US3783652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Washing machine
Assignee: Franklin Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1972-04-28
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A power drive in a washing machine oscillates an agitator with a positive drive and spins a basket with a limited torque for gradual spin-up. The arrangement includes a transmission for selectively driving either the agitator or the basket as determined by the direction of rotational input. The drive to the transmission includes a one-way clutch adapted to positively drive the transmission in the agitation direction and a slip clutch to drive the basket with a predetermined torque in the opposite spin direction. A rotatable housing of the transmission forms both a sealed enclosure and a rigid structure in which a gear train is mounted. The housing has two mating sections in each of which are mounted spatially independent gear sets connected by a common pivotal link whereby critical gear center to center distances between housing sections are eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 R Archbold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:41
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F37/00; D06F37/30; D06F37/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In combination in a washing machine a drive pulley comprising a disc having a generally radial web extending outwardly towards a circular periphery, a belt receiving groove on said periphery, a central portion of said disc defining an axially extending hub, radial bearing means in said hub adapted to permit rotation of said pulley on a shaft extending therethrough, a second disc carrying a generally radial friction face parallel to said radial web, means for locking said second disc onto said shaft, a resilient element biasing said friction face into constant engagement with said radial web with a predetermined force, and one way clutch means for transmitting torque between said shaft and said pulley.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In combination in a washing machine a drive pulley comprising a disc having a generally radial web extending outwardly towards a circular periphery, a belt receiving groove on said periphery, a central portion of said disc defining an axially extending hub, radial bearing means in said hub adapted to permit rotation of said pulley on a shaft extending therethrough, a second disc carrying a generally radial friction face parallel to said radial web, means for locking said second disc onto said shaft, a resilient element biasing said friction face into constant engagement with said radial web with a predetermined force, and one way clutch means for transmitting torque between said shaft and said pulley.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 including a motor and a transmission for reducing the speed of said motor, said shaft being mounted on and providing a torque input to said transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
295 words
A power drive system for a washing machine comprising a reversible rotary motor, an article receiving basket, an article agitator in the basket, a transmission including a rotatably mounted housing, an input shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, the transmission having within its housing means to reduce the speed and convert rotary motion of the motor to oscillating movement in the agitator when said input shaft is driven in one rotary direction and one-way clutch means coaxial with said input shaft to spin said housing and said basket when said input shaft is driven in the opposite direction, one-way brake means coaxial with said input shaft preventing rotation of said housing in said one direction, a drive pulley rotatably mounted on said shaft and driven by said motor through a drive belt, said drive pulley including a disc having a generally radial web extending outwardly towards a circular periphery, a belt receiving groove on said periphery, a central portion of said disc defining an axially extending hub, radial bearing means in said hub adapted to permit rotation of said pulley on said shaft extending therethrough, a one-way clutch coaxial with said shaft operably connected between said pulley and said shaft for positively driving said shaft in said one rotary direction whereby said agitator is positively driven in oscillation, slip clutch means operably connected between said pulley and said shaft for driving said shaft with a predetermined maximum torque whereby said basket is driven with a limited spin-up torque, said slip clutch means including a second disc carrying a generally radial friction face parallel to said radial web, means for locking said second disc onto said shaft, and a resilient element biasing said friction face into constant engagement with said radial web with a predetermined force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
295 words
A power drive system for a washing machine comprising a reversible rotary motor, an article receiving basket, an article agitator in the basket, a transmission including a rotatably mounted housing, an input shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, the transmission having within its housing means to reduce the speed and convert rotary motion of the motor to oscillating movement in the agitator when said input shaft is driven in one rotary direction and one-way clutch means coaxial with said input shaft to spin said housing and said basket when said input shaft is driven in the opposite direction, one-way brake means coaxial with said input shaft preventing rotation of said housing in said one direction, a drive pulley rotatably mounted on said shaft and driven by said motor through a drive belt, said drive pulley including a disc having a generally radial web extending outwardly towards a circular periphery, a belt receiving groove on said periphery, a central portion of said disc defining an axially extending hub, radial bearing means in said hub adapted to permit rotation of said pulley on said shaft extending therethrough, a one-way clutch coaxial with said shaft operably connected between said pulley and said shaft for positively driving said shaft in said one rotary direction whereby said agitator is positively driven in oscillation, slip clutch means operably connected between said pulley and said shaft for driving said shaft with a predetermined maximum torque whereby said basket is driven with a limited spin-up torque, said slip clutch means including a second disc carrying a generally radial friction face parallel to said radial web, means for locking said second disc onto said shaft, and a resilient element biasing said friction face into constant engagement with said radial web with a predetermined force.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |