US2893264A - Selective drive for washing machine - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1959 G. M. GIBSON SELECTIVE DRIVE FOR WASHINGMACBINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8, 1955 INVENTOR. 6 6059621. Gibson BY I (flatly July 7, 1959 e. M. GIBSON I 2,893,264

SELECTIVE DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1955 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 fgg. 2. 130 /0 (A/$1 /26+ /6 g /26- HE; g 4Z3 6- /22 l6w -44 24 INVENTOR.

July 7, 1959 G. M. GIBSON 2,893,264

SELECTIVE DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 I //T 44 V :l V

. I INVElVTOR. $60596 M Gbson July 7, 1959 e. M. GIBSON SELECTIVE DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sfieet 4 Filed July 8, 1955 y' 1959 G. M. GIBSON SELECTIVE DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 8, 1955' INVE{VTOR. 6 605:96 M Gbso/z 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 G. GIBSON SELECTIVE DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE July 7, 1959 Filed July 8, 1955 'I NVENTOR. George M 626500 United States Patent 7 SELECTIVE DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE George M. Gibson, Bellevue, Iowa Application July 8, 1955, Serial No. 520,790 23 Claims. (Cl. 74-664) This invention relates to a selective drive for a washing machine and to new and novel controls for operating the Various drives.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to a domestic type of washing machine that is more adapted in size for use in apartments comprising a compact and economically arranged construction of the necessary mechanisms for operating a washing machine to complete the washing and wringing process.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a drive mechanism that can be selectively operated by the user for operating the agitator of the Washer, the pump for draining the washing machine tub, and for driving the wringer mechanism of the machine.

Another principal object of the present invention is to provide suitable control means whereby such various mechanisms as the agitator, pump and wringer may be operated according to the particular cycle of operation of the washing process.

It is another object of the present invention to provide one of the control means which is directly used for operating the wringer with a dead mans release pedal which must be held down at all times while the wringer is in action and which will automatically shut off the power transmission to the wringer if the operator releases his or her foot from the control pedal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an interlocking mechanism whereby the control mechanisr'ns will be rendered operative only to independently drive either the agitator or the wringer, this particular interlock never permitting power drive to both of these units at the same time. With this arrangement it is possible to use a smaller motor or less power as the case may be to operate either the agitator or the wringer, thus providing a machine which is efficiently operable but wherein the expense can also be maintained at a minimum by the use of a smaller motor.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide cooperative drive mechanisms for driving the agitator, the pump and the wringer wherein the drives all include pulleys and belts and wherein certain of the pulleys are bodily shiftable for the purpose of providing a selective manner of driving certain of the mechanisms of the washi'ng machine.

As a further object of the present invention this washin'g machine and its associated drive units for the various mechanisms thereof are all supported in suspended relation from an overhead chassis which comprises the machine top and frame so to speak, and which is of the general character and design similar to the construction described and illustrated in my copending application, Serial No. 167,641, filed June 12, 1950 and relating to Laundry Machine and which has now issued as Patent No. 2,759,348, dated August 21, 1956.

As a further object of the present invention, the drive mechanism includes several movable frameworks which bodily carry certain of the driving mechanisms such as the motor in one instance and as one of the pulley units 2,893,264 Patented July 7, 1959 in another instance with appropriate spring biasing means to'return such units to an inoperative position and with suitable control means to normally maintain such units in operative driving position.

Other objects and advantages relating to the selective drive mechanism of the washing machine of the present design shall hereinafter appear in the following detailed description having reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the washing machineof the present invention incorporating the seelctive drive mechanlilsms for operating. the various units of the washing mac me;

Figure 2 is a. vertical cross sectional view of the washing machine illustrated in Figure l and substantially as taken. along the line 2-2 therein with the greater portion of the internal structure of the machine shown in elevation;

I Figure 3 is another vertical cross sectional view of the washing machine of the present invention taken substantially along the line 3-3 in Figure 1 and also illustrating a good many of the mechanisms thereof in elevation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view of the bottom portion of the machine illustrated in Figure 2 with some of the parts shown in changed positions to illustrate certain driving sequences;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detailed cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is another detailed cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is another fragmentary cross sectional view of a constructional detail taken substantially along the line 7-7 in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-3 of Figure 2 illustrating certain details of construction of a portion of one of the control mechanisms;

Figure 9 is a further detailed cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 in Figure 8 to show further details of the construction of the control mechanism shown in Figure 8; and

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a modified construction of the invention.

