Патент USA US3162750

Dec. 22, 1964
G. A. MANSELL
3,162,734
COMBINATION DISCHARGE VALVE AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY
Filed Oct. 50, 1961
w
INVENTOR
Geoffrey A. Mansell
BY VAMMJWQPM
ATTORNEY
v
United States Patent 0
ICC
3,162,734
Patented Dec. 22, 1964
1
2
3,162,734
FIGURE 4 is a cross section view of the present inven
tion novel valve and switch actuator means and the as
COMBINATION DISCHARGE "ALVE AND
SWITCH ASSEMBLY
Geo?rey A. Mansell, San Juan Capistrano, Caii?, as
signor to Rohertshaw Controls Company, Richmond,
sociated connecting nipple for connection to a pneumatic
conduit of the pneumatic system of the machine, as it
appears apart from the assembled unit, and
Va., a corporation of Delaware
Filed Oct. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 148,667
FIGURE 5 is a section view of the valve disk, as it ap
pears removed from the assembly.
11 Claims. (Cl. ZOO-61.86)
Referring in detail to the drawing and ?rst with par
ticular reference to FIGURE 1, there is shown a switch
The present invention relates to automatic washing
machines utilizing pneumatic control systems and more 10 housing 10 formed of two half-sections of suitable in
sulating material having end walls 11 and 12, side walls
particularly to control means for such pneumatic systems
13 and 14, a top wall 15 and a bottom wall 16, respec
operatively associated with a washing machine tub access
tively, so as to serve as a support housing for an electric
cover or lid.
Heretofore safety controls operated by the washing
switch S.
machine tub access cover or lid have been provided for on 15
.
Preferably the housing 10 is made in two upper and
lower sections A and B secured together by suitable ad
hesive, as well-known. The top wall 15 is preferably
closed and each of the end walls 11 and 12 are aperturcd
to provide for circuit connecting leads 17 and 18 from the
and off control of automatic washing machines, but these
safety controls have usually been solely electrical and do
not involve the problems attendant a pneumatic washing
machine control system. For example, in automatic
motor, not shown. These leads are of ?at conduct
washing machines utilizing the the pneumatic control sys 20 main
ing
semi-rigid
spring material to form the support means
tem, it is desirable when the washing machine cover or
for the snap acting members of the switch S, hereinafter
lid is raised to shut down the main motor of the system,
described in detail. The end wall 12, also, is formed with
which is electrical and “dump” the vacuum from the con
a lower aperture to mount the yieldable spring arm 19 to
trol system to release all the pneumatic controls of the
25 support a stop means 20 positioned adjacent the inner sur
system..
face of the top wall 15, which means 20 is spaced in
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a
superimposed vertical alignment above the hot or live line
novel combined discharge valve and switch assembly
contact 21 connected to the lead 18. Secured by suitable
adapted to be simultaneously actuated by the access door
means, such as rivet 22, to the ?at semi-rigid spring
metal
lead 17 at the end 11 inside the housing 10 is the
chine, when the door is opened to de~energize or shut down
switch lever arm 23 of switch S.
the main motor and to “dump” the vacuum from the con
The ?at metal lever arm 23 of the switch at its outer
trol system by permitting air at atmospheric pressure to
extremity
carries an electric contact 24 for cooperating
enter the system, to thereby release the pneumatic con
with
the
?xed
live contact 21 mounted on the said lead 18.
trols of the system.
Adjacent the outer extremity of the ?at switch arm 23,
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel
there is provided an inverted C-shaped spring 25, which
unitary device comprising a valve and switch assembly
engages the snap plate or tongue 27 to provide for over
operable simultaneously, to thereby eliminate the neces
center snap action thereof.
This snap plate or
sity of synchronizing a separate valve and switch, as in
tongue is formed from the ?at metal lever arm 23 and
the prior art. ‘
40 exends from the hinged or rivet end of the lever arm 23
A further object is to provide a valve structure as the
short of the movable contact end, to thereby leave an
push button actuator of a switch.
open slot to permit the inverted free ends of the spring
Still another object is to provide in combination with
25 to engage the terminal end of the snap plate or tongue
the valve portion of said unit, an air ?lter means, where
27
the oppositely facing end wall which de?nes the
by all air entering the pneumatic system when the wash 45 endand
of the slot of the lever arm 23, respectively.
