US1803383A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1931-. M. A. DEFIBAUGH WASHING MACHINE Filed De 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fnuenz o ttor )6- May 5, 1931. M. A. DEFIBAUGH ,3

WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Y MilllliI/IIIIIIIII Patented May 5, 1931.

UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE MARK A. DEFIBAUGH, OF PEOBIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ALTORFEB BROS. COMPANY,

' 1 OF PEOBIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION: OF ILLINOIS wasnme MACHINE I Application flledDecember 27, 1926. Serial No. 157,088.

This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly to waming machines combined with centrifugal extractors.

One of the objects of the invention is in 5 .the provision of a combined washing machine and centrifugal extractor, the same being assembled. in -such manner that there is a unitary supporting and connecting means therebetween, as well as a common driving means and supporting means therefor.

Another object is in the provision of a combined washing machine and centrifugal extractor, the same being formed with an 1ntegrally cast connecting means presenting a straight side back for the machine.

Still another object lies in the assembly of the driving means for both the washing machine and centrifugal extractor-in a manner to present a unitary structure and one so suspended, as respects said elements, as to absorb the vibration that attends the movement thereof.

Yet another object is in the provision of a combined washing machine and centrifugal extractor, the washing machine assuming a substantially rectangular shape, with vertical side walls, and the centrifugal extractor being disposed adjacent thereto, and lying partially within the washing machine tub,

said assembly being accomplished by seating the extractor in one of the vertical sidewalls of the tub.

A further object lies in the provision of a combined washing machine and centrifugal extractor, wherein connecting means between the washer and centrifugal extractor is of an integral nature and the supporting means for same so connected and associated with a uni-. tary driving means for both elements as to permit the wei ht of the combined machines to absorb the vibration thatattends the movement ofeither or both devices.

A still further object lies in the provision.

of a supporting mechanism for a common drivin means for the washing machine and centri ugal extractor, said sup orting means being so associated with the'sald. members as to permit a. quietly running machine, as well as a means for absorbing the vibration.

a additional object lies in the rovi ion of a combined washer and centrifugal extractor, said devices forming a substantially unitary. structure, due to the peculiar integral connection therebetween, there being provided such safety mechanism as respects the use of the centrifugal extractor as to prevent the possibility of rotation thereof, except when in proper running position and also such connecting. means between the cen- .trifugal extractor and washing machine tub as to permit control of the diversion of the extracted'fluid either to the washing machine tub or to any drain mechanism.

Other objects will appear in the following specification, taken inconnection with the annexed drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the combined washing machine and centrifugal extractor;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. '1, taken on the line AA of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the driving mechanism for the washer and associated centrifugal, drier;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation partly in section, as thejsame would appear on the line B-B of Fig. 3, portions thereof being broken away. for a more detailed showing of the driving and clutch mechanism for the centrifugal extractor;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view, taken on the line C-C of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail showing of'the valve mechanism controlling the diversion of the'fluid discharge from the centrifugal extractor;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line .DD of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8'is an enlarged detail, showing the connection betweenthe cover for the centrifugal extractor and the clutch mechanism.

- Referring to the drawings, there has been shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a rather general disclosure of the present invention, which ineludes the combination of a washing machine and a centrifugal extractor, the same being assembled in such a unitary manner as respects the driving means therefor and other operated portions, as to increase greatly the efiiciency of the washing'operation as well as 'thedrying operation, and also to decrease the the bottom thereof is a bladed agitator 13,

the same acting to violently disturb the fluid contained within the tub and to move same m a manner to create an eflicient washing action.

' The bladed agitator 13 has a connection 14 permitting vertical removal from a vertically disposed column 15, which pro ects through an aperture in the bottom of the tub and 1s screw threaded, as at 16, in a bracket or plate 17, which is securely bolted to the bottom of the tub and in a manner to provide a watertight connection therewith. nut 18 is screwed upon the threaded portion 16 of the column in a manner to complete the fixed and immovable location thereof.

Means for transmitting motion to the bladed agitator 13 is provided in a vertically disposed drive shaft 19, the same havmg a member 20 secured to its upper end and conforming to the shape of the upper end of the bladed agitator in a manner to permit the before mentioned vertical removal.

The above construction is somewhat conventional and is provided with the idea. of doing away with the necessity of packing, thereby preventing any possible water exit from the tub, by bringing the driving connection above the normal water line.

The column 15 provides bearing surfaces 21 and 22 for the drive shaft 19, said drive shaft projecting beyond the lower bearing and having securely attached thereto, as at 23, a gear 24, adapted to be driven by driving mechanism later to be described.

The tub 10 is fashioned with integrally cast portions 25, to which are attached, as at 26, the vertical supports or leg portions 27. It

will be noted that the tub has but two sup-- porting portions, the supporting means for the opposite side of the combined washer and centrifugal extractor being provided in a third vertical support 28, which is securely attached, as at 29, to an integrally formed top portion 30, which provides the supporting and connecting means not only between the tub and centrifugal extractor, but between the tub and vertical support 28.

Means for supporting the combined machine in a very rigid manner is provided in the plural rod members 31, which join the three vertical supports together at a point below the washer and centrifugal extractor. Means for emptying the tub 10 is provided in the conventional drain member 32, which has a valve 33 therein for controlling the fluid flow therefrom.

With respect to the driving means for the above described washing machine and the associated centrifugal extractor, which is generally referred to as 34, it might be said that a common framing 35 is adapted to carry the associated driving mechanism for both elements. The framing 35 is bolted at one end in a plural manner, as shown at 36, to the bottom of the washing machine tub 10. The opposite end of the framing 35 is securely attached, as at 37, to the vertical supporting member 28, with the result, and as may be clearly seen from the drawing, that the rather considerable weight of the driving mechanism is suspended below the washing machine and centrifugal extractor in a;manner to absorb, to a great degree, by this weight, the vibration that normally attends any rapidly moving part.

The framing 35 is so cast as to present aflat plate 38, which forms a base for the well known electric motor 39, which provides the power means for the combined devices. Means for attaching the electric motor to the plate 38 is shown at 40.

Pivoted upon the upper side of the plate 38, by means of bolts proJectiIlg upwardly from said plates, as at 41 and 42, are roller members 43 and 44. Disposed above the rollers 43 and 44 is a bracket 45, through which the upper ends of the bolts 41 and 42 project, there being provided the nuts 46 and 47 for securing the bracket thereto, as well as defining the position of the roller members which are adapted for rotation about the before mentioned bolts. The bracket 45 also acts as a supporting member for the downwardly projecting end of the drive shaft 19, and as a mat ter of fact surrounds the lower end of said shaft and acts as a means for holding same in position, and in a defined relationship with the rollers 43 and 44.

Means for reciprocating the gear 24 which is secured to the lower end of the drive shaft 19 is provided in the rack bar 48, which has teeth portions 49 adapted to mesh with the corresponding teeth 50 on the gear 24. The rack 48 is cut away as at 51 on the opposite side from the gear teeth, said cut-away portion acting as a guideway for the rack, due to the fact that the rollers 43 and 44 are also 'cut away, as at 52, in a manner to engage said guide portion of the rack. This means for guiding the rack is designed primarily for efficient driving connection, and to reduce friction, due to the fact that the engagement portions are reduced during reciprocation by such structure.

Pivotally connected as at 53 to the outwardly projecting end of the rack bar 48 is a pitman 54, secured as at 55 to the upper end of a vertically disposed stub drive shaft 56, the latter having its bearing portions 57 and 58 respectively formed in the gear casing 59 and cover portion 60. The above mentioned gear casing 59 is attached to and forms a part of the before mentioned and generally described portion 35, and with the cover 60 thereof, forms a common gear casing and cover for adriving means for both the washing machine and centrifugal extractor. A horizontally. disposed common drive shaft 61 is disposed within the gear casing 59, the latter being fashioned ina manner to receive the bearings 62 and 63 therefor. A

"flexible coupling is shown at 64 between the drive shaft 65 of the electric motor and the outwardly projecting end of the horizontal drive shaft 61. end plate and packing supporting member 66 isattached to the gear casing, as at'67. A worm 68 on the horizontal drive shaft is adapted to mesh with a worm gear 69 rotatably mounted on the before mentioned stub drive shaft 56, which is adapted to rotate the pitman 54, which transmits a reciprocatory movement to the rack, which movement in turn is transmitted through the gear 24 to the vertical drive shaft 19 and finally to the bladed agitator.

