US1484142A - Driving mechanism for laundry machines - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,142

- L. W. MAMMEN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed March 17. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet f 106 10 104 r (if? L. .W. MAMMEN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES 4 'Shee'b s-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 17. 1925 Feb. '19 1924.

Feb. 19, 19240 1,484,142

L. W. MAMMEN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed March 17. 1923 4 Sheet-Sheet s Feb. 19 1 24.

L. W. MAMMEN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed March 17 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 LAWRENCE w. MAMMEN, or cnrcneo, ILLINoIa'AssrenoR, Br MESNE assrenmnn'rs, TO ALTORFER BROS. COMPANY, or Ens'r rEoRm, 1r.L1nors, a CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

nnrvme MEGHANISM roa LAUNDRY macnrmss.

, Application filed March 17, 1923. serial naeza'zea' i To all whom) it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lawemvor. W. MAM- MEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Laundry Machines, of which the .following is a description, reference being had'to the accompanying drawings, which forma' part of my specification.

My invention relates to driving mechanism more especially intended for operating power-driven washing machines and wringers, either combinedly or separately; and has'for its object the rovision of means whereby the direction 0 rotation or .operation of the, cylinder or agitator of the washing machine will be automatically reversed at a predetermined period.

provision of power-imparting means, common to the cylinder or agitator of the 'washing machine and to the wringer, of such construction and arrangement that operation of the wringer may be readily 'discon tinned without in any way afi'ectin the operation of the washing machine agitator -or cylinder; my improved construction being such that the wringer and the portion of-driving mechanism, intimately connected therewith, may be easily disconnected, for the purpose of shipping, .etc., from the remaining portion of said common power-imparting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the driven mechanism, intermediate of the common power-imparting means and the cylinder or agitator of the 1 ing to provide means whereby the direction washing machine, may be quickly placed in.

neutral or inoperative position, so that the cylinder or agitator may befreely moved by hand without injury toany portion ofthe driving mechanism; a further purpose beof operation of the wringer may be quickly reversed and the position of the wringer,

relative to the washing machine proper altered without in any way interfering with the power-imparting means or intermediate driving mechanism.

Anotherobject of my invention is to provide a construction wherein all of the intermeshing portions of the mechanism are readily accessible for inspection and repair;

A further object of the lnvention is the and at the same time a construction which may be easily and comparatively noiselessly operated.

The above enumerated objects and advantages of my invention, as well as others companying drawings,- wherein:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined washing machine and wringer providedwith my improved driving mechanism,

with a portion of the driving shaft-casing 'or sleeve shown in section.

- Figure 2-is a sectional plan View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking downwardly, with a portion of the casing-cover shown broken away.

Figure 3 is a detail'view,-in elevation, of z I the cylinder or agitator driving mechanism and a portion of the main drivingl shaft; the anism and; shaft being broken away to disclose the concasings or ,housings for said mec struction within.

Figure 4c is a verticalsectional view, taken" on the line l-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on theline 5-5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

' Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view 1 of the upper portion of. the main driving member and wrm er driving mechanism, showing portions 0 a wrmger.

Figure 7- is a detail view,1nele ati of the cylinder or a tatOr-'d]rifi g and raver-s;

ing mechanism, w h rtions of the casing or housing shown bro en away; the mechanism being tion just prior to a shifting of the clutch control portion thereof.

Figure 8 is a bottom of the upper portion of the driving mechanism for the wringer; the-viewillustrating lan view of a por tion of the gear housing inclosing the wringer-driving mechanism shown in'Figure 6., Figure 9 is a detail view in side elevation I shown in the intermediate pos1- a'modifiedform whereby the sections of the main drive shaft may be. thrown out of operative relation, only. portions of the wringer and main drive shaft being shown.

Figure 10 is a detail bottom plan view 0% the lower portion of the gearing housmg which encloses the wringeredriving mechay iii] 11 is a top plan view of the casting invention, as illustrated in the drawings,

the driving mechanism is shown applied to a washing machine and wringer; the outer water-holding receptacle or tub being shown at 10 in Figure 1, having a semi-cylindrical bottom and provided with the supporting standards or legs 11 suitably secured to the sides of the receptacle; the bottom portions of the standards or legs being braced by the bracing members 12 andwith a crossmember or supporting element 13 suitably secured to two of the supports or legs 11 located on the same side of the machine and with a supporting member 13.

The supporting member 13 provides suitablemeans for supporting a motor, indicated at 14, while member 13 provides proper support for the stub-shaft to which the belt-receiving pulley or wheel 15 is secured.

The stub-shaft, to which ulley 15 is secured, is provided with a suitable. worm 16, see Fi res 2 and 5; the stub-shaft having suitab e bearing in the housingor casing 17 which is secured to one of the supports and to, the cross-member, as shown in Figure 1.

