US2155963A - Washing machine head frame - Google Patents

Description

April 25, 1939. T. s. WATSON WASHING MACHINE HEAD FRAME i4 %WJ@ Z 77 WTToR/v 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. 22, 1957 April 25, 1939. WATSON I 2,155,963

WASHING MACHINE HEAD FRAME Filed Nov. 22, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE U WASHING MACHINE HEAD FRAME Thomas S. Watson, Milwaukee, Wis. Application November 22, 1937, Serial No. 175,794

17 Claims.

invention relates to washing machines and 'the like and more particularly to head frames for such-machines.

A type of washing machine for use in laundries comprises a casing having mounted therein a rela- '-'tively long horizontal washing drum which is driven at opposite ends and which is periodically reversedin its direction of rotation.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved washing machine construction wherein the drum-driving means is mounted on a head frame adjustably carried on the'washing machine frame to regulate or adjust the driving connec- 'tions.-

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine head frame adapted to carry a counter-shaft and other mechanism thereon, such as :a' transmission and an adjustably mounted motor, the head frame being adjustable without disturbing the relative positions of the countershaft, transmission or motor, and the countershaft being capable of sectional constructionand having any desired-number of bearings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a washing machine head frame which can readily be adjusted to regulate the tension of a belt or other flexible driving member connected to a line shaftor motor shaft.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter described and claimed.

Certain embodiments of the inventionare illustr'atd'i'n' the accompanying drawings whereinl is an end elevation of a washing machine with its hea'd frame Fig; 2'is a rear elevationof the washing machine;

Fig. 3'is 'a' detail view of an adjustable mounting forthe'head'frame;

Fig?- ti's an endelevation of a washing machine having a modified form of head frame, parts being broken away;

Fig. 5' is an end elevation of another modified form of adjustableheadframe';

Fig. "6 isan end elevation of a washing machine having a further'modified form ofhead frame, 'parts beingbroken away and parts being shown in I section,- and Y (Fig. 7' is a detail sectional view of an adjustable transmission mounting for the head frame of 50' Fig.6.

In'ithat form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, 10 designates a-horizontal cylindrical casing which, in practice, may be of considerablelength.

' The-casing i -is supported at its ends on'end 55- frames ll and'at intermediateportions onsaddle frames 12, all as usual, theend frames and saddle framesbeing connected by suitable tie bars;l3 and M. A washing drum or cylinder I is disposed within the casing I0 and carries at its opposite ends the usual shafts I6 arranged on a horizontal axis and journalled-in the end frames H p A pulley ll of large diameter is secured to each drum'shaft l6 and ishere indicated to be in the form of a'multiple-grooved sheave for receiving -a number of V-belts H3. The pulleys or sheaves H n) are connected by the V-belts 18 with aflpair of .much smaller multiple-grooved sheaves I-Ssecured .to the opposite end portions-of-acounter-shaft extending above the casing-l0 substantially parallel tothe axisof the drum l5.

The counter-shaft 20 is :rotatably supported; on ;a rigid rectangular head frame 2-! whichcom- :prises :a pair .of spaced parallel j-horizontal string- :ers :22 and .23, here :shown to be channeI 'bars, connectedat;theirends by inclinedzcross' pieces ,24 .20

such as angle bars, the front stringer 22 preferably at -;a higher elevation than :the rear stringer 23. The stringers are substantially parallel to the .axis of the drum and restat their ends-onfront and rear ledges 25 formed on the ,25 upper portions of the endframes H'. The frame -2 l is adjustably secured in position by. clamping -boltsi2fi, Fig. 3, passing through-the lower flanges of the stringers and 'throughslots 21 formed in theledges 25. Adjustmentofthe frame along the .30 pledges is effected by jack-screws .28 threaded throughlugs 2-9 formed on'the ledges and-enter- 1 ingblocks 39- in contact-with the outer sides of-the stringers, the jack-screws being held in adjusted position by lock-nuts 3|. When the head frame -.2I-issecured in itsadjusted position it connects -or ties together the end frames l I, so as to provide mutual: bracing or support to avoid Weaving of the structure and misalignment or binding of th washing drumand its-shafts.

