US2500368A - Clothes washing machine with chambered reciprocating washer unit receiving clothes through restricted passageway - Google Patents

Description

March 14, 1950 A 0 ung 2,509,368

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE W ITH CHAMBERED RECIPROCATING WASHER UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed. Nov. 22, 1944 11 Sheets-Sheet l March 14, 1950 A. n. LUND 2,500,358

- CLOTHES WASHING mcums wnu CHAMBERED RECIPROCATING WASHER UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY I N V EN TOR. HTHUR 0. Lu/vo BMMM ITTOR/VE Y-S A. D. LUND 2, ,3 CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH CHAMBERED RECIPROCATING WASHER UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed Nov. 22, 1944 11 Shasta-Sheet 3 roooo 0 ITTOHNETS 2.50036 WITH CHAMBERED RECIPROCATING w ar 14, 1950 A. 0. LUND CLOTHES vmsamc MACHINE ASHER UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed Nov. 22, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 March 14, 1950 A. D. LUND 2,500,368

CLOTHES WASHING momma WITH CHAMBERED REcIPRoc A mG WASHER P SSAGEWAY UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED Filed Nov. 22, 1944 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 14, 1950 A. D. LUND 2,500,368

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH CHAMBERED RECIPROCATING WASHER 1 UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed Nov. 22, 1944 l1 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. flRrm/fi 0. Law

irro/f/vs rs March 14, 395G D. LUND fifig fi CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH CHAMBERED REGIPROCATING WASHER UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed Nov. 22, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

MWCET! 114,, 3.9% A. D. LUND 2,59

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH CHAMBERED RECIPROCATING wAsma v UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed NOV. 22, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 INVEN TOR. flnmun 0. turn;

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' 2,500,368 OCATING WASHER Mam}! 1950 A. D. LUND CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH CHAMBERED RECIPR UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed Nov. 22, 1944 1.1 Sheets-Sheet 9 Mar 14, 1950 A. D. LUND 2,500,

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH CHAMBERED RECIPROCATING WASHER UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed Nov. 22, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 ZNVENTOR,

March 14, 1950 A. D. LUND 2,500,368

CLOTl-IES WASHING MACHINE WITH CHAMBERED RECIPROCATING WASHER uru'r mzcmvmc CLOTHES moucu RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed Nov. 22, 1944 v1.1 Sheets-Sheet 11 ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 14, 1950 CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE WITH CHAM- BERED RECIPROCATING WASHER UNIT RECEIVING CLOTHES THROUGH RE- STRICTED PASSAGEWAY Arthur D. Lund, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Solar Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application November 22, 1944, Serial No. 564,580

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to clothes washing machines, particularly of the type designed for home or domestic use, and the main object is to provide an eflicient, practical and easily operated machine which will in 'one tub or chamber thoroughly wash the clothes; remove the scum from the wash water so that it will not contact and adhere to the clothes during draining drain all free wash water from the clothes; rinse the clothes; drain the rinse water; centrifugally dry the clothes; and finally, with the cleaned clothes dried and removed, flush out the tub and its enclosed elements with clean water.

Another object is to provide a washing machine in which the clothes receptacle is mounted within the tub chamber, for rotational movement to centrifugally dry the clothes, but which is stationary during the washing and rinsing operation, the cleansing operations being performed by a separate washing element which does not revolve at any time but reciprocates vertically in the receptacle and cooperates therewith to produce a new and improved washing method.

A further object is to provide a washing machine in which the washing element within the.

receptacle is actuated by an electric motor through drive devices that are independent of another motor and drive devices connecting such second motor to the clothes receptacle to rotate the latter.

Another object is to provide a washing machine in which the clothes receptacle is normally Another object is to provide a washing machine in which the clothes receptacle remains stationary in the lower part of the tub while the washing element consists of an annular member having an inwardly projecting and inclined ledge or flange, and which annular member and ledge are vertically reciprocated adjacent the inner wall surface of the receptacle to produce an alternating flexing of the clothes and water circulation in an arcuateiy curved or toroidal path.

Another object is to provide a washer in which the vertically reciprocable, annular washing element is provided with an upper grill device which insures retention of the clothes in the zone of washing action, and is also operative to properly submerge the clothes in the wash water at each reciprocation as well as to'hold the clothes below the watersuriace level durmg the descumming operation.