The housing 17 is made of suitable depth so as to provide a grease "or oil chamber for the gearing located therein; and the bottom of the housing is provided-with a dependingsocket-portion 18 arranged to receive the ball-bearing 19-and the lower end of a vertically disposed main driving shaft 20. The shaft 20 has a socket end to receive the ballbearin thrust caring for the shaft.

'The end of the main driving shaft 20, at a point within the housing 17 is provided with a worm-gear 21 suitably keyed or secured to the shaft and arranged in mesh with the worm 16 so that rotation of pulley 15 will cause shaft 20 to be rotated by means of the intermeshing gearing just described. The housing 17 is provided with a suitable top or cover,22.preferably removably secured to the housing by means of bolts or otherwise. v The cover 22 is shown provided with an upwardly presented extended hubportion 23 arran ed to provide an elongated bearin for the aft 20. The up er end of the hu portion 23 is preferably s ouldered, as shown in Fi re 5, so as to receive the end of the tubu ar sleeve-24 adapted to surround the drive-shaft 20; the sleeve extends upward to aboss formed on the under side 0 a gear casing 25surrounding the gearing and clutch mechanism intermediate-of the main drive-shaft 20 and the washing ma-'.

chine cylinder or agitator operating mecha- 19, whichprovides an anti-friction '32, is provided wi tre ds nisin hereinafter described. The boss on the lower side of the casing 25 is formed so as .to receive a suitable bushing, as shown moved vertically into and out of clutching.

engagement with the extended hub or clutchelement 28 of gear 27 and thereby transmit rotation from shaft 20 to gear 27.

The bevel gear 27 is shown in mesh with a vertically disposed bevel gear 30, secured to a horizontally disposed shaft 31 whichextends out through the sides-of the housing 25 and into a housing 32 secured to the side of the washing machine, as shownin Figure 1, at a point coincident with the point where the stub-shaft ortrunnion 33, see Figure 4:, for rotating the cylinder or agitator within the washing machine,'extends through the 'side wall of the machine.

The housing 32 is preferably of the circular formation shown and made in two 34, 34: and 35, 35, at diametrically opposite points, adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured together as shown in Figure 7 and provide suitable bearings for the shaft 31 which extends through'the housing 32, as

shown in Figure 3. The hub-portions 3t and 35 are shown -socketed to receive suitable bushings about the shaft 31, see Figure 3.

The lower portion 32 of housing 32 is referably provided with the .integrallv ormed rear wall as" clearly shownin Figure 4; while the upper portion 32 is in the nature of a band adapted to fit onto the rear wall, see Figure 4:; a suitable flange may be provided as shownto maintain the top portion in proper relation with the rear wall.

The stub-shaft or trunnion 33, whereby the cylinder or agitator of the washing machine is operated, extends into the housing 32, as shown in Figure 4, and is there provided with the large circular bevel gear 36 secured thereto so as to rotate said shaft or trunnion 33.

The shaft 31 at points within the housing t two bevel gears 37 and 38, at opposite ends of the shaft. Both of these gears 37 and 38 are loosely mounted on the shaft and provided with extended hubs or clutch. elements 39 and 40, respectively, presented toward each other and adapted to be engaged by a double clutch member 41 slidably secured on the shaft 31- by a' slot and in connection, shown in Figures 3, 4 and The double clutch member 41 is provided adjacent each end thereof with, flanges 42 and 43 adapted to be engaged by the free end of a lever 44 which ispivotally mounted at 45 on a downwardly bowed bracket 46 supported at both ends tothe upper portion of the casing orv housing 32, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 7.

The free end of lever 44 may be provided with a roller 47 so as to have anti-friction relation with the flanges 42 and 43 of the double clutch member 41 when the lever is operated and brought .into'controlling relation with either one of, said flanges. The lever 44 is formed so asto extend above and over the pivotal point to the opposite side of the bracket 46, in order to provide a portion depending below the pivotal point 45 where it is formed with a projection or pin 48 adapted to extend through a slot or opening '49 formed in anarm 'or plate 50' which is slidably mounted at its upper end on a.

rod 51. The rod 51 is secured between suitable lugs or brackets 52 formed on the rear wall of the casing 32, as shown in Figures 3 and 7. The lower end of arm or plate 50 is preferably ofl"-set as shown and suitably secured to a traveling member 53. Member 53 is internally threaded to receive a screw rod or shaft 54, which extends therethrough, as shown in Figures 3 and 7.

