US1709774A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

April 16, 1929. E. D. CLARKE WASHING MACHINE Filed April 50, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. E. Z7. Clarke A TTORNEY` pril16, 1929. E'. D. CLARKE WASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 30, 1924 `IINVENTQR. ,ELD` (Zlarke www ATTORNEYS lig. 6.

April 16, 1929. D CLARKE 1,709,774

WASHING MACHINE Filed April 30. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N VEN TOR.

E. l). Clarke B :Y Q Am.

ATTORNEYS Fig. 16.

Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

ERIC D. CLARKE, OF PARMA TOWNSHIP, CYAHOGA. COUNTY, OHIO.

WASHING- MACHINE.

Application iled April 30, 1924. Serial No. 709,975.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the construction of washing machines of that general type in which centrifugal force utilized for extracting the water from the clothes after they have been removed from the water, thereby avoiding the use of wringcrs or like devices.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a machine of this character which embodies novel features of construction, whereby the rotatable clothes receiving basket or `drum is tiltably mounted so that it can be swung downwardly into a. body of vater for washing or rinsing purposes and subsequently swung upwariflly into proper position for rotation at a high rate of speed to expel the water from the clothes by centrifugal force.

Another object of the invention is to provide a,nniversal joint between the drive shaft and the clothes receiving basket which provides effectively for a limited tilting movement of the basket when the latter is in an upright position to compensate for an uneven distribution of clothes within the basket and enable the basket to obtain a running balance so that it can be rotated at the necessary high rate of speed without excessive vibration. lVhen the basket 'is rotated at a high rate of speed it will rise and shift its position until its center of gravity is in the vertical line of the drive shaft or axis, thereby obtaining what has been termed a running balance" and preventing excessive wear upon the drive shaft and bearings.

Y A further object of the invention to provide novel means for supporting the basket and operatively connecting the sinne to the drive shaft while at the same time enabling the basket to be readily removed from the tub.

Thilo certain particular embodiments of the invention will be shown and described in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that many modifi :ations and changes can be made in the details ot' eonstruction without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For a full understanding of the invention .refercnceis to be had to the following dcscription and accompanyii'ig drawings, in which,

Figure l is' a Vtop plan view of a 'washing machine whclfi constructed :in accordance with the invention, the cover being removed and the clothes receiving drinn being shown by lull lines in a raised position and by dotted lines in the positions assumed when lowered into the respective compartments of the tub.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View on the line 2-2 of li`igure l.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the gearing for driving the drum.

Figure i is a detail View of the crank shaft for tilting the drum.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view through the removable cover for closing the outer end of the drum.

Figure G is a front elevation of the washing machine.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional View through the washing machine, taken on a. plane at substantially right angles to Figure 2.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail View of the gearing and universal joint by means of which the clothes receiving basket or drum is operatively connected to the drive shaft.

Figures 9 and l0 are similar views showing modified constructions.

Figure 1l is a detail viewI showing the detachable connection between the clothes receiving basket or drum and the upper gear and clutch member.

Figure l2 is a top plan view of a modified form of the washing machine in which the tub is provided with three compartments, and the clothes receiving drum can be lowered into any selected one of these compartments.

Figure 13 is a sectional view through the washing machine, being taken on the line l3l3 of Figure 12.

Figure 1+i is an enlarged detail view of the universal joint between the upper end of the drive shaft and the base of the clothes receiving drinn, the means for alternately shifting the gears when the drinn is tilted being also shown.

Figure l5 is a detail view of the plate which is used in the construction shown by Figures l2 and 13, and has positioning notches for engaging the end of the drum tilting lever for the purpose of retaining the gearing in mesh when the drum is tilted.

Figure 1G is a rear View of a tub, having the construction shown by Figs. l and 2, sait'lt'ifinre showing the slot .in the back et Cil the tub within which the rear end of the tub tilting` shaft slides.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated on all of the views of the drawings by like reference characters.

Refering to the embodiment of the invention shown by Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a tub which is supported on the legs 2. rhe interiorof the tub is divided by a partition 3 into two compartmentstand 5, one of which is adapted to receive the water for washing the clothes and the other to receive the rinsing water.

`The partition 3 extends partially from the at the upper part of the tub to. receive the basket or drun'r when the latter is in an upright position.

A drive shaft 7 extends upwardly through the center of the; tub 1, being shown as received` within a bearing sleeve 8 at the middle portion of the partition 3. The lower end of the drive shaft has gear connections whereby the shaft may be rotatedfat a high rate of speed when the clothes receiving drum :is being spun to eXtra-ct thc wate1."therefrom by centrifugal force, or oscillated at a comparatively low rate of speed when the clothes receiving drum is tilted downwardly so that it is partial-ly submerged inthe water of one of the compartments l or 5.

