US2575704A - Automatically controlled washing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Filed Oct. 18, 1946 Nov. 20, 195] CLARK 2,575,704

AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED WASHING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR EAR L K.C1 AR K ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

Nov. 20, 1951 E. K. CLARK 2,575,704

AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED WASHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

INVENTOR EARL. K. CLARK ATTORNEY Nov. 20, 1951 E. K. CLARK 2,575,704

AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED WASHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 WITNESSES; M? A c5. A. m

INVENTOR EARL K. CLAR K ATTORN EY Nov. 20, 1951 E. K. CLARK AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED WASHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18, 1946 4 SheetsSheet 4 DOOR LATCH DRAIN VALVE SOLENOID WATER VALVE soLiNfl SOLENOID INVENTOR EARL K. CLARK g 2 ATTORNEY F IG.//.

wrisfiiz Patented Nov. 20, 1951 AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED WASHING APPARATUS Earl K. Clark, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 18, 1946, Serial No. 704,061

8 Claims.

My invention relates to washing apparatus, more particularly to apparatus for washing tableware and has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of the invention is to prevent access to the washing chamber of an automatically-cycled dishwasher during operation of the washing means and to automatically open the door of the washing chamber at the conclusion of a washing cycle.

A still further object of the invention is to terminate operation of the washing means and water-admitting means of a dishwasher of the type set forth, incidental to the unlatching of the door thereof during a cycle of operation when access to the washing chamber is desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved latching and spring-biased hinging means for the door of a dishwasher.

These and other objects are eflected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an automatically-cycled dishwasher having my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken through the timing mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken through the timer along the line III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the control handle structure, as viewed from the plane IV-IV in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through the rear portion of the door and vat and showing the spring-biased hinge structure for the door;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the door actuated latching mechanism, as viewed from the plane VIVI of Fig. 1;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are views similar to Fig. 6 and showing the latching mechanism in different positions assumed during a door closing and door Opening operation;

Fig. 10 is a view of the door latching mechanism, as viewed from the plane X-X in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 11 is a diagram of the electrical connections between the various electrical translating devices associated with the dishwasher.

Reference will now be had to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1 thereof wherein I have elected to disclose my invention applied to a domestic dishwasher of the type having a motor-driven impeller. The dishwasher includes a vat structure In including a front wall H, a rear wall l2 and a bottom wall 13, the walls of the vat l0 defining a washing chamber l4 therebetween. The top of the vat I0 is provided with a relatively large opening i5 through which access to the washing chamber I4 is obtained, which opening I5 is provided with a door or cover It which is hinged to the vat structure It), as described hereinafter. The vat I0 is suspended from a resilient gasket ll, the latter being supported by a band i8 which encompasses the upper margin of the vat Ill. The band l8 may be supported in any well-understood manner, such as for example, by the work surface of a conventional sink structure (not shown).

As shown, the bottom wall l3 slopes downwardly and inwardly to define a sump l9 at the center of the bottom wall for containing a body of washing fluid. An impeller 2| of any well-understood construction is arrangod within the sump [9 for projecting the fluid therein upwardly within the washing chamber l4, which impeller 2| is driven by a vertical motor 22. The latter is supported by means of a suitable bracket structure 23 carried by the bottom wall l3.