The screw-rod or shaft 54 is journaled in suitable bosses, preferably formed integral with the peripheral flanges of the lower member of the casing or housing. 32, as shown in Figure 3. One end of the rod 54, to-wit the end to the left in Figure 3, is left unthreaded and has loosely mounted thereon a pinion 55 which meshes with a Pinion 56 shown mounted on the extended hub or clutch-element 40 of bevel-gear 38; the pinion 56 being secured to the hub of bevel gear 38 so as torotate therewith. The

pinion 55 is held against longitudinal movement on rod 54 in any suitable manner, as

, for example, by collars or flanges 57 and 58;

collar 57 being'shown located within the hollow extended hub-portion 59 of the pinion 55.

The extended hub 59 is provided with suit-- able engaging surfaces or notches adapted to receive the protruding lugs 60 of a clutch member 61 which is slidably mounted on rod 54, but keyed thereto so as to induce rotation of rod 54 when clutch 61 has been at opposite formed head 62 of the clutch-operating lever 63 extends. through the side wall of the housing 32, as clearly shown in Figure 4, and is adapted to be oscillated. As is clearly evident from" theconstruction, movement of the lever 63 inoperative position of the clutch being illus-' trated in Figure 3.

When lever 63 has been oscillated so as to force clutch member 61 into clutching en-. gagement with the hub of pinion 55, screwk The lever 63 extends r rod or shaft 54 will be rotated through the mediumof pinions 55, 56, and bevel gear 38 which meshes with the large bevel gear 36.

Rotation of screw-rod or shaft 54 will induce. member 53 to travel lengthwise of the shaft or rod the direction of travel depending upon the direction of rotation of screwrod or shaft 54; For example, with thedouble clutch 41 moved into clutching engagement with the hub 39 of bevel-gear 37, l

and with shaft 31 .rotating in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3, the bevel gear 37 will cause the ear wheel 36 to rotate clockwise or toward t e right in Figure 3, and'this, in turn, will cause bevel gear 38 to move in the opposite direction of bevel gear 37 By reason of the connection between bevel gear 38 and pinion 56, the latter will rotate in similar: direction as gear 38 and thereby cause pinion 55't0 rotate in the direction of the arrow. If clutch 61 has been moved into clutching engagement with the hub of pinion 55, it is'evident that screw-rod or shaft 54 will becaused to rotate in similar direction as pinion 55. Such rotation of rod or shaft 54 will cause member 53 to travel toward theleft in Figure 3 and there fore also inducearm 50 to move therewith; the latter sliding along at its upper end on the rod 51. By reason of the slot and .pin connection between arm 50 and lever 44, the latter will also be caused to oscillate toward the left andthereby move the free end'of the lever out .of holding contact with the flan c 42 at therighth'and end of double clutc member 41. y

In order. to induce a positive movement of leverv 44 into operative engagement with the flanges of clutch-member 41, I provide a tension spring 64. one end whereof is so;

erably at a point substantiallv in vertical cured in anv' suitable manner to the free or lower end of leveri44. while the other end is securedto a suitable lug formed onr" the inner periphery of the housing '32, prefalinement with the pivotal point 45 of lever 44; with the result that spring 64 will be in a greater extended condition when lever 44 is substantially at dead center, as disclosed in Figure 7., and therefore in condition to exert greater pull on the lever as soon as the latter has been shifted slightly to one'side .of a dead center. The result of the construction just described is that as soon as arm 50, by reason of the slot and pin connection with lever 44, has moved the lever slightly to the left of the dead center. the tension of spring 64 will force lever 44 into positive and rapid contact with the flange 43at the left hand end of double clutch-member 41.' This will cause clutch-member 41 to be thrown out of clutching engagement with bevel gear-37 and force it into clutching engagement with hub 40 of bevel gear 38; and by'reason of the slot and pin connection between the clutch 41 and shaft 31, bevelgear38 will be caused to rotate in similar direction with shaft 31 and thereby induce large bevel gear 36 to rotate unclockwise or to the left in F igure 3.

Rotation of bevel gear 38 and therefore also pinion 56. in similar direction with shaft31, will induce pinion 55 to rotate in opposite direction to that previously described and indicated by the arrow, so that when the clutch 61 is moved into engagement with the hub 59 of pinion 55, screw-rod or shaft 54 will be caused to rotate in similar direction as pinion 55. Such rotation'of screw-rod or shaft 54 will force member 53 to travel in the opposite direction from that previously described, namely toward the right in Figure 3. which, in turn, will induce arm to also slide to the right and 'cause lever 44 to be swung back to the position shown in Figure 3 after the opposite end of the slot or opening in arm 50 has been brought into striking engagement with pin 48 on lever 44.