The upper end of thev drive shaft is con nccted to the drum (i by a universal. joint arrangement which permits the drum to have a limited tilting movement in all directions and also enables the drum to be tilted downwardly into either of the compartments t or 5 of the tub. With this object iny view the upper end of the drive shaft is shown as provided with a head 9 having a socket 10 in the top thereof. 1n the form of the invention illustrated by Figures 1 to 8 of the drawing the head 9 forms the center of a bevel gear drive member 11. lie- ;-ived within the socket 10 is a ball member 1Q, which is preferably comparatively large and heavy so that it will assist in balancing the drum and :will-frictionally engage the `walls of the socket to provide what may be termed a friction clutch connection between the drum and thel drive shaft when the drum is in an upright position. The upper portion of the ball member 12 is surrounded by bevel gear member 13 and the tapered end of the gear member is larger than the ball member so that a shoulder 14 is provided which over-hangs the top of` the head 9 and is slightly spaced therefrom when the drum G is in a vertical` 1position. The drum can have a limited tilting movement in all directions before the shoulder 14C engages the head, although when the limit of this tilting movement is reached the'shoulder is brought into Contact with the top of the head, thereby shifting the center of support for the drum and tending to prevent. further tilting movement thereof. This tilting movement of the. drum enables the drum to adjust itsell:l automatically to a somewhat uneven loading thereof and obtain a running balance so that it can be rotated at the necessary high rate of speed for extracting the water from the clothes by centrifugal force without subjecting the mechanism to excessive and objectionable vibration.

The ball member 1Q, is shown as connected by a neck 15 to a weight 1G. rlfhis weight may be of a tapered or conical shape, and tits within a correspondinvly shaped pocket 17 formed at the center or the drum G and projecting upwardly into the interior of the drum. A suitable fastening member such as the screw 18 may be provided for securing the drum to the weight, and the walls of the pocket 17 may be formed with lugs 19 which engage corresponding recesses in the weight to provide an interlocking connection between the drinn and the weight so that relative rotation between the members is prevented. "When the fastening screw 18 is in position the drum 6 is rigidly connected to the weight, although by removing the screw or fastening element the drum can be easily lifted out of position. The combined weightof the ball member 12 and weight 16 is considerable7 being preferably greater than the combined weight of the drum and clothes conta-ined therein. This weight of the ball member 12 and weight 15 is arranged at the central portion. of the bottom of the drum and extends downwardly below the drum, so that the center of gravity is at the. central portion of the drum and at a point near the bottom thereof. l/Vhen the drum is rapidly rotated the axis thereof tends to rise to a vertical position and the iiniversal `joint permits the drum to rise until the center of gravity of the drum and its contents is in the vertical line of the drive shaft, at which time what is termed in this application Va running ialance7 is obtained.. The considerable weight `at the center of the drum also serves to steady the drum andv prevent excessive oscillation thereof.

The drum 6 is shown having the pe riphery thereof perforated andthe 'top or swinging end of the drum is tai'iered so that the upper edges of the drum will clear the walls of the tub when the drum is swung downwardly into either of the compartments of the tub, as indicated by dotted lines on Figure 1. The cover 20 for the per foi-ated drum 6 is held detachably in position. As is shown quite clearly by Figure 5, one side of the cover is provided with a tongue 21 whichl may engage a recess in the walls of the drum 6 at the mouth thereof, while the other side of the cover is provided with a slidably mounted locking bolt 22 which can be moved into and out of operative position. The center of thccover is provided with an outwardly projecting stub shaft 23 which is arranged on the axis of the drum, and when the drinn is tilted downwardly into washing or rinsing position the stub shaft 23 is received between spaced flanges 2:4; on the walls of the tub. The upper ends of each pair of the .flanges 24 may flare outwardly to facilitate the entrance of the stub shaft between the same, and the stub shaft is free to move up and down between the flanges, although it cooperates with the flanges to hold the drum against lateral swaying movement.

The periphery of the drinn (3 is provided with an annular rib 25 which projects therefrom, and when the drinn is tilted downwardly into a horizontal position this rib 25 will rest upon and engage a horizontally disposed support-ing wheel or dolly QG. These wheels QG are arranged at the bottom of the respective tub compartments l and 5, and may be mounted in any suitable manner, although for illustrative purposes they are shown as provided with spindles 2T which are loosely received within bearing sleeves 28 projecting from the bottom of the tub. These wheels 2S limitI the downward tilting movement of the drinn when it is swung laterally into a horizontal position, and thel supporting wheels rotate as the drum is revolved, thereby providing an antifriction support for the. drinn.