Means for clutchin the worm gear 69 to the shaft 56 is provided in the following clutching mechanism. The female portion 70 of the clutch is securely'attached, as at 71, to the stub shaft. The male portion of the clutch is shown as 72, the same being slidable vertically on a hub portion 73. Plural lug portions 7 4, attached to the male portion of the clutch, are adapted to be projected into and withdrawn from the female portion 70 of the clutch in order to provide either a clutched or unclutched relationship of the drive shaft 56 with the constantly rotating worm gear 69. Means for operating the clutching mechanism is provided in the following mechanism. A member 75 is rotatably mounted *on the lower end of a rod 76, which is slidably mounted in that portion of the gear cover designated 77. Securely at tached to the outer end of the rod 76 is a plate 78. Means for raising and lowering the plate to transmit an upward and downward movement to the rod 76, in order to control the clutching action is provided in the following mechanism. Attached to the gear cover 60, as at 79, is an upwardly projecting bracket 80, which provides a fulcrum 81 for a'lever 82. This leveris pivotally attached, as at 83, to a downwardly projecting portion 84 on the before described plate 7 8. The opposite end of lever 82 is pivotally connected, as at 85, to an upwardly projected manually controlled arm 86, the upper end of which is pivoted, as at 87, to a manually operable handle 88. which is again pivoted as at 89 to the to of the washing machine. A post 90 has a coil spring 91 attached thereto at its upper end, the opposite end of the coil spring being se- 0 cured, as at 92, to the fulcrumed lever 82, said tension means being utilized to assist in holding the clutch control mechanism in either the released or engaged position.

The washing machine tub 10 is related, or

65 rather connected, to the centrifugal extractor or drier portion by means of a fluid chamber 93, said chamber not only surrounding the upper portion of the centrifugal extractor in a manner to catch the discharge therefrom,

but also providing a supporting connection between the centrifugal extractor mechanism, the vertical supporting member 28, and the tub 10. This fluid chamber is fashioned, as may be clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, as an integrally cast piece, the same being bolted, as at 29, to the vertical support or leg portion 28, and upon its opposite side being attached in a plural manner, as shown at 94, to the washing machine tub. In Fig. 1 of the drawings this fluid chamber is disclosed in plan and its connection with the washing machine tub is probably most clearly shown in that view; in other words, it is applicants desire to connect the centrifugal drier mechanism with the washing machine mechanism in a unitary manner, and this result is accomplished by supporting the two structures with the com mon supporting means, a single integrally formed top, and a common supporting and driving mechanism.

The fluid chamber 93, by means of .an extended portion 95, forms also theupper portion of the washing machine tub 10, which greatly adds to the unitary structural'as'sembly of the combined washer and centrifugal drier.

Valve mechanism for controlling the passage of fluid from the fluid chamber 93 into the tub 10 has been provided, and will be later described in detail in connection with the operation of the centrifugal drier.

It will be noted that the fluid chamber 93 is not only open at the top, but is also open at the bottom, the inner, upwardly projecting flange 96, however, actually forming the fluid receptacle or chamber 93. This upwardly projecting flange has a horizontally extended baflie member97, which, as will be described more in detail later, operates to prevent the passage of fluid from the chamber 93 into the casing 98, which surrounds the centrifugal extractor or drier 99.

The casing 98, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, is formedof a non-perforated sheet of metal, and is tapered to conform exactly to the shape of the centrifugal extractor 99, and is fashioned to completely surround same, there being an opening, however, in the lower end thereof to permit the projection therethrough of the driving means for the extractor 99. Thetapered casing 98 is securely attached to the fluid chamber and integral connecting member in the manner shown at 100.

As respects the means for rotating the centrifugal extractor 99, the conventional electric motor 39 is used and is adapted to transmit power to the horizontally disposed drive shaft 61, which .in turn has secured thereto upon its inner end the gear 101. An

upwardly projecting portion of the gear cover is designated 102, the same forming a part of the before mentioned removable cover and bei' 0' integrally formed therewith. The portion 102, and that part of the gear casing 59 designated 103, provide bearings 104 and 105 respectively for a vertically disposed short drive shaft 106. Rotatably mounted upon the vertical drive shaft is a crown gear 107, having the teeth 108 thereon meshing with the teeth on the gear 101. Means for clutching the gear 107 to the vertical drive shaft 106 is provided in the clutch generally referred to as 109, the same being positively connected to the drive shaft 106 and having the friction surface 110 adapted to engage a similarly shaped clutching or friction surface 111 on the upper portion of the-crown gear 107. Means is provided for effecting engagement and release of the clutch member109 with the crown gear to control the movement of the drive shaft 106. This engagement and release is effected through a lever 112, attached to a shaft 113, which is pivotally mounted, as at 114;, in the gear casing cover. The shaft 113 projects within the cover portion 102, and has its end bifurcated in the manner shown at 115, and also has lugs 116 thereon which provide a slidable, although operative, connection with the cut-away portion 117 of the clutch 109. A coil spring 118 exerts tension on the clutching mechanlsm.

It will be noted that the clutch, which has been generally referred to as 109, has also the friction surface 119 adapted, in the released clutch position, to engage a similarly shaped friction surface 120 formed on the interior of the cover portion 102. The above mechanism provides a means for effecting braking action on the vertical drive shaft .106, when the driving connection with the main drive shaft 61 has been broken by the release of the clutch. Ordinarily, it might be said that rotation of the drive shaft 106 would cease upon release of the clutch, but in the present instance due to the fact that the centrifugal drier is exceedingly heavy, it is found that due to the inertia, the drive shaft will rotate for such time as makes absolutely necessary the provision of this braking means to stop very quickly the rotation thereof.

e upper end of the vertical drive shaft 106 projects 'throu h the opening in the bottom of the centri gal drier casing 98and engages a raised portion 121 on the lower end of the centrifugal extractor 99. The upper end of the drive shaft is fashioned, as at 122, in such manner as to engage a similarly shaped plate 123, which is securely attached, as at 124, to the bottom of the centrifugal extractor 99.

point, although saiddrive shaft has the adjustable screw portion 125, which projects further and engages the raised portion 121 of the centrifugal extractor. This adjustable screw member, generally described as 125, is made up of the screw 126, which is threaded into the upper end of the vertical drive shaft, there'being provided a lock nut 127 for permitting adjustment of the screw 120 and positioning thereof in any desired position.

This means-for varying the position of contact between the upper end of the drive shaft and the centrifugal extractor has the following advantages. It is absolutely essential to successful operation of a centrifugal extractor that there be no lost motion between the driving means and the balanced centrifugal extractor, and unless a quickly adjustable connection is used, as here shown, it would be absolutely necessary in assembling the various mechanisms, that the greatest care be taken in the machining of the various elements,,so that there would be an absolutely perfect fit between the centrifugal drivingmeans and the centrifugal extractor. It may be clearly seen that should such care be necessary in assemblies of this kind, great expense would'be incurred and the present simple adjustment has been devised to save this expense, as well as to provide an adjustable mechanism at a point which is readily accessible to-the operator. In other words, should it be found necessary to vary the position of the screw 126, to prevent any play between the driving mechanism and the centrifugal extractor, it is merely necessary to remove the centrifugal extractor and to adjust the screw and lock nut to the proper position, which canobviously be accomplished in a very few moments.