A further object is to provide a washer with a clothes receptacle in which the cleaning element operates with a piston like action but which is so formed as to prevent clothes or other articles being cleanedfrom entering or wedging inhetween the opposed annular surfaces of the receptacle and cleaning element.

The foregoingv and still other and more detailed objects will be disclosed in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine with thecover closed and with the control lever in neutral position.

Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the machine with 'iractional parts broken away and with some parts shown in dotted lines.

3 is a detail elevation of the upper end of the machine with parts of the cover in section.

line 6-6 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 5 is a diagonal sectional elevation as on line 5-5 in Fig. 8. 4

Fig.6 is a top or plan view of the machine with the cover and connected parts removed.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation on line ii-i in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view on line Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a detail section of the releasable cover retention device, as on line 9-9 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail elevation of the cover circuit control device, on line it--i@ in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the machine, with the tub removed, and as seen on the section line ii--ii in Fig. i.

Fig. 12 is a detail plan section in Fi 5.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional elevation on line on line 62-42 I i3i3 in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail elevation, partly in section, of the dual drain valve mechanism, as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows iii-4d in Fig. 11.

Fig. l5 is a detail elevation, partly in section, of the manual lever control unit.

Fig. 16 is a detail elevation of the control device which is operated by the unit shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation of the control unit shown in Fig. 15 but as seen from the opposite side andiwith some parts in section.

Fig. 18 is a sectional detail elevation on line l8|8 in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a detail elevation showing the clothes receptacle lift device and motor circuit control switch associated therewith.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged sectional elevation through a transmission mechanism, as on line 20-20 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring system and electrically actuated devices.

Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation of the center assembly, as shown in Fig. 5, but on an enlarged scale, and with some parts broken away.

Referring to the drawings more particularly and by reference characters A designates the base of the frame structure, and said base includes a rectangular angle iron frame 25 and diagonally extended cross beams 25. This base is supported on casters 2! to facilitate movement. Extending upwardly from the four corners of the base are two forward tubular posts 28 and two rear angle iron posts or bars 29. The housing supported by the frame includes a back plate 30 and a threesided or U-shaped lower plate 3i. The rear end edges of the plate 3i are flanged to extend about the rear corners of the machine, and are there releasably secured b screws 32. With this construction it will be seen that by removing the screws 32 and slightly spreading the rear sides of the housing plate 3! the latter can be easily removed to expose all of the internal mechanism, which is not only economical construction but is neat, clean, and sanitary, and gives easy access to working parts for adjustment and repair. The upper edge of the plate 3i carries a rim 33 which closes a seam between the plate and the lower edge of a complemental top section 34 which may be more permanently secured to the frame. This section 34, aside from side wall parts, includes an integral horizontal flange 35 that extends inwardly to a circular ring 36 with respect to which it is sealed by a gasket 31.

The ring 36 has a complemental, inwardly and upwardly projecting ring 38 that forms a seat for the gasket 39 of a flange Ml depending integrally from and within a, cover ii. The cover GI is of inverted tray construction and has a peripheral flange 42 that extends down close to but preferably does not touch the top section flange 35. The cover is hinged to the housing, at A43, and has a suitable form of releasable fastening device 44. The cover is releasably supported in raised position by a link 55 (see Figs. 2, 6 and 9) pivoted at 46 to the casing, and at its other end having a slot 4'! engaged by a pin id of the cover. The slot has an end notch 49 in which the pin 18 is releasably held by a spring The tub, B, includes an upper, cylindrical, sheet metal section 51, and a cast, cup shaped, lower section 52, rigidly connected together at seam 53. The upper end edge of the shell or section 5i is attached to ring 36, while the lower end of section 52 is mounted on a main or supporting frame C, to which it is secured by bolts 54. The frame 0 is of irregular construction to accommodate other operating mechanisms, and is mounted on the diagonal beams 26 to which it is secured by bolts 55.

The bottom surface of the tub section 52 is provided with an annular groove 56, with a discharge opening at 57, for draining the tub, while the upper section 5| of the tub has a discharge opening 58, immediately above the seam line 53, which terminates in a drain hose 59. Both drains communicate with a control valve coupling or unit 60, the construction and purpose of which will presently be set forth.