Hot water from a suitable source is conveyed to the washing chamber l4 through a conduit 24 which terminates in a nozzle structure 25 disposed in the upper portion of the chamber 14. A valve 26 is connected in the conduit 24 and is opened and closed by a solenoid 21 when energized and deenergized, respectively. Vitiated fluid is discharged from the washing chamber I4 through a discharge valve, generally indicated at 28 and of any well-understood construction. The latter is opened and closed by a solenoid 29 when deenergized and energized, respectively.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 5, the door I6 is hinged, as shown at 3|, to the rear wall l2 of the vat structure, the hinge 3| being secured to the inner face of the rear wall 12 in any wellunderstood manner. As described hereinafter, the door It is latched when closed, and is automatically moved to an open position when the latch mechanism is manually or automatically released. The door I6 is biased to its open position, as best shown in Figure 5, by a torsional spring 32 suitably secured to the rear wall I2 and including a movable arm 33 which is biased upwardly or clockwise at all times. A roller 34 engageable with the inner face of the cover I is rotatably supported at the end of the arm 33. The torsional spring 32 is stressed to provide suflicient bias to actuate the door I! from the solid-line position shown in Figure 5, to the intermediate position of the door shown in dotted lines. As described hereinafter, this movement of the door is effected at the end of an automatic cycle in order to permit the discharge of steam and vapor from the washing chamber [4. The door I6 is manually actuated to its full open position, shown in dot-and-dash lines shown in Figure 5, in order for the operator to gain access to the washing chamber M.

In order to retain the door IS in its full open position, a projecting shoulder 35 is formed on the interior face of the door i6 over which the roller 34 rides as the door is moved from its intermediate to its full open position. It will be apparent that the roller moves inwardly with respect to the door |6 toward the hinge 3| during an opening movement of the door since the center about which the roller 34 and the arm 33 move is oifset with respect to the axis of the hinge 3|. The shoulder 35 is provided with a surface 36 which is engaged by the roller 34 in the full open position of the door, as clearly shown in Figure 5. The surface 36 is so shaped that when a downward force is imparted to the door |6 manually, the roller 34 will ride out of engagement with the surface 36 to permit the closing of the door. However, in the open position of the door, the turning moment due to the weight of the door is insufficient to move the roller 34 along the surface 36 against the bias of the spring 32.

The latching mechanism for the door l3 will now be described and reference is made particularly to Figures 1 and 6 to 10, inclusive. As shown, a resilient strip or catch 31 is secured to the inner surface of the door l6 adjacent the front edge thereof and projects downwardly within the washing chamber i4 contiguous .the front wall The catch 31 is provided at ,its lower end with a horizontally-extending lip 38 which is engageable with the head 39 of a bolt 4|. The latter projects through an elongated slot 42, preferably formed in a plate 43 which is riveted or otherwise secured to the front wall H of the vat. The bolt 4| is movable upwardly and downwardly in the slot 42 during the latching and unlatching operation and in order to prevent the escape of water through the slot 42, a resilient sealing diaphragm 44, preferably formed of rubber, is provided. The diaphragm 44 is secured adjacent its periphery between the plate 43 and the front wall I I and at a central portion thereof to the movable bolt 4| in any wellunderstood manner. The slot 42 is extended downward sufiiciently, as shown at 45, to insure complete drainage of any water which may accumulate in the space intermediate the diaphragm 44 and the plate 43.

Exteriorly of the front wall H, the bolt 4| is pivotally connected to a clevis 46 threaded on the upper end of a latching rod 41, the latter extending downwardly in front of the wall I l, as best shown in Figure '1. The bottom portion of the rod 41 extends through an opening 48 formed in a latching plate 49 and is slotted, as shown, to define a latching surface 5| engageable with the latching plate 49. The latching rod 41 is biased upwardly and to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, at all times by a tension spring 50.

The members of the latching mechanism just referred to are positioned, as shown in Fig. 6, when the door I6 is in its unlatched position. It will be apparent that the latching surface 5| of the rod 41 is out of latching engagement with the plate 49 and that the spring 50 has biased the rod 41 upwardly in the opening 33. Accordingly, the bolt 4| extends through the uppermost region of the slot 92. Movement of the door It about its hinge towards its closed pos tion first brings the lip 38 into engagement with the top side of the bolt head 39, as shown in Figure 6. Continued downward movement of the door It forces the bolt 3| and latching rod' i'i to the position shown in Figure '7 wherein the latching surface 5| is below the plate 49 and in such position that slight upward movement of the rod 41 will engage the latching surface 5| and the latching plate 49, as shown in Figure 1. As clearly shown in Figures 6 to 10, inclusive, the plate 43 is provided with a pair of projections 52 disposed on opposite sides of the slot 52 and aligned with the lip 35. These projections 52 each include upper and lower camming surfaces 53 and 53, respectively, which efiect flexing of the resilient catch 31 as the door It is moved between the positions shown in Figures 6 and 8.

