US2770961A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 20, 1956 Filed Aug. 11, 1951 E. H. STEVENSON ET AL WASHING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 #7 THRIVE? Nov. 20, 1956 Filed Aug. 11, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 20, 1956 E. H. STEVENSON ETAL 2,

WASHING MACHINE Fi'led' Aug. 11,- 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. '20, 1956 I E. H. s'rEvEN sbN ErAL' 2,770,961

- WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1951 '11 sha ets-s hoatufi' I lbl q Z159 lb I57 I I 4 M E. H. STEVENSON EI'AL 2,770,961 I Nov. 20, 1956 WASHING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 11, 1951 IN l/EIV T 01?, 8 Eli STEVENSON J M50110]?! GII/l/GI/ES 5.?

Nov. 20, 1956 E. H. STEVENSON ETAL 2,7

WASHING mamas Filed Aug. .11; 1951 lrsheets-sheet 7 IIVVEIVTOB$ 11 STEVENSON Jun/won: GIHI/GHES 0, 1956 E. H. STEVENSON ETAL 2,

WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11; 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 20, 1956 Filed Aug. 11, 1951 E. H. STEVENSON ETAL 2,770;96l

WASHING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet- 9 iulll-llllllllmi 1956 E. H. STEVENSON EI'AL 2,

WASHING MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug. 11, 1951 Nov. 20, 1956 E. H. STEVENSON ETAL 2,770,961

WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1951 ll'sheets-sheet 11 lIVl/[IVTOBS .1549; 11 STEVEIVSDIV JM/mnom; 675 1061755 PE'M United States Patent WASHING MACHINE Evan Hartley Stevenson, John W. Ramore, and Griflith J. Hughes, Fergus, Ontario, Canada, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Graham and Barker, Ridgewood, N. J., a limited partnership of New Jersey composed of George C. Graham, Donald B. Graham, and George H. Barker Application August 11, 1951, Serial No. 241,416

5 Claims. (Cl. 68-21) The principal object of the invention is to provide a washing machine for household use which will effectively wash the clothes, float off all solid and foreign matter, at the completion of the washing operation and efiectively rinsevt-he clothes and then subsequently damp dry them, this being accomplished in a single container without removing the clothes from the time of the commencement of the washing action until the completion of the damp drying operation.

This main object is accomplished by providing a washing machine having a stationary tub with a flexible liner or bag inside of and conforming to the shape of the inside of the tub to form a contractible washing compartment, an oscillating agitator in the bottom of the tub, a removably mounted cover for the tub, an inlet for admitting fluid pressure behind the flexible liner to cause the washing compartment to contract, an inlet for admitting rinse water at the bottom of the tub for discharging the wash wa-ter from the top of the tub and to rinse the clothes, a drain outlet at the top of the tub which is closed by a perforated cover through which wash and rinse water discharges into a trough surrounding the top of the tub, which trough drains into a suitable receptacle, and a mechanical movement for driving the agitator and the other associated and related apparatus for carrying out the washing, rinsing and drying operation automatically.

The automatic washing machines of this type heretofore proposed have been either of the kind having (a) an oscillating tub for effecting the agitation of the clothes for carrying out the washing operation and also during the rinsing operation and partly during the squeezing operation or (b) a stationary tub with an oscillating agitator. In both types heretofore proposed the washing chamber has been completely filled with wash water during the washing cycle to cause soapy and floating solid matter to overflow the top of the tub and thus prevent the dirty, soapy water and solid matter from becoming mixed with the clothes during either the rinsing or squeezing operations. These particular constructions have resulted in low washability, the use of large amounts of water in order to efiectively wash or rinse clothes, and a considerable length of time to carry out a complete washing cycle.

The present invention has been devised for the purpose of overcoming the difliculties present in the apparatus heretofore in use and to provide a machine having a high washability and water extraction coupled with an extremely simple construction. A further object of the invention is to provide a washing machine which will;

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eifectively damp dry the clothes automatically on completion of the rinsing operation and do so in *a much shorter time than has heretofore been possible.

A further object of the invention is to provide .an automatic washing machine which has a novel washing action and carries out the sequence of washing, rinsing and damp drying in a new and novel manner.

