US2601031A - Combined clothes washer and extractor - Google Patents

Description

June 1952 w. s. LANDWIER' COMBINED CLOTHES WASHER AND EXTRACTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 20, 1948 4 INVEN TL'IR WILLIAM B.LANDW'IER ATT 01? NET June 17, 1952 w. G. LANDWIERV 2,601,031

- COMBINED CLOTHES WASHER AND EXTRACTOR Filed Dec. 20, 1948 v s Shee'ts-Sheet 2 I //0 "I NYENT DR 956 I. /02 1 I wnum G. LANIIWIBR m we ATTDRNEY,

June 17, 1952 w. e. LANDWIER COMBINED CLOTHES WASHER AND EXTRACTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 20, 1948 [NVENTUR WILLIAM B. LANDWIEH ATTURNEY lbe.

Patented June 17, 1952 PATENT OFFICE COMBINED CLOTHES WASHER AND EXTRACT OR William .G. Landwier, Fayetteville N. Y., assignor to Easy "Washing Machine Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation .of Delaware Application December 20, 1948, Serial No. 66,280

18 Claims.

This invention relates to laundry apparatus, and particularly to such apparatus having centrifugal extractors.

=In theapplication Serial No. 49,682, filed September 17, 1948, there is disclosed a washing machine having a main washing tub and acentrifugal extraction tub, the latter being also adapted for centrifugal rinsing, by the provision ofa central water distributingdevice within the centrifugal extractor and a deck-supported downwardly directed rinse water supply nozzle or swing spout for supplying the distributingdevice.

The present invention is directed-to improvements over the structure there shown, it bein an object of the invention to provide connections for the circulationof rinse water both before and after, which shall be built in and form a part of the machine. Further objects of the invention are directed to simplification of the mechanism for directing fresh water supply to the main tub and/or to the rinse tub as may be desired. and for the conduction of rinse water efiiuent or discharge to the main tub for the recovery of soap suds, or to waste, as .thecase may Additionally, the invention is directed to a simplifieddetent for assistingin properly directwing the .swing spout to its various operative .positions,.as vwell as to .a rugged, .economical mounting structure :for the directing means.

The aboveand other novel features of the invention will appear .more fully fhereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings .are employed for purposes of illustration-only and are not designed'as a definition of the limits of :the invention, reference being had for this .pur-

pose to the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference'characters indicate :like parts:

Figure 1 is ;a side elevation of a washing ma- .chine with parts broken away showing :the general arrangement;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the fluiddirecting means;

Figure 3 :is-a broken section taken substantial- 1y on the line 33-ofFigure 2, showing the'fluid directing means in position for rinse operation;

Figure 4 is -a broken section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, showing the effluent directing means in position for discharge into the. main wash tub;

Figurefi is a transverse section taken substantiallyon the'1ine'5-5-.0f Figure 4,.showing the detent 'for the rinsewater fluid directing means;

ther modified form.

:Referring to the drawings, in Figure 1 and 2, there is shown a washing machine comprising a wash-tub In and centrifuge tub l2 mounted upon a framework including a transmission 13 and skirt i4 supported upon suitable legs .[6 2.116118. Bridging the rims of the tubs l0 and I2 .is 'a deck 20 and within the centrifuge tub I2 is a centrifuge basket 22 having centrally disposed therein .a distributing tube .24 being of generally conical shape in the form shown.

The deck 29 is provided with a working aperture 26 surrounding and embracing the rim 2 8 of the centrifuge tub l2, and an arcuate lip 30 overlying a substantial portion of the rim .32 of the wash tub Ill. The deck .20 is provided with a reverse bent flanged edge 34 (see Figure 3), providing .a rim 36 around the deck anda depending skirt 38. As will be well understood in the art, the rim of the tubs l0 and I2 are appropriately provided with U-section gaskets 40 and .42 to provide bearing surfaces for the deck which is held-down against such gaskets by Suitable tension means, also well understood in the art.

Intermediate the working opening 26 and the lip 36 and preferably to the rear, the deck 20 is providedwith an opening 34 through which conduit means .46 and. 48 extend, the conduit means being supported in spaced plate members 50 and'ifiz clamped to either side of the deck-20. The plates 56 and .52 are secured together by ,a plurality of screws 54 and contain aligned openings for the conduit means 46 and 4.8. Eachof the conduit means 46 and 48 comprisesasubstantially horizontal section or reach 56 .and 58, respectively, and downwardly projected outlet orifices 6B and 62, at the free ends, respectively. :Each of the conduit means also has a : shank portion 64 and 66, respectively, projecting through circular apertures 68 and H1 in top plate :50 and extending into sleeves or thimbles t2 ,and 74 formed as an integral part ofanddepending from the bottom plate 52. Each of the shanks ;-.64 andtt is slightly necked to reduced diameter as at 76 and 18 to receive a :deformable-O-ring rubber-like washer, and the bores 80 and 82 in the sleeves I2 and 14 are provided with shoulders 84 and 86 to confine the O-ring to an effective position to prevent leakage as shown. The O-ring, normally circular in cross-section, is radially flattened or rendered oval as shown.

Each of the conduit means 46 and 43 is pro- Vided with a collar 88 and 60, respectively, sweated or otherwise secured to the shanks 64 and 66, the collars being positioned between the plates 50 and 52 with the collar axial length provided for by suitable recesses 92 and 94 in the under side of the top plate 50. The recess 94 is substantially circular except for an enlarged diameter arcuate portion thereof as at 96, which provides shoulders 98 and I adapted to engage a lug I02 formed integral with the collar 90 to limit the angular movement of the shank 66 and the conduit means 46. The recess 92 is similarly circular in shape and is provided with an enlarged diameter portion I04 providing shoulders I06 and I08 cooperating with a collar-carried lug H0 to limit the angular movement of the conduit means 46.

The enlarged diameter portion of the recess is further enlarged by a radially extending rectangular recess H2 in which is positioned a detent bar H4 having spaced teats II 6 and H8 adapted to closely embrace the lug I I0. The bar II 4 is backed by a rectangular section of resilient material such as rubber or neoprene I20 which yieldingly supports the bar H4 in the position shown (see Figure but permits the lug H0 to resiliently rotate, camming the bar radially outward to permit escape of the lug from the position shown between the teats H6 and H8. The resilient material I during such movement is resiliently deformed and flows into the space I22 between the plates 50 and 52, it being understood that the plates in assembly are spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of the deck 20 and any suitable spacing gasket such as I24.

The sleeve '12 is provided with a side outlet I26 to which may be fitted a short nipple I28 suitably adapted for a hose connection as at I30, the pipe extending through an aperture in the side plate I32, fitted with a grommet I34. It will be observed that the sleeve I2 extends donwwardly beyond the side outlet I26, so that an aligned connection may be made to the sleeve by removing the wall I and plugging the side outlet I26. The sleeve I4 extends downwardly to receive a flexible hose I36 which in the form shown extends to the outlet of the motor driven discharge pump I38.

The centrifuge basket 22 is provided with a perforated distributing cone 24 having an open top I40 and lower enlarged end, and which extends to the bottom of the basket. The top I40 of the cone is provided with a cap I42 comprising a flanged ring member I44 and a woven wire mesh I46.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the conduit 46 may be connected to a fresh water supply through a hose connected to the nipple I28 at the connection I30, and the arm 46 swung to a position aligning the discharge orifice 60 with the center of the basket 22, and the upper end of the cone 24. In this position, the detent H4 with its teats H6 and I I8 embrace the lug H0, holding the arm with the reach portion 56 in the radial position described with respect to the basket. Upon transferring laundry from the wash tub I0 to the basket 22, the discharge conduit 48 will be swung to the position shown in Figure 2 in position to discharge into the Wash tub II]. A filter may be interposed in the supply connection if desired.

The centrifuge basket 22, upon rotation at high speed in conjunction with the pump I38, which is operating simultaneously therewith, discharges and delivers soapy suds and liquid from the laundry contained within the basket to the wash tub I0 through the drain connection I48 leading to the pump I38, and the discharge conduit 48. Thereafter, a short rinsing operation with fresh hot water may be effected by directing a stream of water through the distributing means 46 into the distributing cone 24, which hot water will flush residual soap in the laundry, discharging the same under centrifugal force into the tub I2, whence such additional hot soap suds will likewise be delivered into the tub I0. Thereafter, the hot water supply may be shut off and upon completion of the centrifuging of such hot water and flushing of suds from the laundry, and delivery thereof to the tub I0, the discharge conduit 48 may be swung to a position such as is indicated at 48 in Figure 2, so that the arm may discharge into an adjacent waste-receiving sink or the like. Thereupon, fresh cold or luke-warm water may be delivered to the supply conduit 46 and the distributing cone 24, and a rinsing operation performed over a period of several minutes.

The foregoing relates to operation where several successive loads of laundry are to be placed in the tub for washing with a single filling of wash water. Where a single load is to be effected, no need for saving of wash water is desirable, and in such event, the conduit means 48 may remain over the waste-receiving sink or the like.

It will be understood that the mesh cap upon the cone quickly transmits a degree of rotation to the stream of water discharged from the orifice 60, causing the water to form a. layer upon the internal surface of the COne 24, the layer traveling downward by reason of gravity and the conical shape. Distribution of water by centrifugal force through the perforations will be substantially uniform along the length of the cone as a result thereof. After completion of the period of rinsing, the fresh water supply is cut off and the centrifuge allowed to spin for a period sufiicient to extract all possible remaining moisture in the laundry, to produce damp laundry.

In assembling the plates 50 and 52 upon the deck 20, it will be observed that the aperture 44 is of sufficient size to permit movement of the plates over the surface of the deck so that the plates may be clamped in an adjusted position such that the discharge orifice 60 will be centrally disposed over the cone 24 when the detent lug H0 is position as shown in Figure 5. It will also be observed that the shoulder I08 is arouately disposed so as to permit the supply conduit means 46 to swing to the approximate position shown at 46**, where discharge from the orifice may be effective to flush the exterior wall of the basket 22.

Additionally, the shoulder I06 is so disposed as to permit the supply conduit to be swung to the position shown at 46 thereby facilitatin the filling of the main tub from the fresh water supply described. It will also appear that the tub I2 may be provided with a suitable circular cover I50 having a rubber bead I52 about its edge and a central aperture I54 to which an annular rubber grommet I56 is applied. By positioning the cover as shown in Figure 3 during the rinsing operation, splash from the tub I2 is eliminated. In

5, practice, the circular cover for the tub I- may havean aperture located adjacent its edge, which aperture may be aligned with the orifice 62 of the conduit means 08- when intheposition shown in inFigure 2.

In the. modification shown in Figure 6, the shankp'ortion I58 ofthe rinse supply conduit is positioned in a thimble I60 having asubstantially straight bore, and an O-ring I62 is provided inan annular integral groove I64 arranged inthe shank I58. A similar construction is appliedto the effiuent discharge means as shown in Figure-7; In addition, the orifice of the efiluent discharge means is provided with a resilient rubber sleeve I65 secured by asuitable groove I68 about an out-turned flange I at the end-of the conduit. Such sleeve is so shaped at I12 and providedwith a thumb piece I14 that the sleeve may be collapsed with'the section I12 over the orifice .110 to cut off drip or-a slight flow of water from the orifice, it being desirable tube able to momentarily cut off the flow of Water from the orifice-during swinging of the arm-from a position over the tub to one over theadjacent sink, or vice versa, although by proper operation of the apparatus, the arm may be swung at-a time when no flow occurs as following the removal of soapy suds from the extractor and prior to the introduction of rinse wateras described.

In this modification, the-thimbleorsleeve IE0 is formed-integral with a bottom plate I18 which is clamped witha top plate I80 on'opposite sides of the deck by screws I82; The top plate is provided with suitable recesses I80 and I80 for accommodating collars I88 and I90, similar to those previously described, the collar I90, however, having a notch I92 in its rim adapted to cooperate with a spring detent I 94 lying in an armate recess extension I96 in the plate I80.

In the modification shown in Figure 9, the top plate is dispensed with and the lower plate I98 provided withenlarged sleeves 200' and 202 into which the shanks of the distributing tubes 204 and 200 extend. Theshanks have sweated on their ends grooved collars 208 and 2I0containing Q-rings 2I2 and 2M. Each of the shanks of the tubes'204 and 206 is held in position by flanged nuts 2I0 and 2I8 extending through circular apertures in and bearing against the top side of the deck 20 and threaded into the sleeves 200 and 202. Suitable spring washers 220' may be interposed between the collars 208 and 2I0 and thelower ends of the nuts 2I6 and 2I8.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the parts required are. few innumber, readily fabricated, and easily assembled in proper relationship. The arrangement eliminates the customary shifting of aflexible hose during the simultaneous operation of the extractor and washer, thus simplifying the washing and rinsing operation and avoiding spillage. At the same time, the water inlet-bears no connection to the apparatus such asrequires any degree of pressure in the water supply, andback siphoning of wash water into thesupply line is prevented by the free fall from the supply ofi'ice.

While variousforms of the invention are illustrated. and described, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will-be had to the appended claims for a definition of'th'e limits of the invention.

Whatis claimed is:

1. Ina-washing machine, the-combination one tub, a-deck adjacent therim thereof, an aperture in said deck, opposed membersaboveand below said deck, means for-clamping said membersagainst-saiddeck about said aperture, said membershaving aligned apertures forreceiving aswivel tube, a swivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said apertures and having a collar secured to saidshank portion and'disposed between said members, and means independent ofsaid collar for establishing aseal b'etween'one of said members :andthe shank.

