US1529623A - Power-driven washing machine - Google Patents

Description

March 10, 1925. 1,529,623

w. H. HUENERGARDT POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTCE! ATTORNMS March 10, 1925.

W. H. HUENERGARDT POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ffuenerya/rd t.

1,842 ATTORNEYS March 10, 1925. 1,529,623

w. H. HUENERGARDT POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR WHHuen er a ril- March 10, 1925. 1,529,623

w. H. HUENERGARDT POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

UNITED srnzrns PA-TENT "OFFICE.

mineruvrruturrrcrmeme:" oo. on imc'onn. N'eBRA's-KA, A CORPORATION.

-0WERDRWEMWASHING MACHINE.

-(A.pplicationfiled February 15, 1918 Be it known that I. VVILLIAM Ht HUrreEnminnr a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and F tate of l\ 'el;rraska. have invented certain new and useful Improvements -in PoweuDriven \VashingsMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention seeks among other objects, first. to make an improved power drive for swinging typewashing machines and wringcrs of a simple, durable and convenient construction. I

Second. to provide, in a machine ofthe general character stated. an improved construction of frameworkin which is included an improved rigid base section. an upright section mounted thereon having means for swingably supporting the wash tuh, a'power mechanism compactly mounted on the upright section and located helov the axis of the swingable tub so thatlthe till) and the power mechanism may be mounted in close relation and a wringer supporteddirectly above the said power mechanisnn-an'd I Third. my invention contemplates "the mounting of the power shaft below the tuh in such 11113111191 that, when the washer is driven from the engine, the 'driving'helt will he on the opposite s de and out of the way.

Another object. of my invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of the suds. tub, the wringer, a sin)- horting fnameworlr I therefor and an improved construction of power mechanism including means for controlling the said mechanism, whereby to transfer the powerto either the tub oscillating devices or 'for rotation of the wringer in either direction, at will, the said controlling means including a device for effectingvthe shifting of thetuh oscillating mechanism into or out of operative connection with the powenshaft and at the same-time provide forlockii g'the'tub against motion and to hold it stationary while usingthe wringer and, under another adjustment. unlock the saidtub as thepdweir transmitting means is being again adjusted for swinging the tub.

Another object of my invention is provide a power driven mechanism of the character stated in which is embodied an Serial 1105217364.

improved combination and arrangement of the parts that constitute a'supporting frame particularly designed for supporting the suds tub to oscillate in a plane parallel with thewvringer mounted in close relation to the tub, and for sustaining the main or power driven shaft'also parallel with -the-direction of oscillation of the tub and the position ofthe wringer and forso' locating hand'controls at the same end of the machine and in such close relation, whereby the shifting of 'power from oscillation of the tub to rotation of the wringer, in either direction, may be conveniently and with certainty edected.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine having among other advantages. in addition to those ahove outlined. certain improved features in the frame construction, whereby the machine parts may he quickly assembled to the operative position and which can he cheaply made and yet .provide a durable construction throughout, when operatively connected.

Further objects of my invention wi ll'be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in Which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvedconstruction of power driven washing machines.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure-3 is a rear elevation and more particularly illustrates the working parts, including the hand control lever device that constitutes a part of the main clutch shifting means.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detail views that illustrate different forms or means for applying power tothe main or power shaft. its hereinafter more specifically described.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the complete steel sup mrting frame hereinafter specifically mentioned. A

Figure? isaplan view;of the starting rod hand lever device, the hand lever being shown in full lines in'the position when the shifter rod is in the full line or clutch release position shown in Figure 9,, the'dotted lines win this figure indicating the position of'the hand lever, when set to interlock with thetub.

Figu're'Qis a diagram which illustrates the two positions of the clutch shifting rod, the broken lines indicating the position when the clutch is applied and the tub is working, the dotted lines 7 on Figure F4 indicating the c l-res ioodiug position of tho ((rllfltil lever.

Figure 10 is a perspective view that shows the control lever positioned for interlockably engaging with the locking bracket on the tub.

Figure 11 is a peispective view of the locking bracket that engages the control lever.

Figure 12 is a detail perspective view of the wringer control lever device hereinafter referred to.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the clutch devices for the main drive gear.

\Vhile the drawings illustrate a practical form of my inveiition. it is understood that my said im ention is not restricted in exact conformity of the parts shown and described and that changes or modifications of the construction shown may be made so long as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the construction shown in the drawings. the supporting frame includes a base section composed of two opposite s de angled bars 04-64. a cross bar secured by bolt and nut fastenings to one of the ends of the side bars (34 whose other ends are secured to an angled cross bar 62 that is bent horizontally inward as at 62 to provide for placing a pail under the drain faucets T4 of the tub, as shown.

An upright steel frame. hereinafter termed the working parts sustaining frame. is mounted on the base section. as is best shown in Figure 7. and the said frame consists of a pair of angled bar uprights 6t bolted or otherwise secured to the base members 64-64 and braced along the inner side by a number of cross angled bars 676'i'. which in turn are braced by angled bars 68-08 and flat brace bars 9 ';9, the latter serving the double purpose of keeping the base structure in square and the lower angled members 67 rigid during the operation of the machine.

Supplemental frame members. in the nature of a pair of legs (ll-1. also of angled steel. are provided whose lower ends are bolted to the oppos te ends of the base member 62. The legs 01-G1 converge from the base and their upper ends join with a cap plate 4 having a bearing 4 to receive. the outer axial stud of the tub 1, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The clothes tub or receptacle 1 is preferably of sheet metal and is suitably formed internally to perform its function. when oscillated in the manner presently explained.

A plate casting 9 is riveted to the outer or front end of the tub 1 and a like casting 2) is attached to the other tub end to which the power pitinan or connecting rod 42 is attached at 43.

5 designates a bearing block for the axis of the tub on the wrin er side and the said bearing block is bolted to the upper converged ends of the angled brace bars 686S.

By referring now more particularly to Figure 3. it will be noticed the side casting 3 has a stud shaft 43 at one side of the tubs axis and a knob-like stud 45 on the other side of the said axis to which is secured one end of a coil spring 44 that operates to check or stop the suds tub 1 at the end of its swing and a ds in starting it back again Without undue jar or shocks to the oscillating devices.

46 designates a bracket that includes an apertured member for connecting with the adjacent end of the spring 44. Bracket 46 rivets onto one of the upright frame standards 66, see Figure 3.

In my construction of power driven washing machines, I have combined the several parts that constitute the supporting frame so that a single power shaft may be applied thereto in such manner. whereby to provide for a direct transmission for working the tub. a sub-transmission for working the wringer in either direction. and individual clutch mechanisms for controlling the main and sub-power transmission devices, the said two clutch mechanisms mounted on the main power shaft and having their shifting means so related that the controls therefor are positioned for convenient and effective manipulation by the operator.

The working or power transmission elements comprise a main shaft 17 which may always be in motion and to which the power may be direct to a pulley 59* on the outer end of the said shaft. see dotted lines Figure 3. or through gear or wheel connections. as shown in Figures 4. 5 and 6, the driving belt coming from any source of power engine or line shaft.

The shaft 17 is journaled with its inner end in a bearing socket 17 which is cast on a projection from one of the vertical webs 41* of the yoke-bracket 41. the bracket 41 being approximately rectangular in side view (similar to the bracket 35) and being bolted to the two lowermost brace bars 67 of the upright or sub-frame and lies at right angles to the said frame. as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The outer end of the shaft 17 has bearings in a yoke or bracket 35 fastened to one of the base bars 64 and which extends lengthwise of the shaft 17. as is clearly shown in Figure 3, by reference to which it will be also observed the casting or bracket 35 has a vertical bearing 24 for a vertically extended radial rod 24 which constitutes a transmission for imparting motion to the till loo

wringer devices, in either direction, as presently more fully explained.

By referring to Figures 1 and it will be seen that in my construction of power driven washing machines, the wringer is attached to the upper ends of the uprights 66-t16 by brackets 66(S6. the latter also forming the bearings for the shaft of the lower wringer roll 20 that cooperates with the upper roll 19 in the usual way.

It will be seen, in Figures 1 and 2, that the wringer is located adjacent to the tub l but in a plane at right angles to the axis thereof directly above and parallel to the power shaft 17.

The power shaft and the mechanism for transmittingthe power to the hub and to the wringer as well as the controlling instrumentalities lie closely together adjacent to the frame which carries them. thus constituting a compact arrangement of parts which permits-thetub that is placed on the tub bench to be brought quite close to the oscillating tub, thereby facilitating the operation of the machine.

By arranging the working parts. as stated and shown. provides. in addition to a diiect transmission of the power either for working the tub or for working the wringer. such compact assemblage of the said working parts that they may be readily crated for storing or shipping.

The clutch mechanism that controls the supplemental transmission for operating the wringer is best shown in Figure 3 in which 25 and 26 indicate opposing beveled clutch gears loosely mounted on the shaft 17 and in constant mesh with a beveled gear 25 on the lower end of the transmission shaft 21.

A shiftable clutch 28 is keyed to the shaft 17 for being moved into engagement with either of the gears 2.") and 26 or to remain at a neutral position. the clutch 28 is grooved to receive the forked end of the shifter 3- that is fixedly connected with a shifting member 32 which joins. through a crank con nection 33 (that includes a threaded socket 233) with the lower end of the wringer eon trol rod 31, the upper end of which extends through a bracket casting 30 attached to the upper end of one of the frame uprights ('36.

Q9 designates the wringer control lever that is fixedly attached to the upper end of the control rod 211. Lever 29 has a detent or lug 29 for engaging with an inclined latch flange 29*. see Figure '2. which is so shaped that the lever 29 may be readily turned and held locked to either of three positions.for holding the clutch 28 neutral (as in Figure 3) or in engagement with either the clutch gear 26 or gear 97.

31 designates a spring tension for yieldingly holding the lever 29 to its adjusted positions.

In Figure 1, I have shown the shaft 17 as being driven by a motor .35 whose power belt 53 takes over a pulley 30 secured on a short shaft =18 journaled in the bracket 41. Shaft, t8 carries a gear 4-9 which meshes with a larger or driven gear 47 on the shaft 11' and the shaft Aw; journals in the brackets it and 33. as shown in l igure The transmission mechanism for imparting motion to the tub 1 isbest shown in Figures 1.. 3. S. 9 and 1t) and comprises a clutch gear 18 secured by a key to turn with the shaft 17 and constantly held in mesh with a beveled disk gear -10 mounted on the countershaft 38 which journals in l)(tll'lfl1 in the brackets 41. Shaft 38 has a crank 35) that couples with the lower end ofthe tub swinging rod 42.

t haft 38 is brought into action.-at desired times. by a eiuteh l5 slidably keyed on the shaft 1? and formed with an annular groove for receiving the clutch shifte 183 adjust ably mounted on the threaded end of a shifter rod 12.

Rod 12. which is suitably guided -in the frame. connects with a crank casting t] that is attached to the lower end ofa starting rod 10, the latter being rotatably mounted in upper and lower guide brackets 8 and=9. the upper one of which forms a l'iearing on which a lever device for controlling the starting rod 10 is yieldingly mounted.

The lever device is shown in detail in Figures 8, 9 and 10 and consists of a square block 16 fixed. on the upper end of the rod 10, and a. hand lever 7 formed with a bifurcated end 7 that straddles the block 16 and is hingedly attached thereto. as is best shown in Figuie it). from which it will be seen the lever T is cast with a laterally extended coupling member W having a recess 7, the purpose of which \Vtll presently appear.

