Patent US3575057A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3575057A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive mechanism
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1968-12-20
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1988-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A drive mechanism for an automatic clothes washer is provided having a single reversibly rotatable input shaft and first and second concentric output shafts. The first output shaft connects with an agitator for low speed oscillation thereof when the input shaft rotates in one direction. The second output shaft connects to a washing basket for high speed centrifugal extraction rotation thereof when the input shaft rotates in the opposite direction. A first direction responsive means for operating the first output shaft comprises a crank member operably connected to the input shaft for rotation thereby, a rack operably connected to the crank member for reciprocation thereby, a pinion operably connected to the first output shaft, and means for engaging and disengaging the rack from the pinion. A second direction responsive means for operating the second output shaft comprises a first gear connected through a direction responsive spring clutch to the input shaft, and a second gear driven from the first gear and operably connected to the second output shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor J Kurowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:18
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F13/00; D06F13/02; F; F16; F16H; F16H37/00; F16H2700/00; F16H2700/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18088; Y10T74/18096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A drive mechanism comprising: a reversibly rotatable input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft; a first direction responsive means operably connected to said input shaft and said first output shaft to rotate said first output shaft in oscillatory motion when said input shaft rotates in one rotational direction; a second direction responsive means operably connected to said input shaft and said second output shaft to rotate said second output shaft at high speed when said input shaft rotates in the opposite rotational direction; said first direction responsive means comprising a crank member operably connected to said input shaft for rotation thereby, a rack having a toothed surface, said rack operably connected to said crank member for reciprocation thereby, a pinion operably connected to said first output shaft, engagement means for engaging said rack with said pinion for oscillation thereby, disengagement means for disengaging said rack from said pinion, and direction responsive actuating means for actuating said engagement means when said input shaft rotates in said one rotational direction, and for actuating said disengagement means when said input shaft rotates in said opposite rotational direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A drive mechanism comprising: a reversibly rotatable input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft; a first direction responsive means operably connected to said input shaft and said first output shaft to rotate said first output shaft in oscillatory motion when said input shaft rotates in one rotational direction; a second direction responsive means operably connected to said input shaft and said second output shaft to rotate said second output shaft at high speed when said input shaft rotates in the opposite rotational direction; said first direction responsive means comprising a crank member operably connected to said input shaft for rotation thereby, a rack having a toothed surface, said rack operably connected to said crank member for reciprocation thereby, a pinion operably connected to said first output shaft, engagement means for engaging said rack with said pinion for oscillation thereby, disengagement means for disengaging said rack from said pinion, and direction responsive actuating means for actuating said engagement means when said input shaft rotates in said one rotational direction, and for actuating said disengagement means when said input shaft rotates in said opposite rotational direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
The drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein: said actuating means comprises a direction responsive slip clutch adapted to exert a force in one displacement direction when said input shaft is rotated in said one rotational direction, and adapted to exert a force in the opposite displacement direction when said input shaft is rotated in said other rotational direction; said engagement means comprises a wedge means operably connected to said slip clutch and adapted to force said rack into engagement with said pinion when urged in said first displacement direction by said slip clutch; and said disengagement means being operable with said wedge means to disengage said rack from said pinion when said wedge means is urged in said opposite displacement direction by said slip clutch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
The drive mechanism of claim 2 wherein: said positioning means is pivotally mounted about an axis coaxial with said pinion, and being operable to support at least a portion of said wedge means and said rack; said engagement means additionally comprises a cam surface extending from said positioning means and operable with said wedge means to force said rack into engagement with said pinion when said wedge means is urged in said one displacement direction by said slip clutch; and said disengagement means additionally comprises a first interlocking means between said wedge means and said rack to assure sliding contact therebetween, and a second interlocking means between said wedge means and said cam surface to assure sliding contact therebetween, whereby said wedge means is caused to move away from said pinion and said rack is caused to disengage from said pinion when said wedge means is urged in said other displacement direction by said sip clutch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
The drive mechanism of claim 3 wherein: said wedge means and said cam surface each have two cooperating ramps for urging said rack into engagement with said pinion; said cam surface is formed integral with said positioning means; said first interlocking means comprises a longitudinal groove in said rack formed parallel to said toothed surface, and a tab portion extending from said wedge means and adapted to cooperate with said groove; and said second interlocking means comprises a slot formed in said positioning means substantially parallel to both of said ramps, and a pin portion extending from said wedge means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The drive mechanism of claim 4 wherein said second direction responsive means comprises a direction responsive spring clutch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The drive mechanism of claim 5 wherein: said first direction responsive means additionally comprises a crank shaft driven from said input shaft, said crank shaft having mounted thereon said crank member and said slip clutch; said spring clutch is mounted on said input shaft; and said second output shaft is coaxial about said first output shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
The drive mechanism of claim 6 additionally comprising: a first pulley mounted on said input shaft; a relatively larger second pulley mounted on said crank shaft; a belt operably extending between said pulleys to drive said crank shaft from said input shaft at a slower speed than said input shaft; a first gear mounted concentrically about said input shaft and operably connected to said spring clutch; and a second gear of substantially similar dimension as said first gear, mounted on said second output shaft to rotate said second output shaft at substantially the same speed as said input shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |