US2508948A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

J. E. HOVERM-ALE WASHING MACHINE May 23, 1950 Filed Jan. 22, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 54 [yd Z m m m W James 1: Ho verma/e; Deceased y flare LLa' f/overmale y 3, 1950. J. E. HOVERMALE 2,508,948

WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22,1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 N INVENTOR.

James E Hovefma/qfleceased By AZfrE/L Q Havermale M -M W May 23, 1950 Filed Jan. 22, 1946 J. E. HOVERMALE WASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 1 M INIENTOR.

May 23, 1950 J. E. HOVERMALE WASHING MACHINE May 23, 1950.- E. HOVERMALE mm MACHINE 1 w V s .w t a m m m g a 1 M .r I m W. e e t Id 9. a M m m m4 8 v r rA m N H m3 Jim m r 5 fl 5 Filed Jan. 221946" PM... Maya, 1950 James E. Hovermale,

deceased. late of Salt Lake City, Utah, by Allrettl' novermale, administratl'lx, Salt Lake City, Utah Application January a. 1946, Serial No. 042,735

' 4 Claims. Roi. 68-12) This invention relates to washing machines.

An object ofthis invention is to provide a 'washing machine which is automatically operable and which can be regulated in its operation to provide for the timed washing of the articles and the subsequent rinsing and wringing thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which can have the cycles thereof readily changed, so that different kinds of articles may be cleaned in the proper manner for such articles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a washing machine which includes centrifugally operated drain valves for the tub, so that these valves will be normally maintained in closed position during the normal washing and rinsing operation, but will be moved to open position during the wringing operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a washing machine of th s kind, which includes means not only for effecting-cyclic operation of the machine to provide for washing, rinsing and wringing of the article, but also for cutting oil the operation of the motor when the necessary cycles have been completed.

To the foregoing objects and others which may hereinafter more fully appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination'and arrangement of parts, as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the. accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that changes, variations, and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. 2

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation, partly broken away, of a washing machine constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the tub construction.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of electric circuit connected to the motor.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of the cycle adjusting member for the machine.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral II designates generally acabinet, which includes a cylindrical base IS, an upper cylindrical member I1, and an intermediate housing 48.

The intermediate member It comprises a cylindrical side wall I! and a bottom wall 20. A

motor 2| is dependingly secured in the center of the bottom wall by fastening members 22. The motor 2| includes a shaft 23, having a small gear 24 secured thereto. A large reduction gear 25 isrotatably carried by the bottom wall 20 and meshes with pinion 24. A small gear 28 is fixed relative to the large gear 25 and meshes with an- -other large gear 21, which is secured to acrank shaft 28. The crank. shaft 28 is vertically dison the line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the driving mechanism.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3-showing the driving mechanism.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken.

on the line 5-5 of Figure 4' showing the valve regulating mechanism.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-4 of Figure 4 showing the water supply valve.

. Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l| of Figure 2 showing the agitator and supporting post.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-8 of Figure 3 showing the oscillating mechanism.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 4 showing the motor regulating switch.

posed, being journalled-in bearings 29 and 30, the latter bearing being carried by a bottom wall 3] formed as part of the upper member ll. The upper member i! also includes a cylindrical side wall 32, which may be formed integral with the bottom wall 3|.

The crank shaft 28 includes apart plates 33and 34, having disposed therebetween, and with which is connected one end of a pitman, or link, 28. A vera pair of spaced,

. tically disposed agitator operating shaft 31 is dis posed in axial alignment with the motor shaft 22. being journalled in a bushing 38, extending upwardly from the motor shaft 23. Preferably an anti-friction bearing ing 38, and provides a means whereby the motor is mounted in the bushshaft 23 may be rotated independently of the bushing 38. e

The link or pitmantt has pivotally connected thereto a lever, or arm, 40, which is pivotally mounted on the shaft 31. The lever 40 has fixed relative thereto one element 4| of a toothed clutch, which is adapted to be engaged by the toothed lower end of a clutch collar 42, slidable on the shaft 31. The clutch collar 42 is formed with lower clutch teeth 43 for engagement with the teeth of clutch member 4|, so that clutch member 42 will oscillate with the oscillation, or rocking. of the lever 40. In order to provide for the oscillation of shaft 31 with the oscillation. or rocking, of lever 40, the shaft 31 is provided with clutch teeth, or splines, 44 adjacent the clutch member 4|, and the clutch member 42 is formed with a lower clutch element 45, engageable with the splines, or clutch member, 44.