The mechanism within the tub B includes a clothes receptacle E and an annularly formed dasher or piston like washing element D.

The receptacle E is a cup shaped member having a wide band of profusely distributed perforations 6|, but having an imperforate upper portion and a dished bottom which is also solid except for a few drain holes 62. The peripheral surface of the receptacle has an annular rib or flange 63 which, when the receptacle is in lowered position (asin Figs. 4 and 5) has sealing contact with a rubber ring or gasket 63 secured in the upper inner edge of the tub section 52, but, when the receptacle is slightly lifted (as in Fig. 19), is out of contact with the gasket to provide clearance for drainage and permit spinning of the receptacle on its axis.

The center portion of the clothes receptacle has an integral upstanding hub 85 which is keyed at 66 to a hollow center post or standard 61 and rests on a flange 68 of that post. The hub is held down in firm contact with the flange by a sleeve 69 which fits over the hollow post and is clamped downwardly by a, collar i0 that is threaded upon the upper end ,of the post.

A vertically reciprocating shaft H extends axially through the post 61 and slides through a bearing or bushing 12 which screws into the upper end of the post and clamps downwardly on a pair of spring separated packing rings 13 that seal out water and may contain a lubricant for the shaft. At the lower end of post 67, well below the bottom of tub B, the shaft H slides in bushing M which is held in place by the depending hub 15 of a pulley i6, such hub being threaded on the hollow shaft 61 and fixed thereto b lock nut l! so that the pulley may rotate this shaft without rotating shaft ll At its upper extremity the reciprocating shaft ii is firmly anchored, and secured by nut l8, to the hub 19 of a reticulated top or cover grill of the washer unit D. This grill, as best shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7, includes a lid or door 8i hingedly attached by upwardly offset hinges 82 and normally held closed by a latch 83. The hub 79 of the grill has a rigidly secured, dependin sleeve 84 which is sufllciently large so that it may freely move up and down over the center post construction 59'|0 of the clothes receptacle.

The annular wall 85 of the washer unit D is of such diameter that it may move freely within the clothes receptacle, and adjacent its lower end is provided with an integral annular shelf or baffle 85 which extends inwardly and slightly downwardly to its rounded inner edge 81. Immediately adjacent the baiile 86 the wall 85 has a tapered depending flange or extension 88, the purpose of which will be explained in connection with the operation of the machine.

Vertical reciprocating movement is imparted to the washer unit or plunger D b the shaft H which extends into the bottom extremity of the machine for connection with the operating mechanism now to be described.

The lower end of the shaft 'H is fastened in a cross piece 89 which is journaled in and between a pair of links 90 that are rigidly connected by member 89 and depend from the inner bifurcated end of a lever arm 9i. This arm Si is fulcrumed to the main frame C, as at pivot 92, and such pivot also serves as a fulcrum for a comparatively shortor lever arm 83. The two lever arms 9| and 93' are tied together by a bolt 94 and a compression spring 95, that are so arranged that the two arms will operate together but one of them may yield, under the action of the spring, and when moved downwardly to thereby prevent breakage of parts should the driven arm 9| meet with abnormal resistance to downward movement. The eflective length of the bolt 9% may be adjusted by turning and locking of nuts 96, and in this way the upper extremity of limit of movement of the plunger D may be adjusted.

The arm 93 is operated by a connecting rod 81 one end of which is pivoted to the arm, as at 98, while the other end is pivoted at 99 to a crank or eccentric pivot of a disk I of a speed reducing transmission lfll within a case l0? secured by bolts m3 to the frame C. The transmission includes a shaft lllfi on which is mounted a comlonger end of the lever I09, and that is done by paratively large sheave lll5 driven by a belt ltd from a motor Hill. It may be noted that a pan M33 is attached between the beams 26 directly under the transmission case I92, and also extends under the center construction of the machine. The purpose of this pan is to catch oil or water drippings and to some extent keep out dust and dirt.

The mechanism for vertically adjusting and for spinning the clothes receptacle E will now be set forth. As previously noted when this receptacle is in normal washing or down position its flange rests on the gasket M and consequently the receptacle does not and cannot rotate. When it is desired to spin the receptacle, to centrifuge and dry the clothes, it is lifted sufficiently to clear the gasket, and this is done by the same device that starts the centrifuging motor.

