Abstract: A portable wringer includes a housing having upper and lower ends and defining an open interior area therebetween. The portable wringer also includes first and second rollers positioned inside the open interior area, the first and second rollers being accessible through the housing and movable relative to one another so as to cooperatively pass an item therebetween. A crank handle is operatively connected to the rollers for causing at least one of the rollers to rotate. A plurality of legs are coupled to the housing adjacent the lower end of the housing with each leg being pivotable between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. The legs may be telescopic for length adjustment thereof. The portable wringer includes a removable tray positionable in the housing beneath the first and second rollers for collecting a liquid initially associated with the item passed between the rollers.

Abstract: A drive and support system for a bottom plate disposed in the bottom of a wash basket of an automatic washer. The bottom plate is driven to radially gyrate or wobble within the wash basket by an output shaft which extends upwardly though the bottom and is rotatable in a first and second direction. A spin tube is disposed coaxially about the output shaft and has a top end which engages the bottom of the basket. The spin tube is co-rotatable in the second direction with the output shaft. A universal joint pivotably supports the wash plate about the top end of the spin tube. Drive means connect the wash plate with the upper end of the output shaft such that the wash plate is disposed in an angled orientation when the output shaft is driven in the first direction and the wash plate is disposed in a level orientation when the output shaft is driven in the second direction.

Abstract: An electric washing machine includes a washing machine body, a water tank fixed in the washing machine body and having an opening at the bottom, a double-cylindrical axis body formed of outer and inner rotary axes passing through the opening in the water tank, a washing tank in the water tank attached to the upper end of the outer rotary axis, with a large number of dehydration holes, a container type agitator attached to the upper end of the inner rotary axis, arranged at the bottom of the washing tank, and a planetary gear mechanism coupled to the lower end of the double-cylindrical axis body. The planetary gear mechanism includes an input axis, a planetary gear outer periphery portion fixed to the outer rotary axis, and a planetary gears coupled to the inner rotary axis and engaging with the outer periphery of the input axis and the inner surface of the planetary gear outer periphery portion.

Abstract: In a clothes washer having a main pulsator 4 which is rotatably disposed in a clothes basket 3, the driving force transmitting apparatus 17 is disposed in a chamber 12 partitioned by the horizonal plate. The driving force of the motor 5 transmits simultaneously and directly to each main pulsator and sub-pulsator which constitutes a series of bevel gears.

Abstract: A pulsator assembly of washing machine having a plurality of auxiliary pulsators. The washing machine has an outer tub, a spin tub rotatably accommodated within the outer tub, a main pulsator rotatably disposed at an inner lower portion of the spin tub, a plurality of auxiliary pulsators disposed at an upper surface of the main pulsator, the plurality of auxiliary pulsators being symmetrically arranged opposite to each other about a rotating shaft of the main pulsator, the plurality of auxiliary pulsators being moved in the upward and downward directions while the main pulsator is being rotated, thereby generating a turbulent liquid flow in the spin tub, and a plurality of elastic members respectively disposed between the plurality of auxiliary pulsators and the main pulsator for elastically biasing the plurality of auxiliary pulsators toward the main pulsator.

Abstract: In a clothes basket having a pulsator apparatus, the pulsator apparatus comprises a first pulsator 20 disposed above a bottom portion of a clothes basket 2 and rotated by a motor 4, and a driving gear wheel 42 provided rotatably in the first pulsator 20. Like the rotation of the driving gear wheel 42, the second pulsator 30 meshed with the gear wheel 42 rotates. Further, a ring shape idle gear 46 for guiding the rotation of the driving gear wheel is provided on the bottom portion of the clothes basket 2.

Abstract: An improved washing machine is provided with a rotatable wash basket having rotatable agitators mounted therein. The agitators have the shape of a spherical segment so as to nest adjacent the interior surface of the wash basket. The agitators include a spur gear which meshes with a ring gear extending around the wash basket so as to impart rotation to the agitators as the wash basket rotates within the ring gear. The agitators include ribs or baffles to impart tumbling or mixing action to the laundry in the wash or rinse water in the wash basket.