Preferably the complementary clutch members 44 and 45 are of such length that these members will be initially engaged so as to lock the clutch collar 42 to the shaft 31 before the teeth 43 engage with the complementary teeth of clutch element 4i. The shaft 31 has secured to the upper end thereof an agitating member, generally designated as 46, which is secured to'the shaft 31 an offset shaft 3| by providing complementary splines on the upper end of the shaft 31 and in a cap or top wall 41, which is carried by the agitator 46. The agitator 48 includes a sleeve 48 formed with a plurality of openings 49 through which water may be forced, and the cap or top wall 41 is-secured to the shaft 31 by means of a nut 50 threaded onto a stud carried by the upper end of shaft 31.

The agitator 46 includes a lower annular plate 52 and a plurality of radially arranged agitating blades 53 formed integral with'the plate 52 and with the hub, or sleeve, 48.

A tub, generally designated as 54, is mounted within the upper housing member H and includes a cylindrical side wall 55 and a bottom wall 56. The bottom wall 56 is secured to a hollow shaft 51, which is disposed interiorly of the sleeve 48, and preferably there is a space 58 between the inside of the sleeve 48 and the hollow shaft 51. The shaft-51 has extending therefrom a flange 59, which may be secured in any suitable manner to the inside of the bottom wall 58 of the tub 54. The tub 54 is formed with a plurality of openings 60 in the side wall 55 thereof adjacent the lower end of the side wall, and the openings 60 are normally closed by means of closure members 6| carried by rock levers 62.

Rock levers 62 are rockably secured, as at 63, to the outer side of the side wall 55 and a spring 64 engages the lever, or closure carrier, 62 so as to normally hold the plug 6| in closed position. A weight 65 is carried by the lower end of the lever 62 and is disposed below a loop, or keeper, 66, which is fixed to the bottom wall 56 and extends outwardly of the side wall 55. The weight 65 provides a means whereby the plug 6| may be centrifugally moved to open position during the rapid rotation of the tub 54, so as to provide for draining of the water from the tub.

A perforate basket, or inner perforate tub, 81 is disposed within the tub 54 and is formed with an upper rim 68 which may be crimped, or otherwise extended over the upper edge of the side wall 55 of the tub 54. The lower end of the perforate inner tub member 61 is bent inwardly, as at 69, and is secured to the bottom wall 56 by means of a ring 10. The perforate inner tub 61 is adapted to rotate and move with the 1m.- perforate tub 54. The lower end of the hollow shaft 51 is rotatably carried by a hollow bushing 1| formed with a base plate 12 which is fixed by fastening members 13 to the bottom wall 3| of the upper cabinet H. The hollow shaft 5l is .provided with openings 14 communicating with the space 58, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. The hollow shaft 51 includes a top wall I5, which is splinecl on the upper end 16 of a second hollow shaft l'l disposed loosely about the agitator shaft 31.

The hollow shaft ll constitutes the drive shaft for rotating the tub 54 and is extended through the bottom wall 3|. The shaft ll has loosely mounted on the lower end thereof a spur gear 16, and this gear meshes with a driving gear 19 fixed on the crank shaft 28. In order to provide for coupling the gear 18 to the hollow tub shaft 11, the lower end of the shaft TI on the inside thereof is provided with splines 80, forming one The clutch elements and 8| are adapted to become initially engaged before the elements 82 and 83 are engaged, so as to relieve the clutch elements 80 and 8| of the strain or torsion when clutch elements 82 and 03 are engaged. The base plate 12 for the bushing II has extending upwardly therefrom a tubular supporting member 84, engaging loosely about the hollow shaft 14 and interiorly of the hollow shaft 51. The supporting member 84 is formed with a cap 85 at the upper end thereof, and a sealing gasket 86 is adapted to seal the cap 85 and the upper end of the tubular member 84 with respect to the hollow shaft H.

