US2974513A - Laundry machine utilizing a pump with flow reversing means - Google Patents

Description

March 14, 1961 J. F. CLEARMAN 2,974,513

LAUNDRY MACHINE UTILIZING A PUMP WITH FLOW REVERSING MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 W; 1 i 1 46 29 w l I ll 30 L O IHIIMHIHIH March 14, 1961 CLEARMAN 2,974,513

LAUNDRY MACHINE UTILIZING A PUMP- WITH FLOW REVERSING MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1955 5 Sheets$heet 2 March 14, 1961 J. F. CLEARMAN 2,974,513

LAUNDRY MACHINE UTILIZING A PUMP WITH FLOW REVERSING MEANS Filed Sept, 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 h 5/ I I LZEJZtUF March'l4, 1961 J. F. CLEARMAN 2,974,513

LAUNDRY MACHINE UTILIZING A PUMP WITH FLOW REVERSING MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 14,1961 J. F. CLEARMAN 2,974,513

LAUNDRY MACHINE UTILIZING A PUMP WITH FLOW REVERSING MEANS File d Sept. 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 (JACK F C LEAR/MN LAUNDRY MACHINE UTlLlZING A PUMP WITH FLOW REVERSING MEANS Jack F. Clearman, St. Joseph, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph, Micln, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 14, 1955, Ser. No. 534,195

11 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates generally to laundry machines I and more particularly to a so-called suds return-type laundry machine and method which is particularly characterized by the utilization of mechanical pumping means which are unidirectional in operation and flow reversing means which may be automatically operated in correlation with a sequential series of washing, rinsing and extracting periods to automatically remove or return laundry liquid from or to a treatment zone, respectively.

According to the general principles of the present invention, a batch of materials to be laundered in a treatment zone is cyclically manipulated through a series of washing, rinsing and extracting periods by the operation of a combination washing and extracting laundry machine having a presettable sequential control means.

A unidirectional pump under the control of the sequential control means is selectively operated at different portions of the washing, rinsing and extracting periods, while the inlet and outlet flow of the unidirectional pump is alternately reversed to supply and remove a pool of laundry liquid to and from the treatment zone, as required to effect proper correlation with the washing, rinsing and extracting action of the machine.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a laundry machine having an improved suds return system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a unitary pump and valving arrangement whereby a reversal of fluid flow can be effected without changing the direction of rotation of the pump impeller.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a suds or laundry liquid saving arrangement in a washing machine by utilizing an hydraulic fluid system wherein a centrifugal impeller rotates in one direction and a distributor or valve controls the direction of flow between the washing machine and a receptacle for receiving and holding the laundry liquid during rinsing and extracting operations.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pump with flow reversing means which constitutes a reduced number of simplified elements which are economical to manufacture and convenient to fabricate.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pump with how reversing means which is easy to service and which is rugged in operation.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment of a laundry machine is illustrated by way of exemplification of the principles of the present invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a laundry apparatus with parts broken away and with parts shown in crosssection illustrating a laundry machine embodying a pump States Pater ire w a v with flow reversing means according to the present in vention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the gear case embodied in the laundry apparatus of Figure l and illustrating how the pump of the present invention is incorporated in the laundry machine;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a plumbing diagram of a laundry machine embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a view of the pump, per se, provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on line V V of Figure 3 with parts removed to show details of construction of the pump of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view generally similar to Figure 5 but showing an additional element inserted in place as a part of the assembly of the P p;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line VIIVII of Figure 4 with parts shown in elevation of the pump shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentarycross-sectional view taken on line VIIIVIII of Figure 3.

As shown on the drawings:

It will be understood that the principles of the present invention are of general applicability to washing machines per se as well as to combination washers and extractors or to combination washer-extractor-driers. Moreover, insofar as the pump subcombination isconcerned, it will be further appreciated that the principles of the present invention are of general applicability to any fluid system wherein a pump exhibiting the desirable properties disclosed herein is required.

For purposes of illustrating the principles of the present invention, however, there is shown in Figure 1 an automatic washing, rinsing and extracting machine 10' having a cabinet 11 forming an enclosure for a tub 12 which is adapted to confine a pool of liquid such as water or laundry liquid, thereby restricting the pool of laundry liquid within the confines of a treatment zone.

A receptacle or container indicated at 14- is rotatably mounted within the tub 12 and the tub 12 is carried on a floating base 16 suspended from the top portionof the cabinet on suspension links 17 encased in rubber at'their ends and carried in sockets 19 in the base 16 and in similar sockets at the upper part of the cabinet (not shown) for damping oscillatable movement which may occur between the base and the cabinet.

Suspended from the base 16 on a hanger bracket 20 i of the container or receptacle 14- and, hence, interiorly also of the tub 12.

The gear casing 24 is also suspended from the base 16 on a plurality of bolts 27 threaded into a corresponding plurality of studs 28 fastened in firm assembly to the base 16 as by welding or the like, thereby to maintain the gear casing 24 in fixed parallel spaced relation with respect to the base 16.

Although not necessary to a proper understanding of the principles of the present invention, it may be noted that the gear casing 24 is of a form utilizing two parts,

a lower part housing an oscillatable drive gearing for oscillatably driving the washing element or agitator 26 and an upper part housing operating and control mechanism of the machine.

With respect to the actuation of the washing element or agitator 26, however, there is shown an oscillatable drive shaft at 29 rotatably carried in the gear casing 24 in a boss at the lower part of the gear casing 24. The shaft 29 is also journaled within a rotatable drive sleeve indicated at 30 which extends within a stationary sleeve 31 concentrically disposed relative to a hollow center post 32. The hollow center post 32 forms a closure for the central part of the bottom of the tub 12 and extends upwardly from the bottom of the tub 12.

The sleeve 31 is carried in the hollow center post 32. The rotatable sleeve 30 provides a support for a hollow upright support member 33 attached in firm assembly with the container or receptacle 14. Thus, the container or receptacle 14 is supported near its upper end for spinning. The washing element or agitator 26 is locked to the upper end of the shaft 29 as at 34 and will be oscillatably driven upon corresponding oscillatable movement of the shaft 29.

The rotatable sleeve 30 is driven by a drive sheave 36 or spin pulley as it may be referred to herein mounted on the lower portion of the sleeve 30 through a clutch indicated at 37 comprising a friction disk clutch having an annular friction surface engaging an upper face portion on the sheave or pulley 36 as controlled by a suitable actuating mechanism well known to those versed in the art.

A driving belt 38 trained over the pulley 23 of the drive motor 21 and over the sheave or pulley 36 rotates the container or receptacle 14 at a speed suitable for extracting liquid from clothes contained therein upon actuation of the clutch 37.

The belt 38 is also trained over a drive pulley 40 which constitutes the main drive pulley of the machine and which is fastened to a shaft 41 extending out of the oscillatable drive mechanism housed within the gear casing 24. It will be understood that the shaft 29 will be oscillatably driven by the motor 21 through the oscillating mechanism and a detailed description of the driving mechanism does not appear to be necessary to a proper explanation of the present invention.

It will be understood that the washing machine is provided with a sequential controller for automatic operation of the machine through a series of washing, rinsing and extraction periods. The sequential controller is particularly characterized by the utilization of presettable means to selectively and automatically actuate the driving means of the machine through a selected programing schedule. The actuating element or presettable means of the sequential controller is indicated on Figure 1 by the reference numeral 42. A water temperature selection means is indicated at 43. Hot and cold water from the usual domestic supply is furnished to the machine and the details of such mechanism will not be described herein because such details are not necessary to a understanding of the present invention. The electrical components of the machine are energized from the usual domestic outlet indicated at 44 through a conductor wire indicated at 46.

Referring briefly to the diagrammatic view of Figure 3, the machine 10 is shown in proximity to a laundry tub or receptacle 47 particularly adapted to operate as a laundry liquid storage means or suds storage reservoir. The tub 12 is shown as being provided with an outlet 48 to which is connected a conduit 49 leading to the pump of the present invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. A second conduit 51 leads from the pump 50 to a two way valve 52. From the two way valve 52 leads a first conduit 53 having its end disposed within the receptacle 47. A second conduit 54 is connected to the two way valve and leads to drain.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, it is contemplated that upon the completion of the washing cycle, the laundry liquid maintained as a pool of laundry liquid within the tub 12 will be drained out of the tub 12 and temporarily stored in the receptacle 47. Thereafter, the rinsing and extracting procedures can be carried out in the laundry machine 10. The stored laundry liquid is then available for further use in washing additional batches of materials to be laundered and is returned to the tub 12 by the pump 50.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, the mechanical disposition of the pump on the laundry machine 10 is illustrated in greater detail. The pump 50 is attached to the gear casing 24 by means of bolts 56, 56 which pass through the apertured legs 57, 57 formed on the main casing or housing 58 of the pump 50. A shaft 59 journaled in the housing 58 of the pump 50 carries on the end thereof a pulley 60 over which is threaded a drive belt 38. Accordingly, whenever the motor 21 is operated, the pulley 60 and the shaft 59 will be unidirectionally rotated.

