US1389091A - Washing-machine - Google Patents

Description

R. J. ANDERSON.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPL |CAT|0N FILED AUG. 16. I917.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

5 Quins-shin 1.

R. J. ANDERSON.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Age. 16, 1917.

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.v

R. L ANDERSON.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Aueqe. 1917/ I 1,389, 09 1 v Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I m, f?

R. 1 ANDERSON.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.16, I917.

, 1,389,091 Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEEF 4 R. J. ANDERSON.

WASHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 16, I917.

1,389,091 Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT J. ANDERSON, 0F SIDNEY, OHIO. i

WASHING-MACHINE.

Application filed August 16, 1917. Serial No. 186,623.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT J. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residin at Sidney, in the county'of Shelby and S t'ate of Ohio, have invented certain new and usein curved courses at the bottom and to be projected with crossing pounding movements at the top; further, to provide axially extensible balancing springs for a 'substan tially elliptical tub extending diagonally between the major and minor axes of the tub; further, to provide a tub mounted to rock upon a pivot disposed adj acent-to but below the center of gravity or physical center of the tub; further, to provide longitudinally extensible balance springs for the tub above and below the horizontal plane of the pivotal axis of the tub, said springs at the respective sides of thevertical plane of said pivotal axis approaching each other toward their outer ends; further, to provide a -tub so mounted and balanced having an opening in its top and an interior wall which is elliptical in general form, the portions of said wall adjacent to said opening having an inclinationat front and rear of said opening toward said pivotal axis whereby the contents of the tub are projected toward said pivotal axis; further, to provide a pitman mechanism for vibrating a pivoted tub having cushioning'means interposed therein for cushioning the reversals of vibratory movements of the tub; further, to provide means whereby the tub is'maintained in inclined position with its openingpresented for ready reception of a wash-board for manual operation;and. further, to provide novel means for selective hand'or power operation of a vibratoi-ytub. v

The invention will be further readily understood from thefollowing description and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter i Figure 1 is a plan view of a washing. machine embodying my invention.

F ig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the balancing springs.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same. 'Fig 4 1s a side elevation of the same,

showing the power driving means.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the tub, showmg the manner of mounting the same and the spring balancing means therefor in full lines, and showing, the tub in dotted lines in extreme rocked positions. I

Fig. 6 is a detail in cross-section, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail in side elevation, showing the cushioned means for the pitman.

Fig. 8 is an axial section of the same, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 i

Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal section of the tub in full lines, and showing the tub in dotted lines in extreme rocked positions,

and indicating the course of the contents of the tub. v

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-section of the tub and its mounting, taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a detail taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 8, showing the means for draining the tub. i

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the tub in i Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

position for use of a wash-board therewith.

Fig. 13 is a detail of the driving means,

partly insection in the plane of the line 13-13 of Fig.12; and

Fig. 14; is a detail of the driving means,

in my copending application, filed August.

22, 1917, as, Serial No. 187,598. r

I do not herein claim the manner of assemblingthe tub parts, or the details of the tub-structure, having shown, described and claimed the same in a copendingapplioation, filed by me August 16, 1917, as Serial No. 186,622.

The tub is shown at 21, and is instanced as a rocking tub,'being rockingly mounted upon trunnions 22 fixed in suitable socketparts 23 of spiders 24, 25. The spiders comprise extensions 26, from the ends of which arms 27. 28, project in various directions, screws 29 securing the spiders to the respective side walls 30 of the tub. The spiders are preferably comparatively thin flat castings of metal and serve to reinforce the end walls of the tub and aid in preventing warping of the same and in imparting strength and durability to the tub. (See Figs. 2, 1, 5, l0 and 12.)

The trunnions are received in journal bearings 81 on a supporting frame 32. Each of the trunnions is provided with an annular groove 33 in which the inner end of a bolt 3 1 is received for aiding in lateral rigidity of the frame.