2'. In a washing. machine, the combination or a tub, a deck adjacent-the rim thereof, an aper-ture in saiddeck, opposed members above and below said deck, means for clamping said members against said deck about said aperture, said members having aligned apertures for receiving a swivel-tube, a swivel tubehavinga-shank portion projecting into said apertures andhaving a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members, a reduced diameter portion on thelowerend of said shank, anda toroidal member or rubber-like material mountedon said-portion in radial compression only between said portion and the adjacent aperture wall.

3. In a washing machine, the-combination of a tub, a deck adjacent the rim thereof, an-aperture in said deck, opposed plate members above and below saiddeck, meansforclamping said members against said deck aboutsaid aperture, said members having aligned apertures forreceiving a swivel tube, aswivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said apertures,

means cooperating with at least one of said-members for restraining axial movement of saidshank, and meansindependent of said restraining means for establishing, a seal between one of said members and the shank.

4. In a Washing machine, the combination of a tub, a deck adjacent the rim thereof, an aperture insaid deck, opposed plate members above and below said deck, means for clamping said members against said deckab'out said aperture, said members having aligned apertures for receiving a, swivel tube, a swivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said apertures and forming a close fit with at least one aperture, means for restraining axial movement of' said shank, means providing anannular space between said one aperture andshank, and'a toroidal member of rubber like material positioned in said annular space and under radial compression therein.

5. In awashing machine, the combination of a tub, a deck adjacent the rim thereof; anaperture in said deck, opposed members above-and below said deck, means for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture, said'members having aligned apertures, a swivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said apertures, a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members, one of said members having a recess to receive said collar, and means independent of said collar for establishing a seal between one of said members and the shank.

6; In a washing machine, the combinationof a tub, a deck adjacent the rim thereof, an aperture in said deck, opposed member above and below said deck, means for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture, said member having aligned apertures, a swivel tubehaving ashank portion projecting into said apertures, a collar secured'to said shank portion and disposed between said members, one of said. members having a recess to receive said collar,-said collar having a radial lug and said recess having an arcuate enlargement for said lug and radial stop wallstherefor to limit angular movement of the tube, and means for establishing a seal between one of said members and the shank. I

7. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a deck adjacent the rim thereof, an aperture in said deck, opposed members above and below said deck, mean for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture. said members having aligned apertures, a swivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said apertures, a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members, one of said members having a recess to receive said collar, said collar having a radial lug and said recess having a radially extending pocket with parallel side walls, a detent radially movable in said pocket and adapted to releasably engage said lug and resilient means in said pocket behind said detent urging said detent radially inwardly toward said collar, and means for establishing a seal between one of said members and the shank.

I 8. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a deck adjacent the rim thereof, an aperture in said deck, opposed members above and below said deck, means for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture, said members having aligned apertures, a swivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said apertures, a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members, one of said members having a recess to receive said collar, said collar having a radial lug and said recess having a radially extending pocket with substantially parallel side walls, a detent radially movable in said pocket and adapted to releasably engage said lug and a block of resilient material in said pocket behind said detent urging said detent radially inwardly toward said collar, and means for establishing a seal between one of said members and the shank.

9. In combination, a pair of opposed members, means for securing said members together, said members having aligned apertures, a swivel member having a shank portion projecting into said apertures, a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members, one of said members having a recess to receive said collar, said collar having a radial lug and said recess having a radially extending pocket with parallel side walls, a detent radially reciprocal in said pocket and adapted to releasably engage said lug and resilient means in said pocket urging said detent radially inward.

10. In combination, a pair of opposed plate members, and means for clamping said members together, said members having aligned apertures, a swivel device having a shank portion projecting into said apertures, said shank portion having a collar secured thereto and disposed between said members, a recess for said collar in one of said plate members, detent means in said recess cooperating with said collar, and resilient rubber-like material in said recess acting radially on said detent means.

11. In a washing machine, the combination of a circular tub, a rotary extractor in the tub having a central rinse water receiver, a deck adjacent the rim of said tub, an aperture in said deck, op-

posed plate members above and below said deck, and means for clamping said members against said deck through said aperture, said members having aligned apertures, a swivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said member apertures and a horizontal reach portion and downwardly directed discharge orifice, said shank portion having a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members and said reach portion being of a length to place said orifice on an are passing through the center of said tub, means for establishing a seal between one of said member and the shank, and the lower member having a conduit connection to the aperture therein beyond the end of said tube shank.