A water intake pipe 81 is connected at one end to the bushing H and is disposed between the bottom wall 56 of the tub 54 and the bottom wall3| of the upper member H. The pipe 81 has a branch 88 extending downwardly through the bottom wall 3| and through the gear housing formed by the intermediate member HI, and is then provided with an outwardly extending extension 89, which may be connected to a source of water supply. A valve member generally designated as 90 is interposed in the pipe 81 and comprises a housing 9|, which is provided with a flange 92 secured to the inner side of the bottom wall 3|.

A bushing 93. having a flange 94, is secured axially of the flange 92 and is positioned below the bottom wall 3|. An endwise movable plug 95, having a port 96, is slidably carried by the housing 9| and extends through the bushing 93. When the plug 95 is in its uppermost position the plug is in the open position for permitting water to pass from the'branch 88, through the pipe 81, into the space 81 between the tubular support 84, and the hollow shaft 51. A cam shaft 98 is journalled in bearings 99 and I00 carried by the gear housing l8, and has secured thereto a circular cam IN. The shaft 98 also has loose thereon a worm gear I02, which meshes with a worm |03, carried by a vertically disposed worm shaft |04 journalled in bearings I05 and I06, carried by the bottom walls 20 and 3|, respectively.

The worm shaft I04 has flxed thereto a large grooved pulley I01, about which a belt M8 is trained. A grooved pulley 09 is fixed to the crank shaft 28 and the belt |08 is trained about pulley I09, so that worm shaft I04 will rotate at a reduced speed from crank shaft 28, and the worm and worm gear will provide an additional speed reducing means for the cam shaft 98. The cam |0| has disposed thereabout a collar, or band, H0 which is connected to the valve plug 95 by means of a link I. In this manner valve plug 95 will be reciprocated upon rotation of cam IM and cam shaft 98.

Cam shaft 93 also has flxed thereon a clutch operating cam generally designated as H2. The clutch operating cam H2 is provided with cam surfaces I I3 and H4, which are of substantially equal length, the cam surface 4 constituting a means whereby the clutch collar 42 may be moved downwardly for engagement with clutch member 4|, so as to'provide for oscillation of the agitating member 48. A clutch collar shifting lever H5 is pivotally connected, as at H8. to a ring ill loosely carried by the clutch member 42, and the other or outer end of the lever H5 is rockably mounted on the upper end of a link III, which is rockably carried by a bracket, or bearing, H9, fixed to the side wall H. The lever H5 has rotatably mounted on the lower side thereof, at a point between the opposite ends, a cam engaging roller I20. The roller I28 is maintained in engagement with the cam. member II2 by means of a spring I2I, which is secured at one end to the lever III, and at the opposite end to an ear I22, fixed relative to the bottom wall 23. When roller I engages cam surface III, lever I01 is raised and clutch 42 is released from clutch 4I and engaged with clutch 82, clutch II also engaging clutch 80. Inner tub 54 will then berapidly rotated through the rinsing-and wringing cycle.

The cam member II2 is provided in one face thereof with a plurality of openings, or sockets, I28 within a selected one of which a pin I24, carried by the worm gear I02, is adapted to engage, so that the worm gear I02 will rotate with cam shaft 88. Cam member II2 is held in clutched engagement with worm gear I02 by means of a spring I25, bearing at one endagainst the cam II2, and at the other end against an intermediate bearing I 28, which is fixed to the bottom wall 20.' A washer I2! is interposed between the bearing I26 and the adjacent end of the spring I25.

A knob I28, having a dial I29 fixed thereto, is secured to the outer end of the cam shaft 98, which projects through a housing I30, carried by the gear housing I8. The dial I28 is provided so that the user can determine the position of valve plug 95, and by adjustment of cam II2 can shorten, cut off, or prolong the water delivery cycle.

In order to provide for the timed cutoff of the motor 2I, there is provided a timed switch ,operating means, which is operated from the cam shaft 98. A switch, including opposed sprIngpressed contacts I3I and I32, is carried by ahousing I33 secured to the gear housing I8 and contact I3I is connected by means of a conductor I34 to one side of the motor 2I. connected by means of a conductor I35 to one side of a source of current supply and motor 2I is connected at the opposite side thereof by means of a conductor I35 to the opposite side of the current supply. The contacts I3I and I32 are normally biased to circuit closing position, and as shown in Figure 10, contact member I32 is formed with an extension I31 with which one end of a switch operating pin I38 is pivotally connected.