rl'he lower end of the drive shaft 7 has a pinion 29 keyed thereon so that the pinion and shaft rotate together although the pinion can slide freely upon the shaft. lVhen the pinion 29 is moved upwardly on the shaft it is caused to mesh with a geared segment 30 which is Aadapted to oscillatc back and forth in order to alternately rotate the drinn in opposite directions. lVhen the pinion 29 is moved downwardly .it is brought into mesh with a gear wheel 3l. rlhis gear wheel 3l meshes with an intermediate gear wheel 32 which in turn meshes with a gear wheel The shaft of this gear wheel extends (flownwardly through the bottom of the gear housing 35 where it is provided with a worm wheel 3G which meshes with a worin 37 on the shaft of an electric motor 38. An arm Bt) which is rigid with the geared segment 3l) is connected by a pitnian 40 to the gear wheel 323, so that the electric motor serves to rotate the gear wheels and also to oscillate the geared segment. The ratio of the gearing is such, however7 that the shaft 7 will be driven at a high rate of speed when the pinion 29 thereof'l meshes with the gear wheel 3l, and at a comparatively slow rate of speed when the said pinion is in mesh with the geared segment 30. A shifting lever 4l `is provided for sliding the pinion 2t) on the drive shaft, said lever being pivotally mounted between its ends7 as indicated at ft2, and having a spring il?) connected to the outer end portion thereof' which normally tends to swing the lever and slide the pinion 529 downwardly into mesh with the gear wheel 3l.

One of the tub compartments is adapted to receive a cleansing fluid for use in washing the clothes or fabrics, while the other compartment may receive a rinsing water or t-he like. The clothes or other fabrics to be washed are placed in the drinn (5 and the cover Q() of the drinn then securely fastened in position by means of the lock- `with the stub shaft 23 of the cover thereof confined between the flanges Qft and in engagement with the walls of the tub. The pinion QS) at the lower end of 'the drive shaft is then caused to mesh with the geared segment l() with the result that the drinn is alternately rotated a predetermined number of revolutions in opposite directions, thereby repeatedly forcing the washing fluid through the fabric of the clothes so that the clothes will be cleansed. After the washing operation has been completed the drinn is swung upwardly into an npright position in the upper portion of the tub and, if necessary, the clothes or fabrics may be evenly dist ibuted within the drinn. The ball and socket joint between the base of the tub and the iippei' end ofthe drive shaft permits the drinn to have a limited tilting movement until the shoulder lat cngagcs the top of the head 9, and the drum can thus shift its position to automatically accomodate itself to a certain amount of unequal distribution of clothes and fabrics therein. After the drum has been swung upwardly the pinion 29 at the lower end of the drive shaft is caused to engage the gear wheel 3l, with the result that the drum is rapidly rotated in such a manner as to expel the water from the, clothes therein by centrifugal action. The ball and socket joint provides in effect a friction clutch between the drinn and drive shaft, so that the shaft and drum can rotate independently of each other andV the clutch will take hold gradually when the spinning operation is started and let go gradually when the spinning operation is completed. The ball and socket joint provides a flexible coupling means which permits the drum to have a limited universal movement, although the action et' the Shoulder 1lis such :is` to restrain this nioveinent when the liniit is reached. This flexible coupling enziblee the drinn to gyrute or follow its nii-tural course without tending' to deflect the ebelt or struining the bearings thereof, even though the clothes er 'liebrics witl -i the druni nia-y be somewhat unevenly distributed.

Alter the Wiiehine' fluid hoe thus been expelled troni the clotlie und fabrics by spinning' the drinn7 the drinn ie tilted over into the other tub compartment whereupon the pinion 29 is again brought into ongegenient Withl the geared segment 30, so that the drinn alternately rotated in opposite directions in the rinse ivnter. After the clothes have thus been rinsed the drinn is swung ujnvardly into u vertical position 'und :ign-in spun :it e high rete of speed to expel the rinee Writer trein the clothes, by centrifugal fiction. 'jhey Writer or iiuid which is; expelled frein the clothes and hib ics; by centrifugal action is intended to into the perticulur conipurtnient et the tub ironi Which it was originally teken. For this purpose n drain plate lll in mounted in the tub justaibove the partition 3. The drain pleite is Shown ns pivotzilly mounted upon the upper end of the drive shaft 7, so thut it een turn upon the saine ne en. exis7 und the drain plete is adapted to be swung over either o't the tub conipzii-tinents. lenving;` the other eon'ipurtluent uncovered. il. handle such es that indicated zit l5 muy be applied to the druin plete t'or convenience in moving the suine. The dreiu plete is prefer: bly errunged so that it will be slightly inclined toward trie uncovered compartment. of the tub, and :it Wi be obvious thut by properly positioning the drain pleite the Water or fluid which is ez-ipell ed from the clothee during;l the eiiinning oit the drinn will be carried boel-z into the particular tub compartment lroni which it wus originally token.