12. In a washing machine, the combination of adjacent tubs, one for washing and the other for extraction, a deck extending between the rims thereof, an aperture in said deck, opposed members above and below said deck, means for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture, said members having aligned apertures, a swivel conduit having a shank portion projecting into said apertures and a horizontally extending reach portion, a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members, one of said members having a recess to receive said collar, said collar having a radial lug and said recess having an arcuate enlargement for said lug and radial stop walls therefor to limit angular movement of the conduit between positions over-reaching both tubs.

13. In a washing machine, the combination of adjacent tubs, one for washing and the other an extractor tub, a deck extending between the rims thereof, a centrifugal extractor having a central rinse water receiver mounted within the extractor tub, an aperture in said deck, opposed plate members above and below said deck, means for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture, said members having aligned apertures, and the lower member having a conduit connection in alignment with said last-named apertures, a swivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said apertures and a reach portion adapted to extend over at least one of said tubs, a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members, one of said members having a recess to re ceive said collar, said recess having a radially disposed enlargement, and detent meansin said recess and enlargement cooperating with said collar, resilient rubber-like material in said enlargement acting radially on said detent means, and mean for establishing a seal between one of said members and the shank.

14. In a Washing machine, the combination of a tub, a mounting adjacent the rim thereof havng a vertical cylindrical walled aperture therein, a swivel tube having a shank portion having a substantial portion thereof projecting into said aperture and a horizontal reach portion and downwardly directed discharge orifice, said reach portion being of a length to position said orifice on an arc passing through the approximate center of said tub, said projecting portion of said shank and the wall of said aperture having a close fit over a substantial part of the length of said projecting portion, and being offset with respect to one another for the remaining part of the length of said projecting portion to provide an annular space between said shank and recess wall, and a toroidal resilient member compressed radially only between the shank and aperture in said annular space, for establishing a seal between said mounting and the shank.

15. In a washing machine, the combination of adjacent tubs, one for washing and the other an extractor tub, a deck extending between the rims thereof, a centrifugal extractor having a central rinse water receiver mounted within the extractor tub, an aperture in said deck, opposed plate members above and below said deck, means for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture, said members having aligned apertures, and the lower member having a conduit connection in alignment with said last-named apertures, a swivel tube having a shank portion projecting into said apertures and a reach portion adapted to extend over at least one of said tubs, a collar secured to said shank portion and disposed between said members and adapted to bear axially against both of said members, one of said members having a recess to receive said collar, said recess having a radially disposed enlargement, and detent means in said recess enlargement cooperating with said collar, and resilient rubber-like material in said enlargement acting radially on said detent means.

16. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub, a mounting adjacent the rim thereof having a vertical cylindrical walled aperture therein, a swivel tube having a shank portion having a substantial portion thereof projecting into said aperture and a horizontal reach portion and downwardly directed discharge orifice, said reach portion being of a length to position said orifice on an are passing through the approximate center of said tub, said projecting portion of said shank and the wall of said aperture having a close fit over a substantial part of the length of said projectin portion, and being ofiset with respect to one another for the remaining part of the length of said projecting portion to provide an annular space between said shank and recess wall means including a toroidal resilient member compressed radially only between the shank and aperture in said annular space, for establishing a seal between said mounting and the shank and detent means for holding said tube in a radial position with respect to said tub.

17. In a washing machine, the combination of adjacent tubs, one for washing and the other for extraction, a deck extending between the rims thereof, an aperture in said deck, opposed members above and below said deck, means for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture, said members having a pair of spaced aligned ubstantially vertical apertures, swivel conduits having shank portions projecting into each of said member apertures and projecting through said deck aperture, a collar secured to the shank portion of each of said swivel conduits and disposed between said members, said members having a recess to receive each of said collars, one of said collars having a radial lug and the corresponding recess having an arcuate enlargement therefor and radial stop walls to limit angular movement of the correspondin conduit between positions overreaching both tubs.

18. In a washing machine, the combination of adjacent tubs, one for washing and the other for extraction, a deck extending between the rims thereof, an aperture in said deck, opposed members above and below said deck, means for securing said members against said deck in covering relation to said aperture, said members having a pair of spaced aligned substantially vertical apertures, swivel conduits having shank portions projecting into each of said member apertures and projecting through said deck aperture, a col lar secured to the shank portion of each of said conduits and disposed between said members, said members having a recess to receive each of said collars, each of said collars having a radial lug and its corresponding recess having an arouate enlargement therefor and radial stop walls to limit angular movement of the corresponding conduits, one conduit between positions overreaching both tubs, and the other from a position over-reaching one tub and a position outboard of said tub.

WILLIAM G. LANDWIER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,583,128 Dale May 4, 1926 2,230,771 Wiltshire Feb. 4, 1941

Images