GB918460A - Improvements in and relating to mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

918,460. Ratchet clutches. PHILCO CORPORATION. June 5, 1959 [June 5, 1958], No. 19285/59. Class 80 (2). [Also in Group VIII] Drive mechanism comprises a coaxial hub 26 and shaft 19, the shaft including an obliquely extending crank portion 20 on which a disc member 35 is journalled, wherein rotation of the shaft 19 in one direction produces non- rotative undulatory movement of the disc member 35 and rotation in the reverse direction couples the shaft 19 to the hub 26 and disc member 35 through a clutch comprising a wedge 55 driven with the shaft 19 and slidably engaging the hub 26. The invention is applied to a washing machine comprising a motor 45 which rotates the shaft 19 in one direction to impart a wobbling motion to an agitator 30 and in the opposite direction to rotate the agitator and tub at speed. The wedge 55 is slidably located in an arcuate slot 50 (Fig. 7) in a member 48 which is coupled to the shaft 19 by a pin 24 and tab 49. During agitation a tab 54 on member 48 pushes the wedge 55 along the upper surface 32 of the hub 26, but the overlying surface 31 (Fig. 3) of an agitator support member 29 is maintained clear of wedge face 56. On reverse rotation of shaft 19, the slot 50 allows the wedge face 56 to engage the surface 31 thereby locking the agitator support to the hub. Specification 900,535 is referred to.