwise direction as seen in Figs. 3 and 9 through the medium of the arms I83 and 2&4 to swing the arm 298 forwardly and tighten the brake band 2H3 on the drum 2H. This also releases the latch arm I86 from the notch in of the segment M2 before applying the brake. Thus, in the operation of the machine, while the latch am i is so held, the drum is oscillated or alternately rotated in reverse directions by the automatic shifting of the reversing belts 659 and I70 alternately on and ofi of the fixed drive pulley ill from the loose pulleys I61 and I68,

respectively. This is accomplished by the rota tion of the shaft I from the pulley III causin; rotation of the worm I12 in mesh with the worm gear I13 while the latch arm-=1 84 is in the notch I83 and while the roller I89 of the trip arm I90 is disengaged from the arm I85. The latch arm I being pivoted to the sliding or reciprocating bar I88 serves to connect the sliding plate I80 to the bar I 88, and, as the worm gear I13 is slowly turned by the worm 12, the eccentric roller I16 engages and rides on the opposed oppositely inclined camming surfaces of the cam III at the recessed inside or back face of the plate I80, thereby reciprocating the plate as well as the shifter arms I88 to shift the belts E69 and I'Id alternately onto the drive pulley Ill to automatically oscillate or periodicaliy reverse the direction of rotation of the drum with consequent increased washing emciency due to the resulting displacement and agitation of the washing solution and the articles being washed or, in the case of a drier, the tumbling of the clothes under the action of heat. During this oscillation or periodic reversing of the direction of rotation of the drum, the hand shifter mechanism will also be oscillated, including the lever I98 and its hollow tubular pivot or shaft and parts connected thereto. Thus, the shaft Ebb being driven while the frame 2| 5 is swung upwardly as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 22 and supported in a raised position to disengage the worm 2I9 from the gear I51 at one end, the drum 58 is uniformly driven at both assays? ends. The worm I12 being in mesh with the gear I13, rotates the latter in the plane of the shaft I 65, and as the roller I18 turns with the gear I13, it engages the opposed cam surfaces I8I which, being oppositely inclined, ,cause the plate I88 to be reciprocated or slide back and forth on the rod I19. With the lever I98 in a forward position, the arm I98 will be swung up to engage the roller I89 with the arm I85 and disengage the arm I84 from the notch I83 of the segment I82 of the plate I80 so that the latter will merely slide without shifting the'bar I86. The belts I89 and I may be on their loose pulleys I6'l and I 68 respectively, in which event the shaft I65 is not driven or either belt may be on the intermediate flxed pulley iii to drive the shaft I85 and thus the drum 58 through the gear trains heretofore described. However, when the lever I98 is in a rearward position, the arm Iiit is swung down and the heavy arm I95 will drop of its weight to move the other arm I8 3 into the notch I83 to connect the plate I812 to the bar I86 and the belt shifter whereby the drum will be oscillated or periodically and. alternately driven in opposite or reverse directions, the rod I95 and lever I98 being free to oscillate. By omitting this unit, the drum may be driven continuously in either direction.

After the deposit of articles to be laundered into the respective compartments of the drum 55 through. the aligned door openings of the shell and drum, the desired quantity of water is run or supplied within the shell or tank and, passes into the drum and articles to be washed submerged therein. Soap in powder or liquid form is supplied to the hot water through the soap boxes in the shell and the solution passes through the perforations or holes in the walls of the drum and these may :be augmented by injections of steam, if desired, to form the reit While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for-carrying my invention into eflect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the Ii spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish quired washing solution or fluid. The machine is then operated as above described. The improved construction permits the free circulation of the washing fluid and thoroughly permeates the articles being laundered. The particular to resist stresses, strains and pounding, increasesthe flow of the fluid into and out of the drum through the perforate walls thereof and at the freely open outer portions throughout the length of the ribs as well as the surface area, especially as the ribs extend inwardly a greater distance radially, i. e., approximately one-third of the radius of the drum and are balanced .to ounces, together with the drum, so that the operation is smooth and uniform. This is also facilitated by locating the tie rods 93 at or near the outer open portions of the ribs and substantially centrally between the perforated sides thereof and by having the bight or intermediate inner transverse portions or walls -68 imperforate so that streams of the washing fluid are alternately forced through one side and then the other as the drum is oscillated or reversely rotated for definite periods of time. However, by having the holes or perforations punched or stamped out and formed as described with the inner depressions, the free flow, especially outward flow of the fluid, is facilitated while preventing the catching and tearing of the cloth articles.

to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth. but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A cylindrical drum for washing or drying machines comprising and discs, a plurality of spaced trough-shaped inwardly projecting ribs extending longitudinally between said discs and having outwardly turned flanges on their longitudinal edges, brackets on said end discs to receive and fit the end portions of said ribs and said discs having inturned segmental flanges fitting between and abutting the adjacent edges of the rib flanges, side walls consisting of arouate plates having their loitudinal edges overlapping and secured to the rib flanges and their ends overlying and secured to the segmental flanges of the end discs, end caps fitting against the outer faces of the end discs and having inturned flanges fitting over the ends of said arcuate plates and securing said ends between the same and said segmental flanges and tie rods connecting said end caps and extending through said ribs.

