US3152461A - Automatic laundry machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 13, 1964 w. c. GLOVER, JR 3,152,461

AUTOMATIC LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed June 50, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

R 1 William 6. Glover Jn ytg IQTTORNEYS.

Oct. 13, 1964 w. c. GLOVER, JR 3,152,461

AUTOMATIC LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed June 30, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 O0: 0 000 i 00 0 000 no i INVENTOR. William C. 6/0ver Jn Oct. 13, 1964 w. c. GLOVER, JR 3,152,461

AUTOMATIC LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed June 50, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I54 04 I741 a? JNVENTOR. Wi/ham 6. /aver Jn 224 By Oct. 13, 1964 w. c. GLOVER, JR 3,152,461

AUTOMATIC LAUNDRY MACHINE FiledJune so, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Wi/l/am 6. 6/0 ver Jn QTTORNEYS.

3,152,461 AUTOMATHC LAUNDRY MACHINE Wiiiiarn C. Glover, Jan, Grandview, Mo, assignor to Blii Giover, Inc., Kansas City, Man, a corporation of Missouri Filed June 30, 1961, Ser. No. 126,775 6 Qlaims. (Cl. 68-42) This invention relates to an automatic washing machine for receiving articles to be laundered, and more particularly, to a machine adapted to be utilized in a coinoperated laundry establishment having a number of such machines operated by the customers of the establishment.

The present invention provides an automatic laundry machine for receiving articles to be laundered, and includes an enclosure mounted on a support and adapted to be filled with water at varying temperatures to a predetermined level. The enclosure is further adapted to rotatably mount therein a perforated, article-receiving drum, the latter being mounted on one end wall of the enclosure having high strength characteristics by virtue of a pair of scored, substantially frusto-conical members secured to the side wall of the enclosure and mounting a hub at the center thereof for receiving the shaft of the drum. The articles to be laundered are inserted through an opening in the enclosure aligned with a similar opening in the drum, and a door is mounted on the enclosure for closing the opening therein.

Drive means is provided for rotating the drum at varying speeds relative to the enclosure through the wash, rinse and spin cycles thereof, and includes variable ratio pulley mechanism responsive to fluid pressure from a source of fluid to which the machine is operably coupled. Locking means responsive to the same fluid pressure, is provided for locking the door of the enclosure in closing relationship to the opening in the latter to prevent access to the interior of the drum during the time when the drum is rotating.

Vibration sensing means is operably coupled with the enclosure to reduce the speed of rotation of the drum when the vibration of the enclosure reaches a predetermined level, thus preventing damage to the structure of the machine.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a coin-operated laundry machine having timed wash, rinse and spin cycles, and which utilizes selector means for selectively directing water of varying temperatures therein, depending upon the type of articles to be laundered, whereby the machine is rendered especially adaptable for use in a coin-operated laundry establishment utilizing a number of such machines and operated by the customers of the establishment.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a laundry machine having an enclosure for rotatably mounting therein an articles-receiving drum, the latter having novel baflle structure therein comprising spaced lifting ribs alternately tapered in opposite directions, whereby the articles to be laundered are caused to roll alternately in opposed directions when the drum is rotated, thus preventing the articles from becoming tangled together while increasing the relative movement between articles and drum to thereby enhance the cleaning or washing action of the machine.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of drive means for rotating the aforesaid drum relative to the enclosure and including variable ratio pulley mechanism responsive to fluid pressure from a source of fluid operably coupled with the drive means whereby the eflective diameter of the mechanism may be varied to thereby alter the speed of rotation of the drum when the fluid pressure varies between predetermined limits.

A further object of the present invention is the provi sion of locking means for securing a door swingably mounted on the enclosure for movement to a position in closing relationship to the articles-receiving opening in the enclosure responsive to the aforementioned fluid pressure so that access to the interior of the enclosure is prevented during the rotation of the drum, thus eliminating the possibility of injury to the operator of the machine.