Abstract: A washing machine which can immerse articles in a washing liquid has a spin tub formed at a side wall thereof with a pair of elongated slots, and a spin tub cover assembly for immersing the articles in the washing liquid. The elongated slots are longitudinally formed along the whole length of the spin tub. The spin tub cover assembly moves along the elongated slots. The spin tub cover assembly includes an annular frame, first and second coupling pins for movably coupling the annular frame to the spin tub, and a cover plate hinged to the annular frame. The cover plate has a latch which is detachably engaged with the annular frame. The washing machine can immerse the articles into the washing liquid by means of the spin tub cover assembly, so the articles widely collide with the liquid flows within the spin tub, thereby improving the washing effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine having a centrifugal pump which not only sprays washing liquid onto the articles to be washed by circulating the washing liquid, but also supplies air bubbles into a spin tub, thereby improving the washing effect. The centrifugal pump includes a first housing, a second housing fixedly coupled to the first housing, an impeller accommodated in the first housing so as to circulate the washing liquid into a spraying nozzle or into an outer tub, a rotor which rotates in the forward and reverse directions, a driving shaft inserted into a center of the rotor in order to rotate together with the rotor, and a solenoid valve assembly for supplying the air to the impeller. The washing machine generates complex turbulence in the spin tub, thereby preventing the articles to be washed from being tangled at the center of the spin tub.

Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed which is equipped with a washing tub having a plurality of cylindrical side walls. The washing machine has a pulsator reception part, a washing tub body and a plurality of annular flat bases. The pulsator reception part has an opening in the bottom center portion thereof and rotatably receives the pulsator. The washing tub body is formed on the pulsator reception part and has a plurality of cylindrical side walls which are progressively reduced in diameters from the lower portion to the upper portion thereof. The plurality of annular flat bases each have a plurality of holes and connect the lower end of one of the plurality of cylindrical side walls with the upper end of another one of the plurality of cylindrical side walls.

Abstract: A power transfer apparatus for use in a washing machine is provided with a gear shaft fixed to a driving shaft and including a plurality of first connection teeth formed on its periphery, a gear case rotatable about the driving shaft, fixed to a spin tub and including a spline gear downwardly extending therefrom, a planetary gear system including a sun gear connected to the driving shaft, at least one planet pinion connected to a pulsator, and an internal gear secured to the gear case, a cylindrical support fixed to the water container to surround the driving shaft and including a plurality of second connection teeth, and a cylindrical floating member for connecting the spline gear of the gear case to the first connection teeth, while keeping the gear case disconnected from the cylindrical support for a dewatering action of the machine, and for connecting the spline gear of the gear case to the second connection teeth, while keeping the gear case disconnected from the gear shaft for a washing action of the ma

Abstract: An automatic washer includes an elongated shaft mounted to a motor for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. A fabric basket is rotatably mounted to the shaft and an agitator is attached to the shaft above the fabric basket. A clutch is positioned between the agitator and the fabric basket and is movable from a disengaged position wherein the agitator rotates independently of the basket to an engaged position wherein the agitator rotates in unison with the basket. The clutch is movable from its engaged position to its disengaged position in response to the rise of washing fluid within the washing basket.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine and a method for confirmation of a washing machine clutching operation which achieves the desired mode conversion between a washing mode and a dehydrating mode by ascending and descending its inner tub. The washing machine includes an outer tub, a perforated movable inner tub, a buoyancy generator for lifting the inner tub in accordance with a water level in the outer tub, a motor mounted on the outer bottom center of the outer tub, a rotator mounted on a top end of the motor shaft, and a clutching unit for selectively coupling the inner tub to either the outer tub or the rotator according to the position of the inner tub ascending and descending under the guide of the motor shaft. To confirm the clutching operation, a driving time or a driving stop time of the motor is counted and compared with a predetermined reference time.

