Patent GB-766797-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in, or relating to, washing machines
IPC: D06F33/06
Filed: 1953-07-28
Abstract: 766,797. Washing-machines. ALUMINIUM BRONZE CO., Ltd., and CLEIFF, J. A. July 21, 1954 [July 28, 1953], No. 20861/53. Class 138 (2). Means for controlling the transmission of drive from a source of power to the paddle, pump and wringer of a washing machine, wherein the drive mechanisms to the paddle and pump each includes a clutch or equivalent device and an actuating member therefor, comprises a handle 1 displaceable into engagement with either of the actuating members when in a neutral position so that subsequent manual actuation of the handle from the neutral position moves the engaged member in a clutch actuating direction so as to transmit drive from the source of power to the paddle or pump (as the case may be). The pump clutch is connected by a Bowden cable 18a, 19 to a lever 17 having a hub 16 freely mounted on a shaft 3 which is rotatable in bearings 4, 5 supported by brackets 6, 7 respectively. The hub 16 has a lost motion drive connection with an annulus 18 fixed to the shaft 3. The paddle clutch is connected by a link 25 to an arm 24 fixed to a tubular shaft 8 rotatable on the shaft 3. The upper ends of the shafts 3, 8 carry arms 10, 11 respectively provided with jaws 40, 35 adapted to be selectively engaged by studs 33, 34 respectively projecting from the handle 1. For this purpose the handle 1 is slidable axially on a peg 13 projecting from a collar 12 rotatably mounted on the shaft 3. A spring-loaded ball catch (not shown) co-operates with peripheral grooves 14, 15 in the peg to resiliently hold the handle in either position. The handle 1 is provided with two neck portions 30, 31 which are slidable in a slot 28 in an arcuate plate 27 fixed inside the shell 2 of the machine. The slot 28 is of such width that the handle can be moved axially only when it coincides with an enlarged diameter portion 29 of the slot viz. in the neutral position of the handle shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The arrangement prevents simultaneous operation of the pump and paddle. A slide 36 carrying studs 38, 38a is housed within a slot 37 in the arm 10, and the stud 38 engages in a cam slot 39 in the bracket 6. Operation.-In order to operate the paddle for washing purposes, the handle is moved to the neutral position and pushed inwardly to bring the studs 33, 34 into engagement with the stud 38a and jaw 35 respectively. On rotating the handle 1 about the axis of the shaft 3, the neck 31 travels along the slot 28 and both arms 10, 11 and shafts 3, 8 are rotated. The travel of the stud 38 along the cam slot 39 results in disengagement of studs 33, 38a when the handle 1 has been moved through approximately 45 degrees. In this position a cam 21 fixed on shaft 3 has just closed a switch 23 in the circuit of the driving motor, and the idle travel of the annulus 18 has been taken up. The displacement of the link 25 which has occurred is an idle travel. The starting of the motor operates the rollers of the wringer though a further clutch may be included in the wringer drive. On moving the handle 1 through another 45 degrees, the arm 10 remains stationary, but the stud 34 continues to move arm 11, thereby rotating the shaft 8, lever 24 and link 25 and operating the paddle clutch. Return movement of the handle 1 to its neutral position disconnects the drive from the motor to the paddle, then opens switch 23 and finally returns both arms 10, 11 to their initial positions, this being effected by a peg-and segmental slot connection between a boss on the arm 10 and the collar 12 (Fig. 4, not shown). In order to operate the pump to empty the machine, the handle 1 is pulled outwardly to bring the studs 33, 34 clear of the stud 38a and jaw 35 respec. tively, and to bring the stud 33 into engagement with the jaw 40 and the neck 30 into line with the slot 28. The handle 1 is then rotated through 90 degrees so as to rotate the arm 10, shaft 3 and cam 21 and operate the motor switch 23 as before. The shaft 3 also rotates the annulus 18, hub 16 and lever 17, thereby operating the pump clutch by means of the Bowden cable 18a, 19. Specification 709,429, [Group XXIV], 757,503 and 757,570 are referred to.