US2595404A - Clothes wringer - Google Patents

Description

y 6, 1952 L. M. PALO 2,595,404 CLOTHES WRINGER Filed NOV. 22, 1949 2 SHEETS$HEET l INVENTOR A m 77/ M. E9100 May 6, 1952 Filed NOV. 22, 1949 L.- M. PALO CLOTHES WRINGER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 v INVENTOR- A m/ 7/7 M. PM o Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES -PATENT OFFICE CLOTHES WRINGER Lilith M. Paw. Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Application November 22, 1949, Serial No. 128,871

This invention relates to clothes wringers and more particularly to a power operated clothes wringer which may be mounted on a washing machine, if desired, and driven by the mechanism of the machine.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved clothes wringer which will operate positively and eifectively to take in wet clothes, force all excess water out of the clothes and discharge the clothes without any fouling of the clothes in the wringer or wrapping of the clothes around any part of the wringer in the manner in which wet clothes frequently wrap around the rollers of existing roller type wringers, which is effective to compress the wet clothes over a large area at the same time to effectively squeeze the excess water from the clothes, and which is simple and durable in construction, eco nomical to manufacture, and easy to use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the ap ended claims in conjunction with the accom anying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a clothes wringer illustrative of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the clothes wringer illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the left hand end of the clothes wringer as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse cross section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the right hand end of the clothes wringer as illustrated in Figures land 2;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross section on the line li6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fragmentary view of a fragmentary portion of one com onent of the wrin er illustrating structural details of such om'oonent: and

Figure 8 is a pers ective view of a fragmentary portion of one com onent of the wrin er i lustrating structural details of such component; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a retaining cleat constituting an operative component of the device.

With continued reference to the drawings, the improved clqthes wringer comprises, in general, agenerally rectangular frame III, a first set of rollers including the rollers I I, I2 and I3 extending longitudinally of the frame and journaled therein, a second set of rollers including the rollers l4, I5 and I6 also extending longitudinally of the frame and journaled therein, the rollers being 6 Claims. (01. 68-267) I so located that each roller of one set is opposed to a corresponding roller of the other set and the six rollers of the two sets constitute three pairs of mutually opposed rollers, roller journaling means as designated at I! for the end rollers ll, l3, l4 and I6 and as designated at l8 for the intermediate roller l2, afiexible band 19 trained over the rollers of the first set, a similar flexible band 20 trained over the rollers of the second set and having a portion between the twosets of rollers juxtaposed a-ainst a similar portionof the band IS, a drive shaft 2| journaled in the frame and chain and sprocket means 22 drivingly connecting the drive shaft to the end rollers of one of the sets of rollers.

The frame I 0 comprises two elongated, rectangular end plates 25 and 26.- The plate 25 has perpendicularly disposed flanges 21 and 28 extending respectively along its longitudinal edges and the end plate 26 has similar flanges 29 and 3!}. In the assembled frame the flanges-of the two end plates extend outwardly at the respectively opposite ends of the frame. Two top frame members 3| and 32 in th e form of elongated bars. are secured to the top flanges 21 and 29 of the. two end plates with the bar 3| at one end and, the bar 32 at the opposite end of' the end plates; The bars 3| and 32 extend beyond the end plate 25 at the side of this end plate opposite the endplate 26 and an outwardly arched cross member 33 connects the ends of the bars 3| and 32 extending beyond the end plate 25. Two similar bars 34 and 35 are secured to the flanges 28 and 30 of the end plates at the respectively opposite ends. of these flanges and the bars 34 and 35 extend beyond the end plate 25 and are connected-at their ends extending beyond the end plate '25 by an outwardly bowed or arched cross member 36. A member 3'! is connected at its respectively opposite ends to the cross members 33 and 36 at the mid-length locations of these cross mem ers and is provided adjacent the cross member 36 with an aperture providing a bearing for the drive shaft 2i. g

The end plates 25 and 26 are substantially parallel to each other and are soaced apart'a distan-e corresponding to the length of power operated clothes -wringers now in use.