The counter-shaft 20- is journalled' near its opposite; ends inbearings 32 ,prferablyof-the self-aligning type, secured tov the end cross] pieces 24 of the frame 2|. A central .portionof the .counter-shaftpasses through a transmission 33,245

which is secured .to the stringers .22 andi2 3 .In practice, the counter-shaft maybe made in coupled sections, an intermediateone of which. passes through the transmission. -Preferably,- the shaft sections are substantially aligned, The trans-. mission. 33 includes a shaft..34, here shown to'be parallel withthe oouriter-shaftjfl. A multiple grooved sheave 35 is secured to the shaft .34 and is connected by a mummy OfI-VI-belts 36'wit li a ,grooved' sheave 31 on the shaft orgarremarn,

'dition should result from such adjustment.

motor 38. A motor base 39 is fastened to the stringer 22 and to cross pieces 40 connecting the stringers 22 and 23. The motor 38 is adjustably secured to the base by bolts 4| passing through slots 42 in the base, the adjustment of the motor on the base serving to regulate the tension on the belts 36. A brake 43 on the counter-shaft 20, or other rotating part, serves to lock the drum during loading and unloading and may also be used to stop the drum.

The tension on the two sets of drum-driving belts I8 is regulated by adjusting the position of the head frame 2| on the end frames I6, the two ends of the frame 2| being capable of separate adjustment so as to effect independent regulation of the belt tension at opposite ends of the machine and thus insure equal transmission of power to the opposite ends of the drum. A slight lack of parallelism between the counter-shaft and the axis of the drum is not objectionable, if this con- It will be noted that the adjustment of the frame 2| does not disturb the adjustment of the motor 38.

In operation, power is transmitted from the motor 38 to the counter-shaft 2|] by way of the transmission 33, which preferably serves to control the reversing operation of the counter-shaft, although in some instances the motor may be reversed instead. Power is transmitted from the counter-shaft 20 to opposite ends of the washing drum in substantially equal proportions, thus distributing the load equally between the two sets of driving belts I8 and reducing torsional stresses in the drum. The machine operates quietly and shocks incident to varying load conditions are taken up by the driving belts. Power is applied to the middle portion of the counter-shaft so as to reduce and equalize torsional displacement of the opposite ends of the shaft. The counter-shaft may be supported on any desired number of bearings. I

In-the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the casing I0 is supported on end frames III and intermediate saddle frames 2. The opposite ends of the washing drum carry multiple-grooved sheaves H which are connected by V-belts I8 with multiple-grooved sheaves I9 secured to the opposite ends of a counter-shaft 20. The countershaft is rotatably supported on a rigid rectangular head frame I2I, similar to the head frame 2|,

having front and rear stringers I22 and I23 connected by inclined cross pieces 24 at opposite ends.

Brackets I 44 are secured to the opposite ends of the stringers I22 and are pivotally connected by pins I45 to brackets I45 resting on ledges I25 formed on the upper portions of the end frames III. Adjustment of the brackets I46 along the ledges is effected by jack-screws 28 threaded through lugs 29 formed on the ledges and entering blocks 30 in contact with these brackets, the

jack-screws being held in adjusted position by Brackets I41 are secured to the rear stringer I23 and are pivotally connected by pins I48 with the head portions of upright rods I49 slidably Y passing through apertured lugs I50 on the end v hereinbefore'described and is connected at an intermediate portion witha transmission 33. The

transmission includes a shaft I34 parallel with the counter-shaft and carrying a sheave I35 which is connected by a plurality of V-belts I36 with a grooved sheave I 31 on a line shaft or motor shaft I 38. If desired, a driving motor may be mounted on the head frame as in the machine of Fig. l.

The frame I2I is adjusted by means of the jackscrews 28 and the rods I49 to regulate and equalize the tension on the two sets of drum-driving belts I8 and to regulate the tension on the belts In the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the end frames 2| I are provided with guideforming slots or pockets 252 at their upper ends extending substantially radially of the axis of the washing drum. A rectangular head frame 22I, similar to the head frame 2|, has parallel stringers 222 and 223 connected at their ends by inclined cross pieces 224 of angle-shaped cross-section. A rectangular plate-like lug or vane 253 is integrally formed on each cross piece 224 and slidably fits in the slot 252. A jack-screw 228 is threaded in the end frame 2|| to bear against the lower edge of the lug 253 and to adjust the position of the frame 22I for regulating the tension on the belts. The jack-screw is retained in adjusted position by a lock-nut 23I. The lug is clamped in adjusted position by screws 254 threaded into the end frame and engaging a side face of the lug, the screws being provided with lock-nuts 255. Longitudinal shifting of the frame 22I is prevented by the end frames 2| I.

The drum sheaves I! are connected by V-belts I8 with sheaves I9 secured to the opposite ends of a counter-shaft 28 journalled in bearings 32 mounted on the cross pieces 224. As in the Fig. 1 device, the frame 22I carries a motor-driven transmission 33.