'
ing machine cover is opened is ?ltered.
The bottom wall 16 of the switch housing 10 is bored
With the above and other more speci?c objects in view
through to provide a cylindrical bore 29. The bore 29
which will become apparent as the invention is fully un
is counterbored slightly to form an annular land 30, see
derstood, the same resides in the novelty of construction,
1, which land surface serves as a stop means in
combination and arrangement of elements hereinafter de 50 FIGURE
cooperation with the slightly smaller annular ?ange 32
scribed in detail and distinctly claimed in the appended
formed on an elongated combined valve and switch ac
or lid of an automatic electro-pneumatic washing ma
claims.
A
tuator means 31, see FIGURES 1, 2 and 4. This actuator
The description is intended to be read in conjunction
means is formed on one end with a thrust button 33,
with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
which extends into the housing 10 into constant engage
characters refer to like parts throughout the several 55 ment
with the snap plate or tongue 27 adjacent the connec
views:
tion of the same with the snap spring 25 of the switch S.
FIGURE 1 is a side cross section view of the present
The combined valve and switch actuator 31 has its
novel combination discharge valve and switch assembly
opposite
end extending from the bore 29 in the bottom
as it appears in the closed position of the washing ma
wall 16 of the housing 10 and terminates into an outer
chine cover with the valve and switch both in closed
position;
60 bevelled rim to form a valve seat 34. Also, the actuator
31 is formed with a bored socket 35 having an enlarged
portion
36 and a relatively smaller portion 37 in which
URE 1, but with the valve and switch in their respective
is mounted a coiled spring 38. One end of the spring
open positions, as occurs when the washing machine cover
38 seats snugly in the relatively smaller portion 37 of the
is in open position;
65 bore 35, see FIGURE 4, while the other end of the spring
FIGURE 3 is a partial cross section view of a portion
snugly embraces the valve stud 40 of a disk valve 39, see
of the mounting frame and a washing machine tub access
FIGURES l, 2 and 5, formed with a complementary
cover, illustrating the mounting of the novel discharge
annular bevelled valve surface 42 adapted to seat over
valve and switch assembly on the washing machine cover
the bevelled end or seat 34 of the actuator 31.
frame, and also showing the valve and switch actuator en 70
The disk valve head is formed with a rounded thrust
gaged by a lever extending from operative connection
button 43. This thrust button is biased into a constant
with the washing machine cover;
engagement with a lever 45 by the spring 38. The lever
FIGURE 2 is a side cross section view similar to FIG
3,162,734
3
4
45 is operatively controlled by the washing machine tub
being effected simultaneously by one unitary valve and
access door 44. Thus the washing machine cover lever
45 when the tub access door is closed is moved into a posi
tion, to thereby hold the disk valve 39 closed or seated
over the end of the seat 34 of the actuator 31, see FIG
URE 1.
The actuator 31 through a side wall thereof is formed
with a threaded aperture in which is threadedly mounted
a hollow nipple 47. The nipple 47 connects by tubing to
Without further description it is believed that the ad
vantages of the present invention over the prior art is
50, see FIGURE 5, formed around the outer edge surface
of the disk valve 3% adjacent the valve seating portion of
thereof, said actuator being formed with a bore portion
switch combination without the need of the more com
pleX synchronizing of a separate valve and a separate
switch for the same purpose.
apparent and while only one embodiment of the same is
illustrated, it is to be expressly understood that the same
is not limited thereto as various changes may be made
the pneumatic control mechanisms, not shown, of the 10 in the combination and arrangement of the parts illus
washing machine. Also, the nipple 47 extends through a
trated, as will likely appear to others and those skilled
lateral opening in the side wall of a compressible porous
in the art. For a de?nition of the scope or limits of the
?lter ring or sleeve 48 encircling snugly around the outer
invention, reference should be had to the appended claims.