As the door is moved from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure '7, as described heretofore, the surfaces 53 cam the resilient catch 31 inwardly and disengage the lip 38 from the bolt head 39 after the latching surface 5| of the rod 41 has been moved below the .plate 49. This releasing of the lip 38 and the bolt head 39 permits the spring 59 to move the latching rod 47 upwardly a small amount to engage .the latching surface 5| and the plate 99. The operations just described are effected during a first stage in the closing range of movement-of the door It and, during a second stage, the door I3 is engaged with the gasket l1 and the lip 38 passes beneath and engages the under surface of the bolt head 39, as shown in Figure 8. This is the latched position of the door It. During the latching operation just described, it will be apparent that the flexible diaphragm 44 is flexed downwardly and upwardly as the bolt 4! moves within the slot 42.

Unlatching of the door i6 is eifected by moving the latching rod 47 to the right, as viewed in Figure 1, sufficiently to disengage the latching surface 5| and the latching plate 49. The means for moving the rod 41 to its unlatched position will be described hereinafter. Upon disengagement of the latching surface 5| and the plate 49, the spring 59 moves the latching rod 41 and the bolt 4| upwardly. During the first stage of the opening range of movement, these members move from the latched position shown in Figure 8 to the position shown in Figure 9. The door It, the resilient catch 31 and the lip 38 move upwardly in engagement with the bolt head 39 until the camming surface 54 has cammed the lip 38 out of engagement with the head 39, as shown in Figure 9. Disengagement of the lip 38 and bolt head 39 uncouples the door l6 from the latching mechanism and permits the door-actuating spring 32 to move the door Hi to its intermediate position shown in Figure 5 and described heretofore.

The means for manually unlatching the rod 41 and latching plate 49 includes a handle 55 normally disposed in the position shown in Fig. 1

and movable to Start" and Stop positions for respectively initiating and terminating operation of the dishwasher, as described hereinafter. The handle 55 is also employed to unlatch the door i6 of the dishwasher at all times regardless of whether the dishwasher is operating or inactive. An arm 56, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 4, is fixed to and movable with the handle 55. The handle 65 is movably supported on a stud 51 secured to a plate 58, the latter being fixed to the front wall II of the vat ID in any well-understood manner. The handle 55 is biased to its intermediate position, as shown, by a pair of fingers 59 biased together by a tension spring 6|. The fingers 59 are movably carried by the stud 51 and are provided with respective slots 62 which encompass stop pins 88 carried by the plate 58. As the ends of the fingers 59 engage the arm 55, it will be apparent that, as the handle 55 is moved counterclockwise to the "Stop position, the upper finger 59 will be restrained by its stop pin 83 while the lower finger 59 will move downwardly with the arm 56. When the handle 55 is released, the spring 6| returns the lower finger 59 and the arm 56 to the position shown. As the handle 55 is swung clockwise, the lower finger 59 is restrained by its stop pin 63, while the upper finger 59 moves upwardly with the arm 55.

Movement of the arm 56 is imparted to a rod 54 which extends downwardly in front of the front wall H and which is provided with a shoulder 65. When the handle 55 is moved to its Stop" position, the shoulder 65 engages a pivoted trigger 68 and moves the latter counterclockwise about its pivot 61. The trigger 56, through a push rod 68, moves the latching rod 41 to the right, as viewed in Fig. l, for unlatching the rod 41 from the latching plate 49. When the handle 55 is released, the shoulder 55 returns to the position as shown in the drawing. Latching of the cover is effected by manually depressing the cover to its closed position, as described heretofore.

