US3621963A

US3621963A - Spinner control for a laundry appliance

Info

Publication number: US3621963A
Application number: US886117A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas R Smith
Original assignee: Maytag Corp
Current assignee: Maytag Corp
Priority date: 1969-12-18
Filing date: 1969-12-18
Publication date: 1971-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-23
Also published as: CA950695A

Abstract

A spinner control system includes a manually actuatable lid latch operable for controlling energization of the motor and actuation of a belt brake. A linkage arrangement is responsive to the lid latch for operating a switch to energize the motor and for moving a brake arm out of engagement with the belt.

Description

PATENTEnunv 23 Ian 3,621,963

' saw u 0F 4 'Fz' pa 1 SPINNER CONTROL FOR A LAUNDRY APPLIANCE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a spinner control system for a laundry apparatus and more particularly to a lid latch actuated system for controlling the drive motor and brake mechanism.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art discloses the opening and closing of a lid for controlling the centrifugal rotation of a laundry apparatus spinner. Other prior art shows a selectively energizable motor or a selectively actuatable brake controlled by manual controls. There is a continuing search, however, for a reliable, economical control system useful on a centrifugal spinner to insure safe operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the instant invention to provide an improved spinner control system for a laundry apparatus.

It is a further object of the instant invention to piovide an improved lid latch actuated system for controlling motor energization and spinner brake actuation.

It is still a further object of the instant invention to provide an improved spinner control system including a manually actuatable lid latch and a linkage operatively connecting the lid latch to a motor control switch and to a belt brake member.

These objects are achieved in a centrifugal extractor apparatus as included in a laundry machine wherein the centrifugally rotatable fabric container is driven by a motor through an endless belt. A cabinet structure encloses the extractor and the drive system, defines an access into the rotatable conminer, and supports a lid for closing the access. Latch means operable for locking the lid in the closed position is also operable for deenergizing motor and actuating a belt brake upon an unlocking of the lid.

Operation of the device and further objects and advantages thereof will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying four pages of drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention with similar numerals referring to similar parts throughout the several view, wherein:

FIG. 1, located in a lower portion of the first page of drawings, shows a simplified perspective view of a laundry machine including a centrifugal extractor apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a plan view partially in section showing the drive system and brake system of the instant invention and taken generally along lines 2-2 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of the centrifugal extractor portion of the washing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing an operative position of the brake system used in the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the movable brake arm included in the brake system of the instant invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, showing the brake stop portion as taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a cable pulley as taken substantially along lines 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of an upper portion of the centrifugal extractor showing further details of the lid latch and linkage portions of the instant invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary portion of the brake mechanism showing an alternate embodiment of the instant invention; and

FIG. 10 is an alternate mounting for the pump mechanism shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a laundry machine 10ineluding washing and centrifugal extraction portions 11 and 12 enclosed within a tub I3. The tub is in turn supported in a cabinet structure 14 wherein the washing and centrifugal extraction portions 11 and 12 are individually accessible through a pair of panels or lids 15 and 16. The instant invention is primarily directed to the centrifugal extraction portion 12 of the laundry machine 10 and to the control of rotation of the perforated fabric container 19.

Referring to the plan view of FIG. 2 and to the vertical section of FIG. 3, the mounting of the centrifugal extractor and the drive system for the rotatable fabric container 19 will be described. The cabinet structure 14 is mounted on a base member 20 that is in turn supported on a horizontal surface 21 by a plurality of casters 22. The tub 13 within the cabinet structure 14 defines a fluid container 23 in which is disposed the rotatable fabric container 19. A substantially horizontal divider or bulkhead 24 is positioned below the tub 13 and defines a lower chamber 25 for the drive system of the washing apparatus.