Referring particularly to Figure 8. it will be noticed that when the lever T is adjusted to the position shown in full lines. after having been turned in the diiection of the arrow on Figure 8, the rod 10 will have been likewise turned and the shifter rod 12 will. through the crank connection 11, have been shifted from the broken line position to the full line position on Figure 9 and the clutch 15 shifted back out of a clutch engagement with the gear 18. as shown in Figure 3 After shifting the control lever to the position shown in full lines Figure 8, to release the clutch 13. the said lever is swung up to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 8 and in full lines in Figure 10 with the coupling member in position for receiving the locking member 6 on the tub in the recess of the lever. to thereby lock the tub against swinging action.

A compression spring 14 is mounted on the starting or shifter arm '12 to tend to throw the clutch 15 out of engagement.

The spring 59 serves both purposes of yieldingly holding the starting lever 7 in both the positions shown in Figure 8; notice al o the positions of the crank connection 11 on Figure 9.

A compression spring .79, disposed about: the upper end of the starting rod in and engaging the bracket 8 and the collar it) on the rod 10, yieldingly holds the starting and locking lever in its locked or unlocked positions, see Figures 3 and 10.

Swivel castors 72 are attached to the angled iron at one end of the machine and rigid castors 73 are secured on the angled bars 65 on the other end of the machine.

36 designates a water drain for returning the water from the wringer to the tub and 37 the usual type of reversed board for directing the drain outside of or onto the member 36.

60 designates a wash basket holding platform and -70 flat braces that hold the upright portion of the angled frame, see Figure 7, square with the base structure. The members 70-70 form a triangle and thereby operates as a sort of bridge structure for rigidly bracing the main or base angle bars 646l so that they can carry the desired load without bending under strain.

In this application I make no claim, per se, to the structure shown alone in Figure 7, the framework per so, as that constitutes the subjectmatter of a divisional application.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In a washing machine of the class described, a supporting framework, a tub mounted to swing thereon. a power shaft carried by the framework, means connecting the tub and the power shaft for operating the tub, a locking member on the tub, said means including clutch mechanism cooperative with the power shaft. a starting rod for shifting the clutch/ mechanism, and a lever for actuating the rod hingedly connected with the said rod. said lever being capable of engaging the locking member on the tub when swung to one position and to be disengaged from the said locking member when swung to another position.

2. In a washing machine of the class described, a supporting framework, a tub mounted to swing thereon, a power shaft carried by the framework, means connecting the tub and the power shaft for operating the tub, a locking member on the tub, said means including clutch mechanism cooperative with the power shaft, a starting rod for shifting the clutch mechanism, a lever for actuating the rod hingedly connected with the said rod, said lever being capable of engaging the locking member on the tub when swung to one position and to be disengaged from the said locking member when swung to another position, and tension devices engaging the starting rod and the framework to yieldingly hold the said lever at either position.

3. In a washing machine of the class described, a supporting framework, a tub mounted to swing thereon, a power shaft carried by the framework. means connecting the tub and the power shaft for operating the tub, said means including clutch mechanism cooperative with the power shaft, a clutch shifter, a rotatable starting crank rod connected with the said shifter. a hand lever connected with the rod for rotating it in reverse directions for moving the clutch mechanism in opposite directions, and means engaging the crank rod and the framework for yieldingly holding the hand lever at either of the rod rotating positions.

4t. In a power driven washing machine, a framework including a rigid base section and an upright section mounted and braced to the base section; a tub, means for oscillating the tub on one side of the upright frame section including a power driven shaft transverse to the axis of said tub and located below and to one side of said tub. in a vertical plane normal to the axis of the tub, and connections that join the tub and the shaft for oscillating the tub as the shaft is in motion and means for throwing the shaft out of operative connection, said means also being operatively supported by the up right frame section.