The frame is exemplified as comprising end frame pieces 38, comprising a forward uprigl'it 39, and a rear upright 40, said forward upright being higher than saidrear upright. Tnwardly inclined extensions 41, 42, extend upwardly from said uprights and are at their tops connected by a top 43 to which the journal bearings 31 are secured. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.)

The end frame pieces are at their rear ends connected by crossing brace rods 46 secured together by a central bolt 47 and secured to the end frame pieces by bolts 48. The forward ends of the end frame pieces are connected together by a cross-brace 49 secured to said end frame pieces by bolts 50, and having a space 51 thereunder, through which a bucket may readily be received for being placed under a faucet 52 in a drainpipe 53 having connection with the interior of the tub for draining the same. The construction forms a simple frame having ample room for oscillation of the tub and ready access to the tub.

The trunnions 22 form the pivots for the tub. These pivots are preferably a rocking axis located adjacent to but slightly below the center of the tub, the said center being indicated by the cross-mark 5 1. (See Figs. 4:, 5, 9 and 12.) The tub is preferably approximately elliptical in vertical longitudinal sec tion, the pivotal axis of the tub being preferably below the center of the ellipse. j

The tub is provided with'an opening 61 in its top, this opening being arranged to be closed by a cover 62. The front wall 63 and rear wall 6 1 of the opening preferably project into the tub and into theplane of the approximate ellipse along which the major portion of the inner wall of the tub is described, forming inwardly extending projectionsadjacent to said opening, having faces 65, 66, which slant toward the pivotal axis of the tub, being shown as curved faces which merge with the approximate ellipse of the inner face of the tub. (See Fig. 9.) The bottom wall 67 of the cover extends between said inward projections in substantially the plane of the lower edges thereof. The cover has handles 68.

.I prefer to provide means, hereinafter described, whereby the tub may be oscillated manually or by power, and also to provide balancing means for the tub whereby the oscillating movements of the tub are caused to be resisted at the limits of their oscillating movements for reversing the movements of the tub, and acting to balance the tub and to aid in causing the desired movements of the contents of the tub along the inner surface thereof and for projecting said contents toward and across the pivotal axis of the tub.

In order to illustrate my preferred location for the pivotal axis of the tub, this pivotal axis may be instanced as located one inch below the center of the ellipse or tub, assuming the ellipse on which the major portion of the inner wall of the tub is described as having a major axis twenty-eight inches long and a minor axis twenty inches long. These proportions and relations, however, are instanced as an example and not as a limitation.

Theresistance or balance means I prefer to employ, are shown at 71, 72, 78, 74, as coiled helical springs. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 12.) There are preferably four of these springs employed, arranged in approximately diamond form having the pivotal axis of the tub as its center, and exemplified as located within the end projections of the tub. The springs are shown as located to both sides of the pivotal axis of the tub and above and below the same, being respectively located diagonally between the horizontal plane and vertical plane parallel to said'axis in which said axis is located. The springs extend diagonally in the corners between the major and minor axes of the approximate ellipse of the tub.

The springs are attached at their outer ends to the tub, preferably at points but slightly spaced from the horizontal plane in which the pivotal axis of the tub is located, said ends of said springs being provided with hooks 75 received in recesses 76 of lugs 77 extending from the spider 25. Y

The inner ends of said springs are attached to the support of the tub and are instanced as connected with arms 78, 79, extending respectively upwardly and downwardly from the bearing 31. (See Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, 10 and 12.) Each of the arms is provided with a bearing 81 in which a disk 82 is received, the disk being provided with a slot 83 in which the hook-shaped inner ends 84 of proximate springs are received, the side stretches of said hooks being received'to the respective sides of said disk and said bearing 81, acting to hold the disk in the bearing when the parts are assembled. The disks are arranged to accommodate themselves in their bearing'to the various positions of the springs when oscillating the tub (compare Figs. 5 and 12), in order to relieve the springs and the hookends thereof from bending actions for avoiding crystallization of the springs and aiding in prolonging the life of the same.

- a suitable power devicev or motor.

The springs at each side 'of the pivotal axis of the tub converge toward the outer ends 'ofthe springs; They are located diagonally in the angles of the horizontal and vertical planes in whichthe pivotal axis of the tubis "located, the helical axes of the springs intersecting said planes in diamond form (see Fig. 5), said pivotal axis and the center of gravity of the tub being located within the diamond. The tub is thereby balanced by forces above and below and at both sides of'said pivotal axis, the pivotal axis being surrounded by thelbalancing forces.

The springs act to normally maintain the tub in level position, as exemplified in Figs. 2 and 4c. When the tub is rocked, diagonally opposite springs are stretched (see Fig. 12), the other pair of springs being contracted. When thetub is rocked, the contents-move toward that end of the tub' which is depressed, the'weight of thecontents -moving ,toward said end being .coun terbalanced by the stretching of the springs, the stretching of thesprings further aiding in the return movement of'the tub.

Oscillation ofthe tubmay beefi'e'cted by either manual or power means. I have shown the tub provided with a handle 87 suitably secured to the framing of the tub and having a hand-grip 88 by means of which the tub may be manually moved back and forth by the operator foroscillating the tub. The movement is an easy movement, the thrusts at the limits of movement being resisted and the reversals of oscillation being aidedby the. springs, the springs I aiding to return the; tub to normal position. Power means for eifectmg movement of the tub are exemplified as a drlve-shaft 89,

'jour'naled in a suitable bearing 90 on the frame of the machine and suitable bearings 91 in a gear-case 92 secured to the frame. The drive-shaft is operated in any suitable manner, as by means of a pulley 93 over which a belt is arranged to be receivedfypm is ca Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 12,13 and 141). The shaft 89 has a pinioni94' secured thereto which meshes with a gear 95. The gear 95 is normally loose on a shaft96 ournaled in bearlugs 97, 98, of the gear-case'-92. The gear 95 is-located" between'the bearing 97 and a shoulder 100 on the 'shaft96. The shaft has a crank 101 fast thereon'provided with a crank-pin 102 received in a suitable bearing 103 of a. pitman 104, the pitman havingconnection with a'pin 105 extending from thetub, as from the saider 24 thereof.

Means are provide pitman at the reversals of movement thereof in order to avoid jarring action of the power device upon the tub, this cushioning device. being preferably placed proximate to thetub. It issshownas comprising a for cushioning the cated between the bearing and the respe'c tive ends of said slot.

The tendency of the tub in its rocking movement isf'to. continue the rocking motion at the desired limits of its movement, which tendency is resisted by the springs 111, 112, so as to cushion the tub at its limits of movement and aid in ready reversals of such movements.

It is desirable to release the connection of the pitman with the tub when it is desired to operate the tub by hand, for which reason I prefer to employ the pin 105 as a slip-pin, which is slidable axially in the bearing 108' and is received in a bearing 113 formed on the spider 2 1. The slip-pin is provided with an annular groove 11& in which a positioning pin 115 is adapted to be received, the positioning pin being normally urged into engagement with the walls of'the annular groove by a spring 116 located in a tube 117 secured to the bearing 113. The tube is provided with a cap 118 threaded thereto, through which the positioning pin extends, the positioning pin having a pull-knob 119 thereon by means of which the positioning pin may be held out of the annular slot when it is desired to release power connection with the tub. The pitman may be laid across the shaft 89 when not innse.