The fabric container 19 is fixed to a hub 33 and in turn to a shaft 34 and is rotatable within the fluid container 23. A seal assembly 35 is positioned at the bottom of the fluid container 23 substantially coaxial with the shaft 34 and is operable for closing the bottom of the container 23 and providing a dynamic seal connection with the rotatable hub 33. The seal assembly 35 includes a convoluted portion 36 to permit nutational movement of the fabric container 19 relative to the fluid container 23 during rotative operation of the centrifugally driven fabric container.

The mounting of the centrifugally rotatable fabric container 19 further includes a weighted coupling member 39 providing a coupling of the shaft 34 to a driven pulley 40. The shaft 34 is attached to the weighted coupling member 39 by a pair of setscrews 37 and resilient plugs 38. The pulley 40 is attached to coupling member 39 by screws 41. The spinner assembly 42 including the container 19, hub 33, shaft 34, coupling 39 and driven pulley 40 is in turn rotatably supported on a resilient mounting assembly 43 fixed to the base member 20. The resilient mounting assembly 43 includes a resilient flexible portion 44 permitting nutational movement of the spinner assembly 42 relative to the base 20. A bearing 45 is provided between the resilient mount and the spinner assembly 42.

Further details of construction and'mounting of the centrifugal extractor is shown in the copending application entitled Centrifugal Extractor Mounting" filed by Edward O. McCartney on the date of filing of the instant invention and assigned to a common assignee.

The drive system for the centrifugal extractor is best shown in FIG. 2 and includes an electrically energizable motor 50 rigidly mounted to the base 20 through mounting bracketry 51 and having a drive pulley 53 disposed at the lower end of the motor 50 and in substantially the same horizontal plane as the driven pulley 40.

The laundry machine further comprises fluid pumping means 54 operable for controlling fluid flow in the fluid system of the laundry machine and including a pulley 55 substantially aligned in the horizontal plane of the driving pulley 53 and the driven pulley 40. The pump pulley 55 is driven by the motor 50 for operating the pump 56 but in addition the pumping means 54 is pivotally mounted on the base frame 20 so that the pump pulley 55 is operable as an idler in the drive system of the extractor.

The pumping means 54 is secured to an elongated pumpsupporting bracket 60 that is in turn pivotally supported on a pivot pin 61 at one end. The pivot pin 61 is secured to a mounting bracket 63 that is in turn securely mounted to the base 20. The pump-supporting bracket 60 is retained on the pivot pin 61 by a retaining ring 64. An alternate pivot construction is shown in FIG. 10 and includes a supporting bracket 74 attached to a base-mounted bracket 75. Bracket 74 includes an elongated recess 76 to define a flexing pivot for the pump generally along line 77.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the pump-supporting bracket 60 is biased in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 61 by a spring 65 connected between the outwardly extending arm 66 of the pump-supporting bracket 60 and a fixed bracket 69 mounted on the base frame 20. A stop member 70 is adjustably connected to the fixed bracket 69 and includes a finger 71 engageable with the pump supporting bracket 60 for limiting movement of the pumping means 54 in the counterclockwise direction during a belt braking operation. A vee belt 73 drivingly connects the driving pulley 53 to the driven pulley 40 and the pump pulley 55.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 through 6, there is shown a belt brake mechanism, indicated generally by numeral 83, associated with the drive belt 73 and operable for effecting a braking of the spinner assembly 42. The brake mechanism 83 includes a movable brake arm member 84 operable for applying a frictional drag to the belt 73 for effectively reducing the speed of rotation of the spinner assembly 42.

The brake arm member 84 is pivotally mounted on the base by a pivotal mounting, as best shown in FIG. 5, including a flanged sleeve bearing 85, a bolt 86 extending through the sleeve bearing. a pair of

washers

89 and 90, a lockwasher 91, and a nut 93. The brake arm member 84 is biased about the pivot mounting toward the belt 73 by the relatively small force of a spring member 94 connected between the brake arm member 84 and the base 20.

