US1859033A - Agitator for washing machines - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1932- G. M. GlBsQN AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed sept. 2S. 192s SII/ 4 9 i Patented Mayi 17, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE GEORGE M. GIBSON, OF PELLA, IOWA, .ASSIG-NOB TO WOODROW WASHING NACHI COMPANY, F BELLA, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF IOWA. v

AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Application led September 25, 1928. Serial No. 308,151.

The object of my invention is to provide an agitator for washing machines of simple durable and inexpensive construction, o that type 'designed to be used in the bottom of a washing machine tub, and to be oscillated about a vertical axis, and to provide in connection therewith means whereby the tendency toward the' clothes gathering between the Abottom of the agitator and the tub m will be entirely eliminated; and further to rovide 'means whereby dirt and, other oreign substances vwill not collect between the bottom of the agitator and the tub.

A further object is to rovide in that type w of agitators above descri ed improved means whereby the' agitator may be easily and quickl detached from its operating shaft.

A fiirther object is to provide improved means for packing the actuating shaft to preim vent leaking?.

A further object is to provide an agitator of that type adapted to oscillate about a vertical axis and to be mounted in the bottom l of the tub, so constructed that the tendency lforythe clothes to gather and adhere to the central and top portion of the agitator will bejeli'minated. .Y I `My .invention consists inthe construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a plan view of I'nyimproved agitator showing the mannerl in which it is mounted in a washingmachine tub.

Figure 2 is'an inverted view of the agitator.v

Figure'3 is a detail sectional view of the agitator as mounted.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3. 45 The numeral 10 indicates a washing machine tub having side walls 11 and a bottom 12. The central portion of the bottom 12 is provided with an opening 13, preferably located to one side of the center of said .30 bottom, so that the agitator hereinafter del.

scribed may be mounted eccentrically within said tub.

Secured to the upper surface of the bottom 12 is an annular plate 14 mounted concentrically with the opening 13. A bearing post 15 is mounted within the opening 13 and projects upwardly into the tub 10.

The bearing post 15 has al flangel at its lower end designed to rest adjacent to the bottom surface of the bottom 12. Bolts 17 are provided for locking the annular plate, the bottom 12 and the flange 16 together, by means of suitable nuts 18. Two of the bolts 17 project downwardly beyond the nuts a considerable distance to support a plate 19 by means of nuts 20.

The plate 19 and the post 15 are provided with bearing openings in which is mounted a vertical shaft 21. The bottom end of the post 15 has a recess 22 in which is mounted fibrous packing material 23. A concave plate 24 is slidably mounted on the shaft 21 and yieldably supported against the under surface vof the packing 23 by means of a spring 25, which provides means whereby the packing on the shaft 21 is positive without applying a great deal' of pressure to the same. The lower end of the shaft 21 is preferably provided with a crank arm 26 by means of which the shaft 21 is oscillatedy The upper end of the shaft 21 is provided withy a screw threaded portion 27 on which is mounted a head 28 designed to rest on the upper end `of the post 15. Said `head 28 is provided with vertical ribs 29 and designed to enter grooves 30 in the hub portion 31 of the agitator 32. The hub 31 is preferably bell shaped with its upper end of its exterior surface terminating in a triangular portion 33. The inner face of the portionl 33 is substantiallyv circular and provided with the said vgrooves30. The upper end of the opening is closed to form a head plate .S4-through' which a screw 35 is passed and anchored in the 11pper end of the shaft 21.

This provides means for firmly fixing the agitator to the head 28. Said agitator may be easily and quickly detached by removing the screw 35.

The `lower edges of the bell shaped wall 36 100 imr overhan the edge of the plate 14, so that an annu ar s ace 37 is provlded between the periphery o the plate 14 and the bottom plate 12 and the lower edge of said bell. The inner face of the bell shaped portion 36 is provided with' inwardly extending fins 38, which are substantially triangular. The lower edges of the fins 38 are supported above the plate 14 a slight distance. Openings 39 are provided in the wall of the bell 36 between the fins 38 and substantially in horizontal alinement with the upper ends of said fins.

The outer surface of the hub is provided with radial blades 40 and 41. The blade 41 is longer than the blades 40, and has its upper end terminating in a plane considerably above the upper nds of the blades 40. The ends of all of tln .ilades project a considerable distance beyond the lower edge of the bell 36. The agitator is so mounted that the blade 41 will be in a common plane with the pivot center of the agitator, and with the center of the tub, .at a time when the agitator is in position midway between the two limits of its stroke.

It will be seen by reference to Figure 1 that the blade 41 is designed to operate in a space having a larger area than the space in which the blades 40 operate.

As the agitator is oscillated in a tub filled with water having its upper surface above .the upper edges of the agitator blades, a whirlpool will be established in the upper surface of the water, substantially in the center of the tub, to one side and abovethe center of the agitator, while, it will readily be seen, suction will be created by the agitator blades at a point above the center of said agitator.