Other objects of the present invention relate to the provision of a sleeve on one end wall of the enclosure, whereby a shaft, secured to the drum, may be rotatably mounted on the sleeve for rotatably mounting the drum within the enclosure; to the provision of a pair of scored, substantially frusto-conical members forming said one end wall and secured together at the outermost peripheries thereof for mounting the sleeve at the center thereof, whereby the strength characteristics of end wall of the enclosure is substantially enhanced for more positively mounting the drum on the enclosure for rotation relative to the latter; to the provision of vibration sensing structure on the enclosure and operably coupled with the drive mechanism so that the speed of rotation of the drum may be reduced if the vibration level of the enclosure reaches a predetermined value; and to the provision of actuatable valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to said drive means for actuating the variable ratio pulley mechanism and tothe locking means for actuating the latter, whereby the speed of rotation of the drum may be varied and the door may be secured in closing relationship to the opening in the enclosure when said valve means is actuated.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the laundry machine which forms the subject of the present invention and illustrating the coin mechanism therefor for operating the same;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the drive mechanism for rotating the articles-receiving drum mounted within the enclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism for the door of the enclosure taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, end view of the enclosure and the drum within the enclosure for receiving articles to be laundered, parts being broken away to show details of construction;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the baffle structure within the drum, taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the drive means for rotating the drum within the enclosure and illustrating the variable pulley mechanism thereon;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the drive means illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, end view of a portion of the drive means and illustrating the shiftable diaphragm responsive to fluid pressure for varying the effective diameter of the pulley mechanism on the drive shaft;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a portion of the machine and showing the valve control means for controlling the flow of fluid to the diaphragm illustrated in FIG. 8 and the door mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control means for controlling the operation of the machine which forms the subject of the present invention.

The laundry machine which forms the subject of the present invention, is broadly denoted by the numeral 20 and is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 showing the 3! front view thereof and FIG. 2 showing the rear view thereof.

Machine 20 includes a support broadly denoted by the numeral 22, an enclosure 24 mounted on support 22 above the lattetr, a drum 26 (FIG. 4) rotatably mounted within enclosure 24, drive means broadly denoted by the numeral 28 and mounted on said support beneath enclosure 24, locking means 36 for securing a door 32 in closing relationship to an opening 34 (FIG. 4), and control mechanism 36 secured to the support adjacent enclosure 24. Machine 29 is of the type which is adapted for use in establishments which utilizes a number of machines, which machines are coin-operated by the user thereof.

Support 22 comprises a plurality of upstanding angle irons 38 providing legs for machine 20, and a plurality of crossbeams 40 interconnecting legs 38, legs 38 being adapted to be disposed on a flat, horizontal surface 42 such as a floor of the aforesaid establishment. A panel 4-4 is mounted on legs 33 corresponding to the front of machine 20, and as shown in FIG. 1, panel 4-4 conceals drive means 28 from view to thereby enhance the outward appearance of machine 26.

Enclosure 24 is supported uprightly on legs 38 by coupling structure 46 secured to legs 38 above panel 44. Enclosure 24 is provided with a cylindrical side wall 48 and a pair of end walls 50 and 52 respectively, at the ends of the side wall 48. Opening 34 is disposed in end wall 50 to provide an access to the interior of enclosure 24, end wall 50 having an annular bulge 54 to increase the structural characteristics of the same.

End wall 52 is comprised of a pair of substantially frusto-conical members 56, each having an outer surface provided with a plurality of grooves 58 therein for increasing the strength characteristics thereof. Each member 56 is formed from a sheet of bendable material and the grooves 58 are formed by bending the material along a continuous line, the line being substantially concentric with the central axes of members 56.

Each member 56 is provided with an opening 69 therein at the center thereof (FIG. 4) and a sleeve 62 is mounted between members 56 by virtue of annular flanges 64 at the ends of sleeves 62, flanges 64 being in abutment with the inner surfaces of members 56 and secured thereto by nut and bolt means 66. The axis of revolution of sleeve 62 is substantially coincident with the axes of members 56 so that an opening is provdied through members 56 and sleeve 62.

Annular bandmeans 63 engages the end of side wall 48 and the corresponding ends of members 56, to secure the latter to side wall 48. Similarly, band means 70 engages the opposite end of side wall 48 and the outer periphery of end wall 50 for securing the latter to side wall 48.

A water inlet 72 is provided at the top of enclosure 24 through side wall 48 thereof to permit water to be directed into enclosure 24. A water outlet '74 is disposed through members 56 adjacent the bottom of enclosure 24 to permit water to be removed from the latter.

Door 32 is swingably mounted on enclosure 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for movement about a vertical axis through a hinge pin 76 interconnecting a hinge part 78 on door 32 with a hinge part 89 on end wall 50.