Turning now to Figures 3-8, the pump body 58 has formed therein a volute pumping chamber 61 in which is rotated a centrifugal impeller 62 fastened on the end of the shaft 59 driven by the pulley 60.

The casing or housing 58 further includes an enlarged boss 63 which provides a bearing housing indicated generally at 64 as well as a space which shall be generally referred to as a distribution chamber 66 adjacent to the volute pumping chamber 61. The bearing housing seats one or more bearing sleeves indicated at 67 thereby journaling the shaft 59. A hollow oil reservoir on one side of the bearing housing 64 is indicated at 68. The reservoir recess 69 is filled with a packing material 70. A pair of apertures 71 facilitates introduction of lubricant into the reservoir, and a pair of passages 72 communicate lubricant from the reservoir recess 69 to the bearing sleeve 67, thereby insuring the provision of an adequate lubricant film at the bearing and journaling surfaces. A seal indicated generally by the numeral 73 is contained within a recess 74 at one end of the bearing housing 64. Referring now more particularly to Figure 5, it will be noted that the volute pumping chamber 61 is of the usual scroll configuration, however, there is no tangentially disposed outlet as in an ordinary volutetype pump, rather, there is an enlarged discharge space indicated at 75. A chamber is provided by the boss 63 of a generally figure S-shaped configuration consisting of two overlapping generally cylindrical recesses. One lobe of this chamber constitutes what shall be referred to herein as an inlet recess 76. The recess 76 is in register with the eye of the centrifugal impeller 62 and extends generally concentrically around the bearing housing 64. The other lobe of this chamber constitutes What shall be referred to herein as an outlet recess 77.

Conduit means having openings at opposite sides of the recess 77 include a first pump conduit 78 and a second pump conduit 79. The first and second pump conduits 78 and 79 constitute the inlet and outlet means for the pump. In order to establish selective communication between the first and second pump conduits 78 and 79 and the inlet chamber 76 and the discharge portion 75 of the volute pumping chamber, a distributor or valve taking the form of a butterfly valve 80 is provided. The butterfly valve 80 is carried on a shaft 81 journaled in the pump housing 58 and is selectively angularly displaceable within the outlet recess 77.

At the edges of the openings leading into the outlet recess 77 from the first and second pump conduits 78 and 79, there are provided, as integral parts of the casing,

bosses 82 and 83 having diametrically opposed pairs of shoulders 84, 84 and 86, 86. These shoulders engage the adjoining edge portions of a blade 88 forming a part of the butterfly valve 80.

In the position of the butterfly valve 80* illustrated in Figure 5, the blade 88 contacts the shoulders 84, 84 thereby forming a passage communicating the pump conduit 79 with the inlet recess 76 while forming a second passage communicating the pump conduit 78 with the outlet portion 74 of the volute pumping chamber, particularly that portion of the outlet or discharge portion '74 in register with the outlet recess 77.

By angularly positioning the butterfly valve in its second position with the blade 38 contacting and engaging the shoulders 86, 86, a passage is formed communicating the pump conduit 78 with the inlet recess 76 while establishing a separate passage communicating the outlet portion of the outlet recess 77 in register with the discharge portion 74 of the volute pumping chamber 61 with the pump conduit 79.

In order to insure that the separate passageways established by movement of the butterfly valve 80 will be sealed from one another, thereby to prevent by-passing of fluid flowing through the pump conduits 78 and 79, a separate insertable baflle member 90 is employed. The baflle member 90 is most clearly illustrated in Figure 6 and includes a curved wall 91 which prescribes the limits of the inlet recess 76 in register with the eye of the impeller 62 as well as pie-shaped portions on opposite sides thereof indicated at 92 and 93, respectively, fitting and engaging against the boss portions '2 and 83, thereby to overlie the portions of the outlet recess 77 which must be separated from one another. On its inner surface, the baflie member 90 has ribs providing abutment surfaces 94, 94 and 96, 96 for engaging the adjoining edge portions of the blade 88 on the butterfly valve 80.

Thebaffle member 94) also carries a terminal plug 97 which is formed as an upstanding boss and which operates to separate the discharge portion 74 of the volute pumping chamber 61 from the inlet portion of the volute pumping chamber. A lightening hole 98 is provided in the boss 97.

An aperture 99 is also formed in the baffle member 90 and snugly receives the end of the shaft 81 of the butterfly valve 80.

When the bafiie member 90 is assembled in place, as shown in Figure 6, the open area left between one set of the abutment surfaces (the surfaces 94 and 96) forms a side outlet port for the volute pumping chamber 61. This port is indicated in Figure 6 by the reference numeral 100.

The shaft 81 of the butterfly valve 80 projects outwa'rdly of the housing or casing 58 and has connected thereto by means of a set screw 1 a shutter arm 102. The end of the shutter arm 192 is apertured as at 103 and pivotally connects to the end of a tie rod 104.

A linkage assembly is provided which includes a pivoted lever member 106. The lever member 106 has a pair of arms 107 and 108 extending from one side of a pivot axis established by a pivot pin .109 journaled in the housing 58 (Figure 7). The other end of the tie rod 164 is pivotally connected to the arm 107 and a toggle spring 110 is operatively connected between the housing 5-8 and the other arm 108. It will be understood that the lever member 106 and the toggle spring 110 have two overcenter positions, corresponding to the two positions of adjustment of the butterfly valve as, thereby biasing and retaining the lever member 106 and the linkage components associated therewith including the butterfly valve 80 at two positions of adjustment.

The lever member .106 includes a third arm .111 which projects from the opposite side of the pivot axis established by the pivot pin 109. As shown in Figure 2, the projecting arm 111 cooperatively engages a notched cam bar 112. The cam bar 112 is reciprocated by any well known form of motor means, for example, a mechanical connection indicated diagrammatically at 113 is effected between the cam bar 112'and the plunger 114 of an electric motor or solenoid 116. It will be understood that of the programing schedule selected on the actuator 42' of the sequential control means.

In operation, the pump is selectively operated unidirectionally under the control of the sequential controller 42 at different portions of the washing, rinsing and extracting periods, while the inlet and outlet flow through the pump conduits 78 and 79 'are'alternately reversed through operation of the butterfly valve 80 thereby to supply and remove a pool of laundry liquid to and from the treatment Zone as required for the washing, rinsing and extracting periods of the machine operation.

Since the pump has an inlet area and an outlet area with a rotary impeller arranged to move fluid through two separate paths between the inlet and outlet areas, it will be appreciated that in operation the valve 80 functions as a diverter means or as a shiftable wall member movable between two positions of adjustment to alternately connect oppositely extending portions of a fluid circuit with the inlet and outlet areas.

Although various minor structural modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A pump comprising a casing providing a volute pumping chamber, a centrifugal impeller rotatable in said volute pumping chamber, a hollow boss on said casing forming adjacent to said volute pumping chamber a generally figure ti-shaped recess, one lobe of said recess lying adjacent the axis of rotation of said impeller and providing an annular inlet recess for said pumping chamber, the other lobe of said recess lying adjacent the outermost peripheral portion of said volute pumping chamber and providing an outlet recess for said pumping chamber, first and second conduit means extending from opposite sides of said outlet recess, a butterfly valve in said outlet recess, diametrically paired shoulders on opposite sides of said outlet recess engaging the edges of said butterfly valve to selectively pair, by forming an inlet passage in v series through said outlet recess, one of said first and second conduit means with said inlet recess while concurrently communicating the other of said first and second conduit means with the peripheral portion of said volute pumping chamber by forming an outlet passage, and a bafiie member between said pumping chamber and said boss to separate and seal said inlet and outlet passages from one another, said butterfly valve being movable to selectively pair the conduit means vice versa, whereby the flow of the pump is reversed without changing the direction of rotation of the impeller.