As best illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the present washing machine comprises a suitable exterior panel 1 carried upon the caster wheels 2 and which carries at its upper end a chassis 3 that includes a tub opening 4, drainboard sections 5 and 6, the wringer trough 7, and suitable wringer shaft bearings 8 and 9 to rotatably support a lower wringer roll 10. The companion wringer roll 11 is carried by swingable brackets 12 and 13 including a handle mechanism 14 through which the release roll 11 may be shifted from an operative position as shown in Figure 2 to an inoperative housed position as shown in Figure 1 or vice versa. The wringer also includes suitable tensioning units 15 and 16, all of which are more clearly disclosed and explained in my copending application, Serial No. 520,791; filed of even date herewith.

The washing machine tub 17 is suitably secured to a peripheral edge 18 by bolt and nut means such as shown at 19 and 20 in Figure 8 so that the tub is rigidly suspended or supported from the overhead chassis 3 which includes all the previously described configurations and which actually forms the top frame of the machine.

The tub also includes a pair of parallel angle irons 21 and 22 which extend the full length of the tub from the chassis 3 and which project downwardly into the chamber formed by the exterior panel 1. These angle irons 21 and 22 are each made up with coplanar legs 23 and 24 and with the parallel legs 25 and 26 which act as supbottom 35 of the tub 17 carrying an appropriate drain structure 36 and the impeller 37 of the pump is connected with a shaft 38 that carries a friction wheel 39 fixedly secured to the shaft and which comprises the driving wheel for the pump.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 3, the wringer roll is provided with a shaft 40 which extends outwardly through the chassis 3 and which carries a spur gear 41 thereon meshing witha spur pinion 42 that is secured to a shaft 43. Pulley 44 is secured to the shaft 43 and provides the driving means for the wringer rolls through the gear reduction 41 and 42 as instituted by the rotatable pulley 44. .As best shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the motor 27 is of the general design and arrangement as the motor which is more elaborately described and disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 520,671, filed July 8, 1955, relating to Driving Mechanism for Washing Machines. In general, the motor includes a mounting stud arrangement having studs 4546 and 47-48 that are secured to oppositely positioned angles 49 and 50 which together comprise a slidable framework for bodily moving the motor vertically between and with respect to the tub angle irons 21 and 22. Angles 49 and 50 include coplanar legs 51 and 52 and parallel legs 53 and 54 with the latter two legs disposed immediately adjacent the legs 25 and 26 of the tub angles 21 and 22.

A plurality of shouldered studs 5556 and 57-58 which are secured in fixed position with respect to the legs 25 and 26 of the angles 21 and 22 and which operate through suitable slots such as 59 and 60 illustrated in Figure 3 that are formed in the parallel legs 53 and 54of the motor angles 49 and 50.

Suitable tension springs 61 and 62 are connected to the stud units 55 and 57 respectively and each of these springs engage the ears 63 and 64 on the angles 49 and 50 respectively to normally act to urge the entire motor structure upwardly between the tub angles 21 and 22 and with respect to the tub.

It should be noted that the motor drive shaft 65 includes a friction wheel 66 as shown in Figure 3 which friction wheel is secured to the motor shaft 65 and which 'wheel is positioned in direct alignment with the friction wheel 39 of the pump 34. Vertical movement of the motor toward the pump will cause the friction wheels 39 and 66 to meet so that this upper position of the motor provides the drive to the pump, the drive obviously being shown in interrupted relation in Figure 3 of the drawings. Attention is also directed to the provision of a bracket such as 67 with a rubber bumper 68 which is so arranged as to strike an abutment boss 69 on the shaft casing of the pump through which means the friction wheels 39 and 66 become properly engaged under and 71 which are each secured to the shaft and which are disposed outwardly with respect to the tub angles 21 and 22 and also outwardly beyond the motor carrying framework comprising the angles 49 and 50. A belt 72 is provided for transmitting the drive from the motor pulley 71 to the agitator pulley 33 and since, as previously described, the motor is vertically movable which means toward and away from the agitator unit 29, it is possible to move the pulley 71 vertically between a position wherein the pulley is in driving engagement with the belt 72 and also to a position wherein the pulley 71 is rendered inoperative to transmit the drive of the motor to the belt 72.

