Abstract: A clothes washer includes a pulsator which oscillates about a vertical axis. As the pulsator oscillates, a displacement mechanism reciprocates a plurality of thrusters from radially retracted positions adjacent the axis to radially extended positions in order to push the clothes outwardly. The displacement mechanism is driven by the same mechanism that oscillates the pulsator.

Abstract: An auger for moving clothes downwardly in a washing machine includes a tubular housing and an auger screw spiraling therearound. Disposed along a distal edge of the auger screw is an auger lip which is inclined relative to the screw for impeding radially outward movement of clothes in the washing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which may be adapted for use as a washing machine agitator which isolates an agitator drive unit from the peak torques exerted upon vanes of the agitator due to irregularities in the rotational oscillation of the agitator which would result from a typical washing machine transmission apparatus. The apparatus isolates the peak torques by providing an inner and an outer agitator post wherein the inner post attaches to the drive unit and the outer post has integrally formed to it agitator vanes and an agitator skirt, the apparatus further provides a flexible connecting means attaching the inner post to the outer post such that the resonant frequency of the outer post, the agitator vanes and the agitator skirt taken as a unit will be close to that of the agitator stroke rate. The flexible connecting means comprises a plurality of webs extending continuously along all or portion of the posts in an axial direction such that the apparatus may be formed by a single-draw mold.

Abstract: An oscillatory agitator for a clothes washing machine includes an upstanding washing rod comprised of a plurality of telescopingly arranged rod members which are relatively vertically movable to enable the height of the washing rod to be varied. Raising of the rod members is achieved by making a rod member buoyant, whereby it automatically floats upward to a level dependent upon the height of the wash water.

Abstract: An agitator for a washing machine includes a base, an agitating post extending eccentrically upwardly from the base, and agitating blades upstanding from the base. An upper surface of the agitating post is inclined with respect to horizontal by an angle up to 75 degrees. The blades extend radially in circumferentially spaced relationship around the entire base. Alternatively, the blades could extend parallel to one another on only one half of the base, the other half including an upward protrusion extending circumferentially at a location adjacent an outer periphery of that other half.

Abstract: A washing machine agitator includes a vertical barrel having a tapered skirt connected to the lower end thereof. A plurality of lower vanes are connected to the barrel and extend radially outwardly adjacent the tapered skirt. A splash rib extends circumferentially around the barrel adjacent its upper end. A plurality of triangular vanes are connected to the barrel and extend upwardly to abut against the downwardly presented surface of the splash rib. A number of pairs of rectangular ribs are also attached to the barrel between the triangular vanes and extend upwardly to abut the splash rib.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pulsator of washing machine enhancing washing capability, having an active ceramic for enhancing the activeness of water, and a container for containing the active ceramic, the container detachably fixed on the pulsator and provided with a plurality of holes for contact of said active ceramic with water in a washing tub. The snarling of laundries at the center of washing machine is prevented and the washing capability of washing water is enhanced by the active ceramic.

Abstract: An agitator for a clothes washer includes a base and a plurality of blades projecting generally radially outwardly along the base. Each blade, which is of generally S-shape as viewed in plan, includes first and second sides which are of mutually different inclinations with respect to vertical. The first side is of steeper inclination than the second side along a radially inner portion of the blade, and is of less steep inclination than the second side along a radially outer portion of the blade. As viewed in plan, each blade is generally convexly shaped along its radially inner portion and generally concavely shaped along its radially outer portion.

Abstract: A washing machine comprising a roller type agitator and an auto-balancer. The roller type agitator is provided at the lower portion inside the washing tub 3 and includes at least one roller rotatably mounted thereto in order to generate water flow and provide a bending and stretching action and a squeezing action for said laundry articles and a smooth circulation of washing water. The auto-balancer is provided at the upper portion inside the washing tub and includes a plurality of washing protrusions. The roller includes a plurality of washing water ports at the circumferential outer surface and both side surface thereof, respectively. The present invention can provide a washing machine which can provide a good washing effect and an excellent washability irrespective of the quantity of the laundry articles and the volume of the laundry article.