The required vertical adjustment of the receptacle is accomplished by a lever M9 which is fulcrumed at III) to a sleeve lll secured by bolts M2 to the tub B. The inner or forked end of this lever engages a pair of pins H3, movable in slots lid of sleeve Ill, and secured in a collar l l5 that is vertically adjustable within the sleeve. Bearings lit are disposed between the upper and lower ends of the collar H5 and a reduced section of the hollow post or standard I57, and these bearings act as thrust bearings to raise and lower the standard 6? while also permitting the standard to freely rotate with respect to the collar. It may be noted that the standard ST is sealed with respect to the tub B by spring pressed packing rings i ll, held up in place by a removable plate H8.

The pulley 76 which .rotates the clothes receptacle E to dry the clothes is driven by a belt llB which extends horizontally to and about a smaller pulley I26 on the shaft I2I of an electric motor l22. This motor is carried in a frame I23 which is pivoted as at IN to a bracket I25 extending from the main frame C so that the motor is free to swing on this vertical pivot toward and away from the center of the machine. A spring HE connects the motor frame I23 to one of the posts 29 and has for its purpose to keep the driving belt lit at a proper tension.

Referring again to lever lll9, attention is called to the fact that a spring lZl engages its longer end with a tendency to lift it upwardly. This in turn creates a spring action tending to hold the clothes receptacle down in its lowered position,

on the gasket M. Thus the basket can only be lifted for spinning purposes by depressing the a rod I28 having a reduced lower end engaging in an opening I29 in the lever and having an adjustable stop nut I30 for contact with the lever to push it downwardly. The rod I28 is operated by the hand lever I3l in a manner presently to be described.

The lever l3I also operates to control a rod I32, the lower end of which has a universal joint connection I33 to the outer end of a lever lM which is fulcrumed as at l35 to a bracket extension I36 of the frame C. This lever I34 carries a motor control switch I31 having a control finger I38 that is movable into upper and lower positions with respect to the lever l34. An ad- Justable stop I39 is mounted in such a position that it may engage the finger I38 when the outer end of the lever ltd is pressed downwardly by the rod I32, as indicated in Fig. 16. However. the lever I36 is connected to the lever I09 by a vertical lever'spring l tll which has a tendency to.

hold the lever ltd in the position shown in Fig. 5, in which case the switch finger I33 is in the downward position as shown by the full lines in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5 it will also be noted that the cross arm 89 in which the lower end ofthe shaft fl is anchored is provided with an extension Idl having an adjustable contact bolt M2 which is so disposed that when the shaft ll is moved to its upper extremity the contact M2 will engage the switch finger I38 and move it to its upper position regardless of the angular position of the lever ltd. The object of this arrangement will be set forth more in detail in the description of the operation of the machine. I

The manually operated mechanism for controlling the machine and its various operations is illustrated in Figs. 1, 8, l5, 17, 18, and 19, and includes the aforementioned single control lever l3l. This lever extends through a guide plate M3 in the front wall of the machine, and is movable selectively in two vertical guide slots M4 and M35 as well as horizontally in an upper connecting cross slot l it. A pair of springs ltl, anchored pending arm l52 having a pin l53 extending therethrough and from both sides thereof. The arm I52 operates between two cams or plates ltd and I55, both of which are independently rotatably supported on a shaft l55 also mounted in frame l5l.

The plate ltd has a slot I57, extending radially with respect to the shaft l56, and this slot is adapted to be engaged by one end of the pin I53 when the lever handle I3l is moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. l, or into the left or longer slot l M, as viewed in Fig. 18. Thus the hand lever may be employed to oscillate the plate l5 l, the slot i5? compensating for the eccentric relationship of shaft centers ltd and IE6. When the hand lever I3I is thus moved into the slot Hi l and accuses 7 I99 and thus raise the basket or clothes receptacle E to Spinning position, continued movement of the rod I28 then causes the lever I99 to actuate an electric switch I59 which with a switch I93 controls a circuit to energize the motor I22, thus starting the centrifugal drying operation.