Abstract: A method of washing clothes in an automatic washer having an imperforate wash tub, a perforate wash basket disposed within the tub and rotatable about a vertical axis and a bottom plate disposed within the lower portion of the wash basket and mounted for wobbling motion. The method of operation of the washer includes loading the clothes into the wash basket, adding water and detergent into the tub for forming wash liquid, recirculating the wash liquid over the clothes while driving the bottom plate in a nutating movement. Nutating movement describes the movement of the bottom plate wherein the bottom plate is slowly rotated within the wash basket while being driven in a rapid wobbling motion. In this fashion, the clothes are repeatedly moved under a spray pattern of wash liquid while being jostled and flexed for achieving he desired excellent soil removal.

Abstract: A method of rinsing in an automatic washer having an imperforate wash tub, a perforate wash basket disposed within the tub and rotatable about a vertical axis and a bottom plate disposed within the lower portion of the wash basket and mounted for wobbling motion. The method of rinsing includes adding rinse liquid into the wash basket and recirculating the rinse liquid over the clothes items while driving the bottom plate in a nutating movement. Nutating movement describes the movement of the bottom plate wherein the bottom plate is slowly rotated within the wash basket while being driven in a rapid wobbling motion. In this fashion, the clothes are repeatedly moved under a spray pattern of rinse liquid while being jostled and flexed for achieving the desired excellent detergent and soil removal during rinse.

Abstract: An automatic washer having an imperforate wash tub, a perforate wash basket disposed within the tub and rotatable about a vertical axis and a bottom plate disposed within the lower portion of the wash basket and mounted for wobbling motion. A motor is selectively interconnected with the basket and bottom plate for rotating the basket and the bottom plate together and for wobbling the bottom plate relative to the wash basket while the basket is held stationary such that the clothes items are agitated within the wash basket. A controlled rotation device is provided for driving the bottom plate in a wobbling motion while rotating the bottom plate, at a reduced rate, within the bottom of the wash basket. In a second embodiment, the wobble plate is supported and constrained to be driven in a wobbling motion while experiencing no rotation within the basket.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a rotational tub, a single-phase induction motor driving the rotational tub in a dehydrating operation and having a main and an auxiliary coils, a speed detector for detecting a speed of the motor, thereby generating a detection signal, and an output changeover device for changing between an operation mode in which both of the main and auxiliary coils are excited and the other operation mode in which either the main or auxiliary coil is excited. When the motor speed is increased in the dehydrating operation, a control circuit controls the motor in a feedback manner. More specifically, in low and medium speed ranges, the control circuit executes a control pattern in which both of the main and auxiliary coils are excited and selectively executes another control pattern in which only the auxiliary coil is excited when necessary.

Abstract: A compact transmission for an automatic washer which converts unidirectional rotary motion to oscillating rotary motion without the use of gears is provided. An input shaft is rotatingly driven by an electric motor and has a reversing thread connection to an intermediate member through a thread follower to cause the intermediate member, which is restrained against rotation, to reciprocate vertically. The intermediate member has an angled cam slot and follower connection with an output shaft which results in oscillating rotary motion of the output shaft. The drive member can be carried on the outside of the coaxial input and output shafts or can be sandwiched between the output shaft and coaxial, nested input shaft.

Abstract: A reversing drive for a triple action agitator is provided in which the agitator has an upper portion with helical grooves formed therein and a thruster barrel is received over the agitator upper portion. The thruster barrel has inwardly directed pegs which cammingly ride in the grooves to provide vertical movement to the thruster relative to the agitator. A two position clutch has an alternating rachet-type engagement between the agitator and the thruster to prevent rotary motion between the thruster and agitator when the agitator is rotating in a first direction, but to permit rotary motion between the thruster and agitator when the agitator is rotating in a second direction when the clutch is in a first position. When the clutch is in the second position, relative rotary motion is permitted when the agitator is rotating in the first direction and is prevented when the agitator is rotating in the second direction.