The wringer drive is completed from the pulley through a laterally disposed belt 73 which encircles pulley '74 that is mounted on a shaft 75 which also carries a smaller pulley 76. A vertically disposed belt 77 is entrained over the pulley 76 and connects with pulley 44 to drive the wringer through the previously explained drive mechanism mounted in the upper portion of the machine as best illustrated in Figure 3. The wringer drive is selectively operable through the bodily shifting of thepulley 74 and its shaft 75 in a horizontal direction toward and away from the location of shaft 65 of the motor as best illustrated in Figure 4.

It is through the use of the shiftable frame 28 that this movement of the pulley 74 is made possible. As best shown in Figures 4 to 7, the shiftable frame comprises a horizontally disposed angle 78 which carries a vertical bracket 79 that extends upwardly from the angle 78 and has the pulley shaft 75 fixedly secured to the upper portion of the bracket in a nesting groove 80 formed in the bracket. Bracket 79 is also provided with a horizontally disposed slot 81 that rides upon a stud 82 that is normally maintained in fixed position with respect to the leg 23 of the angle 21 but which stud 82 is vertically adjustable along the slot 83 formed in the leg 23 of the angle 21. Thus, as viewed in Figure 4, the left hand portion of the angle 78 and its associated bracket is laterally shiftable by means of the coaeting slot and bolt means 81 and 82.

The right hand portion of the shiftable framework 28 includes a swinging arm 84 that is pivotally carried upon the bolt means 85 that is secured to the leg 24 of the angle 22 and which is also vertically fixedly adjustable along the slot 86 in the leg 24. The depending end of arm 84 is provided with a foot 87 that extends outwardly from the arm 84 and angularly with respect thereto to occupy a position substantially parallel to a ledge 88 which comprises an angularly disposed portion of the end of angle 78 of the swingable unit. In addition, a foot pedal 89 is also provided which has a bearing end 90 that is interposed between the bracket ledge 88 and the foot 87 of arm 84 and which foot pedal 89 is provided at its other end with a foot pedal portion 91 that constitutes, together with the swingable bracket 78 and its associated means, a dead mans release control for operating the wringer.

The foot 87, ledge 88 and bearing 90 of the lever 89 are all suitably apertured to receive a common bolt 92 therethrough that extends upwardly to include an adjustable nut 93 having a spring 94 interposed between the nut and the adjacent face of the foot 87 of the arm 84. The bolt 92 and the spring means thereon, therefore, produces a resilient fastening to maintain the members generally together and disposed in the inoperative wringer driving position as illustrated in Figure 2. This mechanism is movable from the position shown in Figure 2 to the association of the elements as shown by the downward full line illustration of the pedal 89 as best shown in Figure 4.

Thus, the shiftable framework 28 is suspended and movably guided by the lower portions of the tub angles 21 and 22 and is movable in the general plane of the legs 23 and 24 of the tub angles.

This framework 28 as above described is guided in a predetermined relation with respect to the angles 21 and 22 as best shown in Figures 5 and 6. in Figure 5, which illustrates the left hand portion of the framework and 76.

angle 21 in Figure 4, angle 21 includes a struck out portion- 95 formed as a part of the le 25 of angle 21 which is horizontally disposed in front of bracket 79. "This Bracket 79 as seen in Figure 5 includes an offset 96 to bring the securing portion "of the bracket in front or the face of the angle 78, maintaining the rear face of angle 79 and the rear face of angle 78 in line. It should also be noted that the leg 23 of the angle 21 is thus arranged in depending relation at 97 to occupy a position immediately adjacent the rear portion of angle as best shown in Figure 5. Thus the left hand portion of the swingable framework is guided between the struck "out portion 95 and de endin portion 97 of the angle 21. t