Door 32 is thus swingable from an open position to a position in closing relationship to opening 34 in end wall 50. In FIGS. 1 and 4, door 32 is shown in the closed position.

Door 32 is comprised of a central portion 32 having a pane 84 of transparent material providing a window for viewing the interior of enclosure 24. An annular extension 86 extends outwardly and forwardly from the periphery of portion 82 and is provided with an arcuate section 88 for receiving therein a sealing device 96 in the nature of a resilient O-ring. When door 32 is in the closed position, device 99 engages the outer surface of end wall 50 for sealing opening 34 and thereby preventing the escape of water from the interior of enclosure 24.

Drum 26 is comprised of a perforated, cylindrical side wall 92, a pair of opposed end walls 94 and 96, and a shaft 98 secured to end wall 96 and extending through sleeve 62. End wall 94 is provided with an opening 190 therein in substantial alignment with opening 34 of enclosure 24. Opening 1130 clears the portion 32 of door 32 when the latter is in the closed position, in the manner shown in FIG. 4. Thus, door 32 closes opening 34 of enclosure 24, and opening 100 of drum 26.

End wall 96 of drum 26 includes an annulus 102 secured to the extremity of side wall 92 opposite to the extremity connected to end wall 94, a circular plate 124 secured to annulus 102 and extending across the opening of annulus 192. A secondary wall 106 extends inwardly toward the center of drum 26 and is substantially frusto-conical, as illustrated in FIG. 4. A plate 198 is secured to secondary wall 106 at the center thereof, and a plate 11% is secured to the outer surface of plate 164 substantially centrally of the latter. Shaft 98 is secured to plates 198 and 110 and passes through an opening in the latter. Shaft 98 is provided with a pair of spaced bearings 112 thereon intermediate the ends thereof, bearings 112 being in engagement with the inner surface of sleeve 62 for rotatably mounting shaft 98 within the latter.

Shaft 98 extends through sleeve 62 and projects outwardly therefrom and terminates at an end 114 to which the hub 116 of a pulley 113 is rigidly attached. A flanged disc is secured in any suitable manner to the outer face of the innermost member 56 and is provided with a recess 122 therein for receiving packing means 124 in engagement with and surrounding shaft 93, as is clear in FIG. 4. Packing means 124 effectively seals the interior of sleeve 62 from water contained within enclosure 24, thus preventing the escape of water through sleeve 62.

Drum 26 is provided with baflle structure therein for agitating articles to be laundered which have been previously placed within drum 26 through openings 34 and 106 of enclosure 24 and drum 26 respectively. Such baffle structure includes a pair of diametrically opposed first baffles 126, and a pair of diametrically opposed second baffles 128, only one of the latter being illustrated in FIG. 4.

Baffles 126 are each provided with an innermost edge 130 extending between end walls 94 and 96 of drum 26, it being noted that innermost edge 130 Of each of bafiles 126, converges toward side wall 92 as end wall 94 is approached. Bafiies 123 are each provided with an innermost edge 132 spanning the distance between end walls 94 and 96, it being noted that innermost edge 132 of each of baffles 128 converges toward side wall 92 when end wall 96 is approached. It is thus evident that the articles disposed within drum 26, follow a substantially zigzag path as the drum 26 is rotated so as to cause the same to shift between end walls 94- and 96.

Bafiies 126 and 128 are substantially identical and the transverse cross section of each of the bafiles is shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, bathe 126 is comprised of a pair of elongated elements 134 which are secured at corresponding longitudinal edges 136 thereof by means of flanges 138 to side wall 92, the elements 134 being convergent to form innermost edge 130 spaced inwardly from side wall 92.

A soap chute 140 is mounted on enclosure 24 proximal to the top thereof for admitting soap to the interior of the latter, and a swingable lid 142 covers the open top of chute 140.

Drive means 28 comprises an inclined platform 144 secured in any suitable manner such as by nut and bolt means to legs 38 for supporting power-actuated means in the form of an electric motor 146, illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. Motor 146 is provided with a drive shaft 148 extending outwardly therefrom and is spaced from a driven shaft 150 also mounted on platform 144 in spaced bearings 152.