Referring now to the centrifugal extractor 99, the same is balanced in one instance at the bottom, as clearly described, and in order to insure substantially vibrationless rotation during excessive speed of rotation, which is necessary for efficiency in the drying operation, there must be provided a balancing point or bearing directly above the lower contact or balancing point. In the present instance, the centrifugal extractor 99 is tapered u wardly, as may be clearly seen in Fig. 2 of t e drawings, and the upper edges of the-continuous sheet are flared outwardly as at 128 to a point above and be 0nd that part of the fluid chamber designate 96 and 97.

Securely attached, as at 129, at points adj acent the outer edges of the before mentioned flared portion 128 is a metal ring 130projecting upwardly and inwardly, and as a matter of fact, downwardly to provide a receiving surface for the top 131 of the centrifugal extractor.

It might be stated atithis time that the ring 130 is perforated, as at132, in a manner substantially continuously throughout to permit passage of the fluid from the container during rotation, the fluid obviously having a tendency to rise, due to .the tapered formation of the tub. The extractor top 131 is fashioned, as at 133, to receive therein a conventional ball bearing 134, said bearing receiving a shaft 135, which is securely at tached, as at 136, to a locking bar 137.

Due to the above construction, it is apparent that the centrifugal extractor is balanced at the bottom and at the, top, the driving means therefore being through the vertical shaft 106 therebelow. The position of the upper bearing or balancing point 134 is determined by the lock bar 137, which is shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. This bar 137 is hinged, as at 138, in brackets 139, which are securely attached, as at 140, to the fluid chamber 93 surrounding the upper end of the centrifugal extractor, and which, as previously described, has an integral connection with the top of the washing machine. The bar 137 has its actual locking portion formed on the opposite end thereof, thesame including a latch 141, which is formed as a part of a member 142 slidable in guideways 143 in the end of the lock bar 137 The latch 141 projects downwardly in a manner to engage an inwardly projecting lug 144, which is formed either as a part of or attached to the upper side of the fluid chamber 93.

It is apparent that the latch 141 is held in a tensioned manner with respect to said lug by means of the spring 145. The slidable bar 142, when manually mani ulated, either permits locking of the bar 137 or release thereof, as may be clearly seen in the drawings, it being necessary only to apply manual pressure thereto to release the latch 141. Raising and lowering of the lock bar also raises and lowersvthe top 131, and when in a locked position, establishes a frictional connection be-- tween the top- 131 and the ring 130 of the centrifugal extractor. It is also apparent that when the lock bar is lowered, the top portion always assumes the same position,-

and that the hearing or balancing point is also in its proper place, with the result that proper balancing of the centrifugal extractor 99 is always maintained.

Inthe present instance, the aim has been to insure safe operation of the centrifugal extractor. To this end, a member 146 has been provided to cover the centrifugal extractor top and lock bar when in a locked.

and operating position. This cover 146 is perhaps most clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, wherein connecting portions. 147 thereof are pivoted to bracket portions 148 on the top of the fluid chamber 93 by means of the bolts 149. The coverportion 146 is therefore adapted either to lie over the lock bar and centrifugal extractor top or to be moved to an outward position, at which time said cover forms a dram board between the centrifugal extractor and the washing machine tub, not shown, which is ordinarily placed at an adjacent point for the reception of the clothes which have just been dried in the centrifugal extractor. The edges 150 of the'cover 146 are either flared downwardly, substantially at right angles, in such manner'that in one instance they operate as a contacting means manner, a cam 151, This cam 151 is circularin form, but is eccentrically mounted, as at 152, on one of the bolts 149, with the result that raising or lowering of the cover operates to give said member a cam-like action, causing the bar 153, or rather the head 154 thereof to be depressed or permittedto rise, as the case may be, due to movement of the cover. The rod 153 is connected to the clutch level 112, by means of a horizontally 'disposed member 155 securely attached to the lower end of the rod 153, as at 156, said member 155 having a substantially vertically disposed rod 157 providing the connecting link between said bar and the clutch lever 112. A

member 158, securely attached, as at 159., to the centrifugal extractor casing 98, provides a guide means for the rod 157, said rod being pivotally connected to the member 155, as at 160,.and to the clutch lever 112, as at 161.