The novel cycle of operation consists of first filling the tub with wash water up to the load line marked on the agitator which is so located as to leave a space at the top so that approximately two gallons of rinse water has to be added before overflow takes place and cause the soapy and floating foreign matter to overflow into the drain at the start of the rinsing operation hereinafter mentioned; the clothes are added and the tub lid locked in position; the automatic control mechanism is set to select the length of washing period and agitation is started; agitation continues throughout the washing and rinsing cycle but not during the squeezing cycle here after mentioned; at the completion of the washing cycle, the control mechanism opens a valve to admit rinse water at the bottom of the tub, a deflector being provided above the inlet which will cause the rinse water to rise in layers so that the dirty, soapy water and floating foreign matter is floated off the top of the machine to drain (the agitator does not, to any appreciableextent, cause a mixing of rinse water and wash water) and to flush out the wash water; at the completion of the rinsing cycle agitation is stopped and a water valve (referred to as the squeeze valve) is open to admit water under pressure behind the flexible liner, to contract the washing compartment (called the squeezing operation), forcing out the r-in-se water over the top of the tub into the trough to drain; shortly before the completion of the squeezing operation a drain outlet at the bottom of the tub is opened to drain ed the rinse water which has been trapped below the agitator; the bottom drain is closed before the end of the squeezing operation in order to prevent a surge back of water when the squeeze valve closes. After the completion of the squeeze operation a drain valve is opened to drain off the water behind the liner and the motor shut off stopping the operation of the machine.

Other and further advantages of the washing machine which we have devised, its construction and the manner in which it performs will be set forth in the following description and the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred exemplification of the same. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a Washing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention showing it enclosed in the outer casing or cabinet.

Figure 2 is a front perspective View of a washing machine shown in Figure 1 partly in section, with the operating mechanism shown, in part, diagrammatically.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the vertical centre line of the washing machine.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross section of the tub taken on the line 4-4 Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view of the float valve and vacuum breaker assembly shown in Figure 2, partly in cross section to illustrate details of construction.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the air vent assembly shown in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the timing mechanism for operating the washing machine.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the timing unit shown in'Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side View of the timing unit.

Figure 10 is a view of the underside of the top plate of the'timing unit to show the mechanism for operating the electric control switch.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the pawl and ratchet for driving the cam mechanism.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the valve body showing the rinse valve, tub drain valve, squeeze valve, and squeeze drain valve on the line 12-12, Figure 13.

Figure 13 is a cross section of the valve shown in Figure 12 taken on the line 13-13 in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the cover for the tub looking into the underside of the cover.

Figure 15 is a side elevation of the cover and the pressure ring which is mounted on the top of the tub adjacent the top opening.

Figure 15A is a sectional plan view to illustrate the cover and pressure ring.

Figure 16 is an elevation of the agitator.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the agitator looking into it from the bottom.

Figure 18 is a cross section on the line 1818 Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a graph showing the complete time cycle of a complete washing cycle for the machine which we have found to give very satisfactory results.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that the apparatus disclosed therein comprises an outer shell or casing forming a cabinet which encloses the washing machine proper and its related parts. The cabinet is provided with dial plate 11, revealing a control dial 8 which will be more specifically described in conjunction with the timing unit. Projecting through the front panel below the dial plate 11 is the manually operated control knob 9 of the timing unit. The top of the cabinet is provided with a hinged cover plate 7 having a window 6.

Referring to Figure 2 it will be seen that the cabinet shown in the Figure l encloses the tub assembly, operating mechanism and all related parts which are mounted on a suitable base, the principal apparatus comprising a motor 13, drain pump 14, timing unit 15, valve cluster 16 which is operated by the timing unit to supply rinse water and squeeze water to the tub and to drain water therefrom in accordance with a predetermined washing cycle which is controlled by the timing unit; a recirculating valve 17, the sole function of which is to supply water for the lubrication of the high pressure pump 36 (Figure 2) a tub 18 having domed shaped bottom and top portions 18a, 18c respectively, a drain trough 19 and other associated and related parts which will be hereafter more particularly described. The base is constructed so as to support all of the related parts of the washing machine and has a horizontal frame member 20 which is formed with a centrally positioned support member 21 formed with a centrally positioned threaded orifice 22, the function of which will be more specifically described. The support member 21 carries a bracket 23 to which the tub is connected by deck bolts 24.

Tub and liner construction The tub 18 is formed from sheet metal and has a substantially cylindrical shaped mid portion, a dome shaped bottom portion 18a which has the central portion depressed to form a well 18b with a fiat bottom wall 18d upon the tub which rests on the bracket 23, and an upper dome shaped portion 18c. As more clearly shown in Figure 6, the upper portion of the dome 18c rises vertically as at 18 and then extends horizontally to form a mounting plate 18g which also defines an access opening through which the clothes are inserted and removed from the tub and through which the tub is filled with wash water and emptied of wash and rinse water as hereinafter described. The access opening is closed by a perforate cover removably mounted in the manner hereinafter described. The mounting plate 18g is provided for the purpose of providing a mounting for the flexible liner hereinafter described and also for the drain trough which collects and drains the wash and rinse water discharged through the access opening in the top of the tub.