Variable ratio pulley mechanism is provided for each of shafts 1-18 and 1st Pulley mechanism on drive shaft 148 comprises a fixed pulley section 154 and a shiftable pulley section 156 adjacent to section 154 and movable away from the latter. A collar 158 is secured to section 156 and houses a coil spring (not shown) for biasing section 156 away from section 154. A cap 160 closes the end of collar 158 opposite to the end secured to section 156.

The pulley mechanism on shaft 150 includes a fixed section 162 and a shiftable section 164. A collar 166, similar to collar 158, is secured to section 164 and houses a coil spring for biasing section 164 toward section 162. A cap 168 closes the end of collar 166 opposite to the end secured to section 164. An endless belt 170 interconnects the pulley mechanisms on shafts 148 and 151) as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. It is clear that when section 164 is remote from section 162, section 156 is closest to section 154. In the event that collar 153 is shifted in a direction away from motor 146, the effective diameter of the pulley mechanism of shaft 148 is decreased, and the effective diameter of the pulley mechanism of shaft 150 is increased.

The end of shaft 151), opposite to the end having the pulley mechanism thereon, is operably coupled to a fixed pulley 172 and an endless belt 174 interconnects pulley 172 with a pulley 176 rotatably mounted on a driven shaft 178 secured by bearings 1811: to platform 144. Secured to hub 182 of pulley 176, is a second and smaller pulley 184 which rotates with pulley 176. An endless belt 186, FIGS. 2 and 4, interconnects pulley 184 with pulley 118 rigid to the end 114 of shaft 93. It is clear that when shaft 148 is driven under the influence of motor 146, shaft 150, shaft 178, and thereby shaft 98, are rotated therewith. As is clear in FIG. 2, a turnbuckle device 188 interconnects one end of platform 144 with one of the crossbeams 4A) to swing the platform about a pivot at the opposite end thereof to increase or decrease the tension on endless belt 136 as is desired.

To vary the effective diameter of the pulley mechanism on shaft 143, structure is provided on platform 144 which includes an extension 1% extending laterally from platform 144 for pivotally mounting a pair of elongated lengths 192 between the ends thereof, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The normally uppermost ends of length-s 192 are provided with an arcuate element 194, rendering the ends bifurcated, element 1% receiving therewithin an annular flange 196 integral with collar 158. Pin means 198 pivotally mounts element 194 on flange 1% so that when lengths 192 are swung about a pivot pin 201) interconnecting the same with extension 1%, collar 15% is shifted axially of shaft 148 to vary the distance between sections 154 and 156.

A sealed housing 262, having a fluid inlet 2%, is secured to platform 144 beneath the latter by virtue of a depending strip 266, and mounts therein a flexible diaphragm 2% intermediate the end walls 210 and 212 thereof, end wall 21% being provided with the fluid inlet 2%, and the end wall 212 being secured to the strip 2116.

An internally threaded sleeve 214 is shiftably mounted through aligned openings in strip 2116, and end wall 212 of housing 202, and mounts at one end thereof a disc 216 engageable with diaphragm 2%, and at the other end, threadably mounts an elongated screw 21% releasably secured to the opposite ends of lengths 192 by a pair of opposed nuts 2213.

A second elongated screw 222, having spaced nuts 224, is also mounten on the opposite ends of lengths 11 2 and abuts the lowermost end of strip 2126 to provide a stop means to limit the rotational movement of lengths 192 about pivot pin 2%. It is clear that when fluid is directed into housing 2112 through inlet 204 thereof, diaphragm 2198 is deflected laterally and forces disc 216 and thereby screw 218, to shift in the same direction. Thus, section 156 is moved toward section 154 to increase the effective diameter of the pulley mechanism on shaft 143. The normal position of sections 154 and 156 are spaced apart by virtue of the coil spring mounted within collar 158. In this position, diaphragm 208 is disposed substantially centrally of housing 202.

Locking means 31) comprises a tubular element 226, shown in P16. 1, and a plunger (not shown) having a plunger shaft 223, extends outwardly from element 226 and is movable relative to the latter. Element 226 is adapted to be secured to the enclosure 24 on the end wall 51) thereof, and plunger shaft 228 is movable toward and away from opening 34 in enclosure 24 responsive to fluid pressure directed to the interior of element 226.