Again referring to FIG. 5, the brake arm member 84 includes a vee slot 95 corresponding substantially to the shape of the vee belt 73 for frictional engagement with the sides of the vee belt 73. The biasing force of the spring 94 is operable toward maintaining the vee slot 95 of the brake arm 84 in lightly loaded contact with the belt 73 for only low frictional drag on the vee belt 73 under predetermined conditions as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The pivotally mounted brake arm member 84 also includes an outwardly disposed finger portion 96 engageable with a stop assembly 99, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, disposed adjacent the operative braking position of the brake arm 84. The stop assembly 99 includes a first bracket 100 fixed to the base 20 and a second bracket 101 in turn fixed to the first bracket 100. The pair of

brackets

100, 101 are operable for confining a resilient cushion 103 of polyurethane foam while the second bracket 101 provides a supporting flange 104 for a flexible and resilient pad 105 that is engageable by the finger portion 96 of the brake arm member. The flexible pad 105 is laminated and includes a solid but flexible polyurethane layer 106 and a polypropylene felt layer 107. The laminated pad 105 is fixed at one end 108 to the bracket flange 104. The finger portion 96 is engageable with the polypropylene felt layer 107 to achieve the proper frictional characteristics under varying operation conditions.

The second bracket 101 also defines a projecting portion 110 engageable by the backside of the vee belt 73 upon movement of the brake arm 84 to its braking position as shown in FIG. 4. Engagement of the belt 73 with the projecting portion 110 tends to produce a reverse bend in the belt 73 and to force the belt 73 further into the vee groove 95 for increasing the braking drag on the belt. An auxiliary bracket 113 is fixed to the second bracket and includes a stop portion 114 for limiting clockwise movement ofthe brake arm 84 as in FIG. 4.

The instant invention is directed primarily to the control of the spinner rotation responsive to operation of a lid latch mechanism. Referring to FIG. 8 and also to FIGS. 2 and 7 there is shown the mechanism for controlling motor energization and brake operation. More specifically, in FIG. 8 there is shown a vertical section of the upper centrifugal extraction portion of a laundry appliance. The view shows the cabinet structure 14 including a top cover 120, upper portions of the fluid tab 13 and spinner 19, and also shows lid 16 mounted on the top cover 120 and operable for hinged movement between an open and closed position relative to the access opening A lid-mounted latch 123 is shown in the latched or lidlocking position with the left end extending into an interlocking relationship with the top cover 120. The latch 123 includes a first portion 124 and a second portion 125 that are adjustably connected by screw 127. Portion 124 is slotted to permit adjustment of the overall length of latch 123. The right-hand end of the latch portion includes a lip portion 126 engageable with a shoulder 129 ofthe lid 16 to effectively detent the latch 123 in the latched position. The latch may be moved from the latched position, as shown in FIG. 8, to an unlatched position by first depressing the right end of the latch, generally at the numeral 130, and then applying a manual force at the protrusion 131 for sliding the latch 123 to the right out of interlocking engagement with the top cover 120.

Still referring to FIG. 8, there is a bracket 133 mounted below the underside of the top cover 120 by a flange 134 on the tub 13 at one end and at the upper flange of the cabinet 14 at the other end. The bracket 133 supports a guide 132 that in turn slidingly supports a plunger 135 engageable at the flatheaded right end by the latch portion 124.

The left end of the plunger 135 engages one end ofan actuator 136 at a point spaced from the actuator pivot 139. At a position spaced the other direction from the pivot 139, the button 141 of a switch 142 is engageable with the actuator 136. The button 141 is responsive to pivotal movement of the actuator 136, resulting from a movement of the plunger 135, for operating the switch 142. The switch 142 is in the motor control circuit and is internally biased to an open condition but is operable to a closed condition for enabling energization of the motor 50 with the actuator 136 pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as in FIG. 8.

Attached to the right-hand end of the actuator 136 is a cable 144 extending downwardly from the actuator 136 along the sidewall of the tub 13 toward the base of the laundry apparatus. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 7 there is shown in one corner of the base 20 a bracket 69 previously referred to and which also includes a portion 145 spaced upwardly from the base for supporting a cable pulley 146 through a hanger bracket 149 and pulley shaft 150 as best shown in FIG. 7. The cable 144 continues from the pulley 146 to the brake arm member 84 and is attached thereto by the bracket 151.

It is therefore seen that upon movement of the lid latch 123 to the latched position as shown in FIG. 8, the actuator 136 is moved about the pivot 139 for operating the motor control switch 142 and applying tension to the cable 144. The brake arm 84 is moved in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot bearing 85 to position the brake arm 84 in a first position adjacent to the belt 75 but spaced therefrom to prevent actuation of the brake. In this condition the centrifugal extractor is operable for centrifugal rotation of the spinner assembly 42 to extract fluid from the fabrics contained therein.

Upon movement of the latch 123 out of the latched condition the actuator 136 will be released for biased movement in a clockwise direction about the pivot 139 for releasing the switch 142 and releasing brake arm 84. The motor 50 will thus be deenergized and the brake arm 84 will be moved by spring 94 to the second position for pickup by the moving belt 73. Continued movement to the belt braking position as shown in FIG. 4 effects a reduction in speed of the spinner assembly 42. If the motor is deenergized without opening the latch, the spinner assembly will coast to a stop.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown an alternate construction in which a motor control switch is mounted on the base and actuated by the brake arm 84 rather than being in the area of the latch as in the preferred embodiment. This con struction operates substantially as the preferred embodiment with the brake arm 84 and the switch 155 being responsive to operation of the latch as transmitted through the cable 144.

By way of further explanation of the instant invention, the operation of the centrifugal extractor and the operation of the control system will now be explained. Upon closing of the lid 16 and manual actuation of the latch 123 to the latched position, the motor 50 is energized for accelerating and driving the spinner assembly 42 through the vee belt 73 engageable with the driven pulley 40 and with the movably mounted pump pulley 55. With the motor 50 operating in a clockwise direction and the belt 73 moving as indicated by the arrow 111 in FIGS.

2 and 4, the first leg 112 of the belt 73 extending between the motor pulley 53 and the driven pulley 40 assumes a slack or loose side condition.

The spinner assembly 42 in the instant embodiment is accelerated toward and reaches an approximate operating speed of 2,000 rpm. During this normal motor driven operation, the movable brake arm member 84 is maintained in a first position disengaged from the belt 73 by the tensioned cable H44.

Upon movement of the latch I23 to the withdrawn position for unlatching the lid 16, the actuator 136 pivots to effect operation of switch 142 for deenergizing the motor 50 and to relieve the tension on the cable 144 so that the brake arm 84 is released for biased movement to a second position lightly engaged with the belt 73. Upon deenergization of the motor 50, the motor rotor and motor pulley 53 immediately start to decelerate. The spinner assembly 42, however, includes a relatively large rotating mass and decreases in speed more slowly and overdrives the motor 50 and therefore effectively becomes the driver. With the spinner assembly 42 effectively driving the motor 50, the belt leg 112 between the motor pulley 53 and the extractor pulley 40 assumes a tight side condition. The belt 73 picks up the brake arm 84 through a rather substantial increase in drag between the belt 73 and the vee groove 95 of the brake arm 84 and causes the brake arm 84 to move from the position shown generally in FIG. 2 toward the position shown in FIG. 4. Once movement of the brake arm 84 is initiated, the drag between the belt 73 and the brake arm 84 builds up rapidly and the movable brake member 84 is moved quickly to the braking position.

The pump assembly 54 is movable only as far as the finger 71 permits so that movement of the brake arm 84 from the position of light engagement toward the braking position increases the amount of tension on the belt leg 112 between the motor pulley 53 and the container pulley 40 so that the increased drag is applied to the belt 73.

in the position of FIG. 4, the belt 73 is subjected to reverse bend and is forced down into the vee groove 95 by engagement with the projecting portion 110 of the stop assembly 99 and a still further substantial increase in the amount of frictional drag is supplied to the belt 73 for braking or reducing the speed of rotation of the spinner assembly.