With a d-ifl'e'rence in the sizes of the gearing intermediate of screw-rod or shaft 54 and bevelgear 38, screw-rod or shaft .54 will 'becaused to rotate at the desired speed relative to the speed of shaft 31, so that by the time traveling member 53 has traveled from one extreme to the other, large bevel gear 36 will havebeen, rotated a predetermined distance and therefore also have caused the cylinder or. washin' machine agitator to be rotated in a given irection a selected number of revolutions before the clutch mechanism. has been shifted so as to induce'a reverse operation of the cylinder orr agitator.

Lever 63, preferably'at a oint in proximity to its axis, is provider? with a short arm 65, see Figures 4 and 7, to which is ivbted a link 66. The op osite end of lin 66 ispivoted to a lever 6 which is pivdtally J66 ounted intthe gear casing or housing 25 whereby beve gear 27 is operatively connected to. shaft 20. 'The inner end of lever 57, like lever 63, is preferably provided with an eccentrically disposed head 68 arranged between the circumferential flanges 69, 69 of clutch-member 29. As is evident from the construction just described, when clutch 29 has been moved to neutral or inoperative position, clutch-member 61 will likewise have been. moved to neutral position; and thereby disconnected pinion from screw-- rod or shaft 54. This will allow the cylinder or agitator of the washing machine to be freely rotated for the purpose of obtain ing access thereto without causing injury to any of the driving mechanism.

The lower portion 32 of housing 32 is preferably provided with a partial outer wall, as shown at 32, extending to a point slightly above screw-rod or shaft 54-s0 as to provide an inclosed grease or oil chamber which enables lubricant to be supplied to all of the inclosed gearing within the housing.

The outer side of the housing 32, above the partial outer wall 32, is provided with a cover 32, see. Figure 4, which may be secured in place in any suitable manner, as for example by providing the lower part with an ofi-set lip or lug adapted to'take rearward of the partial wall 32 while the upper part may be provided with a setscrew or bolt, as indicated at 70 in Figure .4. As is apparent from the construction,

the cover 32 may be readily removed and thus completely disclose the mechanism within the housing; and by reason of the formation of the housing in two portions or parts as previously described, it is evident that the gearing and other inclosed mechanism may be easily assembled and put into. place and the housing readily placed about the end of the shaft.

Where the driving mechanism is also intended to tiansmitpower to a wringer, I prefer to construct the vertically disposed in Figure 6, so that said wringer driving mechanism together with the wringer, may be removed from operative position and placed in the washing machine for shipping,

etc. The lower portion of shaft 20 is shown 20 above the housing or casing 25 and thus not only prevents lateral movement of the shaft, but also provides a union or interlocking element with the upper. section L20 'drive shaft 20 in two parts, as disclosed to the washing machine.

of the shaft so as to transmit motion there to. The lower end of the upper shaft section 20 is also preferably provided with a ferrule. 73 secured in any suitable manner to the shaft-section so as to rotate therewith. The ferrule73 is grooved or slotted to re ceive the upwardly presented lug 74 on ,the ferrule 71, whereby rotation of the lower shaft-section 20 will be imparted to the upper shaft-section 20; the interlocking ferrules also inducing proper centering of I. the shaft-sections while the same are being assembled.

The covering sleeve72 at its lower end is placed in a suitable groove or boss formed on the upper side of the housing 25, see Figure 3; while the upper end of the sleevecovering 72 is preferabl shown extending into a socket in the cylindrical portion of casting 75, see Figure 6. The internal diameter of casting 75 is larger than the diameter of shaft section 20 so as to also receive the elongated hub-portion 7 6 of the lower casting 77, which latter, in conjunction with the upper casting 78, is adapted to provide a suitable housing for the gearing whereby power is transmitted to the wringer indicated at 79 in Figures 1 and 6. The

casting is flanged as shown at 7 5 in Figure 1 to provide means for securing the casting 75 The hub-portion 76 provides suitable bearing for the shaft- I, section 20 and extends preferably to a point substantially in contact with the ferrulemember 73, so that ion itudina-l movement of shaft-section 20 in t e lower portion 7 7 of the housingwill be prevented after the bevel ear has been secured to the upperv end 0 shaft-section 20*. In the referred construction, the'lower casting 77 of the housing is provided with a socket adapted to receive the hub-portion 81-of the gear 80; the socket being of such diameter or size as to permit free rotation of hub 81 and therefore also of gear 80'; the socket provid-' ing a suitable rease or lubricant-receiving chamber whereby lubricant will be supplied to the gearing as well as to the shaft-section; the casting at a point surrounding the shaftreceiving opening within the socket or chamber being preferably provided with a slight boss, as shown at 82.

The bevel gear 80- meshes with the oppositely disposed bevel gears 83 and 84, both of which are preferably provided with extended hubs, the inwardly presented portions whereof are provided with interlocking' surfaces or clutch-forming portions, as shown at 85 and 86, respective y. The bevel ears 83 and 84 are'loosely mounted on a shaft 87 disposed laterally within the housing composed of the upper and lower ortions 78 and 77, respectively. Both portions 77 and 78 of the housing are provided with the outwardly presented hub- portions 88 and 89, respectively,preferably having periph-.

eral flanges at opposite ends of the hub-portions so as to provide seats for the bushing 90 whereby suitable bearing for the end of shaft 87 is provided; the inner peripheral flanges of the hub-portions also providin suitable--me-ans for engaging the hub-0 bevel gear 83 and thereby preventin move- 'ment of the gear lengthwise of sha 87 so that 'thebe'vel gear 83 will be maintained in mesh with bevel gear 80. I

At a suitable point intermediateiof the ends of the housing, both upper and lower castings 77 and 78 are shown provided with the oppositely disposed ribs or partitions 91 and 92, respectively, adapted to provide suitable bearing for the inner end of shaft 87.

' The end of the shaft which extends beyond the ribs or partitions 91 and 92 is preferably provided with a-ferrule 93 secured thereto so as'to rotate therewith and shown similar in construction with the ferrule 71 on vertical shaft 20. The ferrule 93 has a projection or in 94 adapted to enter a correlated socket in a ferrule 95 secured to the trunnion or journal of the lower wringer roll 98 so as to impart rotation thereto. Both lower and upper castings 77 and 78 are preferably extended beyond the partitions or ribs 91 and 92 so as to provide suitable attaching points for the ,wringer 79, to wit the downwardly and upwardly presented flanges 97 and 98, respectively, which are adapted to be screwed or otherwise secured to the side frame of the wringer the flanges 97 and 98 being also preferably provided "with flanges adapted to engage with the Slidahly keyed to shaft 87 by means-of slot and pin connection, as indicated 88 and at a oint intermediate of bevel gears '84, provide the double clutch member 108 which is provided with ends ada ted to have its interlocking engagement with t e extended" hub- portions 85 and 88 of bevel gears 83 and 84, respectively. The clutch-member 100 is free to slide on shaft 87 but is adapted to rotate therewith so that rotation may be imparted to either bevel gear 8.3 or 84-when the clutch member is moved into clutching engagement therewith. The. clutch member 100 is provided with the circumferential flanges 101 adjacent opposite ends of the clutch member, for the purpose of swarm therebetween the eccentrically disposed head-portion 102 of the pin 103 which extends upward through the top casting 78 of the housing and has its outer end provided with a suitable operating lever 104 secured thereto in any suitable manner. The headportion 102 is so disposed on the lower end of pin 103 and between the circumferential flanges 101 of clutch-member 100, that rotation of pin103, through oscillation of lever 104, will induce clutch-member 100 to be shifted either to the right or to the left from the neutral or disengaged position shown in Figure 6. Assuming drive- shaft 20 and 20 to be rotating to the left in Figure 6, as in dicated by the arrow, it is evident that when clutch-member 100 is shifted to the left in Figure 6 and into clutching engagement with bevel gear 83, then shaft 87 as well as the lower wringer roll 96, will be-rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow on the lower wringer-roll 96; while a shifting of the clutchto the right in Figure 6 will induce' reverse rotation of shaft 8'7 and there fore also of lower wringer-roll 96 because of the fact that power will be imparted tc shaft 87 through the medium of bevel gear 'as to provide, in conjunction with the sides of the castings 7 7 and 78,-a suitable inclosure for the gearing and prevent any interference therewithor the possibility of clothes being engaged thereby. 4

In order to maintain the clutch mechanism in, as well as to determine its adjusted positioml prefer to provide the lever 10% with 'a detent or lug 106, see Figure 6, adapted to extend into suitable notches or engaging surfaces provided at predetermined points on the boss formation of upper casting 78.

The cylindrical castin or sleeve 75 terminates at the upper en in a circumferential flange adapted to take against the lower portion of casting 7 7; and at one side of the cylindrical casting or sleeve 75 is provided with a slotshown at 107for the reception of the upper end or head of a lever 108. The cylindrical casting or sleeve 7 5, at this point, maybe provided with a pair of lugs on opposite sides of the socket 107 to receive the pin 109 whereby lever 108 is pivotally secured in place.