Inside the tub is a flexible liner 25 which conforms substantially to the shape of the tub and forms the contractible washing compartment in which the washing, rinsing and damp drying is carried out. The side wall of the liner is formed with accordion pleats 25a to allow for the extension of the flexible liner during the squeezing operation hereinafter mentioned without applying stresses to the liner. The flexible liner is shaped to correspond to the shape of the tub and normally fits against the inside wall and dome shaped top and bottom of the tub. The bottom part of the flexible liner 25 is formed with a lower opening through which the agitator post and other mechanism extends into the tub. On referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that, the portion of the liner which surrounds the lower opening is formed with a thickened rim 26 which forms a fluid tight seal when placed between the plates which securely attach the liner in position at the bottom by the following means. As clearly seen in Figure 4, the means for attaching the liner 25 securely to the bottom of the tub in a fluidtight manner consists of a lower plate 27 and an upper plate 29. The opposing faces of the lower and upper plates 27 and 29 respectively are formed with registering circular grooves 37, 3B in the lower and upper plates respectively which receive the rim 26. The lower plate is attached to the bottom wall 18d by the deck bolts 24. To prevent leakage of liquid or fluid between the plate 27 and bottom wall 18d a gasket 28 is provided. The upper plate 29 is secured in position in the following manner. Referring to Figure 4 itwill be seen that extending upwardly from bracket 23 is a sleeve 30 which serves as a housing for the agitator shaft 111. The lower end of the sleeve 30 is threaded into the central orifice 22 of the support member 21, the upper end terminating at approximately the same elevation as the top part of the upper plate 29. The upper end of the sleeve is threaded to receive a centre post nut 31 which is enlarged at the upper end to form an exterior shoulder 39 which overlies the upper plate 29 and an interior recess 40 forming a seat for receiving the means for sealing the upper end of the agitator post 111 against the leakage of water down the post into the mechanism and by means of which the upper plate 29 can be compressed against the rim 26 of the liner. Adjacent the central orifice through the plate 29, a groove is formed inthe upper face of the plate 29 to receive an O-ring 41.

On referring to the drawings, particularly Figure 6, 'illustrating the upper end of the flexible liner it will be seen that it is formed to fold back as indicated at 2511 over the dome shaped section 186, the edge of rim being thickened to form a substantially thick gasket 32 between the tub top 18g and the trough, the whole being held in fluidtight engagement by bolts 33. A reinforcing ring 34 is provided below the portion 18g and is secured to the underside of the portion 18g by the bolts 33. Secured by the same bolts to the upper side of the trough is a pressure ring 35 for locking the cover in place and which will be more particularly described in conjunction with the construction and operation of the cover. It will be observed by this construction when the squeeze as hereinafter described is exerted on the clothes to expel water from the clothes, that pressure is applied against the inside of the cover and all of this force is exerted on the ring holding the cover, thereby tending to pull these parts together so as to increase the sealing effect at this point to prevent leakage and loss of pressure at a time when the parts are under the greatest strain.

Agitator construction degrees requires an increase in power consumptionwithout obtaining an equivalent increase in washability.

cone and without any voids.

We have also found that in a washing machine of this type wherein the drying is accomplished by a flexible liner contracting towards the centre of the tub that it is very important to have the base of the agitator in the shape of a We have also discovered that by maintaining a clearance of between and /2 between the base of the agitator and the bottom of the tub that clothes will not be caught under the agitator to cause damage to the clothes.

The agitator comprises a barrel or hub 110 provided with an axial bore for the agitator shaft 111, the lower end of the barrel 110 terminating in a substantially cone shaped base 112 which carries two diametrically opposite agitator blades 113, and 1-14, and isformed with perforations 115.

Each of the vertical portions of the blade are joined to the substantially cone shaped base 112 where it blends into the barrel by arcuately curved portions 117, 118 respectively as illustrated. The arcuately curved portions 117, 118 form the throat of the blades respectively and are described on arcs of a circle having the centre approximately midway between the periphery of the barrel and the inside edge of the vertical portion of the blade. Each blade is also formed with an arcuately curved sole 119, 120 respectively. The sole 119 is preferably described on the arc of a circle having its centre concentric with the centre upon which the curved portion 117 is described commencing at the base of the cone and extending in an upward direction to a point from where it continues in a straight line approximately parallel to the vertical axis of the agitator. The sole 120 of the blade 113 is formed in the same manner on the arc of a circle having its centre concentric with the centre of the curved portion 118. The top edge of the blade is arcuately curved, the centre of the curve being approximately on the vertical centre line of the blade.

We have found that the most satisfactory results have been obtained by maintaining the proper relationship between the agitator blade and the size and form of the tub. We have found that the best results are obtained by positioning each blade so that when the agitator is mounted in the tub the vertical centre line of each blade will lie approximately midway between the axis of rotation of the agitator and the inside vertical wall of the tub. When using a tub of 20" diameter the agitator should preferably be proportioned so as to provide a clearance of about 3 /2 between the outside edge of the blade and the vertical wall of the tub with the inside edge of each blade about 2 /2",from the edge of the hub or barrel. These measurements are given by way of illustration and are not to be taken as a limitation of the invention. The blades should be high enough so that when the tub is fully loaded with material they will penetrate a considerable distance .into the material. The washing fluid should not be filled above the load line 116 show in Fig. 2.

The lower end of the barrel is formed with an extension forming a hub 42 which is provided with internal splines 43. The inside wall of the agitator barrel is formed with drainage grooves 44 extending from the top end to the bottom of the hub 42.

It will be observed that the agitator shaft 111 extends into the washing compartment and is provided with a water seal 121, which seats in the recess 40. Mounted on the upper end of the agitator shaft is a driver 123, the driving connection between the shaft and the driver being established by interengaging splines formed on the upper end of the shaft and on the interior of driver respectively. The driver is formed with exterior splines which engage with splines 43 on the interior of the hub 42. The driver 123 is formed with grooves in the periphery thereof which register with the grooves 44. Mounted on the lower end of the shaft 111 is a clutch member 127 and is connected thereto by means of pin 127a. Surrounding the lower end of the shaft is a tubular pinion shaft 124 on whichis rotatably mounted a pinion-.125-

oscillated by quadrant 126 which in turn is driven, through suitable mechanism, not shown, by motor 13. The pin-' ion is moved into and out of driving engagement with the clutch 127, by the cam mechanism and time.

post below the base of the agitator is an umbrella or water" spreader 128. This water spreader overlies the opening or inlet through which the rinse water is admitted to the tub during the rinsing operation and its purpose will more particularly be described in connection with the operation of the washing machine. The umbrella has sloping walls 129 which are provided with perforations 129a sothat the water which is admitted at the bottom of the tub will be evenly distributed in all directions.

Air vent between diaphragm and tub Water is admitted, at the proper time by the valve and valve operating mechanism between the flexible liner and I tub wall in the manner hereinafter described to apply a squeezing pressure to the clothes to expel water to damp dry the clothes and at the end of this operation the water is withdrawn,

During this operation some of the air which is dissolved in the water will be released and will collect between the flexible liner and the tub wall. sary to provide some means for allowing this collected air to escape to atmosphere and for this purpose an air vent is provided at the top of the tub. This air vent is constructed, as shown clearly in Figure 6 in the following manner. passage 130 and mounted on top of the pressure ring 35 is a valve body 131 which is provided with an air vent cap 132 having an air passage 133 therethrough which communicates with the atmosphere and with the interior of the valve body. Loosely mounted in the valve body is a valve disc 134 which operates as a check valve, allowing air to escape but acted on by water pressure to close the air passage 133. The operation and function of this air vent will be described in conjunction with the operation of the machine.

Cover and trough recesses 137 dividing the rim intofour sections 136. Each 7 section 136 of the rim which lies between each recess is slightly inclined downwardly in a clockwise direction.

The cover for closing the washing machine tub comprises a dome shaped lid 138 which is provided with perforations 139 and a handle 141 The rim of the cover shown in Figures 13 and 14 is divided into. four equal sections corresponding in number to those on the pressure ring and inclined downwardly so they lie against the underside of the sections 136 of the pressure ring. The advancing edge of each section 135 when rotated clockwise is formed with a downturned lip 135a and adjacent the rear or following edge is a stop member 135!) and tail piece 135C. The four lips 135a prevent the lid being rotated to its locked position if one or more have not entered the recess 137 properly. By placing the cover with the lips 135a in the recesses 137 and the sections 135 resting on the sections 136 of the pressure ring and then rotating the cover 90 degreesin a clockwise direc It is neces- One of the bolts 33 is formed with an air tion the; cover will be firmly locked in positionuntil the stop's'135b are engaged by the rear edge 35a of the pressure'ring. The tail pieces provide a four point mountin'g supporting the cover on the ring. By rotating the cover in the opposite direction the cover can be released and removed. In effect the cover is self-locking and unlocking.

Drain trough The' trough 19 is provided with a drain outlet 164 which is-connected to the drain pump 14, by conduit 164m At certain intervals when the valves open and close during a complete washing cycle a back surge of water may pass up the conduit 164a. Therefore, a baflle plate 163 is placed at a predetermined height over the drain hole 164 to stop the back surge splashing over the top of the trough. The drain pump 14 may be driven by friction from the rubber drive pulley mounted on one end of the shaft of the motor 13 or as shown by abelt drive. The drain 207 of the valve assembly and the drain outlet 164 of the drain trough 19 are connected to the inlet side of the pump while the discharge side is provided with'a flexible hose 16411 connection which will carry discharge water into a sink or drain or other receptacle.