In the modified form of drive shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the end frames 3 are connected by a number of tie bars 3I3 and 3|4, and are provided with front and rear ledges 25, as in the Fig. 1 device. A rectangular head frame 32 I, similar to the head frame 2|, rests on the ledges 25 and is adjustable therealong by jack-screws 28, in the same manner as the frame 2|. The frame 32| includes a pair of inclined crossbars 340 between which the transmission 33 is placed. The transmission, instead of being rigid on the frame, is pivotally supported on bearings 35| secured to the cross bars 348 and permitting the transmission to tilt about the axis of the shaft 20. A bracket 34'! is secured to the bottom of the transmission and has pivotally mounted therein the bent upper end of a threaded stem 349. The stem extends loosely through a bracket 350 attached to the stringer 332 of the frame 325, and is secured to the bracket in vertically adjusted position by nuts 35| to hold the transmission in adjustably tilted position.

As in the device of Fig. 4, the transmission has a shaft I 34 parallel to the counter-shaft 20 and carrying a sheave I35 which is connected by a plurality of V-belts I 36 with a grooved sheave I31 on a line shaft or motor shaft I38.

The tension on the driving belts I8 at opposite ends of the machine is adjusted by shifting the head frame 32I on the le'dges'25, as in the Fig. 1 device. adjusted by tilting the transmission, and since the tilting takes place about the axis of the countershaft 20, the tension on thebelts I8 is not disturbed.

While the invention is here shown to be used in 'a drum type washing machine, it will be obvious The tension on the belts I36 is thereafter? that it is also applicable to other typesof machines, such as tumblers.

The driving connections to the ends of the washing drum are here shown to be v -belts, but other forms of belting, such as'chain belting, may obviously be substituted. Similarly, the motor belts and line shaft belts may be replaced by chain belting.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced drive elements, supporting means for said member, a frame having bearings, a shaft journalled in said bearings and arranged substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, spaced drive elements on said shaft in substantial alignment with the drive elements on said rotary driven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, and" means for driving said shaft at a region approximately midway between the drive elements on said shaft, said frame being adjustably carried by said supporting means and shiftable with respect to the axis of said rotary driven member to adjust the tension on the spaced belt members.

2. In combination, a rotary driven member having drive elements at its opposite end portions, end supports on which said member is rotatably mounted, a frame, drive elements rotatably mounted on the opposite end portions of said frame and having their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, and means for driving said frame-mounted drive elements, said frame being adjustably carried by said end supports and shiftable with respect to the axis of said rotary member to adjust tension on the spaced belt members, and said frame forming a tie member connecting together said end supports.

3. In combination, a, rotary driven member having axially spaced drive elements, supporting means for said member, a frame, spaced drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame and having their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, and means for driving said frame-mounted drive elements, said frame being adjustably carried by said supporting; means andshiftable with respect to the axis of said rotary driven member to adjust the tension on the spaced belt members, and said frame being adjustably secured to said supporting means to. provide mutual support therewith.

4. In combination, a, rotary driven member having axially spaced drive elements,. supporting means for said member, a frame, spaced drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame and having; their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, a transmission on said frame operatively connected with said framemounted drive elements and having a shaft spaced from and substantially parallel to the axis of said frame-mounted drive elements, a rotary drive element on said last-named shaft adapted to be connected by a belt member to a driving shaft, and means for adjustably and tiltably mounting said frame on said supporting means to regulate the tension on said several belt members.

5. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced drive elements, supporting means for said member, a frame; spaced drive elements rotatably mounted onsaid frame and having belt connections with said first-named drive elements, and means for driving said framemounted drive elements, said supporting means and frame having sets of relatively slidable interfitting parts spaced longitudinally of the frame and permitting independent shifting of longitudinally spaced portions of said frame with respect tothe axis of said rotary driven member to adjust the tension of said belt connections.

6. In combination, a rotary driven member having drive elements at its opposite end portions, end supports on which said member is rotatably mounted, a frame, drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame and having their axes substantally parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, and means for driving said framemounted drive elements, said end supports and the opposite end portions of said framehaving relatively slidable interfitting parts permitting independent shifting of the opposite ends of said frame with respect to the axis of said rotary driven member to adjust the tension of said belt members.

7. In combination, a rotary driven member having drive elements at its opposite end portions, end supports on which said member is rotatably mounted, a frame having spaced stringers and end cross members, bearings on said cross members, a shaft journalled in said bearings and arranged substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, bearing means on said frame for an intermediate portion of said shaft, rotary drive elements on the opposite end portions of said shaft, belt members connecting the drive elements on said shaft and rotary driven member, and means for driving said shaft, said frame being adjustably' carried by said end supports and shiftable with respect to the axis of said rotary driven member to adjust the tension of said belt members, and said frame forming a tie member connecting together said end supports to provide mutual support therewith.