The rollers H, 12 and I3 haveshafts imfl and Each of the end plate flanges 21, 28, 29 and 39 is provided with apertures as indicated at 39 which apertures are in alignment with the corre-.

sponding roller axles or shafts extending'through the corresponding apertures in the end plates and eye bolts 46, 41, 48 and 49 rotatably receive in the eyes thereof the ends of the shafts 49, 42, 43 and 45 respectively projecting outwardly of the-end plate 28. These eye bolts extend through corresponding apertures 39 in the flanges 29 and 38 of the end plate 26, as is particularly illustrated in Figure 5, and coiled compression springs 59, 5|, 52 and 53 respectively surround the bolts 48, 41, 48 and 49 between the bolt eyes and the corresponding flanges 29 and 39, these springs resiliently urging the rollers H and I4 and the rollers I3 and I8 together at the corresponding ends of these rollers. An eye bolt 54 rotatably receives in its eye the end of shaft 4| extending beyond the end plate 26 and this bolt is received in the screw threaded bore of a thumb nut 55 which bears on the flange 29. A compression spring 59 surrounds the bolt 54 between the eye of the bolt and the flange 29 and the force of this spring on the corresponding end of the shaft 4| is adjustable by rotation of the thumb nut 55. The-end of the shaft 44 extending through'the end plate 26 is journaled in the round aperture 51 in the end plate.

The ends of the- shafts 48, 42, 43 and 45 extending through the end plate 25 are journaled respectively in the eyes of eye bolts 68, GI, 62 and 63 which eye bolts extend through corresponding apertures in the flanges 21 and 28, and compression springs 64, 65, 86 and respectively surround these bolts between the eyes of the bolts and the corresponding flanges to urge the ends of the shafts or axles of opposed rollers toward each other. The end of the shaft 4| extending through the end plate 25 may be journaled in the eye of an eye bolt threaded into a thumb nut 88 to provide for this end of the shaft 4| a bearing support similar to that illustrated in Figure 5.

The drive shaft 2| may be an extension of the shaft 44 of the roller I5 and may be journaled in a circular aperture in the end plate 25 and in an aperture in the frame member 31, as explained above.

A chain sprocket 19 is secured on the shaft 43 at the end of this shaft extending beyond the end plate 25 and a chain sprocket 1| =is secured on the corresponding end of the shaft 45. Two sprockets or a double sprocket are secured on the drive shaft 2| and drive chains 12 and 13 trained around the sprockets 19 and 1| respectively and a corresponding; drive shaft sprocket drivingly connect the drive shaft to the outside rollers I4 and I6 so thatall three of the rollers I4, I5 and I6 will be driven when the drive shaft 2| is rotated.

The drive shaft 2| may be drivingly connected to the wringer operating mechanism of a washing machine on which the wringer is mounted or may be driven by other suitable power or manually operated means as may be desired.

The rollers II to I8, inclusive, are preferably made of rubber or some similar material and each roller has thereon three lug wheels, as indicated at 14, 15 and 16 in Figure 6. The lug wheels 14 and 15 are located near the respectively opposite ends of the roller and the lug wheel 15 is mounted adjacent the mid-length location of the roller and these lug wheels engage the corresponding bands I9 and 29 to insure movement of the bands with rotation of the rollers, without slippage of the rollers in the bands.

The two flexible bands I9 and 29 may be identical in construction and a description of only one is considered necessary for the purposes of the present disclosure, the band I9 having been selected for detail illustration and description.

This band comprises a plurality of flat, elongated metal platesof rectangular shape disposed in edge to edge relationship with each plate connected to. its adjacent plate by a. hinged struc ture comprising spaced apart apertured tongues 11 projecting from one edge of each plate and received in corresponding notches in the contiguous edge of the adjacent plate and suitable hinge pins 18 extending through the plates and tongues to pivotally secure adjacent plates together in, the manner illustrated in Figure 8 for the two plates 19. Near their opposite ends and at their mid-length locations the plates 19 are provided with apertures 88 in which the teeth of the lug wheels 14, 15 and16 engage and the link plates constitute a continuous band or belt, one such belt being trained around the three rollers II, [2 and|3 of the first set of rollers and the other band, being trained around the three rollers I4, I5 and I8 of the'second set.

A series of uniformly spaced apart lugs 8| is secured to each plate 19 so that the series of lugs extends longitudinally of the plate substantially along the mid-width location thereof. These lugs may be secured to theplates by reduced extensions on the lugs extending through apertures 82 in the plates and riveted ovenasindicated at 83 in Figure 7. Each lug 8| has at one end a bottom or base flange 84 bearing on the outer surface of the corresponding plate 19 and has at its opposite end an enlarged head or bead connected to the base flange 84 by a thin web 86.

