Patent GB-839470-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to laundering machines
IPC: D06F34/16
Filed: 1956-08-03
Abstract: 839,470. Spin-drying. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. Aug. 3, 1956 [Aug. 3, 1955(2)], No. 24012/56. Class 34(2) [Also in Group XXXVII] A changeover from high to low speed rotation of a laundry basket is effected when vibrations exceed a certain amplitude and means are provided for adjusting this amplitude. After a predetermined interval a time motor 47 causes a reverse change from low to high speed, and this procedure is repeated until the laundry is uniformly distributed in the basket. As shown in Fig. 4, two arms 55, 56 are arranged to pivot together about a common axis 57, the arm 55 engaging a bracket 37 on a tub 10 surrounding the basket, and the arm 56 being adapted to operate a switch button 43. When button 43 is Dressed terminals 39, 41 only are connected. When a button 42 is pressed, terminals 39, 40 only are connected. A spring 69 biases the arm 56 into engagement with an adjustable screw stop 67 by means of which the arm 56 can be pre-set during manufacture. This ensures that the switch 36 will be operated upon a predetermined movement of the plunger head 62. To allow for changes in the gap between the bracket 37 and switch 36 subsequent to manufacture the arms 55, 56 are adjustably connected by means of a screw and slot connection 59, 60. When the machine is set up for use the screw 59 is loosened and a spring 73 biases the arm 55 into contact with the bracket 37. The screw 59 is then re-tightened to lock the arms 55, 56 together. Low speed rotation is imparted to the basket for washing, rinsing and final drying by means of a two-speed transmission having a solenoid coil 31 which can be energized under the control of switch 36 and a sequence control 30 in order to change over to high speed rotation for spin drying. If the vibration of the tub 10 during spin drying exceeds the predetermined amplitude the switch button 43 will be pressed inwardly to open the circuit to a solenoid 31 to return the transmission to low speed drive. Simultaneously the timer motor 47 is brought into operation to rotate a star wheel 48 through reduction gearing 49, 50. The star wheel 48 rotates counterclockwise and engages a leaf spring 51 which is fixedly mounted at 52. The spring is thus bent rearwardly and then allowed to spring back to contact and actuate the button 42, thereby stopping the timer motor 47 and closing the circuit to the coil 31. A spring mounting 63 for the plunger 61 prevents damage of the switch 36 in the event of unduly large vibration of the tub 10. Modifications. In Fig. 5 two arms 152, 153 are pivoted at 154 and connected by a coil spring 155 and a third arm 159 pivoted at 154 is provided with a tab 160 which extends into a slot 161 in the arm 153. A spring 162 biases the arm 159 into contact with a slide 163 whose position can be adjusted by means of an eccentric shouldered screw 166 to adjust the position of the arm 159 and therefore of the arm 153. This adjustment is made during manufacture and fixed by means of a screw 167. A final adjustment can be effected merely by loosening a screw 168 and then retightening it to lock the arms 152, 159 together. The positions of the switch 36 and bracket 37 in Figs. 4, 5, can be reversed, the switch 36 being mounted on the tub 10, and the bracket 37 on the base of the machine.