The leven is provided with a head so 4 formed that when the lever 108 is raised to horizontal position, the head will force the composite ear-casing or housing and wring er upward y and thereby also lift the shaftshown in Figure 8. With the lever 108 in vertical position, the composite gear housing and wringer will be locked against rotation about the axis of the vertical shaft. The gear-housing and its relation to the vertical shaft, as well as to the supporting casting 7 5, will permit the wringer to be swung through the arc of a circle, and toany desired degree, as indicated by the relation of notches 111 to each other, thus enabling the wringer to be employed regardless of the direction in which it is presented relative to the drive-shaft 20.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11, l disclose a modified form of my invention, namely means whereby the sections of the vertically dis-.

posed main shaft 20, 20 may be quickly thrown out of operative relation, while the wringer, indicated at 7 9, is being positioned. The driving mechanism for the wringer may be similar to that disclosed in Figure 6, with the exception that the lower casting 77*, of the gear casing orhousing, has the hub-portion 112 provided with one or more depending lugs 118, 113 preferably four in number and disposed at diametrically opposite points, as shown in Figure 10. The lugs are preferably made arcuate and adapted to extend into the sockets or cut-away portions 114 formed in the circular flange or top of the casting 75 The sockets or cut-away portions 114 are preferably circumferentially disposed and arranged 90 degrees apart as clearly shown in Figure 11, thus permitting the wringer to be positioned at either one of the four points. When the wringer has been positioned, the lugs 113 will fit into diametrically opposite sockets 114. As is evident from the construction shown, movement of the wringer, together with the gear-housing or casing, through the arc of a circldtlbout the axis of main drive shaft 20, 20, will force the lugs out of the sockets, and therefore cause the wringer and gear casing, as well as the upper section 20 of the main driveshaft, to be moved vertically, thereby forcing the'main drive. shaft-sections out of moved for shipment or any other purpose, without in any way interfering with the intermeshing gears;

I have shown and described what I believe to be the simplest and best construction of my invention, but the same may be altered in certain details without, however, departin fromthe spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In driving mechanism of the class'described, a vertically disposed drive shaft, a driven shaft, gearing intermediate of-both.

shafts for imparting motion from the former'to the latter, a portion of said gearing being secured to the first mentioned shaft, while the other portion is mounted on the second mentioned shaft, a sectional housing secured about said, gearing and; about the adjacent portions of said shafts, a supporting. member for said housing and the upper-portion of the drive'shaft, means intermediate of said supporting member and the housing whereby the upper portion of said drive shaft may be moved vertically into inoperative position.

2. In driving-mechanism of the class described, a sectional vertically disposed drive shaft, a driven shaft, gearing intermediate of the upper section of the drive shaft and said driven shaft, a portion of said gearing being secured to the upper drive shaft section, while the other portion is mounted onthe driven shaft, asectional housing for the gearing and theupper section of said drive shaft, means whereby the upper section of the drive shaft is locked in one section of said housing against vertical dis placement, a supporting member for said housing, and means intermediate of said, supporting member and said housing whereby the ,housing and said drive shaft section may be forced upwardly and locked in adjusted positions.

.3. In driving mechanism for the wringer of a washing machine, a vertically disposed sectional drive-shaft, means whereby the sections of said shaft are operatively con nected together and vertical movement of the upper section permitted, a wringershaft disposed transversely of the end of the upper drive-shaft section, gearing intermediate of said driveshaft section and the wringer-shaft whereby the latter may selectively be rotated in opposite directions, wringer-supporting housing disposed about said gearing, the wringer-shaft and the adjacent section of the drive-shaft, supporting means for said housing adapted to permit rotative and upward movement of the housing and enclosed elements, and means whereby the housing may be moved upwardly and the adjacentdrive-shaft section disconnected from the. drive-shaft 6.

tion. 4. In' driving mechanism for the wringer .of a, washing machine, averti'cally disposed sectional drive-shaft, means whereby the sections are operatively connected together, a

wringer-shaft disposed across the end of the upper drive-shaft section, gearing intermediate of said drive-shaft section and the wringer-shaft whereby the latter may be rotated, selectively, in opposite directions, a wringer-supporting housing in which said gearing and upper drive-shaft section are mounted, supporting means in which a portion of'said housing is rotatably and slidably mounted, and correlated elements, intermediate of the adj acentsurfaces of the housing and said supporting means whereby the housing and upper drive-shaft section may be moved upwardly and the drive-shaft sections disconnected and said housing locked against rotation when the upper drive-shaft sect-ion is operatively connected with its adjacent drive-shaft section.

5. In driving mechanism for the wringer of a washing machine, a vertically disy the sections are operativelyv connected together, a wringer-shaft disposed at the end of the upper drive-shaft section, gearing intermediate of said drive-shaft section, and the wringer-shaft whereby the latter may be rotated, selectively, in

opposite directions, a winger-supporting housing in which said gearin and upper drive-shaft section are mounte a support- H ing member disposed about a'portion of said housing, and a cam lever, secured to said supporting member, adapted, when in one position,-to lock said housing against rotation and to move said housing with the upper section of the drive-shaft upwardly out of operative relation when in a' sec-' ond position. i

6. Driving mechanism for the wring-er of a washing machine, comprising a vertically disposed sectional drive-shaft, the sections whereof are operatively connected together to permit separation, a gear fixedly secured to the end of the upper drive-shaft section, supporting housing for said driveshaft section, a driven shaft disposed transversely of the end of the upper drive-shaft section, a pair of gears loosely mounted on said driven shaft in constant'mesh with said drive-shaft gear at diametrically opposite points, a double clutch slidably keyed to of loosely mounted gears, a housing for said driven shaft, gerirs and clutch, supported on said first mentioned supporting housing and constituting a supporting bracket for the wringer, andmeans, intermediate of the adjacent surfaces of both 'said driven shaft intermediate of the pair.

@ I Y resales V housings whereby the upper drive shaft section may be moved out of operative relation with the other drive shaft'section and the wringer supporting housing locked-in. its adjusted positions.

7. The combination with a support and a housing mounted for rotary movement thereupon, of transmission gearing Within said housing, a clutch associated with said transmission gearing, means for locking the housing to the support and manually operable means for simultaneously actuating said clutch "and said locking means.

8. In a wringer comprising an adjustable wringer support and an operating mechanism for the wringer including-a clutch movable from a neutral to an operative position, the provision of a retaining device operable to automatically lock the support against movement upon shiftin of the clutch to an operative position an to automatically release the support upon return of the clutch to its neutral position.

9. in a wringer comprising an adjustable wringer support and an operating mechanism for the wringer-including a clutch movable from a neutral to an operative position, the provision of a retaining device operable to automatically lock the support against movement :upon shifting of the clutch to an operative position and to automatically release the support upon return of the clutch to its neutral position, of a single operating member controlling the operation of both the clutch and the retaining device.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a wringer pivoted about a vertical axis, and a -driving member concentric with said axis for operating the same, of means for making and breaking the operative connection between said member and wringer, and means operable by said first means for latching said wringer osition relatively to said vertical axis during the time that such operative connection exists.

' ll. lln a swinging wringer construction, a relatively fixed support, a relatively rotatable head, a wrin er carried by said head and. having a sha t, a power shaft, means movable tomake and break operative connection between the power shaft and the wringer shaft, means to latch the head against rotation, and a single operating lever for actuating the latching means and the connection controlling means and to effeet the stated .power connection to the wringershaft only when the head is latched against rotation.

12. In aidevice' of the class described, the combination of a su port, a sectional shaft at one side thereo means to clutch the shaft sections when they are in operative positions, a wrin er mechanism removably suppod on said support and; conside thereof, a wringer frame, detachable coacting supporting means on said support. .and on, said frame, whereby the wringer frame may be mounted on said support, a shaft in said frame, means to connect said shafts, means to lock the frame in different positions, and means to simultaneously release said locking means and to disconnect said shafts. p

14:. A. wringer supporting and reversing mechanism provided with a support adapted to be attached to a washing machine, a frame pivoted to said support and arranged to be removable therefrom without detaching any of the parts of the mechanism, a wringer rigidly fixed to said frame, means to lock the wringer frame in any one of several positions, reversing mechanism car ried by said frame-and having connection with the wringer mechanism, said reversing mechanism being arranged so that it may be detachably connected to a driving 'shaft on the-washing machine, whereby the frame,

means to simultaneously release said lock ing means and detach said reversing mechanism from its driving shaft.

15. A wringer supporting and reversing mechanism provided with a support adapt ed to be attached to a washing machine, a frame pivoted to said support so as to swing about a vertical axis and arrangedto be removable from said support-without detaching any of the parts of the mechanism, a wrlnghr rigidly fixed to said frame, means to lock the wringer frame in. any oneof several. positions, reversing mechanism carried by said frame and having connection with the wringer mechanism, said reversing mechanism being arranged so that it ma be detachably connected to a driving sha t means and detach said reversing mechanism from its driving shaft.

16. In combination, a washing machine, a. driving shaft carried thereby, a support at tached to the washing machine, a frame pivoted to said support and arranged to be removed therefrom without detaching any fixed parts, a wringerfixe'd to said frame, means to lock said frame in difierent positions, a. reversing mechanism carried by the racemes frame and connected to the wringer mechanism, said reversing mechanism being arranged to be detachably connected to the driving shaft and to reverse the direction of the wringer independently of the direction of rotation of the driving shaft, whereby the frame, wringer and reversing mechanism may be moved about the support and readily removed as a unit therefrom, and means to simultaneously release said locking means and detach said reversing mechanism from said driving shaft.