The lever action just referred to operates to open the drain 51 and to energize the drainage pump, as follows: The plate I54 has an arcuately curved edge I69 terminating at one end in a cam edge I6I, [or-engaging a roller I62. This roller is mounted upon one end of the lever I63 which is fulcrumed at I64 and is yieldably held upwardly by a spring I65. This lever is arranged to contact and close the switch I65, when depressed by the cam edge I6I and will maintain circuit closing engagement as long as the roller I62 is in contact with the edge I69. The closing of this switch I66 controls a circuit to energize a motor I61 (Figs. 11, 14 and 21) which operates a centrifugal pump I68 having an inlet I69 and an outlet I19. The inlet I69 is connected by hose "I to the outlet of the valve case 69.

The downward movement of the lever I99 performs still another function, and that is to open the drain opening 51 to the pump I38, and this is done by devices shown in Figs. 4, 11, and 14. The case 69 is open so that water can pass through freely from the drain hose 59 to the hole I'll, but

the opening 51 is normally closed by a valve head I12 mounted on the inner end of a lever I13, fulcrumed at I14, and having an outer end or arm I15. This arm I1 5 has a pin I16 adapted for engagement by one end of a lever I11 fulcrumed on an arm I18 of the valve case. The other end of lever I11 is so disposed that it will be engaged by an adjustable set screw I19 mounted in the lever I99, and a spring I89 tends to hold all these parts with the valve I12 in its closed position. It will be evidenthowever that when lever I11 is actuat ed by set screw I19 it will operate to open the valve I12 so that the tub B can drain into the pump I68. Also that when the lever I99 is again released so that it can be raised by action of the spring I21 then the valve I12 will again be closed by action of spring I89. It may here be noted,

with particular reference to Figs. 17 and 19, that when the hand lever I3I is pushed completely down its pivot point I58 will pass dead center position with respect to points I56 and I 39 with a result that the parts will stay locked until released by the manual operation of lever I3I.

Returning again to the control unit it will be observed that when the hand lever I3I is moved through the cross slot I46 into vertical slot I45 it slides on shaft I59 until the pin I53 in arm I52 disengages the slot I53 in plate I54, whereupon continued movement beyond the neutral position causes the other end of the pin I53 to move into engagement with a slot I8l in the plate I55. Vertical movements of the lever I3I will now impart oscillating movement to the plates I55 and vertical reciprocation to the rod I32, and since the rod may pass back of dead center with respect to points I33 and I 56 (Figs. 15-16) it will of course be evident that the parts will remain in this posiciprocatlng core I83 of which is connected by a short link I84 of a lever I85 that operates a conventional brake (not shown) for the motor I91, and this brake arm or lever I is normally held in brake applying position by a spring I86. Thus, when the circuit is closed it energizes the motor I91 to operate the dasher D, and simultaneously activates the solenoid I82 to release the brake, but when the circuit is subsequently opened the motor is deenergized and the brake is simultaneously applied by the spring I86 to not only stop the motor but to prevent it from overrunnlng a predetermined point by reason of its momentum, as will be presently explained.

The washer circuit includes still another con trol switch, namely, I81, (Figs. 10, 21) that is mounted in a bracket I88 within the housing. This switch is controlled by a rod I89 and is normally held in circuit opening position by a spring I99. The rod extends upwardly through the easing flange 35 where it is provided with a cap I9I that is engageable by a lug I92 on the inner side of the cover flange 42. When the cover is down the switch I81 is closed and the washer circuit may be. energized by closing the switch I31, but when the cover is open it will be impossible to energize the washer circuit. The reason for this is to insure that the cover is closed before washing action can take place, because otherwise the vertical reciprocation of the dasher D would throw water up and out of the machine.

It may here be noted that the drying motor (I22) circuit also has two control switches, name-' ly, I59, previously referred to, and I93. The s itch I93 is a manually operated switch, located at some convenient place on the outer housing, and is preferably of the double action push button tyne wherein one push of the button will close the switch and a second push will open it.

It will of course be necessary that both switches I59 and I93 be closed before the drying motor I22 can be energized. and the main reason for switch I59 is to prevent starting of the spinning motor while the clothes receptacle E is resting on the gasket 54. For that reason switch I93 is usually employed as the primary control switch and by it the motor is started and stopped while the receptacle is raised and the switch I59 is closed. Should an attempt be made, however, to start the drying operation without the control lever I 3i being in proper position then the resulting open position of switch I59 will prevent damage of parts by spinning the basket when in it's lowered position.