Instant application or removal of "power may be had by means of a clutch 121 exemplified as a tooth-clutch, the respective teeth of which are on the hub of gear 95 and on a clutch-collar 122having splineconnection 123 with the shaft 96. Figs. 8, 18 and 1 1.) The clutch-collar is axially slidable on the shaft as by means of a lever 12 1 pivoted to the gear-cover 125 on a pin 126, and having a fork 127, the tines of'whi'ch are received in an annular groove 128 in the collar 122 for moving the clutchcollar axially. In operation, when either end of the'tub is depressed, the contents of the tub, for instance the clothes, detergents and water therein, .follow the courseof the curved bot-- tom of the tub toward the depressed end of the tub, the contents acquiring acceleration in that direction during the depression of that end for carrying the contents along the curved wall of the depressed end of the tub forming the end of the ellipse, the contents following this curved wall until they impinge the inwardly directed face adjacent to the opening of the tub, which defleets the contents, with the result that the contents are projected forcefully with a pounding movement across the" interior of (See the tub and its pivotal axis and against the diagonally opposite portion of the wall of the tub, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 9. The contents thus projected strike any balance of the contents there might still be remaining at said opposite portion of the wall of the tub, causing a spreading of the remaining and projected contents in all directions along the curvature of said opposite portion of the wall and spreading and separating the articles of clothes.

dVhile this is taking place, the direction of rocking movement of thetub is being reversed for moving the opposite end of the tub into depressed relation, causing the contents of the tub to follow the curved bottom of the tub toward said depressed end and causing a repetition of the movement of the contents in reverse direction. The speed of motion of the tub is preferably timed with relation to the speed of gravity flow of the contents, whereby the effects stated are produced. The inner surface of the wall of the tub is preferably an unobstructed sur face for permitting unobstructed flow of the contents along said wall and along the curvature of the ellipse for causing separating flow of the contents.

The resultant path of the contents of the tub is a lower path conforming substantially to the bottom and end walls of thetub along the bottom and end curves of the ellipse, and a downward diagonal projection accomplished with force past the pivotal axis a of the tub, the major portion of the contents being below the pivotal axis. The crosswise movement of the contents is accomplished with a thrust which aids materially in the cleansing of the articles by forcing the water and cleansing fluid through the fabrics of which the articles are composed, the separating flow of the contents preventing bunching or balling of the clothes, for hav ing the cleansing fluid readily pass therethrough, resulting in quick and thorough cleaning-and washing of the articles.

The manner of pivoting the tub, the relation of the inner surface of the tubto the pivot, and the arrangement of the springs with relation to 'the pivot and said inner surface, combine to produce the cleansing effect desired in highly efficient manner, and also form a relation of elements whereby ease of operation is accomplished, as the weight of the contents is maintained below but near the pivot, and the springs are arranged about the pivot. (See Figs. 5, 9 and 12.) The movement of the contents of the tub along the curved wall of the momentarily depressed end of the tub and the inward thrust of the contents by the inwardly directed faces 65, 66, past the pivotal axis of the tub, aid in ready reversals of movement of the tub for affording ease of operation.

It is desirable that the normal position of the tub shall be level. I therefore provide leveling means for the frame, permitting the frame to be leveled in case the floor on which the machine is to be employed is inclined or has depressions therein, these leveling means being also employable for raising the supporting'casters off of the floor, when such casters are employed. Casters are exemplified at 131, suitably attached to the frame.

, Preferably each leg of the machine is provided with one of the leveling devices. Each of. these leveling devices, as shown, comprises a screw-rod 132 rotatable in lugs 133, 134:, extending from the leg, the lug 183 be ing threaded for coacting with the thread of the screw. The screw is provided with an operating wheel 135 anda shoe 136. The screw isrotatable in the shoe, the shoe being held about a journal end of the screw.