An arcuate strap 230 is pivotally mounted at the ends thereof to a pair of cranks 232 and 234, the latter being pivotally mounted on end wall 551 of enclosure 24 by pin means 236 and 238. Each of the cranks 232 and 234 is provided with a lug 249 which is movable from a first position clearing the opening 34 of end wall 50 to a second position in overlying relationship to the latter. Thus, when door 32 is in closing relationship to opening 34 cranks 232 and 234 are shifted so that the lugs 244) engage door 32 and maintain the latter in said closing relationship. A handle 242 is rigid to crank 23-4 for manually swinging cranks 232 and 234 by virtue of the interconnection thereof with strap 230.

As shown in FIG. 3, a projection 244 is secured to the inner face 246 of strap 23%, and projection 244 is provided with an arcuate bearing surface 248 and a flat bearing surface 25%. When door 32 is closed and lugs 221D engage the latter, plunger shaft 228 is in engagement with the flat bearing surface 251) of projection 244 when fluid pressure is delivered to tubular element 226.

It is clear that cranks 232 and 234 are prevented from winging to a position clearing door 32 so long as fluid pressure is delivered to tubular element 226. In the event that plunger shaft 228 is actuated prior to the closing of door 32, the operator may grasp handle 242 and swing cranks 232 and 234 to move lugs 24% into engagement with the door. To accomplish this, strap 2319 is made of a yieldable material so that the bearing surface 248 engages plunger shaft 228, forcing strap 231 to yield laterally until shaft 228 is able to be placed in engagement with bearing surface 259.

Fluid pressure is delivered to housing 202 and tubular element 226 by virtue of structure illustrated in FIG. 9. A panel 252 is secured adjacent to platform 144 and against one side wall of su port 22. A fluid inlet (not shown) passes through a flow meter 254, a water pressure regulator 256, and into conduits 253 and 261 A water strainer unit 262 is associated with the water pressure regulator 256 adjacent the latter. A needle valve 264 adjusts the flow of fluid through conduit 258 and thereby controls the flow of fluid to a solenoid 266 interposed in conduit 258 to remotely control the flow of fluid therethrough. Conduit 253 is provided with a pipe 268 which is interconnected with inlet 2114, of housing 262.

Conduit 269 is provided with a solenoid 271 which controls the flow of fluid therethrough, and conduit 261i is provided Wtih a pipe 272 which is operably coupled with tubular element 226 of locking means 34), illustrated in FIG. 1. Solenoids 266 and 279 are provided with exhaust ports 274 and 276 respectively, which exhaust fluids directed to housing 2192 and tubular element 226 respectively when the flow of fluid through conduits 258 and 250, are removed by the de-energization of solenoids 266 and 27th. The exhausted fluid flows through a pipe 278 to a suitable drain.

Also mounted on panel 252 are a timing relay 280 and a water level pressure switch 222, which elements are to be described hereinafter.

Machine 20 is provided with vibration sensing means including an elongated rod 234 shown in FIG. 2, which is secured to the outermost member 56 of enclosure 24 on one of the bolt means 66 securing sleeve 62 to the outermost member 56.

Rod 284 extends downwardly and laterally and is provided at the lowermost end thereof with a vibration switch 286 which is normally closed. .Excessive vibration of rod 284 will cause switch 236 to open and thereby open a circuit to which the latter is operably coupled.

A housing 288, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, receives therewithin a pair of solenoid valves 295) and 292 which are adapted to be operably coupled to hot and cold water sources respectively, and valves 290 and 292 are provided with outlets which communicate with a pipe connected with water inlet '72 in side wall 48 of enclosure 24.

A pipe 296 is secured to water outlet 74 of enclosure 24 and extends laterally therefrom to a sump 2% containing a solenoid valve (not shown) for exhausting the water supplied to enclosure 24 to a drain outlet 3N3. An overflow pipe 302 interconnects sump 298 with an outlet 304 mounted at one side of enclosure 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A coin-operated mechanism 336, comprising control mechanism 36, is secured to said one side of the enclosure 24 adjacent outlet 304 thereof, and is provided with a plurality of push buttons broadly denoted by the numeral 308 on the upper surface thereof. Coin slots 310 are provided in mechanism 336 for the insertion of coins into the latter for actuating machine 20.

Mechanism 306 provides a wash water selector for machine 2t) for directing water of varying tempeartures into enclosure 24 through water inlet 72 thereof.

In FIG. 10, a schematic wiring diagram is illustrated for interconnecting the various control components of machine 20 and shows push buttons 312, 314, 316 and 318 which operate single-pole, single- throw switches 320, 322 and 324. Push buttons 312 to 31$ inclusive control the temperature of the water directed into enclosure 24 through the solenoid valves 2% and 292 in the following manner.

By actuating push button 312, hot water is directed into enclosure 24 for the wash cycle, and warm water is directed into the enclosure 24 for the rinse cycle. By pushing push button 314, warm wash water and warm rinse water is directed into enclosure 24. By pushing push button 316, warm Wash Water and cold rinse water is directed into enclosure 24. By pushing push button 318, cold wash water and cold rinse water is directed into enclosure 24. When push button 312 is closed, switch 322 is closed and switches 320 and 324 are open. By pushing push button 314, switches 322 and 324 are closed and switch 320 is open. By pushing push button 316, switches 320 and 324 are closed and switch 322 is open, and by pushing push button 318, switch 32% is closed and switches 322 and 324 are open. As shown in FIG. 10, solenoid valves 290 and 292 are operably coupled with switches 320, 322 and 324 for directing water into enclosure 24 at temperature depending upon the fabric and characteristics of the articles to be laundered.

Power is delivered to the various components by interconnecting terminals 326 and 328 to a suitable source of power, and a cammed timing device 330, having a plurality of single-pole, double- throw switches 332, 334, 336, 333 and 340, and a timing motor 342 for operating the cam to which the switches 332 to 349 inclusive are coupled actuates the various components, including the solenoid valves 290 and 292. Solenoids 266 and 279 are associated with housing 202 and tubular element 226, and a solenoid 344 is associated with sump 298. Motor 146 is also in the circuit with timing device 334 and is actuated by the latter. Water level pressure switch 282, timing relay 2%, and vibration switch 236, are also interposed in the circuit containing timing device 330.

When coins are inserted in the slots 31%, switch 332 is closed so as to supply power to timing motor 342. Immediately thereupon, timing motor 342 actuates sequentially switches 334 to 34% inclusive, to control the fiow and temperature of water to and from enclosure \Vhen switch 332 is closed, power is delivered to motor 146 through leads 346 and 348, and solenoid 270 is also actuated by virtue of being connected across motor 146 by leads 355) and 352. Switch 343 is closed when switch 332 is actuated and remains closed to provide power to solenoid valves 2% and 292.

The operator selects the temperature of the water to be directed into enclosure 24 by pushing the appropriate push button 312 to 3218 inclusive. For example, if push button 312 is pushed, switch 320 and switch 324 are opened and switch 322 is closed. Since switch 340 is closed and is operably coupled to terminal 326 through lead 346, power is supplied to solenoid valve 299 through switch 322. Lead 354 also is coupled with solenoid valve 290 through water level pressure switch 282 which is normally closed, and interconnects with terminal 328 by virtue of lead 348. During this time, the shiftable pole 356 of switch 334 is in electrical contact with a fixed pole 353.

After enclosure 24 has been filled to a predetermined level, switch 232 is opened to remove the power from solenoid 299. The machine is then in the wash cycle and continues to wash the articles during the time that motor 146 rotates drum 26. It is to be noted that soap is poured through chute 14% prior to or immediately after the actuation of motor 14-6. After a predetermined time, switch 336 is closed to supply power to solenoid 344 by virtue of lead 360 associated with sump 2%, thus opening water outlet '74 to the drain outlet 3%. Water therefore, flows out of enclosure 24. After the water has been exhausted from enclosure 24, switch 336 is opened and pole 356 of switch 334 is moved into electrical contact with a second fixed pole 362. This in effect, supplies power to solenoid valve 292 through leads 364 and 366 so that both solenoid valves 2% and 292 are opened to direct hot and cold water respectively, into enclosure 24. Thus, warm water in contrast to hot water, is directed into the enclosure 24 for the rinse cycle of machine 20. Water fills enclosure 24 until water level pressure switch 232 opens. Thereupon, motor 146 continues to rotate drum 26 through the rinse cycle thereof. At the conclusion of the rinse cycle, switch 340 is opened, and switch 336 is closed to exhaust the rinse water within enclosure 24 through drain outlet 300.