The pin I38 is slidable through a guide I39, carried by the housing I8 and the pin I39 is formed at its inner end with a rounded or cam shaped end I40. A pin operating cam, or lug,

. I is fixedly carried by a clutch plate I42, which is keyed to shaft I43, journalled in bearings I44 and I45, carried by the housing I8. A pulley I48 is loose on shaft I 43 and has secured thereto a clutch pin I41, which is selectively engageable in one of a plurality of openings I48, formed in the clutch plate I42. A spring I49 disposed about shaft I 43 constantly urges clutch plate I42 into clutching position, hearing at its outer end against bearing I45.

Contact I32 is.

a tion of the motor with respect to the valve operator, so that there may be either one, two, or three changes of water in the tub 54 before the motor is stopped.

In the use and operation of this washing machine, the pipe 88 is connected to a source of water supply and the water is drained from the upper cabinet member I 1, which constitutes an outer tub, by means of a drain pipe I54. The drain pipe I54 is open to the tub member H, being connected to the bottom wall thereof, and a 'r connection I55 may be interposed in the drain I54, so that a pump, or the like, may be connected with the'drain for forcibly withdrawing the water from the outer tub I1. Dial member I5I may beset to provide for the cyclic cut-off of motor 2I by adjusting the knob I50, shaft I43 being pulled outwardly against the tension of the spring I48, so as to position the pin I" in a selected recess, or socket, I48. The tub 54 may be initially filled to provide water necessary for the first or washing cycle by turning shaft 88 until valve 90 has the plug 85 thereof in open position, at which time lever I0'I may be raised by cam surface II3. During the initial filling operation, motor 2I will be disconnected from the supply source, or switch cam I may be in circuit breaking position.

Dial I29 may also be adjusted to provide for the cyclic oscillation and stoppage of the agitator 48 by turning knob I28, shaft 88 being moved endwise so as to release cam member II2 from clutch pin I 24, carried by worm gear I02. During, the initial operation of the machine, clutch collar 42. will be in its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 3, so as to connect oscillating shaft 31' with crank shaft 28. At this time cam member I I2 will be In the position shown in Figure 3, and valve plug 85 will be in the cutoff position, so that no water will flow through pipe 81 into the inner tub 54.

After the machine has been in operation for a predetermined period of time, cam member II2 will be rotated so that the high portion thereof will engage roller I20, and thereby raise clutch lever II5. Raising of clutch lever II5 will shift clutch collar 42 upwardly to initially engage clutch members 80 and M and subsequently engage clutch members 82 and 83. At this time gear I8 will be coupled to hollow shaft I1 and inner tub member 54, which-is coupled to hollow shaft 11, will be rotated with gear I8. As inner tub 54 rotates valve plugs 5| will be moved outwardly by centrifugal force to open position, and the water will drain through openings 80 from inner tub 54 to outer tub II.

If desired, the cycle of oscillation, and the cycles of rinsing and wringing may be repeated Shaft I43 projects outwardly of housing I33 and has secured thereto a knob, or operator, I50

The pulley I48 has trained carrying a dial I5I. thereabout a belt I52, which is also trained about a driving pulley I53 fixed on the cam shaft 98.

Figure 9, is provided with three recesses I48,

which are adapted to determine the timed operaby adjustment of timer shaft I43. If this latter shaft is adjusted to provide for only one cycle, when this cycle has been completed cam member I42 will be in a position engaging pin I38, and the switch formed by the two contacts I3 I and I32 will be moved to an open or-circuit breaking position. When the water is discharged by centrifugal force into outer tub II, the water will drain through drain pipe I54.

The exact configuration illustrated is regarded as the optimum, but some of the desirable results inherent in' this disclosure may be obtained by ,various slight modifications including some departure from the exact configuration shown, and it is therefore requested that the scope of the invention should be regarded as limited only by 5 the terms of the claims.

accuse said intermediate tub, an agitator within said inner tub, a second shaft fixed to said agitator and extending through said tubular shaft, a clutch element fixed on said second shaft, a second clutch element fixed to said tubular shaft, a compound clutch element slldable on said second shaft between said first and second clutch elements, a clutch shifting lever connected at one end to said slidable element, power means, means connected to said first clutch element for oscillating said agitator, means connected to said second clutch means for rotating said intermediate tub, a counter-shaft connecting said oscillating means with said rotating means, a pulley on said countershaft, an operative connection between said power means and said countershaft, a timer shaft, an operative connection between said timer shaft and said pulley, a lever shifting cam fixed to said timer shaft and engageable with said clutch lever whereby to pro vide for cyclic rocking of said lever from a lower tub oscillating position to an upper tub-rotating position, means for adjusting the circumferential position of said cam relative to said latter operative connection whereby the cyclic periods of rotation of said intermediate tub and oscillation of said agitator may be varied, means for delivering fluid to said inner and intermediate tub, and cam means on said timer shaft for effecting periodic delivery of fiuid to said latter tubs.