As described hereinafter, the rod 41 is unlatched automatically from the latching plate 49 at the conclusion of a washing cycle. During a washing cycle, a solenoid is energized for maintaining its armature 12 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, against the bias of a fiat spring". At the conclusion of the washing cycle, the solenoid H is deenergized and the spring 18 rapidly moves the armature 12 to the right. The spring 18 is effective only to initiate movement of the armature l2 and the inertia of the latter carries it into engagement with the rod 41. This blow disengages the rod 41 from the latching plate 49.

As shown in Fig. 1, a frame or housing I4 extends beneath the latching plate 49 for enclosing the solenoid 'II and a line switch 15, to be referred to hereinafter in connection with the operation of the timer. As shown, the switch I5 is engaged by the rod 41 and maintained in its closed position during periods when the rod 41 is latched to the plate 49. The switch is spring biased to its open position at all times so that, when the rod 41 is moved upwardly to the unlatched position, the switch 15 opens. The frame 14 is carried by a pair of lugs I6 which are secured, in any well-understood manner, to the front wall II. I

Energization of the various electrical translating devices referred to heretofore is controlled by a timer, generally indicated at 11, and carried. as shown, by a bracket I8 secured to the motor 22. The timer I1 is shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3 and includes a housing structure 18 within which a rotatable cam shaft I9 is disposed. A plurality of cams 8| to 84, inclusive, are fixed to the shaft 19 and actuate respective switches 85 to 88, inclusive, the latter being carried by an insulating end wall 89 of the housing 18. It will be understood that the switches 85 to 88, inclusive, are biased to their open positions and 6 are closed when engaged by the lobes of their respective cams.

Rotation of the cam shaft 19 is effected by a motor 9| of the type commonly employed for driving clocks. The motor drives at relatively low speed a pinion 92 which meshes with a gear 93, the latter running freely upon the cam shaft 19 and clutched thereto in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by a suitable spring clutch 94. As described hereinafter, operation of the timer is initiated by moving the cams angularly in counterclockwise direction an amount sufficient to close the switch 85, the clutch 94 permitting movement of the shaft I9 relative the gear 98. The means for effecting this counterclockwise starting movement includes a disc 95 fixed to the cam shaft and provided with a ratchet tooth 98. A spring-pressed pawl 91 is pivotally carried, as shown at 98, to a movable arm 99, the latter being movably carried by the cam shaft '19. As shown in Fig. 3, the arm 99 is pivoted at |0| to the lower end of the rod 64.

The diagram of the electrical connections controlled by the timer is shown in Fig. 11, to which reference will now be had. The source of power for the apparatus is designated by line conductors L1 and 12, which may, for example,

extend to an attachment plug (not shown) and which is connectible to a residential lighting circuit. As clearly shown in Fig. 11, one terminal each of the timer motor 9|, the door latch solenoid II, the water valve solenoid 21, the drain valve solenoid 29 and the main motor 22 are directly connected to the line conductor L2. The opposite terminals of the timer motor 9| and the door latch solenoid H are connected by a conductor I02 which connects with the load side of the switch 85. The load sides of the switches 86 and 81 are connected respectively to the opposite terminals of the water valve solenoid 21 and the drain valve solenoid 29, and the load side of the switch 88 is directly connected to the other terminal of the main motor 22. A conductor I03 electrically connects the line sides of the switches 85, 86 and 88 and this conductor 03 is connected to the line conductor L1 through the switch 15. The line side of the switch 87 is directly connected to the line conductor L1 by a conductor I04.