As soon as the water has been exhausted, switch 338 is closed and normally closed switch 286 and timing relay 280, interconnect switch 338 with solenoid 266. Solenoid 266 is thus supplied with power and is actuated to direct fluid into housing 262 through inlet 204. This forces diaphragm 208 in a direction to force section 156 toward section 154 to thus increase the eifective diameter of the pulley mechanism on shaft 148. Such action increases the speed of rotation of driven shaft 150 and thereby the speed of rotation of pulley 118 connected to the shaft 98 of drum 26. Machine 20 is thereby in the spin cycle during which time the switch 336 is closed to continue to exhaust water from enclosure 24 which is removed from the articles in drum 26 by centrifugal force.

Should the vibration level of enclosure 24 be excessive during the spin cycle, switch 236 is opened, and solenoid 266 is de-energized. Water in housing 202 is thus exhausted through the exhaust port 274 of solenoid 266 until the vibration level decreases. As the vibration level decreases, switch 286 closes once again and the timing motor 368 of timing relay 230 is actuated again, and switch 370 is not closed until a predetermined time has elapsed to insure that the vibration level has decreased to a safe value. When switch 370 closes once again, power is supplied to solenoid 266 and fluid is directed to housing 202 to increase the speed of rotation of drum 26.

After the spin cycle, switch 332 is opened to de-energize motor 146 and solenoid 270 so that the door 32 may be opened and the articles within drum 26, removed.

Operation To operate machine 20, the customer initially places the articles to be laundered through openings 34 and 100 of enclosure 24 and drum 26 respectively. The operator then closes door 32 and rotates cranks 232 and 234 by means of handle 242 so that lugs 240 engage door 32 to secure the same in closing relationship to the aforesaid openings. One of push buttons 312 to 318 inclusive, is pushed and coins inserted in slots 310 to select the water temperature and to actuate the timing device 330 respectively. Motor 146 and solenoid 270 are actuated to rotate drum 26 and force plunger shaft 228 into blocking relationship to projection 244 respectively.

Hot and cold water is directed into enclosure 24 according to the combination selected by pushing the appropriate push button, and the machine continues through the Wash, rinse and spin cycles thereof until the articles Within drum 26 have been laundered. At the conclusion of the cycle of operation of machine 20, switch 332 is opened to de-energize motor 146 and solenoid 270, thus permitting door 32 to be opened and the articles removed from drum 26. The machine is then ready to receive a second batch of articles to be laundered and the cycle of operation is repeated.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic laundry machine comprising a support; an enclosure mounted on said support and provided with an access opening therein, said enclosure having a Water inlet and a water outlet spaced from said Water inlet and adapted to be filled with water to a predetermined level; door means for closing said opening; actuatable lock means on said door means and said enclosure for releasably securing said door means to the enclosure; a perforated drum mounted within said enclosure for rotation relative thereto and having an opening aligned with and spaced from the opening in said enclosure, said drum being adapted to receive water therewithin through the perforations thereof when said enclosure is filled with water to said predetermined level and to receive articles to be laundered through the opening thereof; means within said drum for agitating said articles when the latter are disposed within said drum and when said drum rotates relative to said enclosure; power-actuated means on the support; mechanism secured to said power-actuated means and operably coupled with said drum for rotating the latter at variable speeds, said mechanism including a variable speed pulley having a pair of relatively shiftable pulley sections, and a shiftable portion secured to one of said sections and movable in opposed directions to move said one section toward and away from the other section; means coupled with a source of fluid under pressure and said shiftable portion for shifting said element to thereby vary the speed of rotation of said drum in response to the fluid pressure of said source; means for controlling the flow and temperature of water passing into said enclosure through said inlet; means for controlling the flow of water passing out of said enclosure through said outlet, said lock means being operably coupled with and actuated by said Water flow and temperature controlling means when said drum is rotated; and means on said enclosure and operably coupled with said mechanism for reducing the speed of rotation of said drum when the 10 vibration level of said enclosure has reached a predetermined value.

2. An automatic laundry machine as set forth in claim 1, said enclosure having a continuous side wall and a pair of opposed end walls, said access opening being in one of said end walls, the other of said end walls including a pair of frusto-conical members each formed from bendable material and having an outer surface and an outer periphery, said members being mounted on said side wall with the peripheries thereof in engagement and with the outer surfaces facing opposed directions, each of said members having a continuous depression in the outer surface thereof concentric to the central axis thereof.