Rinse and squeeze water supply, water cutoff and vacuum breaker The water supply valve and vacuum breaker consists of the following valve assembly. Mounted on the outer wall of the trough 19 is a valve arrangement for connecting the washing machine to a source of water under pressure for supplying rinse and squeeze water to the washing machine. This valve arrangement consists of a valve body 141 having an inlet pipe 142 which is connected to a source of water under pressure and an outlet pipe 143 which supplies water for rinsing and squeezing the clothes through the mechanism hereinafter described. Associated with the valve body is a ballcock controlled valve which consists of a valve base 145, valve disc 146, valve stem 147, valve washer 148, valve cap' 149, lever yoke 150, control rod 151 and float 152. The purpose of the ballcock valve is to shut off the water supply should there be a power failure during the rinsing or squeezing operation to prevent an overflow of the trough. Associated with the inlet side of the valve assembly 141 is a vacuum breaker valve which consists of a valve body 156, a valve cap 154 having an opening therethrough which communicates to atmosphere through a tube 155 which empties into the trough 19, a poppet base 157, a poppet rubber 159 mounted on the base and on the outside face, are poppet washers 161. Extending upwardly through the poppet base 157 is a poppet stem 162 which extends into the central hole through the cap 154 so that when the valve body is raised off its seat, the hole will be closed so that under normal operating conditions no water will run through the tube 155. Should there be any stoppage in the flow of the water through the valve structure 141, the vacuum breaker will not allow a reverse flow but will break the vacuum so that dirty rinse water or squeeze water cannot flow back into the water system.

Water supply, valve assembly and timing unit Referring particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the bottom of the tub is provided with an inlet 165 through which rinse water is admitted to the interior of the tub for the purpose of rinsing the clothes in the manner hereinafter described. Positioned diametrically opposite the inlet 165 in the bottom of the tub is an inlet 166 which admits water to the space between the flexible liner 25 and the wall of the tub 18 for the purpose of flexing the flexible liner to contract the space within the tub to squeeze the clothes and remove the rinse water and damp dry the clothes in the manner hereinafter described For the sake of brevity, this water is hereafter referred toas squeeze water. The inlet is formedwith an opening 167 through which atmospheric air is admitted which allows the water, that has become trapped below the agitator when the flexible liner sealsaround the bottom disc of the agitator during the squeezing operation, to escape in the manner hereinafter described. As water will escape through the hole 167 dur' ing the rinsing and at the commencement of the squeezing operation a breather tube 168 is connected to the hole 167 and carried up over the drain trough to empty any water into the trough.

The control or timing unit and valve assembly with related parts are generally indicated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 as the timing assembly unit 15, recirculating valve 17, and high pressure pump 36 which boosts the pressure of the squeeze water at the proper time, valve assembly 16' which controls the admission of rinse water to the tub and stops the same, admits squeeze water and drains the same in accordance with a predetermined squence controlledby the timing assembly unit, and drain pump 14 and these will now be particularly described and shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. These and other related parts of the washing machine cooperate to carry out a complete washing cycle, automatically.