diameter of the elongated actuator 31. The ?lter ring rim
What is claimed is:
at one end is engaged against the surface of the bottom
1. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine
wall 16 and at the opposite end the peripheral rim of
comprising a housing, a snap action electric switch in said
the ?lter ring or sleeve 48 is seated on an annular land
housing, said housing having a switch actuator in a wall
opening at one end thereof and a side outlet opening from
the same. The ?lter ring or sleeve 48 is of'expansible 20 the bore portion, a valve seat de?ning the open bore end
and compressible porous material, such as an open celled
of said actuator, a valve for engagement with said seat,
?exible foamed plastic to provide constant air ?lter
and movable valve actuator means engaged with said
means. For example, when the valve 39 is moved from
valve.
its open position of FIGURE 2 to its closed position of
2. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine
FIGURE 1 by the tub cover or access door lever 45, the 25 comprising a housing, a snap action electric switch in said
?lter ring 48 is compressed between the annular land 50
housing, said housing having a switch actuator in a wall
and the under surface of the bottom wall 16, and when
thereof, said actuator being formed with a bore portion
the tub cover or access door lever 45 is lowered to the
opening at one end thereof and a side outlet opening from
the bore portion, a valve seat de?ning the open bore end
of said actuator, a valve for engagement with said seat,
open valve position of FIGURE 2, the ?lter ring ex
pands to admit atmospheric air, whereby all air entering
the system when the disk valve 39 is unseated to open
position by raising the tub cover is ?ltered.
FIGURE 3 shows an end View of the novel combina
tion discharge valve and switch assembly mounted on a
portion of a washing machine frame 52 by means of a
bracket 53, a spacer means 54 and securing bolts 55. The
thrust button 43 of the valve disk 39 is also shown in en
gagement with the washing machine cover or access door
lever 45.
Operalion
said bore portion having a reduced counterbore portion,
a coil spring having an end snugly ?tted in said reduced
counterbore portion and the opposite end concentrically
positioned in compressed engagement with said valve, and
valve actuator means in engagement with said valve
against the biasing action of said spring.
3. The control means as described in claim 2, wherein
the said valve is a disk valve.
4. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine
comprising a housing, a snap action electric switch in said
housing, said housing having a switch actuator in a wall
It is believed the operation of the present novel com
bination discharge valve and switch assembly is clear
thereof, said actuator being formed with a bore portion
opening at one end thereof and a side outlet opening
from the foregoing description, however, brie?y summar
from the bore portion, a valve seat de?ning the open
izing, the usual conventional washing machine construc 45 bore end of said actuator, a valve for engagement with
tion generally includes the lever 45, see FIGURES 1 and
said seat, movable valve actuator means engaged with the
2, which is movable between the two closed and open
opposite side of said valve from said seat engaging‘side
positions illustrated when moved by the opening or clos
of the valve, and a porous air ?lter mounted around said
ing of the washing machine tub cover or access door 44.
switch actuator contractible and expansible between a
Thus, closing or opening of the cover moves the lever 45 50 wall of said housing and the valve seat side of said valve
upward to seat the valve disk 39, compress the valve
upon the seating and unseating of said valve.
spring 38 and compress porous ?lter sleeve 48. Such
5. A valve and switch assembly comprising a housing
upward movement of the access door actuated lever 45
enclosing and supporting an electric switch, an actuator
causes the disk valve 39 to seat on the valve seat 34 on
for said switch extending from said housing, said actuator
the end of the push button actuator 31, thereby moving 55 having a switch actuating thrust button on one end and
the actuator upward from the land 30 in the switch hous
ing 10 to effect the circuit closing of the snap switch S.
Conversely, opening or closing of the wash access door 44
having a cylindrical bore de?ned by a valve seat on the
permits the valve disk 39 to move away from the seat 34
of the actuator 31, thereby permitting the actuator to
move outward from the housing 10 to cause return snap
6. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine
comprising a housing, a snap action electric switch in
said housing, said housing having a switch actuator in a
action of the snap switch S to open circuit position. Also,
movement of the valve disk 39 away from the valve seat
wall thereof, said actuator being formed with a bore
portion opening at one end thereof and a side outlet
opposite end, valve means engageable with said seat, and
movable means for simultaneously controlling the seating
lowers the lever 45, relieves the bias of the valve spring
and unseating of said valve and the closing and opening
38 and the compressed state of the ?lter sleeve 48, and 60 of said switch.