Parts of the machine which have not heretofore been specifically identified will be described in connection with the operation of the machine which is substantially as follows:

When a batch of clothes is to be washed and dried the cover 4| and lid 9| are first opened. The required amount of soap is then placed in the tub and hot water is admitted through a pipe I94 (Figs. 8 and 11) in the bottom of the tub. This inlet pipe I94 extends down into a generally triangular pocket or chamber I95 that is inserted in through the back of the housing and opens outwardly. A hose (not shown) may be attached to the pipe, for connection to a laundry room faucet, and when not in use may be coiled up and placed in this receptacle.

The water is filled into the tub preferably to a level just above the washer unit D when the latter is in its lowermost position, and after the clothes or other objects to be washed are also,

75 Placed in the washer unit the grilled lid 9t 15,

9 closed and latched at 83, after which the cover 4| is also closed and latched at 44.

The operator now grasps the projecting ball shaped end of the lever I3I, which is in neutral position as shown in Fig. 1, moves it laterally and down to the bottom of the shorter slot, I45. This action operates through the parts I49. I52, I53, I55, I32 and I33 to depress the long end of lever I36 and move the switch mounting up until finger I38 is moved down by stop I39 to close the switch I31. Since switch I01 has already been closed, by the cover, the circuit is closed to the motor I01 and solenoid I82. Energization of the solenoid releases the motor brake, through arm I05, and starts the motor I01. Rotation of the motor shaft operates to impart a vertical reciprocating motion to the washer or dasher unit D through the medium of belt I06, pulley I05, reduction transmission IOI, crank pin 99, connecting rod 91, lever mechanism 03, 95, 9|, 90, 89, and shaft TI.

The intermittent or up and down movement of the unit D produces a turbulent agitation of the water within the units D and E that causes the soap to quickly dissolve in the Water, and also produces what appears to be a new and very novel and efficient washing action.

Thus, as the washer unit D moves upwardly the solution, including the clothes, moves relatively downwardly, and as it does so is guided radially inwardly by the sloping ledge 86 into and through the restricted annular opening between the edge 81 and the center post construction. As the contents settle in the bottom of receptacle E they spread out to fill the lower portion thereof. When the plunger D now again descends in the receptacle the ledge 06 engages the outer part of the water body and compresses it downwardly, thus squeezing the clothes and solution in such a manner as to cause them to move upwardly past the edge 81. It should here be noted that the flange 88 plays an important part in the action since it initiates an inward circulatory movement of the water, as indicated by arrows in Figs. 4 and 5, and thereby not only prevents clothes from Wcdging in between the adjacent wall surfaces of members D and E, but also insures the proper and highly desirable movement of liquid and materials inwardly so as to be caught up by the upwardly moving column of Water.

The resultant effect of the continued vertical reciprocations is to provide a toroidal motion, in which submerged clothes are alternately compressed and expanded while also being thoroughly flushed through the solution, and all of which produces a thorough cleansing action without wearing or harmful contact between the articles being washed and metal parts.

The reticulated character of the grill is such that it will permit the free upward passage of air and water therethrough without permitting passage or escape of the articles being washed, and this is of considerable importance since if this cover plate were imperforate it would have a piston-like action that would preclude the desired surging and free washing action.

During the washing operation the valve I12 is closed so as to prevent the escape of fluid through the drain port 51 in the tub. The outlet 50 is not stopped by any such valve, and some water that splashes over the rim of receptacle 58 may go into this drain. The flow through this opening will not be substantial, however, since it is customary to hook the discharge end of the drain 10 hose I10, from pump I68, up at an elevation higher than the port 58 and consequently any water thus passing into the drainage pump or system will b 'retained until actual drainage is desired.

It may also be observed that the annular space between receptacle E and tub 18 (below flange 63), will permit a limited amount of water to fill this space. Such fluid, however, is not of any signification amount and plays no material part in the washing operation, being virtually dormant until complete drainage is eifected.

When the washing operation has been completed, usuall after a predetermined period of time, the control lever I3I is returned to its neutral position. This act does not by itself deenergize the motor I01 since lifting the outer end oi. lever I34 merely separates the finger its from stop I39. However, as the shaft II goes up on its next succeeding stroke the actuator 32 engages the finger I39 and by pushing it upwardly opens the switch I31 which thereby simultaneously shuts off the motor and applies the brake with the unit D in its uppermost position.

It may be desirable to provide means for automatically stopping the washer in its lowermost position. For purpose oi the present disclosure, however, only the upper position stop is shown, and to lower the washer unit, as is now required, the cover II is lifted and the switches I31 and I81 are momentarily manipulated until the desired bottom position is assumed.

With the cover ii still open, if so desired, and with the clothes held down below the water surface by the grill 80 fresh water is now turned into the tub B and receptacle E through the inlet I96, and at about the same time the control lever- Iti is moved to the position shown in Fig. 17, where it closes the switch I66 in the circuit to the pump motor I61. This position does not, however, open the valve I12 or raise the clothes receptacle, because stop nut I39 has not as yet contacted the lever I09.

In the condition of the machine as now set forth, the clothes are all submerged in the solution and as fresh water continues to flow into the tub through the inlet I9 3 it overflows upwardly and outwardly over the edge of the clothes receptacle E and thereb removes and carries with it the scum which it is found so desirable to remove from contact with the articles being washed. As the overflowing liquid drops down into the annular channel between the upper portion of the receptacle E and the adjacent side wall portion of the tube B it drains through the opening 58 and is forcefully drawn down by the pump I60 that is now running, and ejected through the hose I10 which at this time is 'so located that it can properly discharge its contents into the sink or floor drain in the laundry room. 1

After the descumming has been entirely completed the control lever ItI is moved down to the bottom of the slot 5M, or as shown in Fig. 19. This action lifts the clothes receptacle E and closes the switch I59. It also causes the lever I09 to actuate the similar lever II'I to open the valve I12. Opening of the valve I12 results in bottom draining of the tub through the vent 51 and when the switch I03 is now also closed, the drying or spinning motor I22 is energized with a result that the receptacle E is now very rapidly rotated to centrifugally separate the wash water from the clothes. It is ordinarily not intended to completely centrifuge the clothes at this stage of the washing process, and in fact it may be sufllcient to merel drain the tub under the action of the pump I6'I without spinning the receptacle E at all, and this is particularly true where in the descumming process enough water has been circulated upwardly through the clothes to substantially free them from the washing solution.

In any event, after the wash water has been suflicicntly extracted from the clothes and drained from the tub the switch I93 is operated to deenergize the circuit and the control lever I3I is reinstated to its neutral position.

The next operation is that of rinsing the clothes, and for that purpose clean and fresh water is introduced either through the intake pipe I 94 or through the flushing ring presently to be described. In any event the water is filled in to substantially the same level as was the washing solution for the washing operation. With the cover II and lid BI again locked closed, the control lever I3I is now again moved down into the slot I45 whereupon the same identical action takes place within the tub as occurred during the primary or washing operation. Thus the clothes are thoroughly subjected to the toroidal circulating currents until they are entirely freed from soap or other undesirable matter from the cleansing solution. Ordinaril there is no necessity for descumming the rinsing water, and when it has served its purpose it is immediately drained out through the bottom of the tub, and as the hand lever is actuated to control this action the pump motor is again energized and the centrifuging again comes into play. In this instance, however, when the rinsing has been completed, it is quite essential that the washer unit D be stopped in its uppermost position and for that reason the automatic switch control I 38II2 is provided and comes into play. With the washer unit now up entirely out of the way the basket or clothes receptacle E will be spun at such speed and for such length of time as may be necessary to completely extract all of the free moisture and such moisture is immediately drained ofi from the tub and forcefully ejected from the machine.

When the drying or centrifuging period has expired the control lever is again restored to neutral position to stop the motors, and after the cover AI and lid 8I have again been opened the dry or substantially dry clothes are removed from the clothes receptacle.

It is now desirable to wash or flush out the entire machine and for that purpose there is provided an overhead perforated shower ring I96 that is suitably secured in the cover 4| within the flange 40. This ring is connected to and supplied by a flexible hose I91, the other end of which attaches to a standpipe I98, the lower end of which extends into the receptacle for connection with an outside supply hose (not shown). When water is now supplied under pressure to the ring I96 it will be sprayed over and throughout all of the interior working surfaces of the machine. To more thoroughly effectuate such cleaning or flushing the spinning circuit may again be energized, and of course the flushing Water will be drained away the same as with the washing and rinsing liquids.