Due to the above connection between the safety cover and drain board 146, it is impossible in the first instance to start rotation of the extractor until first locking of the top 130 has been effected by'lock bar 137, and thereafter the cover portion moved-to a position directly over the said top and lock'bar portions. When the cover is placed in this position, the clutch is thrown into engagement with the gear 107, with a resulting rotaing the cover 146, with the result that when it is desired to stop the movement of the centrifugal extractor and remove the clothes from which the liquid has been extracted, it is first necessary to raise the cover, whereupon the clutch, due to the above described connesting means, is thrown to a released position with respect to the gear 107 and not only oplrates to disconnect the driving means for the centrifugal extractor, but, due to the automatic engagement of the friction surface 119 on the clutch with the adjacent friction surface 120 of the gear casing cover, a braking action is also automatically applied to the fore applicant has provided abrake that oper- I ates automatically uponrelease of the clutch,to stop this rotation almost immediately. This mechanism is also a safety measure, and as a matter of fact, when the cover 146 has been raised and moved to a position to operate as a rinse or drain board, the centrifugal extractor has either entirely stopped or at least the speed thereof has been decreased to one below the danger point when the operator finally unlatches the lock bar and raises the cover preparatory to the removal of the clothes from which the water has been extracted.

Perhaps most clearl shown in Fig. 6 is a manually operable Va ve mechanism to control the flow of fluid which has been extracted from the clothes in the centrifugal extractor 99, or as a matter of fact, the flow of the fluid from the fluid chamber 93, the same having accumulated therein due to the rotation of the drier. It is desirable, at times, to have the extracted fluid return to the washing machine tub, and to accomplish this purpose, a valve 162 is disposed over an aperture 163 that opens into the washing machine tub, it having previously been indicated that the fluid chamber 93 was also integrally formed with the washing machine tub and is a part thereof. This valve 162 is pivotally attached, as at 164, to a bracket fixedly attached to the fluid chamber, as shown at 165, the means for raising and lowering said valve being provided in the rod 166, which is pivotally connected, as at 167, to another rod 168, which is in turn attached, as at 169, to a member 170,

the latter being securely attached to a vertically positioned bar 171, whose'lower end is disposed in a bearing 172 integrally cast as a part of the fluid chamber.

The upper end of the bar 171, priorto its projection through the upper surface of the fluid chamber 93, has the crank formation 171a. The upper end of said bar has securely attached thereto the manually operable lever 173, which may be moved in a manner to raise or lowerthe valve 162, thereby controlling the flow of the fluid into the Washing machine tub.

A coil spring 174 operates to hold the lever 173 in position. The rod 168 not only operates to raise and lowerv valve 162, but simul-- taneously controls the movement of another valve 175, which is disposed over an open-' ing 176 in the side of the fluid chamber. A

Due to the above construction, with manu-' al movement of the lever 173, there is a valve opening movement transmitted to either of valves 162 or 175, as the case may be, with the result that one valve is always open when the other is closed, and therefore not only permitting the diversion of the fluid either to the washing machine proper, or to some outside drain member, but also preventing any accumulation of fluid in the fluid chamber 93 during rotation of the drier 99.

It will be noted that the tapered extractor 99 and casing 98 are partially disposed with in a concave seat portion 182 in the vertical side portion of the tub 10, Which lies adjacent the centrifugal extractor. This seat of the extractor in a seat formed in the wall of the tub is advantageous in view of the fact that it diminishes, to a considerable degree, the overall dimensions ofthe combined devices and permits the disposal of the machine in a considerably smaller space.

Although the capacity of the washing machine tub is lessened to a small degree, nevertheless, the inseating thereof has an almost imperceptible effect in the washing operation.

In Fig. 1, which is a plan view of the combined washing machine and centrifugal extractor, it will be seen that the machine not only has the ordinary width of a conventional washing machine, but also has the straight side back 183, which is of great assistance during the washing and drying operation,

inasmifch as the machine may be moved slightly to permit the removal of clothes from the extractor to adj acently located tubs. This straight side back has a further advantage in permitting the washer to be placed in a considerably smaller area and at the same time in a more convenient position to be used by the o rator.