At the right hand portion of Figure '4 the angle 78 is again maintained is guided position between the bent or struck out portion 98 formed from leg 26 of angle with the depending ortion '99 of the leg 24 of an le occup ing a position in back of the angle so that the 'V'elfihl 'pbftibn of the latte travels Within the Slot I'm as illustrated in Figure '6. It is obvious also that the angle '78 may move both 'endwise with respect to the guided construction of the angles '21 and 22 and at the same time there is vertical clearance to permit the angle 78 to move in a vertical direction as brought about through the instrumentality of the pedal 91.

Additional guide means is provided in the form of an angle 101 which is secured as at 102 to the horizontal- 1y disposed leg 103 of the upper portion of the bracket 79 which also carries the shaft 75 of the pulley 74. The vertical leg 103 of the angle 101 is slidably operable along the outer face 104 of leg 23 of angle 21. Thus, with all of the guided features as described a d illustrated in connection with Figures 5 and 6-, together with the construction explained connection with Figure 7 and through the bolt and slot means 81 and 82 and the swingable "arm 84, the entire 'swingable frame is held in stabilized relation throughout its movements as determined by the operation of the pedal'9-1. Furthermore, a suitable tension spring 105 has one end connected through a slotted portion 106 at the bracket end of the angle 78 and with the other end of the spring 105 being connected to a suitable clip 107 that is carried by the bolt means '58, and this spring normally maintains the entire swingabl'e frame to the right as viewed in Figure 4- with the assembly being moved 'to the left by the operation of the foot pedal 91.

With the foot pedal arrangement and the spring bolt mechanism 92 and 94, it is possible to rotate the foot pedal 91 from an o erative position where it extends downwardly and outwardly from the outer panel 1 of the machine to a stored position approxim tel 90 degrees from the ones shown in dotted and full lines in Figure 4. This would bring the foot pedal underneath the machine panel and out of the way while the washing machine is being stored or is out of use for washing purposes.

Referring again "to Figure 4, it should be noted that each of the angles 49 and 50 are provided with integral depending leg portions 108 and 109 that are vertically operable in substantially the same plane coincident with the upstanding leg 110 of the angle 78. Al o, angle 78 is provided with a pair of slots 111 and 112 which are 49 and 50.

By this particular arrangement we have an interlocking mechanism whereby the wringcr cannot be operated as long '23 the Shift'abl'e 1101GT frame is dropped it) tighten belt 72 and to drive the agitator 29 through the pulley ill) 6 33. By the same token, it is impossible to o erate the drive to the wringer by means of the foot pedal 91 as long as the leg portions 108 and 109 are disposed within slots 111 and 112, which is the driving position of the motor in transmitting the drive to the agitator. This entire arrangement is made possible by the use of the intermediate pulley and belt means 73, 74 and shaft 75 and more specifically by the arrangement of the motor and its shift'able framework which operates in one predetermined path of movement and by the coordination therewith or another shiftable framework which operates in another direction angularly disposed with respect to the motor travel.

It is also to be noted that the motor construction inclines a vertically open channel 113 which is carried across the bolt means 45 and 47 to receive both runs of the belt 72 therebetween so that this belt will be held in operative relation with respect to the motor drive pulley 71 during the release of the pulley from the belt. Similar belt retaining clips 114 and 115 are carri'edby the structure 113 and a cross plate 116 that is carried by the bolt means 46 and 48 with both of the clips 114 and 115 normally preventing displacement of the belt 73 while the shiftable mechanism 28 is moved to the right as viewed in Figure -4 and as shown in inoperative driving relation in Figure 2.