Abstract: A pressure and rotary type washing machine and a washing method by using such. The pressure and rotary type washing machine comprises: an agitating member rotatably mounted at a bottom of the washing tube and provided with at least one roller, a pressure member mounted movable upward and downward at an upper portion inside said washing tub and adapted for providing pressure for laundry articles, a rotation driving mechanism adapted for selectively driving the washing tube or the agitating member, and a pressure member driving mechanism adapted for driving the pressure member to move between a rest position and a washing position. The washing method comprises the steps of: positioning the laundry articles between the pressure member and the agitating member inside the washing tub; and driving the agitating member to rotate so that simultaneously with being agitated the laundry articles may be washed by gentle hand washing, beating and scrubbing washing operation.

Abstract: A washing machine 10V having a water tank 20, a relatively rotatable shaft 30 mounted in the center of the tank, a first set of washing boards 40S mounted to the tank and a second set of washing boards 40M mounted to shaft 30. Washing boards 40M and 40S rotate relative to one another and extend radially toward each other. Both sets of washing boards are flexible and are generally rectangular in plan view. In operation, the relative movement between the shaft and the tank causes the tip sides of the two sets of washing boards to pass proximate to each other so as to simulate the kneading and rubbing action of a hand laundry.

Abstract: A flow-intensifier for use in an upright automatic clothes washing machine includes a weight disposed intermediate the washer agitator and the washer drum, non-extendible elongate connectors operatively connected at one end to the agitator for movement therewith and at the other end to the weight for movement therewith, and a redirecting guide traversed by the connector and operatively connected to the drum for movement therewith so that reciprocal relative rotation of the agitator and the drum causes a corresponding reciprocal vertical movement of the weight.

Abstract: A reversible permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor and method of designing such a motor employs a parallelogram lamination silhouette and distributes the winding in the core of the motor stator assembly so that maximum flux density in the core is approximately equal in each direction of motor rotation. The motor is designed to achieve high repetition reversal rates. The reversal rate and the equal performance attained in each direction, makes the design particularly suitable for washing machine applications.

Abstract: A stirring device for an automatic washer which comprises a circular base plate, a stirring blade member extending vertically from the center of one surface of the circular base plate. The stirring blade member includes blades wherein each of the blade has a helical configuration undulating from a top surface to an underlying bottom surface, and protrusions extending across the top surface whereby the stirring blade member imparts to the wash material an impactive drying action while suppressing upward movement of the wash material.

Abstract: A thrust spacer having resilient, upwardly angled tabs is provided to act as a variable spacer within a two-piece agitator, between an upper agitator portion and a lower agitator portion to prevent relative vertical movement between the two portions while permitting relative rotational movement therebetween. Each of the tabs is positioned adjacent to an opening larger than the tab to permit the tab to be compressed into the opening to provide a large degree of variability in the height of the tabs. The spacer also includes angled arms which engage with slots in the lower agitator portion to cause the spacer to rotate with the lower agitator portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agitator with an improved structure and more particularly to a spiral ramp agitator used in the full automatic washer. The agitator of the present invention is composed of such improved structure that the vanes are formed in a particular shape increasing gradually in the width and thickness downwardly from the top to the lower end and have the spaces in the inner parts, the front and rear parts of the vanes have different gradient and curvature, a step is formed between the bell-shaped expansion part and the circular base and accordingly the bell-shaped expansion part and the circular base are formed in a shape of step, and the stirring projections extended in one piece along the lower end of each vane are arranged radially on the circular base. Furthermore, the agitator of the invention has advantages in that its mechanical strength is increased preeminently so that its use life is prolonged and its washing power is improved.

Abstract: A drive system for an automatic washer includes a high slip motor connected to a drive reduction mechanism for driving an energy absorbing agitator preferably having flexible vanes. The high slip motor is driven with spaced alternating pulses so that the agitator accelerates in one direction and then slows after the end of the pulse followed by acceleration and then slowing in a second direction so that sinusoidal agitation is produced by a pulse input to the motor.