2. A washing machine comprising an outer tub, an intermediate tub, an inner perforate tub fixed to said intermediate tub. a tubular shaft fixed to said intermediate tub, an agitator within said inner tub, an agitator shaft loosely disposed in said tubular shaft, a clutch element fixed to said agitator shaft. a second clutch element fixed to said tubular shaft, a compound clutch element slidable on said agitator shaft between said first and second clutch elements, a clutch shifting lever connected at one end to said slidable element, power means, means connected to said first'clutch element for oscillating said agitator, means connected to said second clutch means for rotating said intermediate tub, ,a countershaft connecting said oscillating means with said rotating means, a pulley on said countershaft, an operative connection between said power means and said countershaft, a timer shaft, an operative connection between said timer shaft and said pulley, a lever shifting cam fixed to said timer shaft and engageable with said clutch shifting lever whereby to provide for cyclic rocking of said lever from a lower tub oscillating position to an upper tub rotating position, means for discharging water into said intermediate tub, a valve in said latter means, means carried by said timer shaft connected to said valve for moving said .valve to open position for at least a portion of the cyclic period of rotation of said intermediate tub, and for also moving said valve to closed position during the oscillating cycle of said agitator and means for adjusting said latter means to thereby vary the periods of said intermediate tub and said agitator and also vary the opening and closing periods of said valve.

3. A washing machine comprising an outer tub. an intermediate tub, an inner perforate tub.fixed to said intermediate tub, a tubular shaft fixed to said intermediate tub, an agitator within said II inner tub. an agitator shaft loosely disposed in said tubular shaft, a clutch element fixed to said agitator shaft, a second clutch element fixed to said tubular shaft, a compound clutch element slidable on said agitator shaft between said first and second clutch elements, a clutch shifting lever connected at one end to said slidable element, power means, means connected to said first clutch element for oscillating said agitator, means connected to said second clutch means for rotating said intermediate tub, a countershait connecting said oscillating means with said rotating means, a pulley on said countershaft, an operative connection between said power means and said countershaft, a timer shaft, an operative connection between said timer shaft and said pulley, a lever shifting cam fixed to said timer shaft and engageable with said clutch shifting lever whereby to provide for cyclic rocking of said lever from a lower tub oscillating position to an upper tub rotating position, means for discharging water into said intermediate tub, a valve in said latter means, cut-off means connected to said power means, and means connecting said cut-off means with said timer shaft for operation thereby.

4. A washing machine comprising an outer tub, an intermediate tub, an inner perforate tub fixed to said intermediate tub, a tubular shaft fixed to said intermediate tub, an agitator within said inner tub, an agitator shaft loosely disposed in said tubular shaft, a clutch element fixed to said agitator shaft, a second clutch element fixed to said tubular shaft, a compound clutch element slidable on said agitator shaft between said first and second clutch elements, a clutch shifting lever connected at one end to said slidable element, power means, means connected to said first clutch element for oscillating said agitator, means connected to said second clutch means for rotating said intermediate tub, a countershaft connecting said oscillating means with said rotating means, a pulley on said countershaft, an operative connection between said power means and said countershaft, atimer shaft, an operative connection between said timer shaft and said pulley, a lever shifting cam fixed to said timer shaft and engageable with said clutch shifting. lever whereby to provide for cyclic rocking of said lever from a lower tub oscillating position to an upper tub rotating position, means for discharging water into said intermediate tub, a valve in said latter means, cut-off means connected to said power means, and means connecting said cut-off means with said timer shaft for operation thereby, said cut-off means including adjustable means whereby the period of cut-01f may be varied.

- ALFRETTA HOVERMALE, Administratrir of the Estate 0] James E. Hovermale, Deceased.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Lindemann Dec. 25, 1945 I

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