The valve assembly controls the admission of water to the tub to carry out a rinsing operation, the admission of squeeze water behind the flexible liner to damp dry the clothes and also to drain the bottom part of the tub at the completion of the damp drying operation and also drain off the squeeze water illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. The valve assembly which is indicated by reference numeral 16 in Fig. 2, comprises a valve body 20tl' having four valve chambers which are provided with and closed by the valves hereinafter described; The valve body is provided with a supply inlet 202 which is connected to the supply tube 143 (Figure 5) and a drain 207. The supply inlet 202 communicates with a valve chamber 203 which controls the delivery of squeeze water through the outlet 203:: which is connected to the inlet 166 by hose 249 for admitting squeeze water between the flexible liner and the wall of the tub. The valve chamber 203 is provided with a valve disc 204 having a valve stem 205 which is actuated by the cam mechanism hereinafter described to allow squeeze water to pass through the outlet 203a for a predetermined period'of time. This valve is hereafter referred to as the squeeze valve. Associated with the valve chamber 203 is a drain outlet 250 closed by a valve disc 251 having a valve stem 206 which is acted on by the cam mechanism hereinafter described to unseat the valve 251 to drain the squeeze water at the completion of the damp drying operation and discharge into the drain 207. The chambers 203 and 251are interconnected by a passage 20%. Above the valve disc 251 is a drain outlet 2500 which, through a conduit formed in the valve body, is connected to a drain conduit 207. This valve 251 will be referred to as the squeeze drain valve." The squeeze water drains into the drain 207 which is connected to drain pump 14! There is also associated with the squeeze valve 204 a high pressure pump 36 for the purpose of boosting the water pressure during the squeezing operation if tap water pressure is not sufficient e. g. usually 40 pounds water pressure gives an adequate squeeze. The recirculating valve 17 is provided for the purpose of supplying waterto the high pressure pump during all the time that the washing machine is in operation. The function and construction of the recirculating valve is well known to those skilled in the art, and it is therefore unnecessary to describe, in detail, its construction and operation. A relief valve 203 is provided and set to open when the'pressure of the squeeze water exceeds a maximum predetermined pressure. In the present construction the valve 208 has been set for forty pounds pressure. Thevalve body isalso provided with a rinse 'wa'tervalv'echamber 252 which communicates with the tub inlet 165 through conduit 210. The passage of rinse water through the valve chamber 252 into the tub is controlled by a valve disc 213 and valve stem 214 which is actuated to unseat the valve disc 213 by means of. the cam arrangement hereinafter described. The valve body 200 is provided with a valve chamber 209 communicating with rinse water supply conduit 210 and drain 207, the valve chamber 209 being provided with a tub drain valve 211 for the purpose of draining the rinse water which is trapped at the bottom of the tub at the end of the squeezing operation as hereinafter described. The valve 211 is provided with a valve stem 212 which is actuated by a cam on the timing unit.

By operating the foregoing valve structure according to a predetermined sequence by either a mechanically or manually operated cam mechanism a sequence of washing, rinsing, damp drying, draining and stopping the machine can be carried out.

A suitable control or timing arrangement is illustrated in Figures 7, 8, 9, l and 11 and consists of a clutch cam 220, a tub drain cam 221, rinse cam 222, index plate 223, ratchet plate 224, driving plate 225, squeeze drain cam 226, and squeeze cam 227. In order that the cam arrangement may be rotated manually to start the washing action or to select a specific washing time or other operation which the mechanism is designed to carry out mechanically, a manually operable index plate 228 similar to index plate 223 is mounted so as to be manually operable as hereinafter described. The foregoing cams, index plates and ratchet plates are mounted on a single shaft 229 mounted in the timing unit case 230. The cams and index plates are so fixed and arranged on the shaft 229 that during one complete rotation of this shaft the washing machine goes through one complete cycle consisting of washing, rinsing, squeezing, draining and stopping in the order named. The ratchet plate 224 is mounted to rotate freely on the shaft 229. Figure 19 graphically shows the duration of each operation taking place during a complete operating cycle, these various: operations being carried out by the timing unit herein set forth. Each cam is provided with a cam lobe which at a. predetermined time will complete the operation for which it is provided. The squeeze cam 227 in addition to op-- erating the squeeze valve is provided with a switch actuating member 253 on the top thereof, see Figure which shows the cam 227 partly broken away to show theswitch arm 254. At the end of the squeezing operation. the member 253 actuates the arm 254 to stop the motor.

Associated with, and actuated by the cams, are four' cam shoes which are mounted in proper spaced relation-- ship on shaft 231; these shoes comprising a squeeze shoe: 232 having a plate 232a which is engaged by and op-- crates the valve stem 206 of the valve 251, a squeeze: drain shoe 233 having a plate 233a which is engaged. by and actuates the valve stem 205 of the valve 204, a. rinse shoe 234 having a plate 234a which is engaged. by and actuates the valve stem 214 of the valve 213 and. a tub drain shoe 235 having a plate 235a which is en-- gaged by and actuates the tubdrain valve stem 212 of". the valve 211.

Through a suitable lever arrangement the clutch cam. willengage and disengage the clutch 127. This con-- sists of a clutch yoke 255, a clutch toggle 256, a spring 257a, connected to the lower end of the toggle 256 and. to the case 230, a clutch shaft 257 upon which the yoke- 255 is mounted, a control arm 258 mounted on the shaft:

257, a rod 259 supported on the control arm, a forked. member 260 on the lower end of therod, the forked. member engaging in an annular groove 261 formed in; the pinion 125. Actuation of the rod 259 moves the pinion up and down to disengage and engage with the clutch member 127.