eliziilit eilte .do truinuiersely through the tub und in provided et its middle portion with n coller elelncw lli which loosely engages the neel: 15 above the bull joint nieniber 12 eli the drinn. @rauh portionls 41S provide cleuraince epzices for the lruin when it til N i und et e end ol the :inuit provided with u bundle. if), While the oth` end therv pues-ee loosely througn u horizontal slot 8O ut the bficlr oit' the tub und hun i plete Sl applied to the extremity thereof. By Swinging the handle the ,ebelt can be rotztteil und the druni tilted und when the drinn le tilted the reur end oli the is nioved lnterully in the slot 80 into one oi the dotted line ponitions indicuted on Figure 1.v lt d 1 7 suitable hitch ineens euch :is the sivfugng lls;liaped ineinbei 50 upc',A the :side et the tub und, errzinhed to i lever or bundle be d ruined buck inuy be mounten,

nieuwe 19 when the suine is in @vertical position. lllhen the bundle is swung into u horizontul pon' tion und the druni thereby tilted into one of the Jcub compartments, the handle will engage one et the out-standing urine 51 et the hirked upper end of u slide 52 which mounted upon the exterior ot the tub., being` adapted to nieve up und down within the keepers 53. The lower end oit the slide is pivotnlly connected at i io the shitting lever Ll1 ot' the driving gear connections. `When the handle el-) is up the eprine i3 of the shifting; lever will nieve the shining;` lever to slide the pinion 29 of the drive shaft into engagement With the geur Wheel 31, thereby providing for spinning the drum et u high rute oli speed. @n the other hand, when the drum is tilted doivim'zirdly into one ol the 'tub compartments, the handle e9 will nieve the slide `52 downwardly and operate the shitting lever t1 to nieve Vthe pinion 29 Oi the drive shaft into engagement with the geared segment 30, with the result that the drum will be rotated buch und Vforth in opposite directione in the desired nninner for Washing or rinsing.

il slight modification is shown by Fig. 9 in which friction gearing is substituted for the bevel geur members 1l und 13. A fric* tion geur ineniber 11L takes the place of the bevel gear 117 und a. friction geur nieinber 13 takes the place et the bevel gear eleinent 13. In :ill other respecte the operation is the seme zus that previously described.

A further slight niodilieetion is shown by Figure 10, in which the shoulder 14 which limits; the compensating tilting movements ot' the tub is oniitted. The saine result is achieved by providing;` the bottoni et the bull member 12 with ny projection 12b which operutef's within it recess 10" :it the bnee oif the ochet 10. The projection 12b hun uv certain einount el" play in the recess b which permite the drnin to have u limited universel rocking` inovenient to compensate 'For t certain amount ot unequal distribution et the clothes and fabrics therein und enables the druni to gyrzite or 'follow its naturel course when spinning` without tending;` to deflect the drive shift and straining the shulit und benrings. In order to tilt the drum over into either of the tub eonipurtnients itis neceesury to liret lift it :i Sulicient zilnount to disenguge the projection 12" freni the recess 10".

A modification is shown by Figures 12 to inclusive, in which the tub 6l) is Subdivided by the j mrtitiens G1 into three Sepurute compartments 62. One of these tub compartments is udupted to receive the soapy Waiter or cleansing fluid, While :inother of the tub compartments receives the rinsing Water und the third tub compart- Lil ment receives the bluing water. The perforate drumGS is constructed substantially as previously described, with the exception that the lower end or base thereof is tapered, so that it will the more readily clear the partitions 6l when the drum is swung downwardly into a horizontal position. Each ot' the tub compartments is provided at the bottom thereet with a dolly QG to support the drum when it is lowered into that particular compartment. and the side walls oitl the tub are. provided with the flanges 2l lor engaging the stub shall 223 ot' the cover 2O ot the drum, just as in the previous instance. A drain plate (it is provided and this drain plate is ot sullicient size to extend over any two ot the tub compartments G2, leaving the otherl tub compartmei'it uncovered. The drain plate will incline slightly toward the uncovered compartment, so that thelluid or water which is expelled Jfrom the clothes and fabrics during the spinning of the drum will be drained back into that particular tub con'ipartment from which it was originally taken. A suitable handle G5 is applied to the drain plate lor convenience in shitting the position thereol".

In order to tilt the drum a handle GG is provided at one side thereol", said handle being at one end ot' an L-shaped .lever (S7, the other end ot' the lever being provided with a collar (38 which engages the neck l5 above the ball joint member oit the drum. lhe VL-shaped member thus provides a means for tilting the drum and when the drum has been tilted into a horizontal position the handle G5 may be brought into engagement with suitable rests or supports (3*.) applied to the walls ot the tub.

The arm of the L-shaped lever G7 which is arrangelfl under the drum is provided with an extension G7, and when the drum is tilted into a horizontal position this extension is adapted to engage one of the positioningl notches Si ot' a plate S5 which is arranged under the universal joint connection between the drum and the drive shaft. The plate 85 is held rigidly in position and provided with one of the positioning notches Sel for each ot' the tub compartments. lVhen the drum is tilted into a selected one ot the tub compartments the extension G7 of the L-shaped lever (37 enters the corresponding positioning notch Sl and cooperates therewith to prevent lateral movement oil the end of `the tub which is provided 'with the gear member. The two gear members are thus maintained in mesh with each other, so that the drum will be driven in the desired manner.

rlhe vertical drive shaft has a tubular traan-ation and a gear shitting rod 7l eX- tends through the shaft. The upper end of this rod 71 is connected by a pivot joint 72 to a member 73 that has a swiveled connection with the ball member l2 of the universal joint. The head 9 is suitably recessed at 7 l to provide a clearance for the swivel member 73 as the drum is tilting.