Furthermore, it will be seen that on account of the blade 41 being considerably longer than the blades 40, a partial vacuum will be created back of the outer end of the blade as it is being oscillated, which forms a third whirlpool or suction point, which is oscillated about a second suction point.

This provides means whereby the clothes within the water will be spread and distributed quite evenly throughout the tub, and lodging and adhering of the clothes to the top of the agitator will be prevented. This result, however, is accomplished partially by locating the agitator of of the center of the tub, which is fully disclosed and described in my United States Letters Patent 1,782,684, dated November 25, 1930.

yIt will be seen further that as the agitator is oscillated, the water within the bell 36 will also be oscillated and forced outwardly through the space 37, due to the centrifugal action ofthe water, the water being drawn through the opening 39.

This provides means for washing all dirt that may collect within the bell when the agitator is stationary, and further prevents the clothes from gathering between the lower edge of the bell and the bottom of the tub.

Furthermore, the tendency toward leaking around'the shaft is reduced on account of the partial vacuum created in the bell. The leak is usually worse at the time the shaft is being operated.

The nuts 20 provide means whereby tension may be increased on the spring 25 at any time desired, to increase the pressure on the packing 23.

Thus it will be seen I have provided an agitator for washing machines of simple, durable and inexpensive construction, which may be operated in the bottom of a tub without danger of the clothes gathering and collecting between the lower edge of the agitator and the bottom of the tub,-and provided with means whereby the tendency of the clothes to gather on the top portion of the agitator is greatly reduced.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination, a horizontal support, ashaft projecting upwardly through said support and rotatively mounted to said bottom, the upper end of said shaft having a head provided with vertical ribs, a substantially bell shaped agitator hub detachably secured to the upper end of said shaft and the upper end of said head, said hub being provided with vertical grooves to receive the vertical ribs of said head, means 'for detachably connecting said hub with said shaft the outer face of said hub having agitator blades, the inner face of said hub being provided with inwardly extending fins, said hub having openings between said ns, and an annular plate on top of said horizontal support of such height and diameter that an annular space will be provided between the periphery of said plate and the lower end of the inner face of said hub and between the lower edge of said hub and the upper face of said horizontal support.

2. In combination, a horizontal support having an opening, a post projecting upwardly through said opening having a flange on its lower end resting against the under surface of said support, an annular plate around said post and on the upper surface of said support, a shaft rotatively mounted in said support, a bell shaped hub mounted on the upper end of said shaft having its outer face provided with vertical upright blades and its inner face provided with inwardly projecting fins, openings in said hub and between said tins, said plate being of less diameter than the innerjace of said hub and the lower edge of said hub b( lg mounted a slight distance above said h- 'rizontal support.

3. In combination, a horizontal support having an opening, a post projecting upwardly through said opening, having a flange on its lower end resting against the under ioo surface of said support, an annular plate around said post and on the upper surface of said support, a shaft rotativel mounted in said support, a bell shaped hu mounted on the upper end of said shatt having its outer face provided with vertical upright blades and its inner face provided withinwardly projecting fins, openings in said hub and between said iins, said plate bein of less diameter than the inner face of said a slight distance above said horizontal support,- the lower end of said post being provided with a cavity, a packlng within said cavity, a yieldable plate under said packing,

yieldable means for supporting said plate,

and adjustable means for supporting said yieldable means.

4. In combination, a horizontal Support having an opening, a post projecting upy wardly through said opening having a ange on its lower end resting against the under surface of said support, an annular plate around said post and on-the upper surface of said support, a shaft rotatively mounted in said support, a hollow hub mounted on the upper end of said shaft having its outer face provided with agitator blades, the inner face ub and .the lower edge of said hub being mountedv clamping the last said parts together, said bolts also extending through the adjustable plate for supporting the yieldable means, and nuts for adjusting last said plate.

Des Moines, Iowa, Au st 6,1928.

GEOR E M. GIBSON.

of the lower edge .of said hub being mounted slightly 'above said horizontal support and outside of the periphery of said annularplate, the lower end of said post being provided with a cavity, a packing within said cavity, ayieldable plate under said packing, yieldable means for supporting said plate, and means for adjusting the tension of said yieldable means.

5. In combination, a horizontal support having an opening, a post projecting upwardly through said opening having a ange on its lower end resting against the under surface 'of said support, the lower end of said post being provided with a cavity, a shaft rotatively mounted in said post, a packing within said cavity and around said post, a yieldable plate under said packing, yieldable means for supporting said plate, and means for adjusting the tension of said yieldablev means.

6. In a device of the class described, a horizontal .support having an opening, a

' post projecting upwardlyI through said opening having its lower end provided with a flange supported against the under surface of said support, an annular plate mount-

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