3. An automatic laundry machine as set forth in claim 1, said drum having a cylindrical side wall and a pair of end walls, said agitating means including a pair of spaced baffles spanning the distance between the end walls and extending into the drum from said side wall, one of said bafiies having an innermost, longitudinal edge converging toward said side Wall as one end wall is approached, the other of said baflles having an innermost, longitudinal edge converging toward said side wall as the other end wall is approached.

4. An automatic laundry machine as set forth in claim 1, said portion including a linkage pivoted intermediate its ends to said support and pivotally secured at one of its ends to said one pulley section.

5. An automatic laundry machine as set forth in claim 1, said lock means including an elongated strap pivotally mounted on said enclosure for movement into engagement with the door to maintain the latter in closing relationship to the opening, a tubular element on the enclosure and having a shiftable plunger thereon, said strap having a projection thereon intermediate the ends thereof, said plunger being movable to a location engaging the projection in response to fluid pressure in said element to prevent movement of said strap in a direction to alloW opening of said door, and conduit means coupled with said element for connecting the latter to a source of fluid pressure.

6. An automatic laundry machine as set forth in claim 5, said strap being of yieldable material to permit the projection to pass over said plunger after the latter has been moved to said location and before said strap has been moved into engagement with said door.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,726,181 Iaxheimer Aug. 27, 1929 1,802,393 Partlow Apr. 28, 1931 1,913,764 Lindberg June 13, 1933 2,173,603 Dodge Sept. 19, 1939 2,214,131 Habersturnp Sept. 10, 1940 2,503,433 Breckenridge Apr. 11, 1950 2,563,738 Oliver Aug. 7, 1951 2,734,368 Richardson Feb. 14, 1956 2,758,462 De Moss Aug. 14, 1956 2,807,963 Osterhus et al. Oct. 1, 1957 2,842,002 Stegman July 8, 1958 2,902,850 Shetfer Sept. 8, 1959 2,911,812 Metzger Nov. 10, 1959 2,916,927 Opper Dec. 15, 1959 2,928,267 Frey et al. Mar. 15, 1960 2,942,447 Rickel et al June 28, 1960 2,954,689 Heft et al Oct. 4, 1960 2,957,329 Re Oct. 25, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,148,781 France July 1, 1957 1,238,265 France July 4, 1960

Claims (1)

1. AN AUTOMATIC LAUNDRY MACHINE COMPRISING A SUPPORT; AN ENCLOSURE MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT AND PROVIDED WITH AN ACCESS OPENING THEREIN, SAID ENCLOSURE HAVING A WATER INLET AND A WATER OUTLET SPACED FROM SAID WATER INLET AND ADAPTED TO BE FILLED WITH WATER TO A PREDETERMINED LEVEL; DOOR MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID OPENING; ACTUATABLE LOCK MEANS ON SAID DOOR MEANS AND SAID ENCLOSURE FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID DOOR MEANS TO THE ENCLOSURE; A PERFORATED DRUM MOUNTED WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR ROTATION RELATIVE THERETO AND HAVING AN OPENING ALIGNED WITH AND SPACED FROM THE OPENING IN SAID ENCLOSURE, SAID DRUM BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE WATER THEREWITHIN THROUGH THE PERFORATIONS THEREOF WHEN SAID ENCLOSURE IS FILLED WITH WATER TO SAID PREDETERMINED LEVEL AND TO RECEIVE ARTICLES TO BE LAUNDERED THROUGH THE OPENING THEREOF; MEANS WITHIN SAID DRUM FOR AGITATING SAID ARTICLES WHEN THE LATTER ARE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID DRUM AND WHEN SAID DRUM ROTATES RELATIVE TO SAID ENCLOSURE; POWER-ACTUATED MEANS ON THE SUPPORT; MECHANISM SECURED TO SAID POWER-ACTUATED MEANS AND OPERABLY COUPLED WITH SAID DRUM FOR ROTATING THE LATTER AT VARIABLE SPEEDS, SAID MECHANISM INCLUDING A VARIABLE SPEED PULLEY HAVING A PAIR OF RELATIVELY SHIFTABLE PULLEY SECTIONS, AND A SHIFTABLE PORTION SECURED TO ONE OF SAID SECTIONS AND MOVABLE IN OPPOSED DIRECTIONS TO MOVE SAID ONE SECTION TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OTHER SECTION; MEANS COUPLED WITH A SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE AND

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