The control means for operating the shiftable motor and its associated framework is'best seen in Figures 2, 8 and 9. This mechanism comprises a stiff legged push rod means consisting of a pair of coupled rods 1'17 and 118 that are connected by a threaded sleeve means 119 to adjust the total overall length of the two rods between the respective outer ends thereof. Rod 118 has a turned in end 120 which is connected with the shiftable motor framework through an opening 121 in angle 50 and the upper end of the rod 117 also has a turned in end 122 that is carried in an opening 123 in a swingable arm 124 secured to the horizontal stem 125 of a crank 126 The crank is pivotally supported in an opening 127 in a boss 128 that is in an integral portion of the chassis 3 and the arm 124 is adapted to rotate about the adjacent face 129 of the boss 128 between the various positions illustrated in Figures 8 and 9;

When the control mechanism just described and which is indicated in its entirety at 130 in Figures 2, 8 and 9, is in the position illustrated in full lines, the shiftable motor unit is maintained downwardly the maximum extent to tighten up the belt 72 and to cause the power to be transmitted from the motor to the agitator. Obviously, both of the springs 61 and 62 are normally urging the motor and its associated framework in an upward direction. However, upward movement of the control mechanism 130 is prevented by reason of the over center arrangement shown in Figure 9 wherein the axial center of the turned in rod portion 122 is to the right of a virtual center line that may be passed through the axial center of the shaft portion 125 of the crank and the axial center of the inturned portion 120 of the 'rod 118. This position is determined by a depending lug 131 which is an integral portion of the boss or beating member 128 and this prevents further movement of the inturned portion 122 of the rod 117 to the right as shown in Figure 9 and which position is so maintained by means of the tension injected into the mechanism by means of the springs Hand 62. I

To interrupt the drive from the motor to the agitator, the crank 126 can be turned clockwise as shown in Figure 9 from position A to a position B which is determined by the extended end of the inturned position 122 coming into contact with the edge 128a of the boss as shown at 132 in Figures 8 and 9. This permits the motor unit and its associated framework to rise unde'r the action of the springs61 and 62 into a neutral position which is intermediate the interruption of the drive through belt 72 to the agitator and before the friction Wheel 66 of the motor contacts the pump driving wheel 39. When the shiftable mechanism of the motor unit is thus disposed, it is possible for an operator to depress the pedal 91 to transmit or interrupt the drive from the motor to the wringer since the raising of the motor as just described also releases the interlock and permits such 'action.

Obviously, when the entire washing operation or cycle has been completed and the user Wishes to drain the tub of its wash water, it is only necessary to move the handle or crank 126 inwardly in the direction of the arrow 133 as shown in Figure 8 to release the end 132 of the inturned rod 122 from the boss 128 and to permit the handle to move into a position as indicated by C in Figure 9-which will then permit friction wheels 66 and 39 to contact and to operate the pump.

The movements of the composite rod structure 117 and 118 which comprises a part of the control means 139 are intermediately guided and stabilized by means of a suitable clip arrangement 134 that is attached at a convenient location to the leg 26 of the vertical tub angle 22. Clip arrangement 134 is adapted to urge rod 117 toward the angle 22 so that rod portion 122 and its swingable arm 124 are normally resiliently held to the left in Figure 8 with arm 124 against face 129 of the boss 128, except when members 122 and 124 are urged to the right by crank 126. h

The foregoing description has been directed to one form of the invention and to the mode of operation, control and regulation of the various drive mechanisms utilized to carry out the washing cycle of the structure illustrated in Figures 1 to 9 inclusive. Referring now to Figures and 11, the apparatus here shown illustrates a modified arrangement more specifically centered about the swin able and shiftable mechanism for selecting the drive from the motor to the different machine units, and also including another interlocking means for the control of the operation of such mechanism.

In Figure 10 of this construction the tub an les 21 and 22 carry an overhead cross channel 135 having an extended end 136 slotted at 137 to adiustably receive a pivotal fastening means 138 to swingably carry an angle link 139. Pulley 74 is rotatably carried u on shaft 75 and the latter is secured to a suitable deformation or bearin part 140 formin an intermediate portion of the link 139 to provide bodily swinging means to carry 'pullev 74 directly with the movements of the swingable link 139.

