US3509740A - Cover for washing machine tub - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1970 J. BocHAN COVER FOR WASHING MACHINE TUB Filed Aug. 29, 1968 INVENTR.

JOI-l N BO C H AN \-\\s ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,509,740 COVER FOR WASHING MACHINE TUB John Bochan, Louisville, Ky.assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 29, 1968, Ser. No. 756,110 Int. Cl. D06f 39/08 U.S. CI. 68--27 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A vertical axis washing machine, adapted to wash two loads of fabrics simultaneously in separate solutions without liquid interchange therebetween, includes an outer tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, an inner, substantially imperforate open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid and liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry w-th the top of the inner tub. A cover is provided for substantially closing the top of the inner tub and the cover defines a passageway positioned within the inner tube having an entrance exposed to the liquid emitted from the inlet and an exit communicating with the inner tub for ilow of liquid into the inner tub. A float is mounted in the passageway and includes a top wall normally closing the entrance to the passageway. The float further defines an air chamber open toward the interior of the inner tub so that the stream of liquid will move the top wall from the entrance for flow of the liquid into the inner tub until it is filled to a level sufiicient to close off the air channel and cause the top wall to reclose so that the stream of liquid thereafter is directed into the outer tub.

Background of the invention This invention relates to fabric washing machines which are adapted to concurrently wash two separate loads of fabrics without intermingling the liquid used in the washing process.

`More particularly, the invention relates to an improved cover arrangement for the inner tub of a dual tub machine such as those described in application Ser. No. 727,437, filed for Eugene Ziegler on May 8, 1968 and applicants application Ser. No. 727,570, filed on May 8, 1968, both of which are assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cover arrangement for uschmachines which incorporates a minimum number of simple parts yet positively prevents intermingling of the liquid used in the machine both `during and after the filling operation.

Summary of the invention By one from of the present invention there is -provided; for use in a vertical axis washing machine having an outer, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, an inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid and liquid inlet means positioned to direct a ystream of liquid into registry with the top of the inner tub; a cover struct-ure adapted to substantially close the top of the inner tub. The cover defines a passageway positioned within the inner tub and having an entrance exposed to the liquid emitted from the inlet means and an exit communicating with the inner tub for ow of liquid into the inner tub. A closure member or means is mounted in the passageway and includes a top wall for closing the entrance. Upon the introduction bf a stream of liquid from the inlet means, the top wall `'of the closure means is displaced from the entrance for liquid flow into the inner tub. When the inner tub is 3,509,740 Patented May 5, 1970 ICC -lled to a level suficient to close off the chamber, the top wall is caused to close the entrance so that there- 'after the stream of liquid is directed into the outer tub.

Brief decsription of the drawing Description of the prefered embodiment Referring now to the drawing, there is shown therein an agitator type clothes Washing machine 1 having an outer, open top tub or receptacle 2 to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. The tub 2 includes a lower wall 3 and a gener-ally cylindrical, upwardly extending side wall 4, the walls 3 and 4 being provided with a number of spaced perforations or openings 5. The tub 2 is positioned within an outer, imperforate casing 6 which defines a chamber 7, with the tub 2 mounted within the chamber so that, when liquid is added to the tub 2, it will fiow into the chamber 7 and fill the chamber and tub to the same level. The top of the tub may be provided with a balance ring 8 to help steady the `tub when it is rotating at high speed.

The casing 6 is rigidly mounted Within an appearance cabinet 9 which includes a cover 10 hingedly mounted in the top portion 11 of the cabinet for providing access through an opening 12 to the tub 2. A gasket 13 may be provided so as to form a seal between the top of the casing 6 and the portion 11 of the cabinet thereby to prevent escape of moisture and moist air into the cabinet around the casing.

There is a movably mounted agitator 14 extending upwardly within the center of the tub 2. In the present case the agitator is shown as including a center post 15 and a plurality of outwardly extending ` vanes 16 and 17. The vanes extend partially along the center post and are joined at their lower ends by an outwardly flared skirt 18. In the particular agitator illustrated the vanes 16 extend further up the center post than do the vanes 17; however, this is for illustrative purposes only and the vanes may take any desired shape.

The tub 2 and agitator 14 are rotatably mounted. The tub 2 is mounted on a llange 19 of a rotatable hub 20, and the agitator 14 is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which extends 4upwardly through the hub 20 and through 4the center post 15 and is secured to the agitator so as to drive it. During a typical cycle of operation the agitator is caused to oscillate about its axis, that is, in a horizont-al plane within tub 2, to cause a washing action of the fabrics in the machine. Then the agitator and tub are rotated together at high speed for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabrics in the machine. This `sequence of operation is repeated the desired number of times for a complete cycle and normally is provided at least twice to give a washing step and a rinsing step.

The tub 2 and agitator 14 may be driven through any suitable means. By way of example they have been shown as -being driven from a reversible motor 21 through a system including a load limiting clutch 22 mounted on the motor shaft. A belt 23 transmits power from the clutch 22 to a transmission assembly 24 through a pulley 25. Thus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, the pulley 25 and transmission 24 are driven in opposite directions. The transmission 24 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and the basket mounting hub 20. When motor 21 is rotated in one direction the transmission causes agitator 14 to oseillate in a substantially horizontal plane within the tub 2. Conversely when the motor 21 is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission rotates the tub 2 andagitator 14 together at high speed for centrifugal extraction.-

While the specific type of transmission mechanism used does not form part of the invention, reference is made to Patent 2,844,225 issued to James R` Hubbard et al. on July 22, 1958 and owned by General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. That patent discloses .in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In addition to operating the transmission 24 as described, the motor 21 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 26 to a pump structure generally indicated at 27, which may include two separate pump units 28 and 29, both operated in the same direction simultaneously by the motor 21. Pump 28 has an inlet which is connected Iby a conduit 30 to an opening 31 formed at the lowermost point of casing 6. Pump 28 also has an outlet connected by a conduit 32 to a suitable drain (not shown). The pump 29 has an inlet connected by a conduit 33 to the interior of the chamber 7 and an outlet connected by a conduit 34 to a nozzle 35. The pump structure is formed so that, in the spin direction of motor rotation, pump 28 will draw liquid in from the chamber through the opening 31 in conduit 30 and then discharge 1t through conduit 32 to drain. In the other direction of motor rotation, pump 29 will draw in liquid through the conduit 33 and discharge it through conduit 34 and nozzle 35. Each of the pumps is substantially inoperative in the direction of rotation in which it is not used. The particular form of the pump structure 27 is not significant; rather structure 27 is representative of any structure capable of passing liquids collectively out through one outlet or another, whether by use of one pump with suitable valving, a combination structure or two pumps.

It may be desirable that rotation of the tub 2 and agitatorl 14 for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabrics within the machine be delayed a suicierit period of time during each extraction step for pump 28 to lower the level of standing liquid within the chamber 7 at least to below the bottom wall 3 of the tub 2. Applicants Patent 3,131,797, issued on May 5, 1964 and assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention and Patent 3,197,982, issued on Aug. 3, 1965 to Joseph C. Worst, and assigned to General Electrical Company, assignee of the present invention, both disclose details of structral characteristics of clutches which will provide a suitable delay in the high speed rotation of tub 2 and agitator 14 so the pump 28 can lower the level of liquid in chamber 7.

Motor 21, clutch 22, transmission 24, tub 2 and agitator 14 form a suspended washing and centrifuging system which is supported by the stationary structure of the machine so as to permit isolation of vibrations from the stationary structure. While any suitable suspension structure may be used, one such structure includes a bracket member 36 with the transmission 24 mounted on the top thereof and the motor 21 mounted on the underside thereof. 'I'lie bracket member in turn is secured to a pair of upwardly extending rigid members 38, and each of these two upwardly extending members is connected to a cable (not shown) supported from the top of the machine. Such a vibration isolation system is fully described and claimed in applicants Patent 2,987,190, issued on June 6, 1961 and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

To accommodate the movement which occurs between the tub 2 and casing 6 without any danger of liquid leaking between them, the stationary casing 6 is joined to the upper part of transmission 24 by a flexible boot member 39. Boot 39 may be of any suitable configuration, many of which are known in the art, to permit relative motion of the parts to which it is joined without leakage therebetween.

Hot and cold water may be supplied to the machine through conduits 40 and 41, which are adapted to be connected respectively to sources of hot and cold water (not shown). Conduits 40 and 41 extend into a conventional mixing valve structure 42 having solenoids 43 and 44. Energization of solenoid 43 permits the passage of hot water through the valve to an inlet hose 45, energization of solenoid 44 permits passage of cold water through the valve, and energization of both solenoids permits mixing of `both hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warm water into the hose 45. The inlet hose 45 is connected to a discharge horn 46 which is positioned to discharge into the tub 2 so that when one or both of the solenoids 43 and 44 are energized, water passes into the tub 2 and chamber 7. The level to which water rises in the tub 2 and chamber 7 may be controlled by any suitable liquid level sensing means (not shown) many of which are known in the art.

In order to wash two loads of fabrics simultaneously without intermixing the washing and rinsing liquid which comes into contact with the fabrics, so that noncompatible fabrics may be washed simultaneously, there is provided a second or inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub 47 to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. The tub 47 includes an inner wall 48 which is channeled as indicated at 49 along its radially inner portion and curves outwardly at the bottom so as to t closely around the agitator 14 and be driven thereby as the agitator is oscillated and rotated during a sequence of operation of the machine. The tub 47 also includes a generally cylindrical outer Wall S0 which extends upwardly and defines a top opening 51 by means of an inwardly facing annular ilange 52 which extends around the top of the wall 50.

The outer wall 50 may have extending therefrom a number of small varies 53 which aid in providing a suitable washing motion to the liquid and fabrics in the outer tub 2 when the inner tub 47 is in the machine. The diameter of the inner tub 47 is made substantially less than the diameter of the outer tub 2 so that each tub may have a suitable volume separate from the other to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. In the machine illustrated the inner tub 47 does not completely cover the vanes 16 and 17 of the agitator 14 so that their lower tipbs may assist in causing a washing motion in the outer tu The upper portion of the wall 50 generally slants inwardly as indicated at S4 and this inwardly slanting portion is provided with a number of recesses 5S which continue in a more vertical fashion and are spaced circumferentially around the wall 50. Each of the recesses S5 terminates in an upwardly extending pipe 56, and the upper end of each pipe 56 is joined to a return bent, generally vertically extending tube 57 of stifliy resilient material so that each pipe and tube together form a conduit 58. Each conduithas an inlet 59 in the upper portion of the inner tub 47 and an outlet 60 which opens outwardly above the top of the tub 47. For ease of construction, the pipes 56 and tubes 57 can be formed integrally with both being a part of the material forming in the inner tub 47. However, on many occasions the inner tub 47 will be removed from the tub 2 and stored separately so that the machine may be used to wash large loads of compatible fabrics. By making the tubes 57 separately and of a stify resilient material, the likelihood of damaging the free-standing portions of the conduits will be much reduced.

The water inlet horn 46 and recirculation nozzle 35 are both formed and positioned so that the streams of liquid discharged therefrom ow in paths which bring the-m into registry with the open upper end 51 of the inner tub 47. In accordance with this invention there is provided an improved cover structure 61 which fits within the opening 51 and allows the stream of inlet Water from horn 46 to flow into the tub 47 until it is full and then directs the stream into tub 2 and chamber 7 so that the same inlet mechanism normally used in washing machines may be used in a machine for simultaneously washing two loads. The cover structure also functions to direct the stream of recirculated liquid from nozzle 35 back into tub 2 without any of it llowing into the tub 47 so that a normal recirculation type filtering system may be used in a machine which will simultaneously wash two loads.

The cover structure includes a cup like center portion 62 which fits over the top of the agitator post 15 and an annular inner wall 63 which extends downwardly around the agitator center post and into the upper end of the tub 47. As best seen in FIG. 2, an upper wall 64 extends radially outward, in a generally horizontal fashion, from the annular wall 63 and adjacent its outer periphery it slants upwardly as indicated at 65 so as to extend over the annular flange S2 of the inner tub 47. Just within the ange 52 an outer radial wall 66 extends downwardly from the wall 64. An annular, generally horizontal lower wall 67 joins the lower edge of the inner annular wall 63 with the lower edge of the outer annular wall 66. Thus the walls 63, 64, 66 and 67 form a generally annular passageway 68 extending ybetween the agitator and the edge of the inner tub.

A gasket 69 is mounted in liuid tight relationship to the outer surface of the wall 66 and engages the flange 52 in a fluid tight relationship when the cover is mounted about the agitator and within the inner tub. With the inner annular wall 63 and cup like portion 62 extending entirely over the agitator liquid from either the inlet` horn 46 or recirculation nozzle 35 is prevented from owing into the inner tub around the cover 61.

In order to allow liquid from the inlet horn 46 to flow into the inner tub 47 until it is full and then to direct this water into the outer tub, as well as to direct the water emitted from the recirculation nozzle 35 back into the outer tub without any of it going into the inner tub, an entrance to passageway 68 is formed in the upper wall 64. This entrance, in the embodiment illustrated takes the form of a plurality of openings, such as that illustrated at 70, distributed circumferentially around the wall 64. An exit from the passageway 68 is formed in the lower wall 67 and, in the embodiment illustrated, takes the form of a number of openings 71 provided about the lower wall 67.

A closure member or means 72 is mounted in the passageway 68. The closure member, in the preferred form shown, comprises a float constructed of a resilient material. The closure member or float 72 includes a radially inner, annular wall 73, which ts closely about the radially inner wall 63 of the cover, preferably in liuid tight relationship thereto. From the upper edge of the wall 73 a top wall 74 for the float extends outwardly across the underside of the upper wall 64 and, because of the resilient nature of the lioat is biased into contact with the wall 64. This top wall 74 extends outwardly at least beyond the entrance formed by the openings 70. From the outer edge of the wall 74 a radially outer wall 75 freely depends toward the lower wall 67 of the cover and terminates short of this lower wall so that liquid flowing through the entrance 70 may flow around the lower end of the wall 75 and exit through essentially all of the openings 71, many of which are disposed in align-ment with top wall 74 of the seal. This essentially inverted cup construction of the oat forms an air chamber 76 on the underside of the float.

When liquid from the inlet horn 46 impinges upon the upper wall 64, and assuming the inner tub 47 to be less than full, it forces the upper wall 74 of the float downward (as seen in FIG. 2) and the liquid ows around the float and out through the openings 71 into the inner tub. When the level of liquid in the inner tube rises sufliciently it will close olf the lower end of the air chamber 76 and thereafter a slight further rise of the liquid level will compress the trapped air and help the original biasing of the iloat and force it upwardly so the top wall 74 closes off the entrance formed by the openings 70 and prevents further inlet liquid flow into the tub 47. Thereafter the liquid emitted from the inlet horn 46 will be directed outwardly across the upper wall 64 and into the outer tub 2 and chamber 7.

Similarly, since the inner tub 47 will be full during periods of agitation the stream of recirculated liquid being emitted from the nozzle 35 onto the cover will be directed outwardly over the cover structure and back into the tub 2 and chamber 7 without any of its entering the inner tub 47, due to the seal formed between the top wall 74 of the oat and the under surface of the upper wall 64 of the cover.

In order to filter lint and other foreign matter from the recirculated stream of liquid the cover structure may include a pan like filter having a generally horizontal lower wall 77 and an upwardly extending side wall 78. The lower wall 77 is spaced above the upper wall 64 and is formed with a plurality of openings 79 so that liquid entering the filter will flow through the openings 79 in the lter and fall onto the upper wall 64.

In order to wash two loads of incompatible fabrics simultaneousy itis also necessary to insure, during centrifugal extraction periods of operation, that none of the liquid used in washing the fabrics in the inner tub impinges upon the fabrics in the outer tub. To this end a rst wall 80 extends inwardly and downwardly from the top edge of the outer tub 2 and underlies the outlet end 60 of the conduits 58. The liquid exiting from the conduits 58 during centrifugal extraction will strike the Wall 80 and be guided to the top of the tub 2. The inner end of the wall 80 is formed with an upturned flange 81, which is positioned inwardly of the outlets 60 so that any liquid dropping from the conduits 58 at the end of the extraction operation or spraying out during centrifugal extraction will be caught by the flange 76 and prevented from dropping into the outer tub 2. A second wall 82 extends around and is spaced above the top edge of the tub 2. The wall 82 is supported above the tub 2 by any suitable means, such as circumferentially spaced, small ports 83 which extend from the top of the tub 2 and engage the wall 82. The wall 82 includes a first portion 84 which extends inwardly and downwardly into the tub 2 parallel to and spaced above the wall 80 and terminates outwardly of the ends of tubes 57. The wall 82 also includes a second portion 85 which extends outwardly and downwardly outside the tub 2. Thus, the liquid exiting from the conduits 58 is directed upwardly by the wall 80 and over the top of the tub 2 by the Wall portion 84 and then outwardly and downwardly into the chamber 7 away from the tub 2 by the wall portion 85.

The foregoing is a description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention .and it is applicants intention by the appended claims to cover all forms and equivalent variations which fall within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. For use in a vertical axis washing machine having an outer open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, an inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be Washed in that liquid and liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry with the top of the inner tub; a cover structure adapted to substantially close the top of the inner tub, including:

(a) a passageway positioned within the inner tub and having an entrance exposed to the liquid emitted by the inlet means and an exit communicating with the inner tub for ilow of liquid into the inner tub;

(b) a closure member disposed in said passageway intermediate said entrance and said exit;

(c) said closure member being movable to open said passageway for passage of liquid into the inner tub until the level of liquid therein reaches said passageway; said closure member then moving in response to the liquid level to close said passageway to further flow of liquid therethrough.

2. For use in a vertical axis washing machine having an outer, open to-p tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, an inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid and liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry with the top of the inner tub; a cover structure adapted to substantially close the top of the inner tub, including:

(a) a passageway positioned within the inner tub and having an entrance exposed to the liquid emitted by the inlet means and an exit communicating with the inner tub for flow of liquid into the inner tub;

(b) a float mounted in said passageway and including a top wall for closing said entrance, said float defining an air chamber open toward the interior of the inner tub;

(c) said top wall being displaced from the entrance for iiow of liquid into the inner tub until it is lled to a level sufficient to close off said chamber and cause said top lwall to close said entrance so that the stream of liquid thereafter is directed into the outer tub.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said top wall is constructed of a flexible material and is biased to its position closing said entrance.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said iioat includes a lirst side wall firmly engaging a corresponding side wall of said passageway, said top wall, and a second side wall freely depending from said top wall so that said top and second side walls move about said iirst side wall between positions blocking and allowing liquid iiow through said entrance.

5. For use in a vertical axis washing machine having an outer, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, an inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid and liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry with the top of the inner tub; a cover structure adapted to substantially close the top of the inner tub including:

(a) a generally horizontal, annular upper wall positioned within the upper portion of the inner tub;

(b) a generally horizontal, annular lower wall spaced below said upper wall;

(c) generally vertically extending, radially inner and outer walls joining said upper and lower walls and forming therewith a generaly annular passageway;

(d) said upper wall defining an entrance to said pasageway exposed to the liquid emitted by the inlet means;

(e) said lower wall defining an exit for said passage- 8 way, communicating with the interior of the inner tub;

(f) a float mounted in said passageway and including a top wall normally closing said entrance, said float defining an air chamber open toward the interior of the inner tub;

(g) whereby the stream of liquid will move the top wall from the entrance for flow into the inner tub until it is filled to a level sufficient to close off said chamber and cause said top Wall to reclose said entrance so that the stream of liquid thereafter is directed into the outer tub.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said top wall is constructed of a iiexible material and is .biased to its position closing said entrance.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said float is constructed of a resilient material and includes a radially inner wall firmly engaging said radially inner wall of said passageway, said top wall extending therefrom across said upper wall of said passageway sufliciently to overlie said entrance and being biased into engagement `with said upper wall, and a radially outer wall freely depending from the outer edge of said top wall toward said lower wall; said exit being disposed at least partially inward of said radially outer wall of Said lioat.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

(a) said entrance is formed as a plurality of openings disposed circumferentially around said upper wall;

(b) said lloat is constructed of a resilient material and includes a radially inner wall rmly engaging said radially inner wall of said passageway, said top wall extending therefrom across said upper wall of said passageway sufficient to overlie said openings therein and being biased into engagement with said upper wall, and a radially outer wall freely depending from the outer edge of said top wall toward said lower wall;

(c) said exit is formed as a plurality of openings spaced about said lower wall, at least some of which being positioned in alignment with said top Wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,246,104 6/1941 Osuch 68-3 X 3,039,284 6/ 1962 Shelton et al. 68-3 3,324,688 6/ 1967 Hubbard 68--4 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

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