The lower end of the gear shitting rod 7l slides through an arm 75 of a pinion 76 which corresponds to the pinion 29 o'lE the previously described construction. The arm 75 is slidable within a slot 77 in one side of the tubular shatt, and a spring 88 engages t-he pinion 7 G and normally tends to slide `,the same downwardly into mesh with the gear wheel 3l ot the driving gear. lVhen the drum is tilted over into a horizontal position and caused to be partially submerged in the fluid of one of the tub compartments, the gear shitting rod 7l is moved upwardly Vthrough the tubular drive shaft, with the result that a button 79 on the lower end thereof engages the arm 75 and moves the pinion 76 upwardly against the action of the spring 7 8 until the pinion is brought into mesh with the geared segment 30. The driving gear that cooperates with the pinion (7G is identical with that previously described and the same reference characters that were previously used are applied to the elements of this gear on Figure 13.

This lorm ot' the invention provides for successively washing, rinsing and bluing the clothes in the three compartments of the tub, and alter the clothes and fabrics have been subjected to the action of the fluid in each compartment the (luid extracted therefrom by centrifugal force and drained back into the tub compartment from which it was originally taken. The clothes and fabrics may be carried through the several waters or fluids and centrifugally dried without handling them or removingthem. from the drum until after the several operations have becn completed and they are ready to be hung up on the line for drying.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

l. A machine of the character described, including a drive shalt, a clothes receiving drum, a ball element carried by one of the said members, a socket element carried by the other ot' said members, the ball element and socket element frictionally engaging each other to produce a driving connection bctween the shalt and the drum and permitting the druln to have a limited tilting movement, and cooperating stop shoulders on the socket element and ball element, respectively, to limit the tilting movenient ol the drum.

2. A machine ot the character described, including a drive shaft, a clothes receiving drum, a ball element carried by one of the said members, a socket element carried b v thc the other ot said members, the ball element and socket element frictionally engaging each other to produce a driving con-x nection betiveen the sha'l't and the drinn, and permitting the .shalt to rotate independently of or at a different speed than the drinn, said ball and socket joint also permitting' the drinn to tilt laterally and automatically obtain :i running `balance on the sha lit when being spun to centrit'iigally dry7 the contents thereof, means for tilting the drinn into a horizontal position, and means for obtaining a driving connection Vbetweenthe drinn and the shalt when it is so tilted.

3. A machine of the character describei., including a drive shaft, a clothes receiving driun,'a ball element carried by one oit the said nieiubers, a socket element carried by the other of the said members, the ball element and socket element rictionally engaging eaclr other to produce driving connection between the shaft and the drum and permitting the drinn to tilt laterally, a Weight on the drinn, and stop shoulders on the socket element and ball element, respectively, `for limi-ting the normal tilting moveincnt of the drinn, the drinn and weight thereof being lifted il the drinn is :forcibly tilted att-er the shoulders engage each other.

il. A machine of the character described, including an upright drive shaft, :i socket at the iipi'iei lend thereof, a clothesI receiving drinn, a bal]y element carried by the clothes receiving drinn and reiiseived Within the socket of the shattto provide a driving connection between the shalt and the drinn and permitting the drum to tilt lateral-ly to obtain a ruiming balance on the shalt when being spun to centri-iigally dry the contents thereof, and cooperating stop shoulders on the ball element and socket element, respectively, toi' limiting Vthe normal tilting nieveinent oil. the drum, the ball element being lifted from the socket il' the driini is lorcibly tilted after the shoulders engage each other.

5. A 'machine of the character described, including a. drive shaft, a clothes receiving drinn, a ball element carried by one ot the said members, aV soclretleleinent carried by the other of-said` members, the ball element and socket element frictionally engaging each other to produce a driving connection between the shaft and drinn and permitting the shaft to rotate independently of or at ii different speed than the drinn, said ball and socket joint also permitting the drinn to tilt laterally and automatically obtain a running balance on the shaft when being spun to centril'iigally dry the contents thereof, means for i til-ting the drinn into .fiV horizontal position, means itor obtaining a driving connect-ion between the driini and the shaft when it is so tilted, and means actuated by the tilting of the drinn into a horizontal position` to automatically change the speed of rotationn ol' the drive shaft.

1,7093' rfi- 6. A machine ot the character described including a shaft, a clothes receiving drinn, a ball and socket joint between the shaft and the drinn, whereby the latter has a limited tilting movement and can antoinatically adjust itself to obtain a running balance when being spun to centritiigally dry `the coni'` oit the drinn, and cooperating shoulde on the members oli tlc ball and socket joint lor limitingl the sa ie tilting nievenieiit ot the drinn.

Y. fi machine oli the character described including a tub, an upright drive shalt, a clothes receiving drinn, a universal joint connection between the shalt and drinn ivhereliiy the latter can tilt laterally and automatically adjust itself to obtain a rinining balance on the drive shaft when being spun iii anv upright position to centritngally dry the conteni's et the drinn, means for limiting the said tilting movement o'l' the drinn, and means "tor :forcibly overcoming the said limiting means and swinging the drinn doivnivarilly .into the tub.