In initiating operation of the dishwasher, the tableware is disposed in upper and lower racks of any well-understood construction and indicated at I05 and I96 in Fig. 1. The cover I6 is then latched shut manually, as described heretofore, and the control handle 55 adjusted to its Start position. This movement of the control handle raises the rod 64 and actuates the arm 99 counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, to advance the cams sufficiently from the position shown in Fig. 11 to close the switches 85, 86 and 88. From Fig. 11, it will be seen that the lobe of the cam 8| closes switch 85 for energizing the timer motor 9| and the door latch solenoid continuously throughout the cycle or during a 360-degree movement of the cam shaft I9. The lobe 82a of the cam 82 closes the switch 86 for energizing the solenoid 21 of the inlet valve. The lobe of the cam 84 closes the switch 88 for energizing the main motor 22, which continues operation for a substantial portion of the total length of the cycle. Accordingly, water is admitted to the washing chamber I4 for flushing loose soils from the tableware and for clearing the piping between the dishwasher and the hot water tank of all cold water. At this time, it

will be understood that the drain valve 28 is deenergized and, therefore, open. After a predetermined period of flush rinsing, the lobe 82a is disengaged from the switch 81, whereupon the latter opens to deenergize the solenoid 28 and to close the water valve 26. At this time all water within the vat I8 is passed to the drain. After a period of draining of suflicient duration to drain all flushing water from the vat ill. the lobe 82b closes the switch 88 so that the water valve is again opened for a period of time suflicient to admit the proper amount of hot water to the vat. At the time the lobe 82b closes the switch 86 or just prior to this operation, the lobe 83a closes the switch 81 for closing the drain valve 28. Water accumulates in the sump l9 until the lobe 82b effects deenergization of the water inlet valve solenoid 21. The rapidly rotating impeller 2i projects the collected water throughout the washing chamber H for a predetermined period of time during which the dishes are cleaned, as is well understood.

The washing operation is terminated when the lobe 83a efiects the opening of the switch 81, whereupon the drain valve solenoid 29 is deenergized and the drain valve is opened. Vitiated washing water is discharged from the vat. While the drain valve is open, a lobe 82c effects the closing of switch 86 and the energization of the water valve solenoid 21. Accordingly, the water valve is opened and the flushing water admitted to the vat passes directly to drain until the drain valve is again closed. The latter operation is effected when a lobe 83b closes the switch 81. A body of rinsing water is now collected, the admission of which is terminated when the lobe 82a effects the opening of the switch 88. The rinse water is projected over the dishes for rinsing the same for a period of time, or until the lobe 83b efiects the opening of switch 81 and the opening of the drain valve.

A second rinsing operation, similar to the one just described, is effected by cam lobes 83c and 82d. This rinsing operation is similar to the first rinsing operation except that operation of the impeller is terminated just prior to the opening of the drain valve. It has been found that this second rinsing operation will be more effective if the final draining of the rinse water is carried out while the body of water in the vat is in a quiescent state. In other words, if the impeller is operated with progressively reducing quantities of water, there is a greater tendency for minute food particles which may remain in the vat to cling to the dishes. Accordingly, the lobe of the cam 84 is so formed that the switch 88 is opened to terminate operation of motor 22 and impeller 2| just prior to the opening of the switch 81 by the lobe 830. The sequential operation of the impeller and drain valve just described is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of James Gale Idle, Serial No. 710,972, filed November 20, 1946, now abandoned. The complete cycle is terminated, of course, when the cam 8| effects the opening of the switch 85. The cams 8| to 84, inclusive, and the ratchet disc 95 are now in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 11. The opening of switch 85 terminates operation of the timer motor and deenergizes the door latch solenoid II, whereupon the door It of the dishwasher is swung to its intermediate position shown in Fig. 5, as described heretofore.

If at any time during a cycle of operation, the operator desires access to the vat, the handle 55 is moved to its Stop" position for unlatching the door i8 and for opening the line switch 15. From Fig. 11, it will be apparent that when the line switch 15 is opened, the common conductor i8! is deenergized so that all apparatus except the drain valve solenoid 28 is deenergized. By maintaining the drain valve solenoid 29 energized, the drain valve 28 is maintained closed for retaining the body of washing or rinsing fluid in the vat. The cycle is again started from the point at which it was interrupted by latching the door 18 closed, whereupon the switch 15 closes, as described, for energizing conductor I83 and the apparatus served thereby.