17. A wringer supporting and reversing mechanism comprising a support adapted to be attached to a washing machine, a frame pivoted to said support and arranged to be removable therefrom without detaching any fixed parts, a wringer fixed to said frame, means to lock said frame in different positions, a reversing mechanism carried by said frame and connected to the wringer mechanism and including a vertically disposed driving shaft, means for clutching'said shaft to power means of the washing machine, said reversing mechanism being arranged so that the direction of rotation of the wringer may be reversed without affecting the connection between said mechanism and the wringer mechanism and also without changing the direction of rotation of said driving shaft, whereby the frame, wringer and reversing mechanism may be moved about the support to any position and operated and reversed in said position or be readily removed as a unit from the support, and means to simultaneously release said locking means and detach said driving shaft from clutch connection with the power means of the washing machine.

18. In combination, a wringer, a frame rigidly attached to said wringer, a shaft carried by said frame coupled to the wringer mechanism, a second shaft carried by said frame at an angle to the first, means to clutch said second shaft to power means of a washing machine, means between said shafts for reversing the rotation of the shaft connected to the wringer mechanism independently of the rotation of said second shaft, a supportadapted to be attached to a washing machine, said support being arranged to receive the frame so that it may be swung on a vertical axis and the entire frame with the reversing and wringer readily removed aS a unit from said support, coacting means on sup ort and frame for locking the latter in di erent positions, and means to simultaneously release said looking means and declutch said second shaft from the power means of the washing machine.

19. In a device of the class described, a support attachable to a washing machine and formed with a vertically disposed tubular bearing, a frame provided With 8 sleeve extension adapted to have a journal bearing in the tubular bearing of said support, said frame being swingable about said support and bodily removable therefrom, a wringer mechanism connected 'with said frame including a shaft having a bearing in the sleeve extension of said frame, a driving shaft, means for clutching said shafts, a lever pivotally connected to said support and adapted to coact with said frame to lock it in different positions, the vactuation of the lever in one direction releasing the frame and simultaneously declutching said shafts.

20. In a device of the class described, a support attachable to a washing machine having a vertically disposed tubular bearing and an upper flanged end, a frame provided with a sleeve extension adapted to have a journal bearing in the tubular bearing of said support and having a bearing surface adapted to be rotated on the flanged end of said support and provided with means adapted to coact with means on said support for locking said frame in different positions, said frame being bodily remov-' able from said support, a wringer mechanism connected with said frameincluding a shaft having a bearing in the sleeve extension of said frame, a driving shaft, means for clutching said shafts, a lever pivoted to said support and provided with means, which, when the lever is in one position will coact with the bearing surface of said frame to lock it in different positions, and when in another position adapted to raise said frame and declutch said shafts.

21. In a device of the character described, in combination with a washing machine, a wringer frame swingable about a vertical axis and bodily removable therefrom, a wringer mechanism connected with said frame, a vertically disposed sectionaloperating shaft for said mechanism, one of said sections being operatively connected withsaid mechanism and removable therewith, the other of said sections being operatively connected with power means on the washing machine, clutch means to connect said shaft sections when in operative relation, means adapted to engage said frame to lock it in different positions about said vertical axis, said means being operable to release said frame and simultaneously declutch said shafts, and a closure for housing said sectional shafts and attachable to said wash ing machine.

* 22. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a vertically disposed shaft, a driving mechanism, geari'n connecting the driving mechanism with sai shaft, an operating means located at the upper end of said shaft and swingable theresaid operating means with said shaft,- means having a clutch at its upper end, means for continuously rotating said shaft in one direction, an operating means removably and swingably supported about the upper end of said shaft, means connected with said operating means for engagement with the clutch on said shaft, means for locking said operating means against swinging movement when the operating means is in clutch engagement with the clutch on said shaft, and means for lifting said operating means and for simultaneously releasing the locking means and for declutching said operating means from the clutch on said shaft.

24. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a Wringer, a swingable support therefor, a sectional shaft, complementary clutch parts normally clutching the shaft sections, means to operate one shaft, section, means to operate the wringer lock, and means to separate said clutch.

parts, simultaneously with the release of said lock.

25. In a machine of the character de-' scribed, in combination, a machine casing, a tubular casing supported from the machine casing, a swingable support having a tubular casing telescoped into said first tubular casing, a wringer secured to said swingable support, a sectional shaft journaled in said tubular casings, complementary clutch parts normally clutching the shaft sections, means to operate one shaft section, means to operate the wringer from the other shaft section, means to lock the swingable support against rotation, and means to separate said clutch parts, simultaneously with the release of said lock.

LAWRENCE W. MAMMEN. Witnesses:

G. HEIDMAN, F. A. FLORELL.

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