S. A machine ot the character described .including a tub, an upright drive sha-lit, a clothes receiving drinn, a universal joint connection between the shalt and the drinn ii'hereby the latter can tilt laterally and automatically adjust itsel on the drive shalt to obtain a running balance when being spun in an upright position to centrifiigally dry the contents of the drinn, means for swinging the drinn dovi'nivardly into the tiib, and gear members oiierativcly associated ivith the universal joint connection to engage with each other when the drinn is swung downwardly.

9. l machine of the character described including a tub, an upright shalt, a clothes receiving drinn, a ball and socket connection between the shalt and the 'drinn whereby the latter has a limited tilting movement and can aiitoinaticall y adjust itsellY on the shalt to compensate tor au uneven load when being si in to centi.i"'l'fiigally dry the contents ot the drinn, means lfor swinging the drum doivnii'aidl)7 into the tub, and cooperating gear members on the elements ot the ball and socli'et joint, said gear `men'ibers being disengaged when the drinn is in an upright position, and engaging with wach other when the drinn is sivung downwardly.

l0. n'iachine ot the character described .including a tiilfi` an upright drive shaft, a clothes receiving drinn, a ball and socket connection between. the shaft and the drinn whereby the latter can tilt laterally and automatically adjust itself to an uneven load when being spun to centriliiigally dry the contents olE the drinn, cooperating shoulders limiting the said tilting movement of the drinn, means for 'terribly swinging the drinn beyond the said limiting means, and bringing it down into the tub, and coope ratmg gear members on the ball and socket elements, said gear members being disengaged when the drum is in an upright position and being brought into engagement when the drum is swung downwardly.

11. A machine et the character described includingl a tub, an upright drive shaft, a clothes receiving drum, a ball and socket joint between. the shaft and the drum whereby the latter can tilt laterally and automatically adjust itself on the shaft to an uneven load when being spun to centrifugally dry the contents thereo't, a weight at the center et the drum ilor obtaining a firm trictional engagement between the elements of the ball and socket joint, and steadying the drum while it is being'rotated, means lor swinging the drum downwardly into the tub, and cooperating gear members carried by the shalt and drum, respectively, and arranged to be disengaged when the drum in an upright position and brought into engagement with each other when the drum is swung downwardly into the tub.

12. A machine ot the character described, including an upright drive shaft, a socket element at the upper end thereot, a clothes receiving drum, a ball element carried by the clothes receiving drum and received within the socket to frictionally engage the same and produce a driving connection between the shaft and drum when the drum is in an upright position, the ball and socket connection permitting the drum to have a limited tilting movement to obtain a running balance when being spun in an np right position to centrifugally dry the contents thereof, cooperating shoulders on the ball element and socket element, respectively, 'for limiting the normal tilting movement ot the drum, the ball element being lifted out of the socket when the drum is forcibly tilted downwardly after the shoulders have engaged each other, and cooperating gear elements on the ball element and socket element which mesh with each other when the drum is swung downwardly.

13. A machine ot the character described including a tub, an i'iprightsha'lt, a clothes receiving drum, a ball and socket joint between the shaft and drinn, whereby the said members are rictionally connected when the drum is in an upright position, and the drum can tilt laterally to assume a running balance on the drive sha'l't when it is being spun to centri'l'ugally dry the contents thereof, cooperating gear members carried by the drum and shatt, means 'tor Yforcibly swinging the drum downwardly into the tub whereby the ball and socket elements will be separated and the gear members brought into engagement with each other, means for operating the drive shaft at dit'- ierent rates ot speed, and means tor automatically changing the speed of the drive shaft when the drum is raised or lowered.

1st. A machine oit the character described including a tub provided with a plurality or independent compartments, a drive sha'lt, a drum, and a universal joint connection between the shatt and the drum, whereby the latter can be swung downwardly into any selected one of the tub compartments.

l5. A machine oilthe character described including a tub provided with a plurality of independent compartments, anr upright shaft, a clothes receiving drum, a universal joint connection between the sha'tt and drum whereby the latter can be swung into any selected one ot the tub compartments, and means l'or covering the other compartments.

1G. A machine of the character described including a tub provided with a. plurality o t independent compartments, an upright drive sha tt, a clothes receiving drum, a universal joint connection between the shatt and the drum `whereby the latter can be swung into any selected one oil" the tub compartments or moved into an upright position for spinning to eentri'iugally dry the contents ot' the drum, and a drain plate covering all but one ol the lub compartments and draining into the uncovered tub compartment.