Referring again to the stop assembly 99 in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, it is seen that, upon movement of the brake arm 84 from the first position as shown in FIG. 2 to its second position shown in FIG. 4, the outwardly disposed brake arm finger 96 engages with the flexible pad 105 and compresses the resilient cushion 103. The resilient pad 105 and cushion 103 function as a stop but in addition the resiliency of the pad 105 and cushion 103 provides a biasing force assisting the biasing spring 94 for initiating the return of the brake arm 84, upon completion of the braking operation, from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown generally in FIG. 2. The return overtravel of the brake arm 84 in the counterclockwise direction, as in FIG. 2 is limited by the cushioned stop 156.

By way of comparison. the spinner assembly 42 forming a part of the laundry machine shown in this application is operable for coasting from its full speed of 2,000 rpm. to a stop condition in approximately to seconds. The braking device shown as a preferred embodiment of this invention is operable for reducing the speed of rotation of the spinner assembly to a stop in approximately 3 seconds. This braking operation dissipates approximately three-fourths horsepower in reducing the speed of the spinner assembly from 2,000 rpm. to 0 rpm.

This efficient braking system uses the movement of the belt for moving the brake member into braking position and uses only a relatively light spring to bias the brake member into initial engagement. After initial light engagement the brake becomes self-actuating. It thus becomes possible to control the brake actuation with the small forces transmitted from a manual lid latch. The combination of the lid latch with the control of motor energization and brake actuation achieves an efficient yet low cost spinner control system for a home laundry appliance.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are empioyed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

lclaim:

1. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable fabric container, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable fabric container and having an access opening to said fabric container, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: drive means for rotating said rotatable fabric container including an endless belt drivingly connected to said fabric container; selectively actuatable brake means including a movably mounted brake member engageable with said belt and operable for braking said belt whereby braking of said rotatable fabric container is effected; and means associated with said panel including linkage means connected to said movable brake member for controlling said brake means responsive to a condition of said panel.

2. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means associated with said panel includes latch means operable to a panel-locking position and wherein said linkage means is responsive to said latch means in said panel-locking position for maintaining said brake member out of engagement with said belt.

3. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch means is mounted on said panel and is manually actuatable for locking said panel in said closed position and wherein said linkage means is responsive to movement of said latch means and includes a cable connected to said movable brake member.

4. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further comprising a control circuit including a switch member for controlling energization of said drive means and wherein said latch means is operable to said panel-locking position for actuating said linkage means to effect operation of said switch to a motor-energizing position and to effect movement of said brake member out of engagement with said belt.

5. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable member, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable member and having an access opening to said rotatable member, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure and movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: motor means for rotating said rotatable member; endless belt means drivingly connecting said motor means to said rotatable member; selectively actuatable brake means including a movably mounted brake member biasingly engageable with said belt means and operable for applying a frictional drag to said endless belt means to effect a braking of said belt means whereby braking of said rotatable member is effected; latch means for latching said panel in said closed position; and means for operatively connecting said latch means to said movably mounted brake member, said last named means being operable with said latch means in a panellatching position for maintaining said brake means disengaged from said belt means.

6. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said last-named means is responsive to operation of said latch means and wherein unlatching of said panel releases the brake member for engagement with said belt means to effect braking of said rotatable member.

7. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 6 and further including means biasing said brake member into an intermediate effectively disengaged position of relatively low frictional drag on said belt means and wherein said brake member upon being released by said last-named means is responsive to a movement of said belt means for moving from said intermediate position of relatively low frictional drag to a braking position of relatively high frictional drag whereby the braking of said rotatable member is effected only upon the unlatching ofsaid panel while said rotatable member is moving.

8. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim and further including control circuit means having a switch member operable for controlling energization of said motor means and wherein said latch means is operable through said last-named means for disengaging said brake member from said belt means and actuating said switch member to a closed position for energizing said motor means.

9. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said last-named means includes an actuator member pivotally mounted on said cabinet structure and operable for operating said switch member and for effecting movement of said brake member to the disengaged position.