The rotation of the assembly by mechanical means: is effected in the following manner. The index plate 223 is mounted on the shaft 229 so that, when the index:

plate rotates, a corresponding rotation of the shaft will be eifected. The index plate 223 in the present construction is formed with forty teeth. The number of teeth is only given by way of illustration. Mounted rotatably on the shaft immediately above the index plate is the ratchet plate 224 which is slightly greater in diameter; than the index plate and is provided with thirty-nine shallow teeth and one deep tooth which will register With the teeth on the index plate 223. The drive plate 225 is mounted above the ratchet plate 224 and carries a pawl 236 which engages in the teeth of the ratchet plate 224, and after each complete rotation of the ratchet plate 224, engages with a tooth of the index plate 223 when the pawl registers with the deep tooth on the ratchet plate 224 to move the index and cams one increment. The drive plate 225 is reciprocated in unison with the oscillation of the agitator so that on each complete oscillation the pawl 236 will advance the ratchet plate one tooth and on each complete rotation of the ratchet plate, the index plate will be advanced one tooth. The mechanism shown herein is constructed so that the ratchet plate will make one complete revolution in approximately 47 seconds. Consequently, the index plate will move one tooth each 47 seconds which movement is referred to as increment. The drive consists of an eccentric hub 38 which is associated with the drive mechanism of the washing machine and rotates once for each complete oscillation of the agitator. The eccentric hub is connected to the drive plate 225 by a connecting rod 239.

The dial 8 is mounted on the top of the casing 230 of the timing unit. The dial is rotated in unison with the cam assembly by means of a sprocket chain 241 and sprocket wheels 242, 243 associated with the dial 8 and the cam assembly respectively. It carries indexing to indicate the cycle of the washing, rinsing or damp drying and the off-position. This dial registers with the panel 11 in the front of the machine so that the operator can see at a glance the cycle of operation.

The means for manually rotating the cam assembly in order that the operator can start the machine and also select the desired washing time or any other cycle consists of an index plate 228 which is mounted on the upper end of the shaft 229. Mounted above the index plate 228 is a ratchet drive plate 245 which carries a pawl 246. The ratchet drive plate 245 is connected to the manually operable handle 9 through levers 247,-248. The lever mechanism and operating handle are so arranged that on each reciprocation of the handles the cam assembly is advanced one increment.

Operation The first step is to ensure that the dial registers oif. The water inlet 142 is connected to a source of water under pressure (e. g. a cold water tap) and the electric motor is connected to a source of electric energy. The cold water tap is turned on. The tub is then filled manually with hot water to the load line indicated by the reference numeral 116 on the agitator and filled with clothes to be washed, soap or detergent is added. The manual control 9 is then oscillated which moves the stop member 253 out of engagement with the switch lever 254, closing the electric circuit to the motor starting the machine. At the same time, the clutch cam 220 is moved out of engagement With the clutch yoke 255 which allows the spring 257a to move the pinion into engagement with the clutch. The index dial is then turned to the number of minutes shown on the dial 8 as it is desired to wash the clothes. The present washing machine has been designed to give a maximum of 10 minutes wash which allows for a maximum washing period. Certain types of material may not require a washing period of this duration. The washing period may, of course, be extended by shutting off the water under pressurev (the cold water tap) before the end of the minutes wash period and then resettingthe washing period for the additional time required andturning on the pressure water. At the end of the washing period, the cam 222 will actuate the shoe 234 to open the rinse valve stein 214an'dvalve disc 213 allowing rinse water to enter at the bottom of the tub through the-inlet 165. The manner in which the umbrella or water spreader 128 is constructed spreads the rinse water and allows it to rise gradually in a manner that we term stratification so that there is very little mixing (if any) of the cold rinsewater with the hot wash water until the tub is filled and overflows. This prevents any sudden chilling of the wash water whichwould cause solidification of the detergent and also prevents dirt and soapy water which is floating'on the top from becoming mixed in with the clean clothes and results in a very efiicient rinsing action. Throughout the rinsing operation the rinse water overflowsand is carried to drain through drain conduit 164a, pump 13 and drain 164b. One increment before the end of the rinsing operation the clutch cam 220 actuates the clutch yoke to cause the member 260 to raise the pinion 125 out of engagement with the clutch 127 to stop the agitation. At the end of its allotted time the cam 222 allows the valve stem 214 and valve disc 213 to close and the cam 227 acts on the shoe 232 to open the squeeze valve stem 206 and valve disc 251 which allows squeeze water to enter the inlet 166 and flex the flexible liner around the clothes to expel the rinse water through the lid to the drain outlet 164 and damp dry the clothes. If the tap pressure is below 40 lbs., the booster pump will increase the pressure of the squeeze water to 40 lbs. Commencing at the bottom, the flexible liner folds upwardly and then inwardly towards the centre forcing the rinse water out the top of the tub. As the liner moves upwardly and inwardly, it seals off around the edge of the agitator and the base and also folds over the agitator along with the clothes trapping water below the agitator and inside the agitator hub. This trapped water must be discharged out the bottom of the tub and for this purpose there is provided a breather pipe 168 which communicates with the opening 167 formed in the-inlet 165. This tube allows atmospheric air to enter the space below the agitator which is cut off by the action of the liner. Thus, when the tub drain valve stem 212 and valve disc 211 is opened by cam 221, acting on cam shoe 235 near the end of the squeezing operation the trapped water will flow' through valve chamber 209, drain 207 to the drain pump and thence to drain through conduit 164b. It will be observed from Figure 19 that the tub drain valve is closed one increment before the squeeze drain valve 251 is opened and that the squeeze valve is not closed for half an increment after the squeeze drain 251 opens so that a squeezing pressure is applied to the clothes within the tub. it will be observed that the squeeze drain valve stem 205 and valve disc 2il4is opened by the'cam 226 actuating the cam shoe 233. When the cam 226 has held thesqueeze drain valve open for the predetermined period as shown in Figure 19 the valve will close and simultaneously the member 253 will operate switch 230 to open the switch 230 and shut off the electric motor. The machine isthen ready for the next cycle of operation.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A washing machine for clothes and the like comprising a container in which the clothes, washing and rinsing liquids are maintained during the washing, rinsingand drying operation, means for agitating the clothes water into the lower portion of said container todischarge said washing liquid and suspended and floating foreign matter through the drain outlet and to rinse the clothes, means retarding the mixing of the rinsing liquid with the washing liquid and means for expelling liquids from the clothes, after rinsing and to damp dry the clothes. ,4

2. A washing machine for clothes and the like comprising a contractible container in which the clothes and washing and rinsing liquids are maintained throughout the cycle of washing, rinsing and drying the clothes,

the rinsing liquid with the washing liquid, and means for.

contracting the container to expel the rinsing liquid and to squeeze the clothes for carrying out a drying operation after rinsing.

3. A washing machine for clothes and the like comprising a container having a flexible wall defining a washing and rinsing compartment in which the clothes, washing and rinsing liquids are maintained during washing and rinsing operations, means for agitating the clothes during the washing and rinsing operations, said compartment being contractible to carry out a drying operation, an upper drain outlet for said compartment above the normal level of the washing liquid through which the liquids and suspended and floating foreign matter can be discharged out of the compartment during the rinsing and drying operations, means for admitting rinse water into the lower portion of said compartment to fill said compartment and discharge the washing and rinsing liquids through the upper drain outlet and to rinse the clothes, means for retarding the mixing of the rinsing liquid with the washing liquid, means for operating the flexible wall to contract the compartment to discharge the rinsing liquid from the compartment and damp dry the clothes, means for draining off rinsing liquid from the bottom of the compartment during the damp drying operation, and motor driven means for oscillating the agitator to cause agitation of the clothes and body of liquid in the container during washing and rinsing operations and to carry out the cycle of washing, rinsing and damp drying in sequence.

4. In a clothes washing machine having a tub, a flexible liner inside said tub defining a contractible compartment, a pressure compartment between the tub and flexible lin'er, means for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure compartment to move said liner to contract the contraetible compartment and means for draining said liquid at the end of the contracting operation; an air outlet for said pressure compartment, valve means operative to permit air to escape through said outlet during the filling of said pressure compartment, said valve automatically closing said outlet to prevent the escape of liquid therefrom during the filling of said pressure compartment and to prevent the admission of air thereto during draining.

5. A washing machine for clothes and the like comprising a contractible container in which the clothes and washing and rinsing liquids are maintained throughout the cycleof washing, rinsing and damp drying, a drain outlet through which the liquid and suspended andfloating foreign matter can be discharged from the container, meansfor contracting the container to squeeze the clothes to a damp dry condition after rinsing, an oscillatable agitator having a hollow cone-shaped base mounted in the tub for oscillation about a vertical axis, apair of diametrically opposite agitating blades rising from said base and positioned to follow a path substantially midway between said vertical axis and the insidewall of the container, an

inlet located in the bottom of the container directly below saidcone-shaped base, and a water spreader disposed below'said base and directly over said inlet.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gough Apr. 8, 1941 Whitnum July 21, 1874 Beatty Feb. 18, 1930 Rheinstrom Nov. 17, 1936 Alward Oct. 31, 1939 Bassett July 23, 1940 DeMarco Aug. 26, 1941 Graham Sept, 17, 1946 14 Edwards Jan. 13, 1948 Baade Sept. 21, 1948 Rand June 7, 1949 Holthouse et a1. July 5, 1949 Bernhardt Jan. 16, 1951 Dunlap July 31, 1951 Graham Nov. 3, 1953 .Jones et al June 8, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 8, 1933

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