US3773266A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Washing machine including oscillatory spray system
Assignee: SYSTEMS ENTERPRISES Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-30
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A washing machine having an oscillatory spray system particularly useful in laboratory, hospital and industrial applications is disclosed. A plurality of tubular spray risers are rotatably mounted on a liquid distribution manifold and connected to an oscillating mechanism to impart oscillatory rotation to the risers through an arc about their longitudinal axes during discharge of liquid from nozzles mounted on the risers. A rotary union joining the manifold and risers for flow of liquid therethrough is also disclosed. The oscillating risers are mounted to the manifold and oscillating means for easy removal.
Inventors
- 👤 R Raefield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:34
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B13/00; B05B13/02; B05B13/04; B05B13/0405; B05B3/00; B05B3/14; A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/14; A47L15/18; A47L15/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A washing machine comprising: a. a housing defining a washing chamber; b. liquid distribution manifold means positioned in said chamber and formed with a liquid passageway therethrough and a plurality of relatively spaced apart outlet openings communicating with said passageway; c. a plurality of elongated tubular risers each formed with at least one spray nozzle for discharge of liquid into said chamber; d. union means mounting said risers in said outlet openings for rotation about the longitudinal axes of said risers, said union means being formed with a passageway therethrough for passage of liquid from said manifold means through said union means to said risers and being further formed for selective release and removal of a first end of said risers from said manifold means; e. riser guiding means positioned adjacent a second end of each of said risers and formed to cooperate with said union means to maintain said risers in substantially vertical position, said riser guiding means being further formed for removal of said risers therefrom upon release of said first end of said risers and vertical reciprocation of said risers; f. oscillating means connected to said plurality of risers for oscillatory rotation of said risers through an arc during discharge of liquid from the nozzles on said riseRs; and g. pump means connected to said manifold means for pumping liquid to said nozzles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A washing machine comprising: a. a housing defining a washing chamber; b. liquid distribution manifold means positioned in said chamber and formed with a liquid passageway therethrough and a plurality of relatively spaced apart outlet openings communicating with said passageway; c. a plurality of elongated tubular risers each formed with at least one spray nozzle for discharge of liquid into said chamber; d. union means mounting said risers in said outlet openings for rotation about the longitudinal axes of said risers, said union means being formed with a passageway therethrough for passage of liquid from said manifold means through said union means to said risers and being further formed for selective release and removal of a first end of said risers from said manifold means; e. riser guiding means positioned adjacent a second end of each of said risers and formed to cooperate with said union means to maintain said risers in substantially vertical position, said riser guiding means being further formed for removal of said risers therefrom upon release of said first end of said risers and vertical reciprocation of said risers; f. oscillating means connected to said plurality of risers for oscillatory rotation of said risers through an arc during discharge of liquid from the nozzles on said riseRs; and g. pump means connected to said manifold means for pumping liquid to said nozzles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
The washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein, said oscillating means includes a linkage member formed as an elongated bar positioned transverse and extending horizontally and adjacent to said risers, said bar being formed with a plurality of openings therein at spaced distances along said bar adjacent each riser; and wherein, said oscillating means further includes a plurality of connecting rods fixedly secured to said risers and releasably secured to said bar to impart an oscillatory rotary force to said risers upon reciprocation of said bar, said connecting rods being formed and dimensioned for slidable insertion and removal from and rotation in said openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
185 words
The washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said union means is comprised of: a. first and second union members formed for selective connection and disconnection and mounted in connected relation, said members being formed with oppositely facing bearing surfaces defining a socket; b. a rotatable joint element mounted in said socket and having bearing surfaces formed to mate with portions of said socket for retention and rotation of said joint element therein; c. said joint element being secured to a first of said manifold means and said riser and said first union member being secured to the remainder of said manifold means and said riser; d. said joint element and said first union member each being formed with passageways terminating in generally aligned opposed openings in said socket, said passageways extending to said manifold means and said riser for flow of liquid from said manifold means through said union to said riser; and e. locking means formed for and selectively locking said first and second union members against disconnection during rotary motion of said joint element and passage of liquid through said union.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
The washing machine as defined in claim 5 wherein said bearing surfaces of said joint element and said socket are provided by generally spherical surfaces to form a ball on said joint element mating with said socket; and sealing and thrust bearing means positioned between said ball and socket and surrounding said opposed openings, said sealing and thrust bearing means being deformable to resist leakage of fluid from said union and formed to provide a low friction bearing surface to enhance rotation of said ball in said socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The washing machine as defined in claim 6 wherein said sealing and thrust bearing means is an O-ring formed of teflon and having an internal diameter greater than the diameter of said opposed openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The washing machine as defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second union members are formed with interfitting threaded portions formed to effect connection and disconnection of said members upon relative rotation of said members through about one turn to provide a quick disconnect union.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The washing machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said locking means is provided by a channel through said first and second members and a locking pin inserted in said channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
The washing machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said threaded portions are formed for securement of said socket by manual engagement of said second union member and rotation thereof about said joint element until said ball portion is urged into and deforms said sealing and thrust bearing means sufficiently to insure flow of substantially all of the liquid reaching said union through said union to said riser while allowing flow of a minor portion of said liquid past said sealing means and between said ball portion and socket for lubrication thereof during rotation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said manifold means is used to distribute wash liquids and includes two horizontally extending portions positioned on opposite sides of said chamber and a connecting portiOn joining said horizontally extending portions, said portions having each a plurality of vertically extending risers mounted for rotation thereon; and wherein, said nozzles are formed as fan jet nozzles producing a sector-shaped spray having substantially uniform width with said nozzles oriented to cause said sector to be substantially aligned with a vertical plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A washing machine as defined in claim 1, and a second liquid distribution manifold means used to distribute rinse liquids and positioned in said chamber, a second set of risers rotatably jointed to said second manifold means by unions formed for passage of liquid therethrough, a second pump connected to said second manifold means for pumping rinse liquids, and said oscillating means for said first named risers further being secured to and oscillating said second set of risers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3391701A
Cited
US3422827A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |