GB1564930A

GB1564930A - Spin driers

Info

Publication number: GB1564930A
Application number: GB3583876A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1975-08-30
Filing date: 1976-08-27
Publication date: 1980-04-16

Description

(54) SPIN DRIERS (71) We, ROBERT THOMAS, a Kommanditgesellschaft of 5908 Neunkirchen, Hellerstrasse, German Federal Republic, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to spin driers, more particularly to a safety means for spin driers.

Spin driers are known comprising a resiliently held motor-drum assembly, a cover or lid fitting over the spinning drum and an actuating lever which is arranged on an operating or switch shaft extending into the driving space and which is so capable of acting on a brake mechanism and also a switch mechanism for the driving motor that, in its starting position, the brake is applied and the motor is switched off, and which, on being swung into the operating position, is applied in the manner of a latch over the free end of the lid and causes the release of the brake mechanism and also the actuation of the switch mechanism. Such spin driers, of which the actuating levers lock the cover or lid against being opened during Operation, already substantially avoid accidents, since the drum is protected during the driving phase and hence for the substantial period of operation against insertion of hands, interference or the like. In order practically to avoid accidents completely during operation, however, additional safety devices are necessary, which ensure that the spinning drum remains covered beyond the driving phase and also during the braking phase until it is stationary.

With industrial spin driers, it is known to couple the disconnection of the driving motor and the application of the brake to the unlatching of the lid or cover via a timing circuit, which produces a delay action exceeding the braking time even when the drum is fully loaded. Such timing circuits, however, involve heavy expense, which has precluded their general introduction, and a complete safety is not given with the slackening of the action of the brake means.

A separate safety means is already known from German Patent Specification No.

886,864. What is proved disadvantageous in this respect is already the arrangement for locking the lid by the actuating lever: its flange, constructed as a latch, engages beneath the lid in the region of the hinge and the clearance necessary in this case already permits such a considerable lifting of the lid during the full run of the drum that a second latch, operated by tangential forces acting on brake shoes and pushed forward during the braking operation is no longer able to engage in the recess which is provided for it. Consequently, in spite of the relatively complicated and costly design, and of the operation made difficult by the arrangement of the actuating lever, absolute protection is not obtained: by premature lifting of the lid which fits over the spinning drum or even by rapid opening thereof at the moment of switching ow, the additional safety arrangement remains ineffective.

Another safety means is disclosed in German Patent Specification No. 853,146.

Coupled to the brake disc of the driving motor is a cable winch which, with the motor running, holds a latch in the operative position against the action of a spring. What is seen to be disadvantageous, apart from the complicated construction, is a relatively heavy wear which occurs throughout the entire operating period, so that the safety arrangement as described has not been introduced for practical use.

German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2,248,093 discloses a safety arrangement in which a brake shoe or a brake band is held for limited displacement at one end in a guideway in the stressing direction and this end is engaged by a spring biased opposite to the said direction.

This safety arrangement has been proved in practice but what is disadvantageous, however, is the undesirably large number of individually movable parts.

Spin dryers fitted with safety means are also shown in British Patent Specification No.

1,212,211. Attention is directed to the claims of this specification. The spinning drums are equipped with a brake mechanism of which the force of reaction which occurs on braking maintains the locking action on the lid until the drum is stopped. However, with such a spin dryer, both the rigid mounting of the drum and the impact stresses occurring with the engagement of the supporting arms of the friction disc become unpleasantly noticeable.

According to the present invention there is provided a spin drier comprising a housing, a motor-drum assembly comprising an electric motor and a drum drivably connected thereto, resilient mounting means resiliently mounting the motor in the housing, electric switch means for controlling the energisation of the motor, brake means for braking the drum, a movable lid permitting access to the drum, a switch shaft pivotally mounted in the housing, a locking member mounted on the switch shaft so as to be engageable with the lid and movable between a locking position preventing opening of the lid and a release position permitting opening of the lid, an operating member mounted on the switch shaft and arranged to control the brake means and the electric switch means in such a way that movement of the locking member to the locking position is accompanied by release of the brake means and energisation of the motor and that movement of the locking member to the release position is accompanied by deenergisation of the motor and application of the brake means, a member projecting from and movable with the motor body as the motor moves relative to the housing upon yielding of the resilient mounting means, a latch member movable into engagement with a locking surface on the lid, and transmission means coupling the latch member with the projecting member and arranged so that opening of the lid to permit access to the drum is prevented during braking of the drum until the drum has come to rest.