It is often desirable to spot the laundry, that is tosay, to rub portions thereof which are more soiled than others. My improved device enables this to be readily done, accomplished for instance, by'disengaging the clutch 121 and tilting the tub, so that the axes of the shaft 96, of the crank-pin 102, and of the connecting pin 105 are in a right line, thus depressing one end of the tub and lowering one of the side walls of the opening 61 thereof, thereby bringing this wall within convenient elevation for ready insertion of a hand wash-board, exemplified at 141 in Fig. 12, in said opening, and for the use of said wash-board in the tub in the ordinary manner of use of a wash-board for manually rubbing the laundry on the usual rubbing surface of the wash-board. The placing of said pivots in a right line, maintains the tub in its tilted position in spite of tilting forces applied to the tub. The articulationof the pitman with the tub is adjacent to one of the ends of the tub in substantially the vertical plane in which the axis of rotation of the shaft 96 is located. If it is desired to renew the rocking movement of the tub, the shaft 96 is again rotated for movingthe crank-pin out of said right line.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim-as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A washing machine comprising a rocking tub having an opening in its top and an inner surface which slopes'inwardly of the tub adjacent to said opening at each end of said open-ing, and bottom and end walls described on a substantial ellipse, said tub having a pivotal axis adjacent to and below the. center of said substantial ellipse, and means for rocking said tub on said pivotal axis, the bottom of said tub curving downwardly toward its middle under said pivotal axis, whereby the lower middle portion of said bottom of said tub bulges outwardly to locate the greatest portion of the weight in said tub in the verticalplane of said of a support, a tub pivoted thereto, and

helical balance springs, said helical springs located in the angles of the horizontal and vertical planes in which the pivotal axis of the tub is located, the helical axes of said springs intersecting said planes in substantial diamond form, one of the ends of said springs having attachment with said tub,

the other of the ends of said springs having attachment with said support, and the pivotal axis of the tub and the center of gravity of the tub being within the substantial diamond.

4. A washing machine comprising a tub, a support therefor, the inner surface of said tub at its bottom and ends being of substantial' elliptical form, a pivot for said tub located below and adjacent to the center of said substantial elliptical form, whereby the greatest portion of the weight of thecontents of the tub is in the middle portion of the lower part of said tub, immediately below said pivot, the said inner surface at its top provided with opposed deflecting faces projected toward the'pivotal axis of the tub,

and the space within said inner surface being free of obstruction to the free passage of the contents of the tub along said inner surface and deflecting faces and past said pivotal'axis and center.

' 5. A washin machine comprising a tub, a support therefor, a pivot for said tub on said support, the inner surface of said tub at its bottom and ends being of substantial elliptical form and at its'top provided with opposed deflecting faces projected toward said pivotal axis of the tub, so that the path of the goods intersect said pivotal axis of the tub in alternately reverse directions, the

space within said inner surface being free of obstruction to the free passage of the contents of the tub along said inner surface and deflecting faces and past said pivotal axis and center, and helical springs arranged about said pivotal axis, the outer ends of said springs converging, and the ends of said springs having attachment with said tub and said support respectively.

6. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a support therefor, a pivot for said tub on said support, and balance springs arranged in substantial diamond form about said pivot, the ends of said springs having attachment with said tub and said support respectively,sa id pivot and balance springs located within the end projection of the tub, and saidpivot locatedfin substantially the center of said substantial diamond form.

7. In a washing machine,the combination of a pivoted tub, coil balance springs therc for extending diagonally between the horizontal and vertical planes in which the pivot of said tub is located, and means for rocking said tub comprising cushion resistance means resiliently yieldable in 'both directions of movement of the tub.

8. In combination, a washing machine comprising a tub the major portion of whose inner wall is substantially an ellipse, said major portion being the'lowerportion of said innerwall, means for pivoting said tub,

and a helical spring resisting movements of said tub on its pivot, said spring having its helical axis extending-between the major axis and the minor axis of said ellipse throughout the movements of said tub.

' 9. In a washing machine, the combination of alpivotedtub, and coil balance springs therefor arranged in substantially diamond: 7

form about the pivotal axis of the tub.

10. In a washing 'machine,-the combination of a tubpa support therefor on which said tub is'pivot'ed, and helical springs arranged in substantial diamond form about the pivotal axis of saidtub, the'ends of said springs having attachment with said tub and support respectively. 11. A washing machine comprising a pivoted tub, and a coil balance spring therefor extending diagonally between the horizontal and vertical planes in which the pivot of said tub is located.