Abstract: A washer-dehydrator comprises a pulsator shaft rotatably attached to the inside of a rotary tub in an eccentric manner, a pulsator coaxially fixed to the pulsator shaft, a washing shaft coaxial with the rotary tub and projecting into the rotary tub by a given distance, a driven gear coaxially fixed to the pulsator shaft, a driving shaft in mesh with the driven gear, a sealing case housing the driven gear and the driving gear in a watertight manner, detachably fixed to the inside of the rotary tub, and supporting the driving gear, the sealing case having a penetrating hole to allow insertion of the projected end portion of the washing shaft, and engaging and engaged portions for detachably engaging the projected end portion of the washing shaft with the driving gear to transmit the rotary force of the washing shaft to the driving gear in an engaged state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing apparatus having a spinnable tub for receiving a liquid together with materials to be washed and for discharging the liquid therein through its upper portion by a pumping action caused by centrifugal forces, a pulsator disposed in the spinnable tub on the bottom thereof at an eccentric position with respect to the axis of the rotation of the spinnable tub, and resistive means located in the spinnable tub at a region substantially diametrically opposite to the pulsator, whereby resistance to the liquid rotating in the spinnable tub caused by the pulsator and the resistive means is balanced with respect to the axis of rotation of the spinnable tub.

Abstract: A washing apparatus having a tub for holding and draining a liquid, a spinnable tub for receiving materials to be washed and spin-drying the materials, a generally disk-shaped driven rotary base rotatably disposed in the spinnable tub on the bottom thereof at an eccentric position with respect to the axis of rotation of the spinnable tub, a support rotatably supporting the driven rotary base, a drive for selectively rotating the spinnable tub on the rotary base, and a pulsator detachably mounted on the rotary base for generating an eccentric liquid whirlpool in the tub.

Abstract: In a washer-dehydrator, an eccentrically set pulsator is driven through a rotation moment-transmitting mechanism, and, even in case washing water streams containing foreign matter are drawn below the pulsator by the action of pumping blades mounted on the underside of the pulsator. The operation of the rotation moment-transmitting mechanism is not obstructed by the foreign matter, but circulating water streams can be smoothly produced to trap foreign matter retained in the washing water.

Abstract: An automatic washer which comprises a washer body used to receive water and provided with a water-draining passage; a rotary tub built in the washer body to hold water and material of washing and fitted with a stirring blade member; drive means for selectively rotating the stirring blade member or rotary tub; water guide passage extended between the water-draining passage and the bottom of the rotary tub and fitted with a valve in an intermediate position; and a timer which, during washing and rinsing steps, closes the valve to supply water to the rotary tub, rotates the stirring blade member to produce vertical streams of water for washing, and, during water drain and dehydration steps, opens the valve to expel water from the water guide passage, rotates the rotary tub, and discharges water into the washer body from above the rotary tub by a pumping action resulting from the rotation of the rotary tub, wherein that side of the valve of the water guide passage which faces the water-draining passage is designe

Abstract: A washing basket adapted to be incorporated in a washing machine having a hydroextracting function. The washing basket, which is provided at its bottom with a pulsator, has a plurality of protrusions formed in its inner peripheral wall. Each of the protrusions has an arcuate cross-section whose ridge is directed toward the center of the basket, and is extending in the vertical direction along the inner peripheral wall of the basket. A plurality hydroextracting apertures are formed in each of grooves which are formed between the adjacent protrusions.

Abstract: A domestic clothes washer has an outer imperforate water container to retain the washing fluid and an inner perforate spin tub which is rotatable to centrifuge the washing fluid from clothes being washed therein. A vertically reciprocating agitator in the inner spin tub provides a pulsating toroidal circulation of washing fluid. The spin tub has a perforate generally vertical side wall and an imperforate bottom wall joined thereto by a curved wall portion containing a circumscribing row of holes positioned thereon located so as to carry particulate matter from the spin tub during wash periods while minimizing undesirable back flow through the row of holes during spin periods of the tub.

Abstract: An apparatus for the roller drive mechanism of a clothes washer which will delay spin tub rotation until a selected quantity of water has been pumped out of the tub. The spin delay apparatus includes a diaphragm movable in response to the water head in the tub. The diaphragm is operably connected to one end of an actuator lever arm which arm extends past its pivot for connection to an idler roller normally located between the drive and driven rollers in the drive mechanism. At the start of the spin cycle the actuator arm pivots the idler roller away from the drive roller until the water head indicates that the water has been pumped out of the tube to a predetermined level to obviate lint in the wash water from being left on the clothes.