Patent GB-609888-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to domestic washing machines
IPC: D06F58/10
Filed: 1946-04-23
Abstract: 609,888. Washing-machines. LURIE, J. April 23, 1946, No. 9031. [Class 138(ii)] [Also in Group II] A washing-machine comprises a washing-vessel 1, with heating means therefor, and a vertically contractable and expandable chamber which is adapted, after a washing operation, to be extended to provide a vertically-elongated drying enclosure above the vessel. The enclosure, which comprises side and front panels 6, 7, Figs. 1 and 3, a rear portion hinged at one or both sides to the side panels, and a lid, is provided with vertical channels 5 on the inner faces of the side panels for engaging rollers 3 on the vessel 1. The enclosure may be raised by means of a winding drum 12 associated with flexible cables 9 passing over pulleys 10 on the vessel 1. The vessel 1, which is mounted on legs, is provided with a central recess 1a in its base for housing an electric heating element 16 covered by a protective screen. Upstanding through the floor of the vessel 1 is a shaft 18, Fig. 4, on which may be removably mounted either an agitator for use in the washing operation or a basket for use for centrifuging the articles. Loosely rotatable on the lower end of the shaft 18 are a pulley 20, which is driven from an electric motor by a belt 21, and sprocket 24, which is oscillated by crank mechanism 25, 26 from the electric motor. A clutch member 29 keyed on the shaft 18 is adapted to be moved vertically so that it co-operates with either a clutch plate 23 connected to the sprocket 24 or a clutch plate on the pulley 20. The clutch member is normally urged by spring or weight means so that the sprocket 24 is in driving relation and the driving motor is switched off; a pivoted lever 27 may be actuated by a vertical rod 28 to place the pulley 20 in driving engagement. During the washing operation the drying chamber is collapsed on the vessel 1 and its lid is open; when the motor is switched on. the agitator is oscillated. At the end of the agitation cycle, the agitator is removed, and a pump, which is driven by the belt 21, is operated to empty the vessel. After one or more rinsing operations the clothes are transferred to a basket which is placed on the shaft 18, and the lid of the enclosure is closed so as to depress the rod 28 and permit rotation of the basket at high speed. After centrifuging, the drying chamber is extended above the vessel 1, and the clothes are draped on cross-bars supported in channels on the side panels. Instead of the drying enclosure being formed as a unit, it may consist of two collapsable sections normally housed in pockets at the sides of the vessel 1; each section then consists of a side panel and two hinged half-panels which form part of the front and rear of the enclosure when extended. If desired, the walls of the enclosure may be of fabric adapted to collapse and extend concertina-wise. During washing, the lid of the enclosure may be arranged to occupy an inclined position in relation to the vessel 1 so as to provide a support for the wet washed clothes. The centrifuging basket may be disposed in a second vessel disposed alongside the vessel 1, in which case the drying enclosure surrounds both vessels. According to the Provisional Specification, the oscillating agitator used in the washing operation is dispensed with, and the articles are subject to the action of streams of washing fluid by means of a pump, such streams having repeated changes of direction.