It should here be noted that while the various operations of this machine might be performed with a single motor, as has been done heretofore in numerous designs of clothes washing machines, there are several definite advantages in using separate motors and connecting them up in such manner that they will be independently operated and wherein one motor will have, as its primary function to operate the clothes washing .unit or i2 agitator, while a second motor will be arranged to spin the clothes receptacle to produce the necessary centrifuging.

Thus with the use of two motors, connected to separately operate the receptacle and agitator much is eliminated in the way of speed change gearing. clutches and other frictionproducing transmission and control mechanisms that are absolutely essential to a single motor arrangement and the cost and maintenance of which exceeds that of two smaller motors with their direct drive connections to the respective devices.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the design and structural details of the invention as herein disclosed, and in the method of operation set forth, providing such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a washing machine, a tub, a receptacle mounted in the tub and adjustable vertically into two positions, said receptacle having a perforated lower section and an imperforate upper section, means at the juncture of said sections for providing an annular seal between the receptacle and tub when the receptacle is in its lower position, means for raising the receptacle to break contact with the tube at the seal and to rotate the receptacle, and a washer dasher mounted for vertical reciprocation in the receptacle when the latter is in its lowermost position.

2. In a washing machine, a tub, a receptacle mounted in the tub and adjustable vertically into two positions, said receptacle having a perforated lower section and an imperforate upper section, means at the juncture of said sections for providing an annular seal between the receptacle and tub when the receptacle is in its lower position, means for raising the receptacle to break contact with the tub at the seal and to rotate the receptacle, and a washer dasher mounted for vertical reciprocation in the receptacle when the latter is in its lowermost position, said tub having a bottom drain, and having a second drain inits side wall above the level of said annular seal.

3. In a clothes washing machine, a receptacle forming a lower chamber for containing cleansing fluid and articles to be washed, a plunger mounted for vertical reciprocation in the receptacle and forming an upper chamber adapted to receive such fluid and articles when the plunger is moved down into the lower part of the receptacle, said plunger having flange means extending under the upper chamber to form a passageway for clothes and water the cross-sectional area of which passageway is less than the crosssectional area of either chamber, whereby the articles being washed will be squeezed and flexed as they pass fro one chamber into the other, and means for reciprocating the plunger whereby the clothes and water will be effectively pumped from one chamber into the other alternately, said plunger having a perforated top extending over the entire upper end opening thereof in all horizontal directions so that it will permit the passage of water therethrough but which will prevent upward escape of articles being washed.

4. In a clothes washing machine, a generally upright receptacle having a water and clothes chamber in its lower end, a washer unit mounted for vertical reciprocation in the receptacle in close proximity to the sides thereof so as to produce a piston action when reciprocated, said washer unit forming an upper chamber of suflicient capacity to receive substantially all of the water and clothes when the unit is moved down into the lower end of the receptacle, said washer unit being formed in part by an inwardly directed flange which extends under the upper chamber and forms a restricted passageway for the movement of water and clothes alternately from one 10 chamber to the otherwhen the washer unit is reciprocated, and power means for reciprocating the washer unit, said washer unit having a grill like to member completely covering the upper chamber so as to retain clothes therein while having perforations of such size as to only permit the upward escape of water therefrom.

- ARTHUR D. LUND.

19 REFERENCES The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 489,506 Soper Jan. 10, 1893 890,642 Harrison June 16, 1908 963,786 MacLean v July 12, 1910 1,098,978 Schott June 2, 1914 1,483,838 Schneider Feb. 12, 1924 1,503,395 Vasgreen July 29, 192* r 1,724,234 Thomas Aug. 13, 1929 1 2,056,833 Davis Oct. 6, 1936 2,095,505 Kirby Oct. 12, 1937 2,161,604: Watts June 6, 1939 2,214,807 Buckley Sept. 17, 1940 2,228,765 Jerwan Jan. 14, 1911 2,236,748 Chayie .Apr. 1, 1941 FOREIGN PA'IENTS Number Country Date 212,709 Great Britain Mar. 20, 192%

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