Patent GB-146907-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in washing machines
IPC: D06F23/04
Filed: 1920-07-06
Abstract: 146,907. Laundryette Manufacturing Co., (Assignees of Kirby, J. B.). Nov. 20, 1916, [Convention date]. Hydro - extractors.-A machine for washing clothes and subsequently drying or straining them comprises an open-topped perforated clothes receptacle 15 mounted in a water tank 1 and adapted to be rotated during the washing operation by the action of one or more eccentrically arranged plungers 47 having a vertically-reciprocating and a horizontally - oscillating motion, the plungers being removed and the receptacle raised out of the liquid and rotated at high speed during the drying operation. The machine described is similar to that described in Specifications 146,906 and 171,116. The plungers are carried by an inverted V-shaped member 105 swivelling about a vertical pin at the end of a horizontal arm 46 removably attached to a vertical rod 43 located within one of the legs of the machine frame and receiving a reciprocating motion from an arm 40. A member 106 pivoted to the arm 46 and bearing at its free forked end 108 on the edge of the water tank 1 is provided with depending lugs 107 alternately engaging the plunger support 105 at one side of its pivot so as to oscillate the plungers and thereby cause rotation of the clothes receptacle 15. The receptacle is attached to the upper end of a central shaft 11 slidable and rotatable in a fixed sleeve 10, upon which is locsely mounted a friction wheel 30 engaging an adjustable disk 83 driven by a belt 85 from an electric motor 86. A toothed wheel 31 is mounted on the hub of the wheel 30 and drives a toothed wheel 32 carrying a crank-pin 34 forming a ball joint with a cup 60 on the end of a connecting-rod 59. This connecting-rod oscillates about a shaft 36 and carries with it an arm 54 having a lug 53 held in contact with the arm 40 by a spring 55, the arrangement being such that the parts yield under an excessive thickness of clothing or other obstruction. The weight of the plungers is partly taken by a spring 56 tending to raise the arm 40. The shaft 11 is fitted with a friction clutch 98 normally out of engagement with the wheel 30, and its lower end is supported on a curved surface 76 adapted to be raised by a treadle 64, Fig. 4, fitted with a locking-treadle 67 engaging the machine frame in the two extreme positions of the main treadle. As the shaft 11 is raised its lower end lifts the clutch 98 into contact with the wheel 30 and the latter is carried towards the periphery of the driving disk 83, whereby the receptacle is rotated at high speed. At the same time the toothed wheel 31 is moved out of driving relation with the plunger mechanism. The wheel 30 may be raised, by depression of the treadle, until it bears against brake blocks 101, Figs. 2 and 4. The disk 83 is held by a spring in engagement with the wheel 30, but may be disengaged to stop the machine by operating a screwed spindle 92, Fig. 4. A lattice-work float 112, normally held submerged below the clothes receptacle, prevents splashing of the liquid during the drying operation. The frame legs are fitted with castors 115 resting in steel plates 117 to absorb the vibrations of the machine and minimize violent agitation of the water during the drying operation. One leg is fitted with a toggle extension 121, 124, Fig. 17, to tilt the machine for emptying. The driving- mechanism is protected by an enclosing casing.