10. ln a laundry apparatus including a rotatable fabric container, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable fabric container and having an access opening to said fabric container, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure and movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: drive means for rotating said rotatable fabric container including an endless belt drivingly connected to said fabric container; selectively actuatable brake means including a movably mounted brake member engageable with said belt and operable for applying frictional drag to said belt to effect a braking of said belt whereby braking of said rotatable fabric container is effected, manually operable latch means associated with said panel for locking said panel in said closed position; control means for controlling operation of said drive means; and linkage means for operatively connecting said latch means to said brake member and to said control means and operable for actuating said brake means and said control means responsive to unlocking of said latch means to effect interruption of operation of said drive means and to effect braking of said rotatable fabric container.

11. ln a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said control means includesa switch member operable to an open condition by the linkage means for interrupting the circuit to the drive means prior to the actuation of said brake member to a braking position whereby said drive means is first deenergized and then said brake means is actuated for reducing the speed of rotation ofsaid fabric container.

12. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said linkage means includes an actuator member pivotally mounted on said cabinet structure and operable between a first position in which said switch member is operated to the closed condition for enabling energization of said drive means and in which said brake member is maintained in a nonbraking position and further operable to a second position in which said switch member is operated to an open condition for deenergizing said drive means and effectively initiating actuation ofsaid brake member to a braking position.

13. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable member, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable member and having an access opening to said rotatable member, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure and movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: motor means operable for rotating said rotatable member; endless belt means drivingly connecting said motor means and said rotatable member; a movably mounted brake member juxtaposed said belt means having a disengaged position spaced from said belt means and an intermediate position lightly engaged with said belt means for relatively low frictional dr ag; means for biasing said brake member into said intermediate position, said movably mounted brake member in said intermediate position being responsive to movement of said belt means for moving to a braking position and applying very substantially increased frictional drag to said belt means; manually operable latch means for latching said anel in said closed position; and linkage means for operative y connecting said latch means to said movable brake member, said linkage means being operable for maintaining said brake member in said disengaged position while said panel is latched in said closed position and operable for releasing said brake member for biased movement to said intermediate position responsive to an unlatching of said panel.

14. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 13 and further including control circuit means having a switch member operable for controlling energization of said motor means and wherein said latch means is operable through said linkage means for actuating said switch member to a first condition for deenergizing said motor means and effecting engagement of said brake member with said belt means upon an unlatching of said latch means.

15. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable fabric container, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable fabric container and having an access opening to said fabric container, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: drive means for rotating said rotatable fabric container including an endless belt drivingly connected to said fabric container; brake means including a movably mounted'brake member selectively engageable with said belt for movement by said belt to a braking posture to effect braking of said rotatable fabric container; and means associated with said panel for operatively connecting said panel to said movable brake member to control said brake means responsive to a condition of said panel.

16. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable member, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable member and having an access opening to said rotatable member, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure and movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: motor means for rotating said rotatable member; endless belt means drivingly connecting said motor means to said rotatable member; actuatable brake means including a movably mounted brake member biasingly engageable with said belt means and movable by said belt means to a braking posture to apply a frictional drag to said endless belt means and effect a braking of said rotatable member; latch means for latching said panel in said closed position; and means for operatively connecting said latch means to said movably mounted brake member, said last-named means being operable with said latch means in a panel-latching position for maintaining said brake means disengaged from said belt means.

17. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable fabric container, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable fabric container and having an access opening to said fabric container, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure and movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: drive means for rotating said rotatable fabric container including an endless belt drivingly connected to said fabric container; actuatable brake means including a movably mounted brake member selectively engageable with said belt and movable by said belt to a braking posture to apply frictional drag to said belt and effect a braking of said rotatable fabric container, manually operable latch means associated with said panel for locking said panel in said closed position; control means for controlling operation of said drive means; and linkage means for operatively connecting said latch means to said brake member and to said control means and operable for actuating said brake means and said control means responsive to unlocking of said latch means to effect interruption of operation of said drive means and to effect braking of said rotatable fabric container.

t i l i 0'

Claims

5. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable member, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable member and having an access opening to said rotatable member, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure and movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: motor means for rotating said rotatable member; endless belt means drivingly connecting said motor means to said rotatable member; selectively actuatable brake means including a movably mounted brake member biasingly engageable with said belt means and operable for applying a frictional drag to said endless belt means to effect a braking of said belt means whereby braking of said rotatable member is effected; latch means for latching said panel in said closed position; and means for operatively connecting said latch means to said movably mounted brake member, said last named means being operable with said latch means in a panel-latching position for maintaining said brake means disengaged from said belt means.

7. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 6 and further including means biasing said brake member into an intermediate effectively disengaged position of relatively low frictional drag on said belt means and wherein said brake member upon being released by said last-named means is responsive to a movement of said belt means for moving from said intermediate position of relatively low frictional drag to a braking position of relatively high frictional drag whereby the braking of said rotatable member is effected only upon the unlatching of said panel while said rotatable member is moving.

8. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 5 and further including control circuit means having a switch member operable for controlling energization of said motor means and wherein said latch means is operable through said last-named means for disengaging said brake member from said belt means and actuating said switch member to a closed position for energizing said motor means.

10. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable fabric container, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable fabric container and having an access opening to said fabric container, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure and movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: drive means for rotating said rotatable fabric container including an endless belt drivingly connected to said fabric container; selectively actuatable brake means including a movably mounted brake member engageable with said belt and operable for applying frictional drag to said belt to effect a braking of said belt whereby braking of said rotatable fabric container is effected, manually operable latch means associated with said panel for locking said panel in said closed position; control means for controlling operation of said drive means; and linkage means for operatively connecting said latch means to said brake member and to said control means and operable for actuating said brake means and said control means responsive to unlocking of said latch means to effect interruption of operation of said drive means and to effect braking of said rotatable fabric container.

11. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said control means includes a switch member operable to an open condition by the linkage means for interrupting the circuit to the drive means prior to the actuatioN of said brake member to a braking position whereby said drive means is first deenergized and then said brake means is actuated for reducing the speed of rotation of said fabric container.

12. In a laundry apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said linkage means includes an actuator member pivotally mounted on said cabinet structure and operable between a first position in which said switch member is operated to the closed condition for enabling energization of said drive means and in which said brake member is maintained in a nonbraking position and further operable to a second position in which said switch member is operated to an open condition for deenergizing said drive means and effectively initiating actuation of said brake member to a braking position.

13. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable member, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable member and having an access opening to said rotatable member, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure and movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: motor means operable for rotating said rotatable member; endless belt means drivingly connecting said motor means and said rotatable member; a movably mounted brake member juxtaposed said belt means having a disengaged position spaced from said belt means and an intermediate position lightly engaged with said belt means for relatively low frictional drag; means for biasing said brake member into said intermediate position, said movably mounted brake member in said intermediate position being responsive to movement of said belt means for moving to a braking position and applying very substantially increased frictional drag to said belt means; manually operable latch means for latching said panel in said closed position; and linkage means for operatively connecting said latch means to said movable brake member, said linkage means being operable for maintaining said brake member in said disengaged position while said panel is latched in said closed position and operable for releasing said brake member for biased movement to said intermediate position responsive to an unlatching of said panel.

15. In a laundry apparatus including a rotatable fabric container, a cabinet structure enclosing said rotatable fabric container and having an access opening to said fabric container, and a panel mounted on said cabinet structure movable between open and closed positions relative to said access opening, the combination comprising: drive means for rotating said rotatable fabric container including an endless belt drivingly connected to said fabric container; brake means including a movably mounted brake member selectively engageable with said belt for movement by said belt to a braking posture to effect braking of said rotatable fabric container; and means associated with said panel for operatively connecting said panel to said movable brake member to control said brake means responsive to a condition of said panel.