Patent GB-699686-A (GB)
IPC: D06F7/00
Abstract: 699,686. Washing-appliances. CARY, Ltd., W. E. June 25, 1951. [April 12, 1950 ; July 13, 1950] Nos. 8963/50 and 17532/50. Class 138 (ii). Liquid circulating mechanism for washing clothes comprises a unitary composite structure having an annular base 11, (Fig. 1,) an annular deflector 17 above the base and so positioned as to leave a circumferential outlet between itself and the base, and a motor 25 in a housing 14 above the deflector driving a shaft 16 extending down through the deflector and carrying an impeller 23 within the base characterised by opposed smooth concave and convex surfaces on the deflector and base respectively, which form an annular passage curving without sudden change of direction from the region of the impeller to the outlet. The mechanism may be temporarily introduced into the container or may form an integral or composite part thereof. The mechanism may be supported by its base on the floor of the container or means may be provided for attaching it to the wall thereof. In one example (Fig. 1) the apparatus comprises a two-part base 10, 11, the lower portion 10 having a flange 10b fitting within the upper portion 11 and being removable when the quantity of liquid used is small. The two sections have vertical inlet apertures 10a, 11a, the intervening portions between the apertures being of rounded section. Integral with the upper section 11 is a depending tube 12 which carries a grid 13 to prevent access of small articles to the blades of the impeller 23. The impeller has a streamlined hub 24 and it circulates the water through a tapering annular passage formed between the tube 12 and the deflector 17 which is spaced from the base part 11 by a series of supporting posts 19. The motor 25 rests on an annular rubber cap 15c mounted on an annular flange 15a on a supporting plate 15. The motor housing 14 is secured to the base part 11 by bolts 20. A bush 18 for the spindle 16 is formed with shallow grooves 18a by means of which it is lubricated by washing liquid. When the apparatus is in use some washing liquid will enter the space between the plates 15 and 17 but it is prevented from reaching the motor 25 by a liquid seal or bush 15b. In a modification Fig. 5, (not shown) the lower part of the apparatus is formed with horizontal instead of vertical inlet apertures, and the machine is supported by a shallow stand made. of wire mesh or perforated sheet metal. In a further example (Fig. 4) a bellmouthed base 48 has inlet recesses 48a cut in it and may stand on a flat support or on the curved bottom of a boiler. The upper part of the base 48 may be shaped internally as a venturi as shown at 57. The motor may be mounted in a completely sealed chamber 51, and may drive the impeller 64 through a magnetic clutch, the parts 59, 60 of which are separated by a flanged closure disc 52. The liquid is deflected by a baffle member 63 through an annular outlet surrounded by an open mesh wire grille 56. A fan 65 may be attached to the lower end of the impeller spindle for using the apparatus as a ventilator or for drying and airing clothes, but it is removed when the machine is to operate in water. Alternatively the fan 65 may be slidable on the spindle and made of a lighterthan-water material so that it will tend to float when immersed and thus become disengaged from a dog-clutch or like engage-. ment with the spindle.