17. A machine ot, the character described including a tub provided with a plurality ot' imlependcnt compartments, an upright shaft, a clothes receiving drum, a ball and socket joint between the shaitt and the drum whereby the latter has a iirictional drive connection with the Vshaiit when it is in an upright position and can have a limited tilting movement 'for automatically assuming a. riiiining balance on the upright shalt when being spun to centrifugally dry the contents thereo't, means for swinging the drum downwardly into any selected one ot the tub comj iartmcnts, cooperating gear members on the drum and shaft rcsj'iectively which are disengaged when the drinn in an upright position and brought into engagement when the drum is swung downwardly, and means ttor operating the drive sha't't at a high rate ol' speed when spinning the drum lo centritugally dry the contents thereof, and at a lower rate oit' speed when operating the drum in one ot the tub compartments.

1S. A machine of the character described including a tub, a drive shalt, a clothes receiving drum, a universal joint connection between the sha'tt and the drum whereby the latter can be swung into an upright pesitien, or dowmvardly into the tub, and a rotatable support at the bottom oit the tub lor rotatably supporting the drum.

1 9. lr machine ot the character described. including a tub provided with a plurality oi independent compartments, a drive shaft, a drum, a separable connection between the shaft and drum, means for supporting the drum in any selected one of the tub compartments, and means for obtaining a drivingconnection between the drinn and the drive shaft in any of its positions.

20. A machine of the character described, including a tub p rovidcd with a plurality of independent compartments, a drive shaft, a drinn, means for mounting the drum in any one of the compartments, moans for obtaining a driving connection between the drinn and drive shaft when the drinn is in any one of the conpartinents, and meansl for mounting the drinn upon the drive shaft for spinnin, the sa ne to eentrifngally dry the cfmteni'aY of the drinn.

2l. A. machine of the character described including a tub, a drive shaft, a clothes receiving drum, a universal joint connection between the shaft and the drum wher-eey the latter can be tilted into different positions, means for iglriving the shaft at different speeds, and means actuated auton'iatically by the tilting of the drum. for varying the speed of the shaft.

22. A machine of the character described, comprising a tub having a compartment therein adapted to contain a cleansing fluid, an upright drive shaft, a clothes receiving drum, and a separable driving jointbetween the shaft and the drinn which admits of the drum being rotated by the shaft in either an upright position or when tilted downwardly into the compartment.

28. A machine for washing fabrics and the like, including a tub provided with a plurality of independent compartments adapt-ed to contain different fluids with which the fabrics are to be successively treated, a fabric receiving drum, means for supporting the drinn in any selected one of the tub compartments, and means for rotating the drum when it is supported in anyone of the compartments, and means for supporting and rapidly spinning the drum above the compartments to centrifiigally dry the contents thereof.

2st A machine of the character described including a drive shaft, a clothes receiving drum, a universal joint connection between the shaft. and the drinn whereby the latter can be tilted into different positions, cooperating gear members on the. shaft and drum which are brought into mesh when the drum is tilted, and means for holding the driven end of the drum against lateral movement when the gear members are in engagement with each other.

25. A machine of the character described including a drive shaft, a clothes receiving drum, a ball and socketjoint connecting the shaf'I and drinn whereby the drum can be tilted into different positions, cooperating gear members on the shaft and drum which arebrought into engagement when the drinn istilted, and means for holding the gear of the drinn in engagement with the gear of the shaft when the drum is tiltet.

26. A machine of the character described including adrive shaft, a clothes receiving drinn, a ball and socket joint connecting the shaft and drum whereby the latter can be tilted, cooperating gear members on the drinn and shaft which `are brought into mesh when the drum is tilted, a drinn tilting member, and means engaging the drinn tilting member to hold the gear of the drum in mesh with the gear of the shaft when the drinn is tilted.

27. A machine of the character described, including a tub, an upright drive shaft therein, said tub being provided with a plurality of independent compartments arranged around the drive shaft, a drum, a drum shaft, means for mounting the drum in any selected compartment with the drum shaft extending radially from the drive shaft, and gearing between the drive shaft and drinn shaft for driving the drinn when it is supported in any selected one of the tub con'ipartments.

28. A machine of the character described, including' a tub, an upright drive shaft within the tub, said tub being provided with a plurality of independent compartments which are arranged around the drive shaft, a. drum, a drinn shaft, means for mounting the drum in any one 0f the compartments with the drum shaft extending radially from the drive shaft, gearing between the drive shaft and drum shaft for driving the drum when it is supported in any selected one of the tub compartments, means for connecting the drum shaft to the drive shaft in alignment therewith to support the drum in an upright position and spin the same to centrifugally dry the contents of the drum, and means for draining the centrifiigally expelled fluid into any selected one of the compartments.

29. A machine of the character described including a tub, partitions extending across the tub and dividing it into a plurality of compartments, `a drive shaft extending through the tub, a fabric handling device driven from the drive shaft, and means for shifting the fabric handling device into cooperative relation with any of the compartments.