Elongated blocks 81 of suitable resilient material, such as vulcanized rubber, are secured on the plates by the lugs 8|. These blocks 81 have recesses therein receiving the spaced apart lugs 8| and the blocks extend longitudinally of the plates 19 respectively and are preferably of square or rectangular cross sectional shape. These blocks have a width substantially equal to the width of the plates 19 so that in the straight portions of the bands the blocks are disposed in side by sidecontacting relationship, as illustrated in Figure 4, and provide at their outer faces a substantially continuous surface for each such band portion and the blocks are of such a thickness that the outer faces of the blocks of the two juxtaposed portions of the bands I9 and 28 be-.

tween the first and second sets of rollers are in contact, as also illustrated in Figure 4, when the wringer is empty.

When the bands pass around the outer sides of the side rollers the adjacent blocks 81 are separated and move relative to any material passing th p lgh the wringer. This slight 'separation of the outer faces of the blocks at each side of the wringer greatly facilitates the operation of the wringer providing a positive feed so that wet clothes are drawn into the wringer without material" resistance and so that the clothes are discharged from the wringer without any appreciable tendency to follow the bands around the outside rollers at the discharge side of the wringer. This last operation is caused by the loosening elfect occasioned by the separation of the blocks freeing the blocks from the clothes against whichthe blocks have been compressed during the passage of the clothes through the wringer between the juxtaposed portions of the two flexible bands. Also, since the use of the bands greatly increases the area of the wringer in compressive contact with the clothes, the ex:

are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein,

What is claimed is:

1. A clothes wringer comprising a generally rectangular frame, at least two pairs of opposed rollers mounted in said frame, journal means for said rollers carried by said frame and resiliently forcing the two rollers of each pair of opposed rollers together, two jointed bands trained. over said. rollers and carried thereby so that each band encompasses one roller of each pair of opposed rollers and said bands are juxtaposed along adjacent portions thereof and resiliently forced together by the roller journal means, and means carried by said frame-and connected to the rollers within at least one of said bands for driving such rollers.

2. A clothes wringer comprising a generally rectangular frame, at least two pairs of opposed:

rollers mounted in said frame, journal meansfor said rollers carried by said frame and resiliently forcing the two rollers of each pair of opposed rollers together, two jointed bands trained over said rollers and carried thereby so that each band encompass one roller of each pair ofopposed rollers and said bands are juxtaposed along adjacent portions thereof and resiliently forced together by the roller journal means, means carried by said frame and connected to the rollers; within at least one of said bands for driving,

such rollers, said frame comprising two end plates of elongated rectangular shape having perpene dicularly disposed flanges along the longitudinal edges thereof and having transversely elongated apertures therein, elongated bars secured at their ends to the flanges of said end plates respectively at the respectively opposite ends of such flanges to hold said end plates in spaced apart position substantially parallel to each other, and each of said rollers having an elongated coaxial shaft extending at its ends through the corresponding apertures in said end plates, said flanges having apertures therein and said journal means for said rollers comprising eye bolts extending through corresponding apertures in said flanges and rotatably receiving in the eyes thereof end 6. portions of corresponding roller shafts extending through the apertures in said end plates, and coil compression springs respectively surrounding said eye bolts between the eyes thereof and the corresponding end plate flanges.

-3.-A clothes wringer comprising a generally rectangular frame, at least two pairs ofoppose'd rollers mounted in said frame, journal means for said rollers carried by said frame and re siliently forcing the two rollers of each pair of opposed rollers together, two jointed bands" trained over said rollers so that each band encompasses one roller of each pair of opposed rollers and said bands are juxtaposed along adjacent portions thereof and resiliently forced together by the roller journal means, means carried by said frame and connected to the rollers within at least one of said bands for driving such rollers, said frame comprising two end plates of elongated rectangular shape having perpendicularly disposed flanges along the longitudinal edges thereof and having transversely elongated apertures therein, elongated bars secured at their ends to the flanges of said end plates respectively at the respectively'opposite ends of such flanges to hold said end plates in spaced apart position substantially parallel to each other, and each of said rollers having an elongated coaxial shaft extending at its ends through corresponding apertures in said end plates, said flanges having apertures therein and said journal means for said rollers comprising eye bolts extending through the corresponding apertures in said flanges and rotatably receiving in the eyes thereof endportlons of corresponding roller shafts extending through the apertures" in said end plates, and coil compressionspringsfl respectively surrounding said eye "bolts between the eyes thereof and the-corresponding end plate flanges, and each of said jointed bands comprising a series of fiat plates of elongated substantially rectangular shape hinged together at their contiguous edges to constitute a continuous band, lugs secured on each plate and projecting outwardly therefrom, andyan elongated block of.