2. A. cylindrical drum for a washing or drying mace comprising end discs, a plurality of spaced trough shaped inwardly projecting ribs extending longitudinally between said discs and having outwardly turned flanges on their longitudinal edges, brackets on said end discs to receive and fit the end portions of said ribs and said discs having inturned segmental flanges fitting between and end-abutting the edges of the rib flanges, side walls consisting of arcuate panels having their longitudinal edges resting on and secured to said rib flanges and their ends secured on the segmental flanges of the end discs, one of said panels having a door opening and the other panels being perforated, a door for said door opening, brackets fitting and secured to the ends of said ribs and having flanges connected to said end discs, end caps fltting against the outer faces of the end discs and having inturned flanges fltting over the ends of said panels and securing said and between the same and the segmental flanges on the end discs, and tie rods connecting said caps and extending through the ribs.

3. A drum of the class described comprising end discs, a plurality of spaced trough shaped ribs extending longitudinally between said discs and having outwardly turned flanges on their longitudinal edges, brackets on said end discs to receive and flt the end portions of said ribs and said discs having inturned segmental flanges fitting between and end-abutting the adjacent edges of the rig flanges, a partition for said drum assays? 15 spaced trough shaped inwardly projecting ribs extending longitudinally between said discs and having outwardly turned flanges on their longitudinal edges, brackets on said end discs to receive and lit the end portions or said ribs and said discs having inturned segmental flanges fitting between and end-abutting the adjacent edges of said rib flanges, side walls consisting of arouate panels having their longitudinal edge portions secured to the outer faces of the rib flanges of adjacent pairs of ribs and their ends panel'on each side of the door openings and projecting beyond the edges of said openings, forming with the projecting edges of the reenforcing strips a continuous door stop around the door opening, a door for closing each of said openings,

end caps fitting against the outer faces of the end discs and having inturned flanges fitting over the ends of the panels and securing said ends between the same and the segmental flanges on the discs, and tie rods connecting said end caps and extending through said ribs.

5. A drum of the class described comprising end discs, a plurality of spaced trough shaped ribs extending longitudinally between said discs and having outwardly turned flanges on their longitudinal edges, brackets on said discs to receive and fit the end portions of said ribs and said discs having inturned segmental flanges fitting between the adjacent edges of the rib flanges, a partition for said drum dividing the same into separate chambers, said partition being periphfile of this patent:

J w STATES PATENTS Number Ne Date 302.59% Selig July 29, 1884 947,101 "0nd Jan. 25, 1910 1,129,248 Taylor Feb. 23, 1915 1,505,881 Fisher Aug. 19, 1924 1,622,275 Balzer Mar. 29, 1927 1,805,862 Batina -1- May 19, 1931 1,350,951 Allbright Mar. 22, 1932 1,383,646 Ellis Oct. 18, 1932 1,935,691 Arnot Nov. 21, 1933 1,968,679 Gerlach July 31, 1934 1,969,570 Mathews Aug. 7, 1934 1,998,566 Waream Apr. 23, 1935 2,062,030 Johnson Nov. 24, 1936 2,062,021 Gerlach Nov. 24, 1936 2,129,197 Waream June 7, 1938 2,115,936 Zimarik Oct. 10, 1939 2,282,955 Miller Nov. 18, 1941 16 J eraiiy notched to receive said ribs and havin segmental flanges, side walls consisting oi. arouate plates or panels having their longitudinal edges\secured to the rib flanges and their ends secured to the segmental flanges on the end discs, said panels also secured to the segmental flanges on the partition, and a reentorcing band extending around the drum directly exterioriy to the flanges on the partition.

3. In a were for washing or drying machines, end discs, a plurality of trough-shaped inwardly prejecting ribs extending longitudinally between said discs andhaving outwardly turned flanges on their longitudinal edges, said discs having inturned segmental flanges fitting between and abutting the adjacent edges of the rib flanges,

and side walls consisting of plates having their longitudinal edges overlapping and secured to the rib flanges and their ends overlying and secured to said segmental fiangs oi the end discs.

The following references are of record in the

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