Reference is made to my copending application, Serial No. 662,852, filed April 17, 1946, now abandoned, disclosing and claiming a dishwasher controlled by a timer having a line switch movable to an Ofl position for terminating the cycle without deenergizing and opening the drain valve.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided an improved automatically-controlled washing apparatus wherein improved door-latching means is interlocked with the timing means to prevent operation of the washing means when the door is open and wherein the door is opened automatically at the conclusion of the washing cycle. The arrangement is such that the door may be opened at the will of the operator by operating a handle which is common to the latching mechanism and the timer mechanism. In the event the door is opened during a washing cycle, operation of the apparatus is terminated without discharging the washing solution in the vat and, upon closing the door. the cycle of events is again started from the point at which it was interrupted. The door opening means efiects partial opening of the door when automatically operated at the end of a cycle for the escape of vapor from the vat, said means including a stop for retaining the door in its full open position after actuation thereof manually to such position.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 1

What I claim is:

1. In washing apparatus, the combination of a vat for containing a body of washing fluid and the material to be washed, said vat having an access opening therein, a door for closing said opening, means for admitting washing fluid to the vat, means for draining vitiated fluid from the vat, means for washing the material in the vat, a timer for selectively operating said fluid-admitting means, said fluid-draining means and the washing means to provide a sequence of steps in a washing program, means for latching said door in response to movement thereof to closed position, means for releasing the latching means at the conclusion of the washing program and actuated by said timer, means including a handle movable to respective starting and stopping positions for initiating and terminating operation of the timer and means responsive to movement of the handle to its stopping position for releasing the latching means independently of said timer operated releasing means.

2. In washing apparatus, the combination of a vat for containing a body of washing fluid and the material to be washed, said vat having an access opening therein, a door for closing said opening, electrically-operated inlet valve means for com trolling admission of fluid to the vat, electricallyoperated drain valve means for controlling the discharge of vitiated fluid from the vat, means for washing the material being treated and including an electric motor, motor-driven timing means for selectively energizing and deenergizing the inlet valve, drain valve and said washing means to provide a sequence of steps in a washing program, a latch mechanism for retaining said door in closed position, electro-responsive means for releasing said latch mechanism at the end of the washing program and controlled by the timing means, a switch movable to an open position for deenergizing said electric motor and said inlet valve independently oi. the timing means, means including a control handle movable to a starting position for initiating operation f said timing means, said handle being movable to a stopping position for opening said switch, and means responsive to movement of said handle to its stopping position for releasing said latch mechanism.

3. In washing apparatus, the combination of a vat for containing a body of washing fluid and the material to be washed, said vat having an access opening formed therein, a door for closing said opening, an electrically-operated inlet valve for controlling admission of fluid to the vat, an electrically-operated drain valve for controlling the discharge of vitiated fluid from the vat, means including an electric motor for washing the material in the vat, switching means for sequentially energizing and deenergizing said valve and said motor to provide a series of steps in a washing program, a timing motor mechanism for driving said switching means, latching means for retaining said door in its closed position, a control handle movable from a first position to starting and stopping positions, means responsive to movement of said handle to its starting position for initiating operation of the timing motor mechanism, means responsive to movement of said handle to its stopping position for releasing said latching means, a line switch connected in series with said motor and said inlet valve, means responsive to movement of said handle t its stopping position for opening said line switch, and a solenoid for actuating said latch to its unlatching position at the conclusion of a washing cycle, said solenoid being controlled by said switching means.