Abstract: A clothes rollover agitation system is provided for a vertical axis automatic washer in which the agitator has a skirt portion that has an inner portion which extends outwardly and downwardly and an outer portion which extends outwardly and upwardly to assist the clothes within the washer to undergo a 180.degree. direction reversal in the bottom of the wash basket. The skirt portion stops short of the basket side wall and a removable ring member is secured to the basket wall to continue the upward and outward shape toward the sidewall. A plurality of buttons engagable in holes in the basket sidewall are used to secure the ring to the sidewall.

Abstract: In a dual action agitator for use in an automatic clothes washer, a barrel-shaped upper agitator includes a plurality of fins of different lengths and each having curved blade portions at the lower end thereof. The blade portions of adjacent fins form an interrupted screw thread to enhance vertical movement of a clothes lead adjacent the agitator for improved clothes rollover.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine has a cabinet in which an agitator is mounted on a vertical axis and is oscillated back and forth within a perforated tub, the tub and the agitator rotating continuously in one direction to give a spin action and the perforated tub in turn being mounted within a watertight container in the cabinet, with a space between substantially vertical walls of said container, and a drain is provided to drain washing liquid from the container, there being circulating means operable during a washing cycle of the washing machine to cause washing liquid to circulate from the pool of washing liquid in which clothes are being washed through at least part of the space between said walls of the perforated tub and walls of said container and back to said pool of washing liquid through perforations in the perforated tub, the perforations being of a size and shape such and said circulation being such that any lint in the washing liquid tends to be left in the space for discharge therefrom during a draini

Abstract: A washing machine having an improved pulsator which includes a skirt, vanes projecting from the skirt, and a shaped projection having a planar surface located eccentrically from the center of rotation of the skirt and extended to a position higher than the vanes. The pulsator rotates in the forward and reverse directions to responsively effect eccentric motion of the projection about the central axis of rotation so that highly turbulent localized water flow is established in conjunction with a vortex flow arrangement to enhance the washing capabilities of the machine.

Abstract: A flexible vane agitator is provided for use with a high stroke rate automatic washing machine in which the vanes on the agitator are very flexible and have a special configuration in which the thickness of the vanes decreases from a base end at the agitator barrel to a point at least half way to the end of the vane and then increases in thickness to the radial tip such that the tip is bulbous and is thicker than any other portion of the vane except for the base. The bulbous tip is rounded and has a shorter height than the base end.

Abstract: A washing machine having an improved pulsator which includes a skirt, vanes projecting from the skirt, and a rod-like projection located at a position offset from the center of rotation of the skirt and extended to a position higher than the vanes. The pulsator rotates in the forward and reverse directions to responsively effect satellite motion of the rod-like projection about the central axis of rotation so that highly turbulant localized water flow is established in conjunction with a vortex flow arrangement to enhance the washing capabilities of the machine.

Abstract: A washing machine having a cabinet, a basket mounted in the cabinet, and an agitator rotatably mounted on a bottom of the basket, which agitator has a substantially disk-shaped base, a projection in the form of a substantially triangular prism integrally extending from a substantially central portion of the base, and three vanes integrally extending smoothly from side ridges of the projection over the base. The projection has a height which is over 1/2 the outside diameter of the base and further has an upper end positioned below at least the level of water in the basket at the time the water is at rest. The agitator rotates at a speed of 300 rpm or less alternately clockwise and counterclockwise, to provide effective washing of clothes with less damage.

Abstract: An agitator thruster is provided for an automatic washer for increasing the rollover of clothes during the agitation portion of a washing cycle wherein the thruster moves in a vertical reciprocating motion by using inner and outer reversely spiraled cam surfaces and a driving barrel having a driving pin which alternately transfers to the inner and outer cam surfaces.

Abstract: A fluid pumping agitator for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine which pumps wash liquid from an inlet in the skirt portion of the agitator to an outlet in the barrel portion of the agitator. The agitator pumps liquid in one rotational direction of its oscillatory rotational movement. The barrel portion has a chamber in which can be placed wash liquid treatment means such as a filter.

