US2262288A - Fluid lift and stabilizer for washers and the like - Google Patents

Description

NGV- 11, 1941 R. l. KLlPs'rElN Erm. 2,252,238

FLUID LIFT AND STABILIZ'ER FOR WASHERS AAND THE LIKE Filed April` 15, 1940 a w @yz/ E Z.

Patented Nov. 11, 1941 FLUID LIFT AND STABILIZEB F03 WASHEBS AND TBE LIKE Raleigh I. Klipstein, Des Plaines, and Walter Ervin Klipstein, Chicago, Ill.

Application `april 15, 1940, serial No. 329,836

' 1s claims. (cl. 18s- 151) Our invention relates to a lift and stabilizer device which can be used on washing machines, ironing machines, hospital beds and other portable castored devices.

One object of the invention is to provide a iiuid operated lift structure associated with the castor of each leg of a washer or the like, that is, .it nay be` operated by either liquid, `such as oil; or gas, such as air, and when operated is eiective to lock the castor against rotation and then to elevate the leg of the device relativeV the legs may be elevated and such elevation willV stabilize the washer or other castored device so I that there is equal pressure engagement of each castor with. the iioor surface, regardless of the contour of such surface.

Still another object is to provide a fluid lift` structure for castored devices wherein the stabilizing action of our invention substantially eliminates vibration being transmitted from the machinery of the castored device to the iioor surface through a cushioning action.

Still a further object is to provide a modied form of structure in which the iiuid lift elevates the castor and leg of the castored device relative to the floor surface instead of locking the castor and then elevating the leg relative to it.

With these and other objects in View. our invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of our device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter `more fully set forth, pointed out in our claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawingg' wherein:

Figure 1 is a'perspective view of a washing machine representative of a castored device to which our uid lift and stabilizer mechanism has been applied;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a uid pump which we find suitable for pumping fluid to the lifting device on each leg of the washing machine; Y

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on a still larger scale than Figure 2, showing one of the iluid lifts and castors in a leg of the Washer, the parts being at an intermediate castor wheel locking position, with dotted lines illustrating initial position.

, Figure 4 is a similar sectional view showing certain parts of Figure 3 in a different position, as assumed by operating the fluid lift device to a lifting and stabilizing position, and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a modiiied form of :duid lift and castor.

On the accompanying drawing,` we have used the reference character W to indicate generally a washer or any suitable castored device to which our fluid lift and stabilizer has been applied- The legs of the washer W are indicated at I0. Each leg I0, as shown in Figure 3, includes a liIt device including an outer cylinder I2, an inner cylinder I3 and a piston I4. 'I'he cylinder I3 telescopeswithin the cylinder I2 and the piston I4 is slidable within the cylinder I3.

The cylinders I2 and I3 normally assume the position shown in Figure 3, with the weight of the leg I0 supported through a washer I5 and a strap I 5 on a lower head I1 of the cylinder I2. The cylinder I3 also has a lower head indicated at I8 and ball-bearings I9 are interposed between the heads I1 and I8. The cylinder I2 in turn is supported on a castor wheel 20 by the usual yoke 2| and axle pin 22. Y

A piston rod 23 depends from the piston I4 and has a reduced lower end 24 terminating in a head 25. 'I'he head 25 is adapted to engage the caster wheel 2li for the purpose of locking it against rotation when our iluid lift is operated, as will hereinafter appear. Such operation is effected by introducing fluid, such as air or oil 26, into the cylinder I3 between a head 21 thereon and the piston I4. A return spring 28 is provided for the pistonlll and above the piston We provide a bumper spring 29.

For supplying fluid to the cylinder head 21, we provide a plurality of distributor pipes 30 connected with a cross fitting 3|. The tting 3| is screwed into a. base 32 of a pump P having a reservoir cylinder 33 mounted thereon. The cylinder 33 is provided with a closure head 34.

Within the reservoir cylinder 33, we provide a pump cylinder 35 in which is slidably mounted a plunger 36. The upper end of the plunger extends through a packing nut 31 to an operating handle 38. rlhe pump cylinder 35 is vented at 39 and the reservoir cylinder 33 is vented to atmosphere at 40. A filler plug for the reservoir is indicated at 4I.

In the pump base 32 an inlet valve 42 and an outlet valve 43 are provided. As the plunger 36 is pulled upwardly by manipulating the handle 38, oil is drawn downwardly through the inlet valve 42 and into the pump cylinder 35. When the handle 38 is moved downwardly, loil is forced out of the cylinder 35 by the plunger 36 through the outlet valve 43 to the cross iitting 3| the distributor pipes 30, and into each of the lift cylinders I3.

The outlet valve 43 holds the oil against return. Passageways 44 and 45 connect the space between the outlet valve 43 and the tting 3| with the interior of the reservoir cylinder 33. `Areturn valve 45 is introduced between the passageways 44 and 45 to vprevent such return when the valve is closed.

In Figure 5 we show a modied construction it against rotation.

wherein a single cylinder 41 is provided instead of the double cylinder I2I3 of Figure 3. The cylinder 41 has .an upper head 48 connected with the distributor'pipe 30 and connected by a strap 49 with a washer 50. The washer 50 surrounds the cylinder 41 and ball-bearings 5I are interposed between thiswasher and a yoke 52 of the castor wheel 2l). The top or cross piece of the yoke 52 is indicated at '53. The balls 5I rest on the cross piece 43 and the cross piece in turn is secured to the cylinder 41 by a sleeve 54 and a lock nut 55.

A piston 56 is provided in the cylinder 41 and a piston rod 51 extends from the piston slidably through the sleeve 54. The lower end of the piston rod is provided with a foot 58 adapted to contact with a floor surface, indicated at 59 (the normal position of the piston 56 and the foot 56 being shown by dotted lines).

Practical operation In the operation of the type of ourirfluid lift and stabilizer shown in Figures 1 to 4ginclusive, the head of the piston I4 normally assumes the position indicated by the dotted line I4a and the enlargement 25 normally assumes the dotted position indicated at 25a, under constraint of the spring 2B. In these positions the weight of the legs I is imposed through the washer I5, the strap I6, the head 21, the inner cylinder I3, the ballr bearings I9 and the outer cylinder head I1 to the castor yoke 2| and the castor Wheel 20. Accordingly, the washing machine may be readily transferred from one position to another as desired.

When the Washing machine is to be used, then the valve 46 may be closed and the pump handle 38 manipulated for pumping oil to each of the cylinders I3.

The first action that takes vplace is lowering of the piston I4 from the dotted position of Figure 2 to the full line position, withwthe shoulder formed by the transition from the lower' end of the piston rod 23 to its reduced portion 24 engaging the cylinder head I1. In this position, the enlargement on the piston rod 23-24 engages the periphery of the castor wheel 20 to firmly lock Further operation of the pump P causes the inner cylinder I3 to be moved upwardly relative to the piston I4, for instance to the position shown in Figure 4, the distance of motion being indicated by the dimension a. The weight of the leg I0 is now interposed through the washer I5,

the strap I6, the cylinder head 21, the oil 26 between it and the piston I4 and the shoulder of the piston rod 23 against the cylinder head I1 and the castor yoke and castor wheel 2I and 20. In this position each of the legs I0 is supported and cushioned on the oil distributed to the cylinders I3 by the pipes 36 and the cross fitting 3|. Any castor which is over a low spot in the floor surface 59 will be projected further than the others from its leg I0, and there will be equal weight on each castorl thereby compensating for any uneveness of the oor surface. Also, each of the legs I0 is cushioned on the oil Within the cylinders I3 and the transmission of vibration from the machinery of the washer W to the floor surface is thereby minimized.

When it is desirable to lower the washer W back onto the castor wheels 20 and unlock them so that they may rotate freely, it is merely necessary to open the valve 46 slightly to permit return ow of the oil 26 from each of the cylinders I3 to the reservoir cylinder 33. The weight 25 of the piston rods to the dotted position of Figure 3. l l

With the type of construction shown in Figure 5, the introduction of fluid pressure to the cylinder 41 moves the foot 58 into contact with the floor surface 59 and then elevates the entire assembly of leg I0, cylinder 41, strap 49, castor yoke 52 and castor 20 relative to the floor surface. The washer W is now supported by the piston rods 51 and the castors are free of the floor, so that the washer will not roll from its supported position. When the lift devices of Figure 5 are in the full line position illustrated, then stabilization is effected in the same manner as described in connection with Figures 1 to 4.

Our fluid lift, although it has been described as utilizing oil as the iiuid under pressure, may instead use a gas such as air, thereby eliminating the necessity of keeping a supply of oil in the mechanism and providing a greater cushioning effect.

Although We have described and illustrated our device in connection with a washing machine, it is obvious that it may be used on any type of castored device. When used in connection with a hospital bed or a wheeled device for transporting articles which should not be jarred, its use is ideal, as the enlargement 25 on the lower end of the piston rod 24 may be omitted and the structure thus used merely as a lift and stabilizer. mit movement of the bed or wheeled device across oor cracks and any iioor surface which is uneven without any tilting or rocking of the device, as the castors or wheels conform to the surface. At all times there will be equal pressure on each castor Wheel, thus resulting in the desired conformation to the floor surface, with the fluid passing freely from a cylinder I3 over a high spot to a cylinder I3 over a low spot. Thus the castors are automatically self leveling, whether our invention is used in connection with a portable wheeled or castored device omitting the locking feature of the head 25, or whether the locking feature is utilized for lifting and stabilizing a washer or the likein a predetermined position.

Some changes may be'made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of our device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope without sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

We claim-as our invention:

l. In a fluid lift and stabilizer for Washers and the like, a castor on each leg of the Washer, uid operated means on each leg for locking the castor wheel against rotation and thereafter elevating the leg relative to said castor wheel, a single pump, and distributing pipes connecting said pump with each of said fluid operated means to pump uid thereto and thereby effect such elevation.

2. In a uid lift and stabilizer for a device having a plurality of castors to support the device, uid operated means adjacent each castor for locking the castor wheel against rotation and thereafter elevating the device relative to the castor wheels, a single pump, and distributing pipes connecting each of said fluid operated The cushioning and stabilizing effect permeans with said pump to pump fluid to all of the fluid operated means and thereby effect such locking of said castor wheels and elevation of said device.

3. In a fluid lift and stabilizer of the character disclosed, a device having legs, a castor on each of said legs, fluid operated means on each of said legs for locking the castor Wheel of the castor thereon and for elevating the leg relative tors, each of said fluid operated means including an element to engage the castor wheel of the castor to prevent rotation thereof when the fluid operated means is effective to cause such elevation, and a fluid pump to pump f'luid to all of said fluid operated means.

5. In a fluid lift and stabilizer for a movable device, wheels for normally supporting said device, fluid operated means associated with each wheel to elevate said device relative to the wheels, said fluid operated means each including an element to first engage the Wheel to positively prevent rotation thereof when the fluid operated means is effective and to thereafter cause such elevation, and a fluid pump to pump fluid to all of said fluid operated means.

6. In a fluid lift and stabilizer for a movable device, Wheels for normally supporting said device, fluid operated means assocated with each wheel to elevate said device relative to the wheels said means including an element for each wheel, each element being movable with relation to the device and operable to flrst engage the periphery of the Wheel and then effect movement of the device relative to the element with the element supported on the wheel, and a fluid pump to base, a plunger in said cylinder, a handle for operating said plunger, a distributing pipe connected with said pump cylinder, a return passageway in said base from said distributor pipes to said reservoir, and a valve controlling said passageway.

9. In a fluid lift and stabilizing device for castored articles, a cylinder associated with each castor thereof. a piston in each of said cylinders, a piston rod projecting from each of said cylinders and having a head thereon, and means for introducing fluid pressure to said cylinders to extend said piston rods and cause said heads to engage the castors and thereafter lift the device relative to the castors.

10. In a fluid lift device for castored articles, a cylinder associated with each castor thereof, a piston in each of said cylinders, a piston rod projecting from each of said cylinders, and means for introducing fluid pressure to said cylinders to extend said piston rods and engage them with the castors and thereafter lift the device relative to the castors.

11. In a fluid lift and stabilizing device for castored articles, a cylinder for each castor and opening upwardly, a second cylinder in said first cylinder, a piston in said second cylinder having a rod extending to a position to engage the caster wheel and lock it against rotation upon introductionof fluid pressure into said second cylinder, said second cylinder being connected with the leg of the device to elevate said leg relative to said castor wheel after said castor Wheel has been locked against rotation and further fluid pressure is introduced into said second cylinder, and a pump and distributor pipe system connected with said second cylinders to effect such introduction of fluid pressure thereto.

12. In a fluid lift device for castored washers and the Ilike,a cylinder for each castor and opening upwardly, a second cylinder in said rst cylinder, a piston in said second cylinder having pump fluid to all of said fluid operatedV means.

7. In a fluid lift and stabilizer for a movable device, Wheels for normally supporting said device, fluid operated means associated with each wheel to elevate said device relative to said wheels, each of said fluid operated means including an element to engage the Wheel to prevent rotation thereof when the fluid operated means is effective to cause such elevation, a fluid pump to pump fluid to all of said fluid operated means,

said fluid pump comprising a reservoir having a base, inlet and outlet valves in said base, a pump cylinder extending from said base and up through said reservoir, a plunger in said cylinder. a handle for operating said plunger, a distributing pipe connected with said pump cylinder, a return connection from said distributor pipes to said reservoir, and a lock valve in said return connection.

8. In a fluid lift for a movable device, castors for normally supporting said device, fluid operated means associated with each castor to lock the castor wheel of the castor to prevent rotation thereof and to elevate said device relative to said castors, a fluid pump comprising a reservoir having a base, inlet and outlet valves in said base, a pump cylinder extending from said a piston rod extending downwardly to engage the castor wheel and lock it against rotation, said second cylinder being connected with the leg of the washer to elevate said-second cylinder relative to said ilrst cylinder and thereby elevate said leg relative to said castor Wheel after said castor wheel has been locked against rotation and further flud pressure is introduced into said second cylinder, and a pump and distributor pipe system connected with said second cylinders to supply fluid pressure thereto.

13. In a fluid lift and stabilizing device for castored articles, a cylinder connected with each castor wheel and opening upwardly, a second cylinder in said first cylinder, a piston' in said second cylinder having a rod extended to a position to engage said castor wheel and lock it against rotation when fluid pressure is introduced to said second cylinder, said second cylinder being connected with the leg of the washer and said rod having a shoulder to engage said first cylinder in the castor wheel locking position of said piston and rod to elevate said leg relative to said castor wheel upon further introduction of fluid pressure into said second cylinder, and a pump and distributor pipe system connected with said second cylinders to supply fluid pressure thereto.

RALEIGH I. KLIPSTEIN. WALTER ERVIN KLIPSTEIN.

Images