Having described machine and centrifugal extractor in detail as respects the structural features, the operationof same will now be described.

The operation of washing machines, per.

se, is so well known as almost to obviate the necessity of description. However, in the present instance, the tub is of a substantially rectangular shape and has disposed in its bottom a bladed agitator. The driving means for the agitator has been described in detail, and it is'apparent that the agitator reciprocates in the bottom of the tub in a manner the combined washing to transmit a continuously vigorous action to the water, with the result that the clotheswfashing operation is quickly accomplished The present washing machine is ofan extremely fast washing type, and when com-. bined with a centrifugal extractor whichdries the Washed clothes in a very short time, presents a combined washing machine and drier which washes the clothes and dries them in a very short period of time. v It is apparent that the driving mechanisms for the washing machine and centrifugal extractor form a unitary structure and that when-the washed clothes are placed within the extractor 99, the top 131 disposed thereover, the lock bar in. a latched position, and the safety cover 146 manually disposed there-. over, the clutch for driving mechanism will be engaged and the extractor will commence its rotation. This rotation of the extractor, due to centrifugal action, forces the moisture from the washed clothes and said moisture, due to the tapering of the basket, rises to the top thereof and is discharged through the perforations 132 in the top thereof. The dis- 'chargedlfluid is thrown into the fluid cha'm ber 93, whence it is diverted either to the washing machine tub or to any conventional drain mechanism. Manual operation of the ylal'es controls this diversion of the extracted The fashioning .of the fluid chamber in' the manner disclosed absolutely prevents return of any of the fluid into the casing 98 which surrounds the'centrifugal extractor.

This specially formed centrifugal extractor and manner of assembly precludes the formation of a large amount ofsuds in the chamber immediately surrounding the centrifugal extractor, which would result in anineflicient drying operation and the requirement for service. t

A manually operable clutch means is disclosed for controlling the operation ofthe washing machine, or rather the agitator therein,,and the safety cover 146 provides the clutching mechanism for the centrifugal extractor, the same being fashioned in such manner and so connected to the clutch as to absolutely prevent rotation of the centrifugal extractor unless said cover overlies the extractor.

'It will also be seen that when the cover 146 is thrown to its .out-ward position, at which time it forms a drain board, automatically with its movement from such position, not only is the clutch released for the driving 7 means for the centrifugal extractor, but also a braking mechanism is thrown into operation which almost immediately stops the rotation of the centrifugalextractor. This is a feature which insures safe operation of the device. a

What I claim is tion, a tapered centrifugal extractor, a tatop in a fixed position during rotation, a

clutch member controlling the movement of said extractor, a combined cover and drain board forthe extractor pivoted to the fluid chamber, and connecting means between the said cover and drain board andthe clutch member for the extractor. 2. In a centrifugal extractor, in combination, an extractor receptacle, a driving shaft adapted for detachable driving connection with the lower end of said receptacle, and means adjustable in relation to the upper end of the shaft for varying the position of engagement between the upper end of said shaft and said receptacle.

3. In a centrifugal extractor, in combination, an extractor receptacle having a raised bottom portion disposed axially thereof, a

driving shaft adapted for detachable driving connection with the lower end of said receptacle,.the receptacle and shaft provided with complimentary driving parts, and a member adjustable axially of the upper end of said shaft and on which the raised bottom portion of the receptacle rests when the receptacle is in normal operative position.

4. In a centrifugal extractor, in combination, an extractor receptacle having a raised bottom portion dis osed axially thereof, a plate secured to the ottom of said receptacle and underlying said raised portion and having an axial opening fashioned to form a driving part for the receptacle,'a driving shaft adapted for detachable driving connection with said plate and fashioned to'form a complementary driving part with the opening in said plate, and a member adjustable axially in the upper end of said shaft and on which the raised bottom portion of the. receptacle rests when the receptacle is in normal operative position.

In testimony fixed my signature. 7

' MARK A. DEFIBAUGH.

1. In a centrifugal extractor, in combina- I whereof, I have hereunto af-

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