4. In washing apparatus, the combination of a vat for containing a body of washing fluid and the material to be washed, said vat having an access opening formed therein, a door for closing said opening and biased to its open position, an electrically-operated inlet valve controlling admission of fluid to the vat and open and closed when energized and deenergized, respectively, an electrically-operated drain valve controlling discharge of fluid from thevat and open and closed when deenergized and energized, respectively, means including an electric motor for washing material in the vat, switching means for selectively energizing and deenergizing said electrically-operated valves and said motor to provide a sequence of steps in a washing program, a motor-driven timing mechanism for driving said switching means, a latching mechanism for retaining the door closed when the latter is manually moved to its closed position, electricallyoperated means controlled by said switching means for releasing said latching mechanism at the conclusion of the washing program, manually-operated control means including a handle movable from a neutral position to a starting position for initiating operation of the timing mechanism, said handle being manually movable at will to a stopping position, a line switch connected in series with said electric motor and said electrically-operated inlet valve, means effective in the latched position of the door for closing the line switch and effective in the unlatched position of the door for opening the line switch, and means responsive to movement of said handle to said stopping position for releasing said latching mechanism independently of said electricallyoperated releasing mechanism.

5. In washing apparatus, the combination of a vat for containing a body of washing Water and the material to be cleaned, said vat having an acces opening formed therein, a door for closing said opening, means including an electricallyoperated valve for admitting water to the vat, electrically-operated means for draining water from the vat, motor driven means for washing the material in the vat, a motor driven sequence switch for selectively operating said electricallyoperated valve, the electrically-operated fluid draining means, and said motor driven washing means to provide a sequence of steps in a washing program, means for latching said door closed in response to manual movement of the door to its closed position, solenoid operated means for releasing the latching means at the conclusion of the washing program and controlled by said sequence switch, manually operated means including a handle movable to respective starting and stopping positions for initiating and terminating operation of the motor driven washing means and means responsive to movement of the handle to its stopping position for releasing said latching means independently of said solenoid operatedmeans.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said electrically operated valve is open and closed when energized and deenergized, respectively, and wherein said manually operated means is effective to deenergize and close said electrically-operated valve when said handle is actuated to its stopping position.

'7. In washing apparatus, the combination of a vat for containing a body of washing fluid and the material to be washed, said vat having an access opening therein, a door for closing said opening, means for admitting washing fluid to the vat, means for draining vitiated, fluid from the vat, electrically-operated means for washing the material in the vat, a timer for selectively operating said fluid-admitting means, said fluiddraining means and the washing means to provide a sequence of steps in a washing program, means for latching said door in response to movement thereof to closed position, a line switch controlling said washing means and movable to closed and open positions in response to movement of the door to closed and open positions, respectively, a control handle movable to a starting position, a stopping position and a neutral position, means responsive to movement of said handle from its neutral position to its starting position for initiating operation of the timer and mean responsive to movement of said handle to its stopping position for releasing said latching means.

8. In washing apparatus, the combination of a vat for containing a body of washing fluid and the material to be washed, said vat having an access opening therein, a door for closing said opening, electrically-operated means for admitting washing fluid to the vat, electrically-operated means for draining vitiated fluid from the vat, electrically-operated means for washing the material in the vat, a timing mechanism including a plurality of movable switch elements for respectively controlling operation of the fluidadmitting means, the fluid-draining means and said washing means, means responsive to movement oi the switch elements from an inactive station to a starting station for initiating operation of the timing mechanism, means for latching the door in response to movement thereof to a closed position, a line switch controlling said washing means and movable to closed and open positions in response to movement of the door to closed and open positions, respectively, a control handle movable to a starting position, a stopping position and a neutral position, means responsive to movement of said handle from its neutral position to its starting position for actuating said switch elements from the inactive station t the starting station thereof, and means including a lost motion mechanism connecting said handle and said latching means, said lost motion mecha- L EARL K. CLARK.

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

UNITED- STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 391,074 Pierce Oct. 16, 1888 1,531,844 Colclough Mar. 31, 1925 15 1,547,662 Miniere July 28, 1925 1,670,611 Couch May 22, 1928 2,175,673 'Shields Oct. 10, 1939 2,254,269 Clark Sept. 2, 1941 2,278,268 Kempton Mar. 31, 1942 20 2,281,852 Messler May 5, 1942 2,314,332 Ferris Mar. 23, 1943 2,468,584 Wotring Apr. 26, 1949

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