30. A'machine of the character described, including a tub which is provided with a compartiment adapted to receive a cleansing fluid, an upright drive shaft, a clothes receiving drum, and a separable driving connection between the drum and the shaft including a ball and socket joint, means for rotating the drinn in either an upright position or when swung downwardly into the conipartment, the joint also enabling the drum to have auniversal tilting movement Ll t) 3l. A machine ot the character described,

including a tub provided with a plurality ot' independent compartments, an upright drive shaft, a drum, a separable universal joint connection between the shaft and the drum, whereby the latter can be liited out of the tub or swung downwardly into any selected one ot the tub compartments, said drum being also adapted to be brought into an upright position tor spinningto centritugally dry the contents thereof, means it'or rotating the drive shattat different rates ot speed, and means actuated by the movements ot' the drum tor causing the drive shaft to be rotated at a higher rate ot speed when the drum is in an upright position than when it is swung downwardly into one of the tub compartments.

In a washing machine, the combination ot' a tub having a plurality oit compartments Ytor dillerent tluids in the lower portion thereof, a rotary clothes container mounted in the tub above the compartments and arranged to rotate about a vertical axis, and a shiiitable drain arranged in said tub between the compartments and said clothes container to deflect the tluid trom the container into any one ol said compartments. ln a washing machine the combination of a tub having, a plurality ot' compartments for different fluids in the lower portion thereof, a rotary clothes container mounted in the tub above the compartments and arranged to rotate about a vertical axis, means for rotating said container' and a support for said rotating means, and a member rotably mounted on said support between said coinpartment and said clothes container to detlect the tluid trom the container into any one of said conmartments.

Bil. n a Washing machine, the combination of a tub 'termed with a partition dividing it into compartments tor dittcrcnt fluids, a shit'table cover over one ot the compartments, a rotary clothes container mounted in the tub above the compartments and normally arranged to rotate about an axis at an angle to the vertical whereby the container dips into one compartment, and being shittable to rotate about another axis at an angle to the vertical wherebyv it dips into the other compartment. nir-ans 'lor supporting the rotary clothes container in either posi lion and means tor rotating it in either ot the said positions.

35. ln. a i'washing` machine, the combination ot a tub termed with a partition dividing it into compartments Ai'or dittercnt fluids, a drain member arranged above the compartments tor returning the lluid falling up on the same back to the compartment. 'from which it came, a rotary clothes container mounted in the tub above the compartments and normally arranged 'to rotate about an axis at an angle to the `vertical whereby the container dips into one compartment, and being shi'ttable to rotate about another axis at an angle to the vertical whereby it dips into the other compartment, and being also shit'table into an upright position whereby it is out ot' the compartments, means or supporting the clothes container in any ot' the at'oresaid positions, and means for rotating it in any one ot the aforesaid positions.

ln a washing machine, the combina tion ot a tub termed with a partition dividing it into compartments il'or diliierent fluids, a rotary clothes container mounted in the tub above the compartments and normally arranged to rotate about an axis at an angle to the vertical whereby the container dips into one compartment, and being shittable to rotate about another axis at an angle to the vertical whereby it dips into the other compartment, means 'for supporting and rotating the clothes container. in either ot the aforesaid positions, and a shi'ltable drain arranged to be positioned over either compartment to deflect tluid dropping` upon the saine into the other compartment.

37. In a washing machine, the combination of a tub formed with a tluid receiving compartment, an upright drive shai't, a clothes receiving drum, a separable driving connection between the sha-tt and the drum which admits ot the drum being driven in either an upright position or when swung downwardly into the compartment, and means for automatically causing the drive shaft to rotate at (litter-ent Speedster the two positions ot the clothes receiving drum.

38. In a. washing machine, the combination ot a tub which is formed with a lluid receiving compartment, an uprightdrive shaft, a clot-hes receiving drum, a drivingl connection between the drinn and the shaft including separable parts applied to 'the drum and shaft respectively, and adapted to engage each other with the drum either in an upright position or arranged to rotate in the compartment, and gear shitting means controlled by the drum :tor causing` the drive shalt to rotate ata dill'erent speed for each position ol' the drum.

3l). A washing machine conuin'ising a pair of containers for washing fluid, a receptacle for ilabrics pivotally mounted 'tor alternative operation in the containers, and tor rotation about a vertical axis above the contwine-rs and a drain cover for the containers disposed beneath the receptacle and movable into operative position with respect to either container.

Lit). A washing machine comprising a pair ot containers `lor washing fluid, a receptacle for fabrics pivotally mounted for alterna tive operation in t-he containers, and for ro- Fil tation abouty zt Vertical axis `above the containers und means for selectively draining Huid from the receptacle into either container.

lil. A Washing machine comprising` a circular tub, :i center shaft Within the tub, a substantially vertical partition for dividing the tub into two Separate compartments for washing fluid, ai, sem-circular cover for sepigoom :irateiy cios-ing the compartments and for 1,0

draining Washing fluid into the uncovered con'ipartiiioiit and rotatable about the axis oi the tub to its operative positions, and o drum for containing the fabrics mounted for rotation in eithery compartment and 15 above both compartments and the said cover. ln testimony whereof l aHiX my Signature.

ERIC D. CLARKE.

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