34 expands the ?lter sleeve 48 and permits atmospheric
air to enter the system through the ?lter wall into the
hollow nipple 47 and release all the pneumatic actuators
opening from the bore portion, a valve seat de?ning the
open bore end of saidactuator, a valve for engagement
with said seat, spring means in said bore compressed in
of the system while the tub access door is raised or
said bore between said valve means and said actuator,
opened.
70 said valve having a head with a thrust button, said spring
Thus there is provided a simple and economical unitary
serving to bias said valve toward open position, and mov
article of manufacture for safety control of automatic
able means in constant engagement with said valve thrust
washing machines of the pneumatic control type, where
by the opening and closing of the wash tub access door
button resisting the biasing action of said spring, said
movable means being movable upon raising or lowering
serves to stop and start the machine, such two operations 75 the tub cover of a washing machine, to thereby displace
3,162,734
5
6
said actuator and said valve to simultaneously operate
said switch and said valve.
sembly reciprocatable in said bottom opening compris
7. Control means for an electro-pneumatic machine
comprising a housing, a snap action electric switch in
said housing, said housing having a reciprocatable switch
ing an elongated switch thrust means, said means being
formed in one end with a bore portion de?ned with a
valve seat, the said valve seat being adjacent the said
valve for engagement therewith, a lateral opening from
said bore, a spring in said bore in biasing engagement
with said valve to normally urge the valve toward open
actuator in a wall thereof, said actuator being formed
with a bore portion opening at one end thereof and a
position, and a valve follower lever mounted on a mov
side outlet opening from the bore portion, a valve seat
able part of the washing machine, whereby movements
de?ning the open bore end of said actuator, a valve for
engagement with said seat, spring means in said bore com 10 imparted to said follower lever simultaneously operate
said switch and said valve.
pressed in said bore between said valve means and said
10. A combined control device for an electro-pneumatic
actuator, said valve having a head with a thrust button,
Washing machine as described in claim 9, wherein the
said spring serving to bias said valve toward open position,
said reciprocatable elongated switch thrust means is en
movable means in constant engagement with said valve
closed by an air porous plastic sleeve compressed between
the bottom of said housing and the opposing face of said
disk valve.
11. A combined electro-pneumatic control for an elec—
place said actuator and said valve to simultaneously op
tro-pneumatic washing machine, said control having an
erate said switch and said valve, and a sleeve of porous
plastic mounted around said actuator contractible and 20 access door, a discharge valve, said valve having a valve
head and a hollow body with a valve seat on one end
expansible between said housing and said valve upon the
for said valve head, a ?rst thrust button on the head,
seating or unseating of said valve and the closing or open
a second thrust button on the end of the body opposite
ing of said switch by movement of said movable valve
to said valve seat end, an electric switch assembly engaged
controlling means.
I
thrust button resisting the biasing action of said spring,
said movable means being movable upon opening or closi
ing the tub cover of a washing machine, to thereby dis
8. Control means for automatic washing machines in 25 with said valve body, and pivoted lever means having one
end engaged with said valve head thrust button, and a
cluding a movable wash tub cover, said cover being pro
third movable thrust means on the washing machine en
vided with a lever in operative engagement, with said con
gageable with the opposite end of said lever means mov
trol means, said control means comprising a disk valve
able by closure of said door, for simultaneously actuat
having a thrust button in contact with said lever, an elec
tric snap switch in circuit with said motor, a switch 30 ing said valve and said switch through movement of the
actuator positioned intermediate the said valve and the
said switch, said actuator containing a bore de?ned by
a valve seat at one end and having a switch operating
thrust member at the opposite end thereof, a valve spring
in said bore normally biasing said valve thrust button 35
toward open position and in contact with said lever, and
a hollow nipple extending laterally from said actuator
bore for suitable connection to the control means of the
washing machine.
9. A combined control device for an electro-pneumatic 40
Washing machine comprising a housing with a cylindrical
bottom opening, an electric snap acting switch in the
housing above said bottom opening and a disk valve as
said respective ?rst and second thrust buttons.
References Cited in the ?le of this patent
UNITED STATES PATENTS
2,458,211
2,465,078
2,540,420
2,818,476
2,921,158
2,939,927
2,973,009
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2,988,100
Scinta ________________ __ Jan. 4,
Fitzgerald ___________ __ Mar. 22,
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Mueller et al __________ __ Dec. 31,
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