By means of the projecting member, which conveniently takes the form of a plate, it is possible to utilise the rotational movements of the motor-drum assembly which occur relative to the housing of the spin drier to the extent permitted by the resilient mounting means during the acceleration phase, namely, during the starting-up period but more especially the rotational movements originating from deceleration forces during the braking action, and to use these for controlling the latch of the safety means. Oscillations of the motor-drum assembly in its elastic holding means can be eliminated from having any effect by the plate being made of an elastomeric material. Robust transmission means definitely transmitting the adjusting movements conveniently comprise a transmission shaft which extends from the driving space to beneath the lid or cover zone, the lower region of the transmission shaft being fitted with a control lever connected to the free end of the plate. Oscillations of the motor-drum assembly are further damped during the transmission if the connection is effected by a vertical finger passing through a radially arranged slot in the plate. A compact and robust construction is provided when the transmission shaft is made as a control tube embracing the switch shaft. A simple construction is obtained when the upper end of the tubular control shaft is provided with a lever comprising a latch on the free end. The upper end of the tubular control shaft can also comprise a cam which actuates a latch.

rrhe often desirable reversal of movement, connected with a possibly necessary transmission, can be achieved by the upper end of the tubular control shaft being equipped with a switch lever engaging in the free end of the latch, which is made as a two-armed latch.

Disruptions caused by water splashes but more especially by articles extending above the rim of the spinning drum can be avoided if the latch is fitted with cover surfaces which face the interior of the spin drier. In an alternative arrangement, the transmission means comprises a simple Bowden cable. A reliable engagement of the latch is already obtained on starting up the spin drier if the switch shaft is fitted with a lever which advances the latch when it is operated. The switch shaft can alternatively comprise a cam which actuates such a lever engaging the latch or the latch itself. Any starting up of the spin drier with the lid open can be reliably avoided if a locking pin engaged by a locking spring is provided in the path of the actuating lever and serves to limit the swinging travel of the latter, the said pin being guided by the lowered lid from the path of the actuating lever. The actuating lever is preferably provided on its underside with a projection which can be moved towards the locking pin. Conveniently the free end of the lid is provided with a projection or shoulder having an opening for the engagement of the latch.

The same projection of the lid or another projection is preferably so arranged that, with the closing of the lid, it bears against the locking spring and, with the latter, lowers the locking pin. It is desirable to allow the cover surfaces of the latch to engage, at least in places, beneath the locking pin and the locking spring.

It is preferred so to construct the switch shaft that, in its operative position, it imposes on the tubular control shaft and/or the latch a biasing action guiding the latter into the operative position. The switch shaft may be provided with a detent device. An operationally reliable, simple and safely latching operation is provided when the cranked end of the switch shaft acts directly on the switch mechanism and via a tension spring and a Bowden cable on the brake mechanism. An intended unlocking action can also be achieved in the event of breakdowns, after incorrect operations or the like, if the transmission means have associated therewith a manually operable setting device which can be brought into the operating region of said means.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect some preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a spin drier; Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal section in the region of the safety means and of the spin drier shown in Figure 1 in the operative position; Figure 3 is a section on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a bottom view of the spin drier during operation; Figure 5 is the bottom view of the spin drier in Figures 1 to 4 during the braking operation; and Figure 6 shows a modified spin drier in a view corresponding to that of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 in longitudinal section a spin drier, having a housing 1 and a driving motor 4 suspended from an intermediate plate 2 of the drier by means of elastic rubber elements 3.

While the upper end of the shaft of the motor 4 carries a spinner drum 5, the bottom end of the shaft is fitted with a brake disc 6. The filling opening of the housing 1 can be closed off by a lid 7.

The top surface of the housing 1 and also the intermediate plate 2 are traversed by an operating or switch shaft 8, the bottom end 9 of which is cranked in the form of a lever and acts through a spring 10 on a Bowden cable 11 which, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is biased by a lifting or release spring 12. Cable 11 is connected to the free end of a brake band 13. Arranged in the path of the free end 9 of the operating shaft 8 is a push button of a switch means 14.

The upper end of the operating or switch shaft 8 is fitted with an actuating lever 15, the underside of which comprises a projection 16 in the pivoting path of which is provided a locking pin 18 supported by a latching spring 17 (see Figure 3).

The housing of the driving motor 4 is equipped with a plate 19 which points radially outwards and which consists of an elastomeric material. A finger 20 of a control lever 21 engages in a slot of plate 19 with clearance. Control lever 21 is provided on the bottom end of a tubular control shaft 22 fitted on to the switch shaft 8. The upper end of the tubular control shaft 22 comprises a switch lever 23, which engages by means of a pin in a slot in one arm of a latched lever 24 having a latch on its other arm. The switch shaft 8 is fitted with a cam 25, which cooperates with a thrust lever 26 arranged to engage behind the slotted arm of the latch lever 24. The latch lever 24 is provided with a cover surface 27, which covers the latch lever 24, the locking spring 17 and the locking pin 18 on the underside.

For operating the spin drier, the spinner drum 5 is loaded with wet washing and the cover or lid 7 is closed. A nose 28 which is provided on the free end of the lid depresses the locking spring 17 and thus lowers the locking pin 18. As a result, the actuating lever 15 (indicated in chain dotted lines) can now be moved from the position shown in Figure 2, so that it engages over the lid 7 and secures this against being opened. The bottom, cranked end 9 of the switch shaft 8 is at this time guided into the position illustrated in Figure 4. Under the effect of the tension of the springs 10 and 12, the cranked end 9 is applied to the push button of the switch mechanism 14 and switches on the driving motor 4. At the same time, the point of application of the spring 10 is displaced, so that the brake band 13 is lifted from the brake disc 6 under the action of the release or lifting spring 12. The cam 25 actuates the thrust lever 26, which is caused to bear against the slotted control end of the latch lever 24 and swings the latter until its latch engages in a rectangular opening in the nose 28 and thus the lid 7 is again latched. While the spin drier is operating, the lid 7 thus has double protection against being opened.

For switching off the operating spin drier, the actuating lever 15 is moved back to its initial position. As a result, the cranked bottom end 9 of the switch lever 8 is lifted from the push button of the switch mechanism 14 and the motor 4 is switched off. Simultaneously, through the spring 10, which is made stronger than the release spring 12, the Bowden cable 11 is tightened, so that the brake band 13 is pressed against the brake disc 6, so that a strong braking action takes place. The braking moment or torque is at this time absorbed by the rubber elements 3 of the elastic suspension. The rubber elements yield slightly, and the motor housing is carried along in the original direction of rotation as indicated by an arrow in Figures 4 and 5. The plate 19, through its slot and the finger 20, also carries the control lever 21 with it, so that the tubular control shaft 22 is swung out of the starting position during the braking operation. The switch lever 23 participates in this swinging movement and forces the latch lever 24 once again into its operative position. It is only when the spinning drum 5 is completely stationary that the rubber elements 3 are relieved of load and the motor-drum assembly 4, 5 carried by them swings back into its initial position. The tubular control shaft 22 also participates in this movement via the plate 19, finger 20 and the control lever 21 and, by means of its switch lever 23, and after complete braking, it retracts the latch lever 24 from the opening in the projection 28. The lid 7, biased by springs towards its initial open position, now springs up automatically after the final stationary position is reached and uncovers the spinner drum 5 for removal of the dried washed articles.

It has proved to be advantageous that, because of the arrangement extending approximately radially in the initial position, the radial component of oscillations of the motor-drum assembly is not picked up by the transmission means, whereas pivotal movements of the assembly are transmitted. The elastic material which is chosen and also a certain clearance in the circumferential direction have the effect that the tangential component of oscillations is only taken up to a limited extent or with damping by the transmission means. Any unhooking of the finger 20 from the slot of the plate 19 is reliably prevented: at one end of the finger, the travel of the plate 19 is limited by the control lever 21, while the free end of the finger is equipped with a transverse bar.

The safety means as illustrated ensure under all circumstances that the drum 5 of the spin drier is completely covered by the housing closed by means of the lid 7 from the time when it starts up until the completely stationary position is again reached, so that accidents are entirely excluded. The nose 28 in conjunction with the locking spring 17 and the locking pin 18 safeguard against the drive means being switched on before the lid is closed. With the lid open, the locking spring 17 forces the locking pin 18 into its upper position. If an attempt is made in this position to swing the actuating lever from its basic position, then before the brake is released and the drive means are switched on, it strikes with its projection 16 against the locking pin 18 which limits its movement.

It is only when the lid 7 is completely pressed down that its nose 28 forces the locking spring 17, and thus also the locking pin 18, downwardly: it is only now that the actuating lever 15 can be shifted.

In order to be able to obviate any blocking of the lid 7 due to possible breakdowns, e.g.

breaking of the Bowden cable 11, a special arrangement is provided. To obviate any improper use, this arrangement is disposed beneath the outlet 29 and can only be operated by tools, for example, coins fitting into its slot. It comprises a pivotable lever 30 which, when it is actuated, bears against the control lever 21 and forces this into its initial position. This pivoted lever 30 is connected to its return spring 31, which swings it back again into its basic position after having become operative and swings it out of the operative range of the control lever 21, so that the safety means is immediately ready for use again after such an unblocking action.

The bottom view of a spin drier with a modified braking means is shown in Figure 6.

A cranked end of a brake band 32 passes through a narrow slot of a bearing block 33.

The free end of the brake band is fitted with a counter-bearing 34, which is supported by means of a compression spring 35 on a bearer 36 and on which engages a Bowden cable 37. A loop provided on the other end of the Bowden cable 37 embraces by means of an intermediate member a cranked end 38 of the operating or switch shaft 8 and, in the switching position as shown, is supported against a tongue 39 which acts as a stop and which is bent out of a plate 40. An operating button 42 of a switch mechanism 41 arranged on the plate 40 and serving for the motor 4 is provided with a vertical pin, which engages behind the free core of the Bowden cable 37.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the motor 4 is equipped with a plate 19 which acts on the transmission means of the safety arrangement, such means not being shown in Figure 6.

With the braking arrangement of Figure 6, an automatic latching of the switch shaft 8 is produced: in the position as illustrated, the cranked end 38 of the switch shaft 8 is pulled to the right against the base of a tongue 39.

Thus the core of the Bowden cable 37 is freed and compression spring 35 applies the brake band 32 to brake drum 6. When shaft 8 is swung to the left until cranked end 38 bears on the inside wall of housing 1, the core of the cable 37 is tensioned against the force of spring 35 and the brake band 32 is lifted from drum 6. At the same time, the tensioned core of cable 37 bears against the cranked end of the actuating button 42 of switch mechanism 41 and actuates this to switch on the driving motor. As the cranked end 38 has passed through dead-centre during the switch- ing operation, switch shaft 8 latches in this position with maximum compression of the spring 35 so that spring 35 fixes the switch shaft in its switched on position. This construction is of simple design and easy assembly, since, for assembly, one only needs to suspend brake band 32 in a slot of a bearing block 33: thus the expense involved in manufacture is low. A factor which has proved to be particularly advantageous is that breakdowns caused by the Bowden cable breaking are no longer able to block the safety means: when the Bowden cable breaks, the braking means becomes operative and simultaneously the pin of the operating button 42 of the switch mechanism 41 is freed, so that the motor switches off and, under the action of the compression spring 35, the braking action is initiated. When the drum reaches the stationary position, the plate 19 is deflected which retracts the latch of the safety means and thereby unlocks the lid 7. A separate manual arrangement for unlocking purposes is consequently unnecessary.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Thus, those parts of the lid behind which the latch engages can be modified, as can also those elements of the lid which act on the locking means 17, 18.

Instead of a double-armed latching lever, it is possible to use single-arm levers or latches which are advanced linearly, and the movement of the latch can be effected by means of levers, cams or by means of Bowden cables. It is also possible for the switch lever 23 provided on the tubular control shaft 22 to be itself fitted with the latch. Furthermore, the tubular control shaft 22 can be equipped with an eccentric disc which, against the pressure of a spring, introduces a locking pin mounted horizontally in the closure ring of the housing into a recess in the lid. It is also possible to utilise the acceleration which occurs when the drive means is switched on and thus the displacement of the motor housing for actuating the latching mechanism.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the construction of the control shaft, as the functions of its cranked end can for example be taken over by levers, cams or eccentric pins.

More particularly when the actuating lever of the spin drier, when the latter is switched off, locks the lid far beyond the point when the braking action is initiated, it may be possible to dispense with special means for the previous positive forward displacement of the latch, for example, the cam 25 and the thrust lever 26. On the other hand, in association with the advancing of the latch which is positively caused on switching on the motor, the safety means may if required also be used with spin driers with which a locking of the lid by the actuating lever is not used. It is then especially possible to dispense with the means for manually cancelling out the locking action, for example, the pivoted lever 30 with return spring 31, when a braking arrangement according to Figure 6 is used, with which the free end of the brake band is acted upon directly by the spring causing the bearing action and determining the pressure force and the controlled end of the brake band is lifted by tightening the Bowden cable for operating the spin drier: with any breakage of the Bowden cable, the braking action is carried out immediately, and the safety means are unlatched when the stationary position is reached.

In every case, it has proved to be an advantage to utilise the swivelling movement inside the elastic holding means and occurring with the spontaneous braking of the motordrum assembly for carrying out and/or maintaining a latching operation, and to make ineffective the latching of the advantageously additional safety means in accordance with the invention when the motor-drum assembly moves quickly back into its initial position on becoming stationary. By using this swivelling or pivotal movement, it is possible at low cost to provide a safety arrangement which operates reliably and gives reliable protection in practice under all conditions.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A spin drier comprising a housing, a motor drum assembly comprising an electric motor and a drum drivably connected thereto, resilient mounting means resiliently mounting the motor in the housing, electric switch means for controlling the energisation of the motor, brake means for braking the drum, a movable lid permitting access to the drum, a switch shaft pivotally mounted in the housing, a locking member mounted on the switch shaft so as to be engageable with the lid and movable between a locking position preventing opening of the lid and a release position permitting opening of the lid, an operating member mounted on the switch shaft and arranged to control the brake means and the electric switch means in such a way that movement of the locking member to the locking position is accompanied by release of the brake means and energisation of the motor and that movement of the locking member to the release position is accompanied by de-energisation of the motor and application of the brake means, a member projecting from and movable with the motor body as the motor moves relative to the housing upon yielding of the resilient mounting means, a latch member movable into engagement with a locking surface on the lid, and transmission means coupling the latch member with the projecting member and arranged so that opening of the lid to permit access to the drum is prevented during braking of the drum until the drum has come to rest.

2. A spin drier according to claim 1, in which the drum is directly coupled to the motor shaft for rotation about a vertical axis.

3. A spin drier according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the projecting member comprises a plate of an elastomeric material.

4. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the transmission means comprises a control shaft carrying a control lever arranged to engage with the projecting member.

5. A spin drier according to claim 4, in which the projecting member is provided with a radial slot and the control lever is provided with a finger arranged to engage in the slot.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the braking action is initiated. When the drum reaches the stationary position, the plate 19 is deflected which retracts the latch of the safety means and thereby unlocks the lid 7. A separate manual arrangement for unlocking purposes is consequently unnecessary. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Thus, those parts of the lid behind which the latch engages can be modified, as can also those elements of the lid which act on the locking means 17, 18. Instead of a double-armed latching lever, it is possible to use single-arm levers or latches which are advanced linearly, and the movement of the latch can be effected by means of levers, cams or by means of Bowden cables. It is also possible for the switch lever 23 provided on the tubular control shaft 22 to be itself fitted with the latch. Furthermore, the tubular control shaft 22 can be equipped with an eccentric disc which, against the pressure of a spring, introduces a locking pin mounted horizontally in the closure ring of the housing into a recess in the lid. It is also possible to utilise the acceleration which occurs when the drive means is switched on and thus the displacement of the motor housing for actuating the latching mechanism. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the construction of the control shaft, as the functions of its cranked end can for example be taken over by levers, cams or eccentric pins. More particularly when the actuating lever of the spin drier, when the latter is switched off, locks the lid far beyond the point when the braking action is initiated, it may be possible to dispense with special means for the previous positive forward displacement of the latch, for example, the cam 25 and the thrust lever 26. On the other hand, in association with the advancing of the latch which is positively caused on switching on the motor, the safety means may if required also be used with spin driers with which a locking of the lid by the actuating lever is not used. It is then especially possible to dispense with the means for manually cancelling out the locking action, for example, the pivoted lever 30 with return spring 31, when a braking arrangement according to Figure 6 is used, with which the free end of the brake band is acted upon directly by the spring causing the bearing action and determining the pressure force and the controlled end of the brake band is lifted by tightening the Bowden cable for operating the spin drier: with any breakage of the Bowden cable, the braking action is carried out immediately, and the safety means are unlatched when the stationary position is reached. In every case, it has proved to be an advantage to utilise the swivelling movement inside the elastic holding means and occurring with the spontaneous braking of the motordrum assembly for carrying out and/or maintaining a latching operation, and to make ineffective the latching of the advantageously additional safety means in accordance with the invention when the motor-drum assembly moves quickly back into its initial position on becoming stationary. By using this swivelling or pivotal movement, it is possible at low cost to provide a safety arrangement which operates reliably and gives reliable protection in practice under all conditions. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A spin drier comprising a housing, a motor drum assembly comprising an electric motor and a drum drivably connected thereto, resilient mounting means resiliently mounting the motor in the housing, electric switch means for controlling the energisation of the motor, brake means for braking the drum, a movable lid permitting access to the drum, a switch shaft pivotally mounted in the housing, a locking member mounted on the switch shaft so as to be engageable with the lid and movable between a locking position preventing opening of the lid and a release position permitting opening of the lid, an operating member mounted on the switch shaft and arranged to control the brake means and the electric switch means in such a way that movement of the locking member to the locking position is accompanied by release of the brake means and energisation of the motor and that movement of the locking member to the release position is accompanied by de-energisation of the motor and application of the brake means, a member projecting from and movable with the motor body as the motor moves relative to the housing upon yielding of the resilient mounting means, a latch member movable into engagement with a locking surface on the lid, and transmission means coupling the latch member with the projecting member and arranged so that opening of the lid to permit access to the drum is prevented during braking of the drum until the drum has come to rest.

6. A spin drier according to claim 4 or

claim 5, in which the control shaft comprises a tube embracing the switch shaft.

7. A spin drier according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the latch member comprises a lever mounted for cooperation with the control shaft, the free end of the lever being engageable with the lid.

8. A spin drier according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the control shaft is provided with a switch lever arranged to actuate the latch member.

9. A spin drier according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the control shaft is provided with a switch lever and in which the latch member comprises a double-armed lever, one arm of which is arranged to engage the switch lever.

10. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the latch member is shrouded by cover surfaces from the interior of the spin drier.

11. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the transmission means comprises a Bowden cable.

12. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the switch shaft is provided with a lever device which is arranged so that, upon movement of the locking member to the locking position, the lever device advances the latch member into engagement with the lid.

13. A spin drier according to claim 12, in which the lever device comprises a cam on the switch shaft which is arranged to actuate a further lever which itself bears upon the latch member to advance the latch member into engagement with the lid as the locking member moves towards the locking position.

14. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which a retractable locking pin is arranged in the path of the locking member so as to limit the movement of the locking member towards the locking position in the opened condition of the lid, in which the locking pin is biased into the path of the locking member by means of a locking spring, and in which the locking pin is arranged so as to be withdrawn from the path of the locking member by closing the lid.

15. A spin drier according to claim 14, in which the locking member is provided with a projection arranged to cooperate with the locking pin.

16. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 15, in which the lid is provided with a nose having an opening for reception of the latch member.

17. A spin drier according to claim 16, when dependent on claim 14 or claim 15, in which the nose bears against the locking spring when the lid is closed and causes the locking spring to withdraw the locking pin from the path of the locking member.

18. A spin drier according to any one of claims 14 to 17, when dependent on claim 10, in which the cover surfaces shroud at least part of the locking pin and/or of the locking spring from the interior of the spin drier.

19. A spring drier according to any one of claims 1 to 18, in which the switch shaft is arranged to tension a spring, when the locking member is in its locking position, which spring is arranged to impart a biasing action to the transmission means and/or to the latch member so as to guide the latch member into engagement with the lid.

20. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 19, in which the switch shaft is arranged to cooperate with a detent device.

21. A spin drier according to claim 20, in which the detent device comprises a spring.

22. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 21, in which the operating member is arranged to act directly on the switch means and to act on the brake means by means of a Bowden cable and a tension spring.

23. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 21, in which the operating member is arranged to act on the brake means by means of a Bowden cable, in which the brake means is biased towards the applied position thereof by means of a spring, and in which the switch means includes an actuating element disposed in the path of that end portion of the core of the Bowden cable that is connected to the operating member.

24. A spin drier according to any one of claims 1 to 23, in which the transmission means has associated therewith a setting device which can be brought into the operating region thereof, can be actuated manually and returned automatically.

25. A spin drier constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with particular reference to Figures 1 to 5, or to Figures 1 to 5 as modified by Figure 6, of the accompanying drawings.