A short link .141 is pivotallv supported by screw fastening means 142 connected with angle 22, and a generally horizontally arran ed connecting link 143 of angle .A foot pedal 146 with a toe plate 147 is resiliently joined with the end 148 of link 143 by the spring mechanism 149 which follows the general desi n of the analogous mechanism shown in Figure 4. With the arrangement shown in Figure 10, pressure upon the toe plate 147 will 'move the link assembly to the left to take up the slack in belt 73 to complete the drive from the motor pulley 70 to pulley 74 and the associated pulley 76 to belt 77 and to the wringer drive assembly.

The link mechanism defined is stabilized to move in its plane of operation by a depending bearing plate 150 carried by channel 135 in parallel relation to the adjacent face or leg 151 of the link 1399. The link 141 is flat against the supporting leg of angle 22 to hold end 143 of link. 143 in its plane of operation.

The interlock mechanism in the Figure 10 construction comprises a curved rod 152 secured to link 141 and supporting a spring 153 that is interposed between the edge of link 141 and leg 26 of angle 22 to normally hold the entire link assembly and its operating pedal 146 to the right in a position as determined by the contact of leg 154 of link 139against the edge 155 of leg 23 of the angle 21.

The rod 152 is located for entry into and through an opening 156 in leg 26 of angle 22 with opening 156 being in line with the lower slot 60 in motor angle assembly 50. With this arrangement, pedal 146 cannot be depressed when the motor unit is down to tension belt 72 to drive the agitator 29 as determined by the down position of push rod 118, all due to the fact that rod 152 does not line up with slot 60 and necessarily abuts the side leg 54 of the motor angle 50. When motor 27 is raised to interrupt the drive to the agitator through belt 72, pedal 146 when then depressed may now move link 141 to the left as rod 152 can now operate and pass through slot 60 to establish the drive to the wringer by means of belt 73.

Any downward pressure on push rod 118 will be prevented by the top edge of slot 60 striking rod 152 as long as the wringer drive is efiective. Only after the foot is removed from the pedal 146 to cause spring 153 to bring the parts of the link assembly back to the full line position of Figure 10 will it be possible to again establish the drive to the agitator by depression of the push rod 118 i by means of the control mechanism 130 at the top of the washing machine.

The foregoing explanation has been directed to several preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is also contemplated that certain modifications in the combination of units used or in the individual elements thereof are also possible without departing from the fundamental concept of the present invention. However, the latitude of such departures shall be governed by the breadth and scope of the language of the appended claims as directed to this invention.

What I claim is: I

1. A drive apparatus to selectively transmit driving power to certain of three independent operating elements comprising a motor connected with individual drive means constructed and arranged to selectively transmit motive power to each of said operating elements respectively, a guide structure for said motor, said motor being slidably carried upon said guide structure to move along one given path between a neutral and predetermined operative driving positions to cause operative power transmission through certain of said drive means to one or the other of two of the aforesaid operating elements respectively, and operative mechanism connected with the remaining of said operating elements and supported for bodily shifting movement along a path that is angularly disposed with respect to said path of movement of said motor to selectively transmit the drive through another of said motor drive means to said remaining operating element and to interrupt such drive to said latter operating element while said motor occupies a neutral position.

2. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 1 wherein the combination further includes cooperative interlocking means that are connected with said motor and with said bodily shiftable operative mechanism respectively to positively regulate the sequence of drive transmittal between said motor and said operating elements.

3. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 2 wherein the interlocking means is constructed and arranged to provide interacting structural members carried by said bodily shiftable operative mechanism and by said guide structure respectively to prevent simultaneous movement of said motor and said bodily shiftable mechanism, whereby the drive from said motor is incapable of simultaneously operating more than one of said operating elements.

4. A drive apparatus to selectively transmit driving power to certain of three drive members of independently operable systems comprising a motor unit having individual drive means constructed and arranged-to selecto said path of movement of said motor to selectively transmit the drive from said motor to said remaining "drive member or to interrupt such drive to said latter drive member while said motor occupies a neutral posi tion, and control means connected with said motor to 'shiftably displace the same between predetermined driving positions along said guide structure, said control means including stop means to establish an intermediate no drive neutral idling position for said motor along said guide structure.

"5. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 4 wherein a second control is connected with bodily shiftable operative mechanism to control the drive from said motor to said remaining drive member.

6. A drive apparatus to selectively transmit driving power to certain of three drive members of independently operable systems comprising a power unit having drive means constructed and arranged to selectively transmit motive power to said drive members respectively, said power unit being shiftably carried to move between predetermined positions to cause operative power transmission to one or the other of two of the aforesaid drive members respectively, and operative mechanism connected with the remaining of said drive members and mounted for bodily shifting movement with respect to said power unit to selectively transmit the drive from said power unit to said remaining drive member or to interrupt such drive to said latter drive member, and

control means connected with said power unit to shiftably displace the power unit between predetermined driving positions, said control means including stop 'means to establish an intermediate no drive idling position for said power unit, and a second control means connected with said bodily shiftable operative mechanism to control the drive from said power unit to said remaining drive member, and interlocking mechanism connected between said shiftable power unit and said shiftable operative mechanism to prevent drive transmission to the with independently operable systems comprising a movably supported motor having drive transmitting means connected therewith and arranged to selectively drive certain of said drive members of said systems respectively when said motor is bodily shifted into predetermined established locations, a movable frame to carry said motor, and control mechanism connected with said frame and motor to actuate the latter assembly between certain of said locations comprising a swingably mounted manually operable element, stops to limit the angular displacement of said element, tie rod means connected between said element and the assembly power unit, said stops functioning to selectively position said shiftable assembly through said element and tie rod means into certain of said established locations, and said manually operable element including axially shiftable means to release said element from at least one of said stops for additional angular adjustment into another position and to thereby permit further shifting of the assembly into another of said established predetermined locations.

8. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and ,defined in claim 7 wherein guide mechanism is provided to guide said assembly along a given path and between the aforesaid established locations of said motor, said control mechanism providing means to actuate said a'ssembly in one direction along said guide mechanism, and resilient means connected with said assembly to normally urge said assembly in the opposite direction along said guide mechanism.

9. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 7 wherein guide mechanism is provided to guide said frame and motor along a given path and between the aforesaid established locations for said motor, said control mechanism providing means to actuate said assembly in one direction along said guide mechanism, and resilient means connected with said assembly to normally urge said unit in the opposite direction along said guide mechanism, and said swingably mounted element and said tie rod means being coactively arranged to provide an overcenter locking mechanism to maintain said assembly in a given position when said control mechanism actuates said assembly in said one direction along said guide mechanism.

10. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 9 wherein one of said limit stops functions to positively determine said overcenter position of said swingably mounted element and said tie rod means.

11. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 9 wherein coacting bumper and abutment means are connected with said assembly and a fixed structural element is carried on the machine to provide a limit of movement for said assembly when the latter is disposed in said other location pursuant to the operation of said axially shiftable element release means.

12. A drive apparatus to selectively transmit driving power to certain of three drive members connected to actuate independently operable systems respectively comprising a supporting unit to carry said drive members, a framework on said supporting unit, a motor to drive said drive members including power transmission means to selectively transmit the drive from said motor to said drive members respectively, said power transmission means comprising pulley means on said motor, pulley means on each of two of said drive members, and belts connecting said motor pulley means with each of said two pulley means of said two drive members, a motor carrying frame slidably mounted upon said framework to shiftably carry said motor upon said framework along one path of movement to move said motor pulley means toward and away from the pulley means of one of said two drive members to tighten or slacken the belt connected between said latter coacting pulley means where- -by to selectively drive said one of said two drive members, and further shiftable mechanism carried upon said framework and arranged to support the pulley means of the other of said two drive members along a path angularly disposed with respect to the shiftable path of said motor and providing means to tighten or slacken the belt connected between said motor pulley means and the pulley means of the other of said two drive members whereby to selectively operate said other drive member, and further drive means connected with and driven by said motor and arranged for driving contact with the third of said drive members to operatively actuate said latter drive member with the shifting movement of said motor by said motor frame at a time when said pulley means of said motor are disposed in inoperative driving positions with respect to the pulley means of said other two drive members.

13. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 12 wherein coacting interlocking means are connected with said shiftable motor carrying frame and with said other shiftable mechanism respectively to prevent simultaneous operation of any two of the three drive members of said operable systems.

14. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 12 wherein independent control mechanisms are provided and connected to operate said shiftable motor carrying frame and said other shiftable .mechanism respectively.

15. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 14 wherein one of said control mechanisms includes coacting parts arranged to pre-position said shiftable motor in a neutral non-driving position with respect to said belts and the respective coacting pulley means connected by such belts.

16. A drive apparatus to selectively transmit driving power to any one of three drive members connected to independently actuate different operable systems respectively, comprising power operated drive means arranged to independently drive said drive members, said power operated drive means comprising a motor, movable mechanism carrying said motor for guided actuation along a predetermined path, pulley and belt mechanism connected between said motor and one of two of the aforesaid drive members and located along said predetermined path of motor movement, cooperative friction drive elements on said motor and on the third of said drive members, said drive elements being rendered operative by movement of said motor along its path of motion, said motor drive being transmitted to said one of the two drive members and through said cooperative friction drive elements when said motor is actuated into different positions, and further pulley and belt mechanism adapted to connect said motor and the other of said two drive members including movable auxiliary mechanism to carry one of said pulleys for movement relative to its belt and arranged to transmit or to interrupt the drive from said motor to said other of the two drive members, said movable auxiliary mechanism being rendered operable or inoperable through movement of said auxiliary mechanism between selected positions located along a predeter mined path that is angularly disposed with respect to the path of movement of the other movable mechanism that carries said motor.

17. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 16 wherein interlocking mechanism is carried by said movable motor carrying mechanism and by said movable auxiliary mechanism to permit in-' dependent power transmission only to either one of the two drive members operated under the direct influence of the shiftable mechanisms in cooperation with their respective pulley and belt mechanisms.

18. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 16 wherein separate control means are employed to operate each of the movable motor carrying mechanism and the movable auxiliary mechanism independently of each other and to selectively complete the drive from said motor to any one of the drive members connected to independently actuate their corresponding operable systems.

19. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 18 wherein automatic interlocking means cooperatively connect with each of said movable mechanisms to limit the operation of said separate control means to prevent concurrent simultaneous power transmission from said motor to said two-grouped drive elements.

20. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 18 wherein at least one of said control means incorporates a dead mans release mechanism comprising a manually operated foot pedal to render said control means operative under constant foot pres: sure together with resilient means connected with said control means to urge the same into inoperative relation upon immediate release of foot pressure contact.

21. A drive apparatus to actuate drive members connected to drive independent operative systems comprising a pulley on one of said drive members, a pulley on the other of said drive members, a power source to drive said pulleys comprising a motor, pulleys connected with said motor, separate belts connecting each of said motor pulleys with one of said drive member pulleys respectively, and independent shiftable means to selectively change the distances between each of said drive member pulleys and its corresponding motor pulley to tighten or slicken the corresponding belt of each of said two belt connected pulley trains to complete or to interrupt the drive through each of said belt runs, said shiftable means comprising a first movable mechanism arranged to carry said motor to shift the latter along a path coincident with the run of one of said belts, and a second movable mechanism arranged to support a pulley of the other belt and to actuate said latter pulley in a direction coincident with the run of said other belt.

22. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 21 but further including guide mechanism for each of said shiftable means constructed and arranged to guide the individual movements of said shiftable means in the directions of said belt runs to decrease or to increase the distances between each pair of belt connected pulleys respectively.

23. In a drive apparatus of the character set forth and defined in claim 22 with the further addition of interlocking members carried by each of said shiftable means respectively to provide coacting means to control independent drive transmittal through either of the pair of belt connected pulleys while the other of said pairs of belt connected pulleys remain inoperative.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 950,402 Phillips Feb. 22, 1910 976,622 Becker Nov. 22, 1910 2,046,258 Frantz et al. June 30, 1936 2,143,730 Frantz et al Jan. 10, 1939 2,337,586 Bowen Dec. 28, 1943 2,533,722 De Remer Dec. 12, 1950 2,598,110 Clark May 27, 1952 2,625,030 Wooster Jan. 13, 1953 2,785,558 Broderick Mar. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 538,424 Great Britain Aug. 1, 1941

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