5. In a power driven washing machine, a framework including a rigid base section and an upright section rigidly secured to about the central part thereof, said base section having a tub bench mounted at one end and the said tub bench being secured to and bracing said upright section, means for oscillating said tub on the side of upright frame section opposite the tub bench. said means includii'ig a power driven shaft transverse to the axis of tub and located below and to the side of path of motion of said tub but located near the upright section, and connections that join the tub and shaft for oscillating the tub as the shaft is in motion and means for throwing the shaft out of operative connection.

6. In a power driven washing machine, a supporting frame comprising a base, a subframe or standard extending upwardly from the base, an oscillatable tub journaled in bearings in said sub-frame and said standard and lying with its axis normal to the plane containing said subframe, a main shaft journaled in bearings carried by said sub-frame and lying transversely substantially in the plane of said sub-frame, power transmitting and translating mechanism between said main shaft and said tub and including gear and clutch devices mounted on said sub-frame, and controlling instrumentalities on the side of said sub-frame and connected. With said clutch devices for opcrating them.

7. In a power driven washing machine. a supporting frame comprising a base, a subframe or standard extending upwardly from the base, an oscillatable tub journaled in bearings in said sub-frame and said standard and lying with its axis normal to the plane containing said sub-frame. main shaft journaled in bearings carried by said sub-frame and lying transversely substantially in the plane of said sub-frame, power transmitting and translating mechanism between said main shaft and said tub and incliuling gear and clutch devices mounted on said sub-frame, and controlling instrumentalities on the side of said sub-frame and connected with said clutch devices for operating them, means operable after 'ilHE clutch devices are disconnected for locking the tub against movement.

8. In a power driven washing machine, supporting frame comprising a base, a subframe or standard extending upwardly from the base, an oscillatable tub journaled in hearings in said sub-frame and said standard and lying with its axis normal to the plane containing said sub-frame, a main shaft journaled in bearings carried by said sub-frame and lying transversely substantially in the plane of said sub-frame. power transmitting and translating mechanism between said main shaft and said tub and including gear and clutch devices mounted on said sub-frame, and controlling instrumentalit-ies on the side of said sub-frame and connected with said clutch devices for operating them, means operable after the clutch devices are disconnected for locking the tub against movement, said last named means including an element constituting a part of the clutch controlling instrumentalities, which is operable to engage an element on the tub only after the clutch has been disengaged, and thereby lock the tub against movement.

9. In a power washing machine in which is included a suitable supporting frame, a tub mounted to swing on said frame, a prime power shaft transverse to the axis of tub and below and to one side of the path of motion of said tub, and a transmission gearing connecting the prime power shaft and the tub for imparting motion to the tub, means for throwing the said mechanism into and out of operation, said means being located on the side of the washer on which the powcr shaft and gearing transmission are located and including means only operable to lock the tub against motion when disconnccted from prime power shaft.

10. In a power driven washing machine wherein is provided an oscillating tub, a power applying mechanism for operating the tub, which mechanism includes a shiftablc clutch clement for rendering the same operative and inoperative; a clutch shifting device including a crank shaft, a lever for turning said crank shaft, a locking element on the tub and means carried by said lever for en aging said locking element after said crank shaft has come to rest on completion of its function exercised in operatively disconnecting the power mechanism from the tub.

11. In a power driven washing machine in which is provided a tub, power applying mechanism for operating the tub, said mechanism including a shiftable clutch for rendering the same operative and inoperative; a clutch shifting and tub locking mechanism comprising a rod adapted to be turned to shift the clutch, a handle member mounted on said rod, a locking element on the tub and a locking element on the handle member, said handle member being connected with said rod, whereby, when the power mechanism is in operation, said handle member locking element is inoperative with relation to the tub, but, when said power mechanism is idle, said locking element of the handle member may be moved into engagement with the locking element of the tub, substantially as shown and described.

WILLIAM HAROLD HUENERGARDT.

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