2. A pump comprising a pump housing providing a volute pumping chamber, a centrifugal impeller rotatable in said volute pumping chamber, a hollow boss on said housing formed adjacent to said volute pumping chamber and having formed therein a generally figure 8- shaped recess, one lobe of said recess lying adjacent the axis of rotation of said impeller and providing an annular inlet recess for said pumping chamber, the other lobe of said recess lying adjacent the outermost peripheral portion of said volute pumping chamber and providing an outlet recess for said pumping chamber, first and second conduit means extending from opposite sides of said outlet recess, a butterfly valve in said outlet recess, and shoulder means on opposite sides of said outlet recess engaging the edges of said butterfly valve to selectively pair said conduit means with said inlet recess and said outlet recess thereby to selectively reverse the flow of the pump without changing the direction of rotation of the pump impeller.

3. A pump comprising a casing defining a volute pumping chamber, a hollow boss on said casing forming adjacent to said volute pumping chamber a generally figure 8- shaped recess, a centrifugal impeller rotatable in said volute pumping chamber, one lobe of said figure 8-shaped recess lying adjacent the axis of rotation of said impeller and providing an annular inlet recess for said pumping chamber, the other lobe of said recess lying adjacent the outermost perpiheral portion of said volute pumping chamber and providing an outlet recess for said pumping chamber, first and second conduit means extending from opposite sides of said outlet recess, and valve means comprising an angularly shiftable plate in said outlet recess adjustable between two angular positions for selectively pairing said first and second conduit means with said inlet and outlet recesses, thereby to selectively reverse the flow of the pump without changing the direction of rotation of the impeller, a shutter arm connected to said valve means, a tie rod connected to said shutter arm at one end, a linkage assembly including a pivoted lever member having a pair of arms extending from one side of the pivot axis, the other end of said tie rod being connected to one of said pair of arms, and a toggle spring connected to the other of said pair of arms having two overcenter positions to bias and retain said lever member at the two positions of adjustment corresponding to the two positions of adjustment of said valving means.

4. A pump comprising a casing having a volute pumping chamber and a distributing chamber, said distributing chamber having a first annular inlet recess adjacent to the axis of rotation of said impeller and providing an annular inlet recess for said pumping chamber, said distributing chamber including an outlet recess adjacent the outermost peripheral portion of said volute pumping chamber and providing an outlet recess therefor, first and second conduit means extending from opposite sides of said outlet recess, a butterfly valve in said outlet recess angularly movable between two positions to selectively pair said first and second conduit means with said annular inlet recess and the outlet portion of said volute pumping chamber, a shutter arm connected to said butterfly valve, a tie rod connected to said shutter arm at one end, and a linkage assembly including a toggle spring for moving said butterfly valve to said two positions of adjustment.

5. A pump comprising a casing providing a volute pumping chamber, a centrifugal impeller rotatable in said volute pumping chamber, a hollow boss on said casing forming adjacent the said volute pumping chamber an annular inlet recess communicating with said pumping chamber and an outlet recess adjacent the outermost peripheral portion of said volute pumping chamber, first and second conduit means extending from opposite sides of said outlet recess, and a butterfly valve angularly positionable in said outlet recess to selectively pair said inlet recess and the discharge portion of said volute pumping chamber with said first and second conduit means to selectively reverse the flow of the pump, a shutter arm connected to said butterfly valve, a tie rod connected to said shutter arm at one end, and a linkage assembly including a pivoted lever member having a pair of arms extending from one side of the pivot axis, the other end of said tie rod being connected to one of said pair of arms, a toggle spring connected to the other of said pair of arms having two overcenter positions for biasing and retaining the lever member at the two positions of adjustment of the butterfly valve.

6. A pump assembly comprising a casing defining a pump chamber and a distribution chamber, a revolublc impeller positioned within said pump chamber, means for rotating said impeller, a wall member dividing said pump chamber from said distribution chamber and provided with apertures defining an intake port interconnecting said chambers adjacent the rotational axis of said impeller and an outlet port interconnecting said chambers adjacent the periphery of said impeller, first and second conduit means connected to said distribution chamber for accommodating fluid flow to and from said distribution chamber, and a butterfly valve member positioned within said distribution chamber intermediate said intake and outlet ports for pivotal movement between a first position interconnecting said first conduit means with said intake port and said second conduit means with said outlet port to a second position interconnecting said second conduit means with said intake port and said first conduit means with said outlet port to thereby selectively provide either of two directions of fluid flow through said first and second conduits during unidirectional rotation of said impeller.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6 in which the pivotal axis of said butterfly valve member is positioned substantially parallel to the rotational axis of said impeller and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of at least one of said first and second conduit means.

8. A pump assembly comprising a casing having formed therein a pump chamber and a distribution chamber, a rotatable impeller positioned within said pump chamber for rotation on an axis intersecting said pump chamber, means for rotating said impeller, a wall member dividing said pump chamber from said distribution chamber and provided with apertures forming an intake port interconnecting said chambers adjacent the rotational axis of said impeller and an outlet port interconnecting said chambers adjacent the periphery of said impeller, first and second conduit means connected to said distribution chamber for accommodating fluid flow to and from said distribution chamber, and a butterfly valve member positioned within said distribution chamber intermediate said intake and outlet ports for pivotal movement about a pivot axis spaced from but parallel to the rotational axis of said impeller and being pivotally moved between a first position wherein said first conduit means are interconnected with said intake port and said second conduit means with said outlet port and a second position wherein said second conduit means are interconnected with said intake port and said first conduit means with said outlet port, to thereby selectively provide either of two directions of fluid flow through said first and second conduits during unidirectional rotation of said impeller.

9. A laundry machine comprising means forming a restricted treatment zone in which a batch of materials to be laundered is received, means including a presettable sequential controller to automatically operate said machine through a programming schedule wherein said batch of materials is manipulated through a series of washing, rinsing and extracting periods, a storage reservoir separate from said treatment zone for temporarily storing laundry liquid during selected portions of the programming schedule, a pump in said laundry machine comprising a casing having a scroll configuration forming a volute pumping chamber, a boss of generally figure 8-shaped configuration having formed therein two overlapping generally cylindrical recesses forming an enlarged chamber, one lobe of said chamber comprising an annular inlet recess adjacent the center of said volute pumping chamber and the other lobe of said chamber comprising an outlet recess adjacent the outermost peripheral portion of said volute pumping chamber, an impeller rotatable in said volute pumping chamber to move fluid from said inlet recess to said outlet recess, a valve plate angularly movable in said outlet recess, said pump casing having first and second conduit means extending from opposite sides of said outlet recess, said valve plate having two positions of adjustment, thereby to establish passages for selectively pairing said first and second conduit means with said annular inlet recess while concurrently pairing the other of the first and second conduit means with the volute chamber outlet, whereby the direction of flow of the pump may be selectively reversed without changing the direction of rotation of the impeller, conduit connections between said treatment zone and said storage reservoir and to said conduit means to supply and remove a supply of laundry liquid to and from the treatment zone via said pump, and means drivingly operating said impeller of said pump and said valve plate under the control of said sequential controller to operate said impeller and said valve plate as required in said washing, rinsing and extracting periods.

10. A laundry machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a shutter arm con nected to said valve, a tie rod connected to said shutter arm at one end, a linkage assembly including a pivoted lever member having a pair of arms extending from one side of the pivot axis, the other end of said tie rod being connected to one of said pair of arms, a toggle spring connected to the other of said pair of arms having two overcenter positions to bias and retain said lever member at the two positions of adjustment corresponding to the two positions of adjustment of said valve, said lever member including a third arm projecting from the opposite side of the pivot axis, a notched cam bar engaging said third \arm, an electric motor operatively connected to said cam bar, and circuit means connecting said electric motor and said sequential controller to selectively energize said motor, thereby to actuate the linkage, position the valve and selectively reverse the flow of the pump to remove or return laundry liquid to the treatment zone.

10 11. A laundry machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a shutter arm connected to said valve, a tie rod connected to said shutter arm at one end, and a linkage assembly including a toggle spring for moving said valve to said two positions of adjustment, and an electric'motor controlled by said sequential controller operatively connected to said linkage assembly, thereby to actuate the linkage, position the valve, and selectively reverse the flow of the pump for removing or returning laundry liquid to the treatment zone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,548,247 Bennett Aug. 4, 1925 1,610,500 Eggleston Dec. 14, 1926 2,161,208 Soderholm June 6, 1939 2,276,147 Birr Mar. 10, 1942 2,535,226 Oliver Dec. 26, 1950 2,607,295 Drucker Aug. 19, 1952 2,660,043 Geldhof Nov. 29, 1953 2,676,088 Bilde Apr. 20, 1954 2,735,366 Hunter Feb. 21, 1956 2,808,783 Geldhof Oct. 8, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,471 Great Britain June 17, 1915 190,492 Switzerland Sept. 16, 1937

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