resilient material secured on each plate by the",

corresponding lugs. c u

4. A clothes wringer. comprising a generally rectangular frame, at least two pairs of opposed rollers mounted in said frame, journal means for said rollers carried bysaid frame and resiliently forcing the two rollers of each pair of opposed rollers together, two jointed bands trained over said rollers so that each band encompasses one roller of each pair of opposed rollers and said bands are juxtaposed along adjacent portions thereof and resiliently forced together by the roller journal means, 'means carried by said frame and connected to the'rollers within at least one of said bands for driving such rollers, said frame comprising two end plates of elongated rectangular shape having perpendicularly disposed fianges along the longitudinal edges thereof and having transversely elongated apertures therein, elongated bars secured at their ends to the flanges of said end plates respectively at the respectively opposite ends of such flanges to hold said end plates in spaced apart position substantially parallel to eachother, and each of said rollers having an elongated coaxial shaft extending at its ends through corresponding apertures in said end plates, said flanges having apertures therein and said journal means for sa d rollers comprising eye bolts extending through corresponding apertures in said flanges and rotatably ewiring. in. the; eresg her end r r on oi: h crr snondingrroller shafts extendi thr ug th er ures-in s i end plates. coi mpression pr s: respectively surr u din sai e boltsv between the eyes thereof, and the, corresponding endplate flanges, and each of. said jointed bands comprising a series of flat. plates ofelongated rectangularshape hinged'together at. their contiguous edges to constitute, a continuous band, lugs secured on each. plate and projecting outward-1y therefrom,..and an elongated block of resilienl',v material secured on each plate by the c re m lu s. sai pl te a in a r ures her in... and, lug. wheels onsa roller en agin in he apertures-in said platesto. preclude, slippage etwe n. said-roll rs: andsa d. ands- 5.; In a clothesgwringerincluding a, frame, at least two spaced apart pairs of. rollers disposed withinsaid frame with the rollers of each pair mutually .opposed, means journaling said, rollers in said frame and resiliently urging the opposed rollers of each pair together, and means driving at. least one of said rollers, jointed bands trained over said rollers so that-each band encompasses one roller of each; pair of rollers and said bands are juxtaposed. along adjacent portions thereof between said pairs of rollers, each of said bands comprising a plurality of flat plates of elongated rectangular shape and substantially rigid character disposed in side-by-side relationship and pivotally interconnected at their adjoining edges toconstitute an endless belt having a-width substantially equal to the length. of said rollers, a body-of resilient material of rectangular cross sectionalshape overlying the outer surface of each-plate, and having a length, and breadth substantially the same as, the length and breadth oi} the. plates, and rigid lugs secured to each plate at; spaced --apart locations th'erealong. and embedded in the cor-responding bodyof resilient material tosecure saidbodies of resilient material to the, corresponding plates.

'6. In a clothes Wringer including .frame, at least twospaced apart; pairs of rollers disposed within said. frame with the rollers of each pair a) mutuallyopposed, means journaling said rollers in said frame and resiliently urginglthe opposed rollers oieach a to ether. an means ri ing at. least oneot said rollers, jointed bands trained over. said rollers so that each band encompasses. one roller of each pair of rollers. and said bands are juxtaposed along adjacent portions, thereof between said pairs of rollers, each of said bands. comprising a plurality of fiat. plates of elongated rectangular shape and substantially rigid character disposed in side-by-side relationship and piv.- otally interconnected at their adjoining edges to constitute an endless beltv having a Width substantially equal to the length of saidorollers, a body of resilient material of rectangular cross sectional shape overlying the. outer, surface of; each plate, andhaving a length and breadthsube. stantially. the same as the length and breadthof the plates, and rigid lugs secured to each plate at spaced apart locations therealong and er n bedded. in the corresponding body of resilient material to secure said bodies of resilient, mate. rial t0 the corresponding plates, said plates hav-.- ing axwidthproviding for the free passage of the belts constituted thereby around said rollers and each having apertures disposed one near each end thereof, and said rollers each having sprocket Wheel formations disposed one near each end thereof and engaging in the apertures in said plates.

LlLITI-I M. PALO.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date, 166,920 Eastman -c Aug. 24, 1875 630,556. {Sargent a Aug. 8, 1899 1,587,618 Thomas l- June 8,1926 1355,2143 Furbush Apr. 22, 1930 2,160,363 Jamison May 30, 1939 2,218,588 Ruppel Oct. 22,1940 2,384,89l Nott Sept. 11, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain 1868

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