8. In combination, a rotary driving member having a drive element, a rotary driven member having a drive element, a transmission having a pair of spaced parallel shafts with axes substantially parallel to the axes of said driving and driven members, drive elements on said transmission shafts, a belt member connecting said first-named drive element and one of said transmission drive elements, a, belt member connecting the other. transmission drive element and the drive element on said driven member, and means for adjustably tilting said transmission to regu-' late, the tension of said belt members.

9'. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced drive element's, supporting means for said member, a frame, spaced drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame and having their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, a third drive element rotatably mounted on said frame in driving connection with the first-named frame-mounted drive elements and having its axes spaced from and substantially parallel to the axis of said frame-mounted drive elements, said third framemounted drive element adapted to be connected by a belt member to a driving shaft, and articulated means for supporting said frame from said supporting means and for adjustably tilting said frame to regulate the tension on said several belt members.

10. In combination, a rotary driving member having a drive element, a rotary driven member having a drive element, a transmission having a pair of spaced substantially parallel shafts with axes substantially parallel to the axes of said driving and driven members, a drive element on each transmission shaft, a belt member connecting said first-named drive element and one of said transmission drive elements, a belt member connecting the other transmission drive element and the drive element on said driven member, and means for laterally shifting and tilting said transmission to regulate the tension of said belt members.

11. In combination, a rotary driving member having a drive element, a rotary driven member having a drive element, a transmission having a pair of spaced substantially parallel shafts with axes substantially parallel to the axes of said driving and driven members, a rotary drive element on each transmission shaft, a belt member connecting said first-named drive element and one of said transmission drive elements, a belt member connecting the other transmission driven element and the drive element on said driven member, a frame on which said transmission is tiltably mounted substantially about the axis of one of said shafts to adjust the tension of the belt member connected to the drive element on the other shaft, and supporting means on which said frame is adjustably mounted to adjust the tension on the other beltmember.

12. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced drive elements, a frame, spaced drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame and having their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, supporting means on which said frame is adjustably mounted to adjust the tension on said belt members, a transmission tiltably mounted on said frame and having a driving connection with said framemounted drive elements, said transmission having a shaft substantially parallel to the tilting axis and to the axis of said frame-mounted drive elements, a rotary drive element on said transmission shaft, a driving shaft having a rotary drive element, and a belt member connecting the drive elements of said driving shaft and transmission shaft and having its tension adjusted by tilting the transmission with respect to said frame.

13. The combination, with a washing machine having end frames and a horizontal washing drum between said end frames, of a head frame shiftably carried on and secured to said end frames and forming a tie member connecting said end frames, shaft means rotatably carried on said head frame, belting connections between said shaft means and the opposite ends of said drum and adjustable by shifting said head frame, and means for driving said shaft means.

14. In combination, a rotary driven member having axially spaced drive elements, spaced supporting means for said member, a frame pivotally carried on said supporting means and swingable on an axis substantially parallel to the axis of said driven member, drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame and having their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary driven member, belt membersconnecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, and means for driving said frame-mounted drive elements, said frame being swingable on its pivotal mounting to adjust the tension on said spaced belt members and being adjustably secured to said supporting means to tie together said supporting means.

15. In combination, a rotary driven member having drive elements at its opposite end portions, end supports on which said member is rotatably mounted, said supports having respectiveguides extending substantially radially of said driven member, a frame having portions slidably engaging said guides, drive elements rotatably mounted on said frame and having their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said driven member, belt members connecting the drive elements on said rotary driven member and frame, and means for driving said frame-mounted drive elements, said frame being shiftable on said guideways to adjust the tension on the spaced belt members and being adjustably secured to said end supports to tie together said end supports.

16. The combination, with a washing machine having a frame structure and a horizontal washing drum, of a head frame shiftably carried on said washing machine frame structure, shaft means rotatably carried on said head frame,

driving connections between said shaft means and the opposite ends of said drum and adjustable by shifting said head frame, and means for driving said shaft means, said head frame being adjustably secured to said frame structure to provide mutual support.

17. The combination, with a washing machine having end frames and a horizontal washing drum between said end frames, said end frames having substantially horizontal supporting surfaces, a head frame resting on said supporting surfaces and slidable thereon, means for securing said head frame on said supporting surfaces to tie together said end frames, shaft means rotatably carried on said head frame, driw'ng connections between said shaft means and the opposite ends of said drum and adjustable by sliding said head frame on said supporting surfaces, and

means for driving said shaft means.

THOMAS S. WATSON.

. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,155,965. April 25, 19 9.

THOMAS S. WATSON. 7

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above nuinbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second column, line 56,- for the reference numeral "552" read 522; page 5, second column, line 72, claim 9, for "axes" read axis; line 75, same claim, for "axis" read axes; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

-Signed and sealed this 6th day of June, A D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Images