" 12. A washing machine comprising a substantially elliptical tub, and coil balance springs therefor extending diagonally be' tween the major and minor axes of said tub, said tub pivoted adjacent to and below the intersecting point of said axes.

13; A washing machine comprising a pivoted tub, and coil-springs arranged in substantial diamond form about the pivotalaxis of said tub and about the center of gravity of said tub, said pivotal axis being below said center of gravity.

14:. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, support therefor, a pivot between said tub and support on which said tub oscillates, and helical springs the inner ends whereof have attachment with said support andrthe outer ends whereof have attachment with said tub, said outer ends being convergingly arranged.

15. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a frame in which the same is pivotally mounted, arms extending above and below the pivotal axis of said tub having connection with said frame, rotatable disks in said arms, and helical springs having connection with said rotatable disks and with said tub whereby said disks rotate during oscillating movement of said tub.

16. In a washing machine, the combination of a pivoted tub having an inner surface which is substantially elliptical in longitudinal section, theupper surface whereof is provided with inwardly extending faces projected toward the pivotal axis of said tub, said pivotal axis being located proximate to and below the center of the substantial ellipse upon which said inner surface of said tub is described, and helical springs arranged in substantial diamond form about said pivotal axis and said center for balancing said tub.

17. In combination, a pivoted tub for a washing machine having an inner surface the major portion of which is free of obstruction and described substantially along the curvature of an ellipse, the pivot of said tub being closeto but below the center of said substantial ellipse, the upper portion of said inner surface having deflecting faces merging with said curvature atone of their ends and projected toward the pivotal axis of said tub at the other of their ends, the lower portion of said inner surface located under said pivot when said tub is in normal position bulging downwardly to locate the greatest portion of the weight of the contents of said tub under said pivotwhen said tub is in normal position, a support on which said tub is pivoted, and helical springs arranged in substantial diamond form about said pivotal axis, the ends of said springs being secured respectively to said tub and said support.

18. In combination, a tub for a washing machine having an lnner surface the major portion of which is free of obstruction and described substantially along thecurvature of an ellipse, the pivot of said tub being close to but below the centerof said substantial ellipse, the upper portion of said inner surface having deflecting faces merging with said curvature at one of their ends and projected toward the pivotal axis of said tub at the other of their ends, the lower portion of said inner surface located under said pivot when said tub is in normal posi tion bulging downwardly to locate the greatest portion of the weight of the contents of said tub under said pivot when said tub is in normal position, a support 011 which said tub is pivoted, helical springs arranged in substantial diamond form about said pivotal axis, the ends of said springs being secured respectively to said tub and said support, and means articulated with said tub at one side of said pivotal axis for rocking said tub.

19. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a support therefor, means for pivoting said tub to said support, and helical springs between said support and said tub, said helical springs arranged in two pairs, the outer ends of the springs of each pair converging toward each other, said outer ends attached to said tub, and the inner ends of said pairs of springs being attached to said support, said pivotal axis located within the longitudinal axes of said collective springs.

20. In a washing machine, the combination of a pivoted tub provided with an upper opening, andmeans for oscillating said tub comprising a prime mover, a crank, a crank-pin, and a pitman articulated with said crank-pin and with said tub at one side of the'pivotal axis ofsaid tub and distanced from said pivotal axis, a clutch between said prime mover and said crank, and arranged whereby to release said clutch and position the axes of said crank, said crank-pin and said articulation with said tub in a right line for. lowering one end of said opening for receiving a washboard in said opening.

21. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a frame in which'the same is means for oscillating said tub comprising a manually operated handle and a pitman for power oscillation of said tub, and power connection for said pitman comprising a pull-pin, and means therefor for release of power connection with said tub.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT J. ANDERSON Witnesses: I

JAS. ANDERSON. Bnss AILES.

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