Abstract: A fluid pumping agitator for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine which pumps wash liquid from an inlet in the skirt portion of the agitator through a venturi to an outlet in the barrel portion of the agitator. The agitator pumps liquid upwardly in both directions of its oscillatory rotational movement. The barrel portion is provided with a filter means for treating the pumped wash liquid.

Abstract: A fluid pumping agitator for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine which pumps wash liquid from an inlet in the skirt portion of the agitator to an outlet in the barrel portion of the agitator. The agitator pumps liquid in both directions of its oscillatory rotational movement. The barrel portion has a chamber in which can be placed wash liquid treatment means such as a filter.

Abstract: A fluid pumping agitator for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine which pumps wash liquid from a central inlet communicating with the tub to an outlet communicating with the basket to reduce the volume of liquid required in a washing cycle. The agitator pumps liquid in both directions of its oscillatory rotational movement.

Abstract: A spiral gyrator to be driven unidirectionally at a rate within the normal range for drying by spinning has a spiral strip about a base and upwardly on a central, upright post. The direction of the spiral is reversed for a turn near the top of the post. The first part of the spiral strip farthest from the center on the base has a plurality of spaced slots through it for creating radial jets of washing fluid to move wash rapidly in a pulsating manner. The rotative driving apparatus for the gyrator is simplified, and the reverse turn of the spiral strip near the top of the post prevents wash from being forced over the top of the post while the rotation of the gyrator is reversed and the tub of the washing machine is accelerating to a spinning rate.

Abstract: A filter for use in a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine mounted on the exterior of a two section separable agitator and which projects into a fluid flow path. The exterior section is easily removable, cleanable and replaceable. The filter is formed as a double cone with inlet openings on one side and a foraminous filter surface on the other side.

Abstract: A dyeing washing and/or milling machine particularly useful for dyeing woollen components including an annular working fluid reservoir and rotating paddle members which pass into and out of the reservoir to circulate the fluid therein. The apparatus may further include a heating system and a fluid pump and duct system, to heat and increase the circulation of fluid within the reservoir.

Abstract: A vane shape for producing optimum washing action in vertical axis clothes washing machines including vanes located in the bottom of the tub or basket and shaped with radially canted edges which cause the fabric articles to be pulled and slid outwardly as the edge is rotated into the articles to establish a toroidal circulation within the tub. In a preferred embodiment, an oscillated agitator is provided with a series of vane pairs joined at the lower side to form a V-shaped trough with either upper edge of the vane pairs inclined to produce a net outward movement of the washed articles by alternate engagement with a respective upper edge of either vane blades upon alternate rotation into the load. The vane shapes are either mounted to an oscillating agitator, a rotary impeller, or integrally formed in an oscillating basket.

Abstract: An agitator for a clothes washing machine including a center post extending into the clothes receiving receptacle and upon which is mounted a vertically reciprocable agitator member including an agitator element extending radially outward from the center post. The agitator element is mounted on a nut member which mates with a thread formed on the center post, such that upon relative rotation between the agitator element and the center post, vertical reciprocation of the agitator element takes place to induce turnover motion of the clothes. The center post is oscillated to cause the reciprocation by engagement of the agitator element with clothes disposed in the machine during the wash cycle. The agitator element is configured with a downwardly extending flared skirt portion having scalloped edges to increase the interengagement with the clothes. The flared shape of the agitator element causes a net downward force on the clothes drawing them downwardly along the center post.

Abstract: An agitator for a vertical axis washing machine and for effecting uniform, repetitive oscillations about the machine axis has upper, lower and middle portions with different degrees of lost motion so that the agitator can achieve multiple stroke lengths and so relative motion can be effected between the vanes and the skirt, for example, because of different stroke lengths.

Abstract: A vertical-axis, automatic washing machine has a central drive shaft for oscillatably driving a first agitator portion with a clutch member splined thereto. The clutch has downwardly-facing teeth having drive surfaces and slip surfaces. An auger or second agitator portion coaxial with the first agitator portion has cooperating upwardly-facing teeth. Upon a drive or forward oscillation of the drive shaft and first agitator portion, the drive surfaces engage one another to drive the auger portion in a stepwise rotation. During an opposite rotation of the first agitator portion, the slip surfaces engage one another and, where the contents of the washer basket retards a reverse movement of the auger, the teeth will slip past one another, with the clutch member reciprocating vertically upon its splined connection. An annular cushioning member placed between the clutch and the agitator parts cushions impacts between the teeth during such reciprocations by controlling the depth of tooth engagement.

Abstract: A new structural design for a washing basin within a laundry machine wherein independently pivoting washing bars are attached at suitable spacings to the basin. Said washing bars may be pivoted to any angle by means of the water flow. The toughness and flexibility of the washing bars disrupt the water flow, frictionally engage the items being washed and knock the items so as to enhance the cleaning process.The dependently pivoting washing bars have spherical bases which are pivotably positioned on the outer wall of the laundry basin by packing rings and sockets. The washing bars extend through soft water proofing washers protecting caps on the inner surface of the basin wall. When a bar is struck by the rotating water, the spherical base may freely rotate within the socket permitting the bar to rotate so as to disrupt the water flow and to frictionally engage the items being washed.

Abstract: An agitator for a vertical-axis automatic clothes washing machine has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vanes extending upwardly from a skirt adapted to overlie the bottom wall of a tub or receptacle. A corresponding plurality of lobe-like cams projects outwardly and upwardly from at or near the periphery of the skirt in the alternate spaces between the vanes. Each cam extends approximately 5 to 15.degree. upwardly from the horizontal and is geometrically defined by two edges forming a segment of the surface of a cone co-axial with the agitator. The inner edge of each cam has the radius of the circular perimeter of the agitator skirt with which the edge is co-linear; the upper edge either has a somewhat smaller radius in a crescent-shaped configuration or has an irregular, double-lobe configuration.

Abstract: An agitator for a vertical axis automatic clothes washing machine has an upper, auger portion which is rotatable in one direction about the vertical axis. A lower portion of the agitator oscillates in two directions. The lower portion has a skirt and carries radially-extending vanes on an upper surface thereof. A plurality of crescent-shaped, lobe-like lifting cams project outwardly and upwardly from a periphery of the skirt. Fabric articles contacted by the cam surfaces as the lower portion of the agitator oscillates to and fro during clothes washing are continuously lifted at the lower, outer portion of the wash basket and urged along a desired toroidal rollover path. The effective, high density washing action provided permits use of less hot water, rinse water, and detergent than in previously known agitation devices, and allows use of a small machine container for normal wash loads.

Abstract: In a clothes washer an agitator that is also a water pump draws water from the zone between the basket and the tub of the clothes washer and pumps it to the inside of the basket thereby raising the water level in the area where washing occurs during agitation and also promoting good clothes roll-over action in the treatment zone. A method of laundering articles includes the step of pumping laundering liquid into a treatment zone and radially outwardly along a lower portion of the zone during agitation to obtain a desired level of laundering liquid in the part of the zone where laundering occurs.

Abstract: An agitator for a vertical-axis automatic clothes washing machine has a plurality of vanes extending upwardly from a skirt thereof. A corresponding plurality of crescent-shaped, lobe-like cams projects outwardly and upwardly from a periphery of the skirt between the pairs of agitator vanes. Each cam extends approximately 33.degree. upwardly from the horizontal and is geometrically defined by two edges forming a segment of the surface of a cone coaxial with the agitator. The inner edge of each cam has the radius of the circular perimeter of the agitator skirt with which the edge is colinear; the upper edge has a somewhat smaller radius. Lower vertical flat vane portions extend radially and upon impelling laundry liquid produce a low pressure pocket behind each vane.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine of the vertical axis, oscillating agitator type promotes an improved rollover washing action. A separate lower camming element beneath the skirt portion of the upper, oscillating agitator is moved in a stepwise, unidirectional rotation about the axis and carries on an outer periphery thereof at least one ramp surface inclined upwardly opposite its direction of rotation. A clutch arrangement between the agitator skirt and the camming element effects positive rotation of the element during a portion of each one-half cycle of agitator oscillation, leaving the element at rest during the other part of the oscillation cycle. In one embodiment a ratchet-type clutch is employed having inclined teeth on the agitator skirt and spaced-apart, oppositely-inclined lugs or notches on a cooperating portion of the camming element.

Abstract: A spiral outwardly facing surface, driving surface, of a dasher forces wash almost radially outwardly with little tendency for the wash to be whirled with the dasher. Therefore, the dasher can be driven unidirectionally by apparatus that is much simpler and more economical than the gearing used for reciprocating motion in conventional washing machines. Preferably, the height of the spiral surface is low, the change in rate of curvature is gradual, and a line normal to the tangent of the outer portion of the spiral is nearly radial to propel clothes radially while the dasher is being rotated at a speed within the range of speed normally used for drying by spinning. The use of the spinning rate further simplifies the rotative driving apparatus.

Abstract: An agitator for domestic washing machines of conventional design is modified to provide tapped apertures to threadedly engage elongated rods, which are adapted to receive the core of circular filters; and, threaded closures are provided to close the tapped apertures for clothes washing; and, an adapter to convert the agitator of clothes washing agitator type machines to wash elongated circular filters.

Abstract: In a clothes washer an agitator that is also a water pump draws water from the zone between the basket and the tub of the clothes washer and pumps it to the inside of the basket thereby raising the water level in the area where washing occurs during agitation and also promoting good clothes roll-over action in the treatment zone. A method of laundering articles includes the step of pumping laundering liquid into a treatment zone and radially outwardly along a lower portion of the zone during agitation to obtain a desired level of laundering liquid in the part of the zone where laundering occurs.

Abstract: Improved agitation means for use in a clothes washing machine of the type in which an agitator is oscillated by means of a drive mechanism to secure agitation of the clothes placed within the washing machine. The present invention provides a first agitator element and a second agitator element driven from a common driving source, the second agitator element being provided with means to urge clothes into a rollover pattern established by the coaction of the agitator elements and thereby impart a highly efficient rollover motion to the clothes. The first agitator element, which may employ either rigid or flexible vanes, or a combination thereof, is preferably located below and coaxial to the second agitator element which may be driven either intermittently, or continuously, in a unidirectional rotary motion.

Abstract: A washer agitator with an oscillating skirt portion below an upper, unidirectionally-rotating auger agitator portion has scrubbing vanes on the skirt ramped on one side so that the fabric such as clothing being washed is driven by the scrubbing vanes in a direction opposite to the direction of orbital fabric movement induced by the rotating auger, thereby minimizing tangling of the fabric during the washing cycle while optimizing roll-over.

Abstract: An agitator for a horizontally oscillating clothes washer includes a hollow perforate column on a flared skirt configured to provide three distinct levels of agitator action. The first and second levels comprise four triangular fins. The first or upper level of each fin helps submerge dry articles by pulling them downwardly, channelizes the articles between the fins to keep the articles in straight toroidal planes, and beats bellow-causing air out of the articles without generating a "suds lock" condition. The second or intermediate level provides just enough circulation to maintain the articles loose, unbunched, and channelized. The third or bottom level comprises four rounded vanes projecting upwardly from the skirt with each vane having a decreasing cross section in the radially outer direction. The outer bottom edge of each vane is rooted to the skirt by a thin web, the decreasing cross section in combination with the thin web allowing the vane to flex in a controlled pattern when under load.

Abstract: An agitator accessory for washing machines having an oscillating vertical-axis agitator, the accessory comprising a sleeve which is securable to the barrel of the agitator in coaxial alignment therewith, the sleeve having a vane means attached thereto. A one-way clutch means is included to rotate the agitator accessory incrementally, during one-half cycles of the oscillatory agitator movement, to thereby force fabrics being washed downward along the agitator and toward vanes extending from the skirt of the agitator.

Abstract: Improved agitation means for use in a clothes washing machine of the type in which an agitator is oscillated by means of a drive mechanism to secure agitation of the clothes. The present invention provides a first agitator element and a second agitator element driven from a common driving source, the second agitator element being provided with means to urge clothes into a rollover pattern established by the coaction of the agitator elements and thereby impart a highly efficient rollover motion to the clothes.