Abstract: A water softening system utilizing a reusable, self-contained water softener device for an agitator type clothes washer. The water softener device includes a quantity of cation exchange resin contained in a chamber. The water softener device is placed in the clothes washer in association with the agitator and water is percolated upwardly through the resin by a pump to thereby effect hardness reduction by the removal of calcium and/or magnesium ions from the water. After the softening operation, the water softener is removed from the washer and detergent and soiled fabrics are placed therein. The resin may then be regenerated by treatment of the device with a salt solution.

Abstract: An improved clothes washing machine and method of washing clothes for increasing the unbalance capacity of the machine. The machine includes a tub for containing water, a clothes receiving basket in the tub, the basket having perforations arranged in a pattern from the top to the bottom of the side wall of the basket, a pump for removing water from the tub, and a mechanism for rotatively accelerating the basket from zero to over 220 revolutions per minute. The unbalance capacity improvement is achieved by retaining between 20 and 40% of the initial water in the machine as measured under water only load conditions until 220 revolutions per minute is reached, pumping water continuously from between the tub and basket during such basket acceleration and discharging it from the machine, and restricting the flow of water from the basket to the tub such that the level of water between the tub and basket is lower than the level of water in the basket during such acceleration.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow mechanical diverter valve of the stream interaction type is provided. The valve includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a flow of liquid from a liquid source, a pair of first channels communicating with the inlet, each having an exit port, an interaction chamber, a pair of converging second channels between the exit ports and the interaction chamber, three exit areas directed away from the interaction chamber and two flapper assemblies, each having a first portion large enough to seat against and cover a first channel exit port, a second portion at an angle to the first portion and rigidly secured thereto, a pivot at the junction of the first and second portions, the second portions being spaced from and directed toward each other.

Abstract: A fastening device and method is provided for fastening first and second members in hingedly assembled relationship. The fastening device includes a slot opening through the first member, an integrally formed hinge member having a first planar portion with an end, a second planar portion, and an intermediate portion with its longitudinal axis at the junction of the first and second portions. The first and intermediate portions are dimensioned to pass through the slot while the second portion is larger than the slot. The intermediate portion is in the slot and the second portion of the hinge member is secured to the second member.

Abstract: An improved water temperature control and method for automatic clothes washers having a tub for containing water and a water valve with a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet, a temperature sensing control including a temperature responsive switch for controlling at least one of the water inlets, a water conduit from the water valve to the tub. The improvement is a water sampling tank having an inlet, an outlet, and a water chamber therebetween, the tank being arranged in water flow communication with the conduit between the water valve and the tub so that a small portion of water passing through the conduit is diverted through the chamber. The water temperature responsive switch is in temperature sensing relationship with the water in the chamber.

Abstract: An improved flexible coupling assembly for connecting a driving member to a driven member and includes two spaced circular end plates, one for securing to the driving member and one for securing to the driven member, the end plates being interconnected by a one-piece flexible plastic molded body having a plurality of bowed ribs which compensates for axial and lateral displacement between the end plates.

Abstract: A water softening system utilizing a reusable, self-contained water softener device for an agitator type clothes washer. The water softener device includes a quantity of cation exchange resin contained in a torus shaped jacket formed of a closely woven porous, synthetic-fiber fabric. The water softener device is placed in the clothes washer in association with the agitator such that water will be circulated through the resin to effect a hardness reduction thereof by the removal of calcium and/or magnesium ions. After the softening operation, the water softener is removed from the washer and detergent and soiled fabrics are placed therein. The resin is then regenerated by treatment of the device with a salt solution.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for use in conjunction with a time accumulating means adapted to accumulate timer run time on a timer mechanism in response to an outward reciprocation of the slide of a coin-receiving mechanism from a fully inward position. The mechanism is associated with the slide and provides for positively stopping inward movement of a gear rack used to set the timer run time and includes resilient means to take up any deviation in mechanism assembly tolerance thereafter without further inward movement of the gear rack.

Abstract: A belt drive mechanism for transmitting torque between a driving rotatable member and a driven rotatable member through a drive belt which is an automatic belt tightener. Included is a freely-riding pulley assembly pivotable about the driving member as a center and including two pulleys with outside diameter flanges and reduced interior diameters having their longitudinal axes of rotation parallel and a fixed distance apart. The driving member has its longitudinal axis of rotation parallel to the rotational axes of the pulleys and is arranged in a wedge-like relationship therebetween. The flanges of each pulley are in contact with the driving member and the drive belt passes over the driving member and then over the reduced diameter of both of the flanged pulleys. By this arrangement, the belt has imparted to it a driving force delivered by the driving member and both of the pulleys.

Abstract: An improved flexible coupling assembly for connecting a driving member to a driven member and includes two spaced circular end plates, one for securing to the driving member and one for securing to the driven member, the end plates being interconnected by a one-piece flexible plastic molded body having a plurality of bowed ribs which compensates for axial and lateral displacement between the end plates.

Abstract: An electrical test device and method for use in checking current carrying circuitry by an AC current measuring hook-on meter having a magnetic core for magnetic coupling to the circuit being measured. The test device includes the electrical current carrying conductor means to be tested and support means upon which the conductor means is wound and through which the magnetic core of the hook-on meter may be placed. The test device and method is utilized for more easily and accurately performing a checkout of the circuitry and is particularly useful in connection with appliances.

Abstract: A lint filter agitator assembly for an automatic washing machine having a driving member, an agitator secured to the driving member. The agitator has an upper center post, a lower flared base portion, and at least two agitating vanes. There is provided a filter member mounted on the exterior of the agitator in the area of the flared base portion and recessed between the two agitator vanes. The filter member and agitator form a filtering chamber. Washing liquid is circulated through holes provided in the top of the filter member and exits through openings in the bottom of the filter member while any lint carried by the washing liquid is retained within the chamber.

Abstract: A laundry machine for washing clothes having both a wash and extraction operation. There is included a rotatable drum for tumbling the clothes and means for introducing liquid into the drum. Means are also provided for producing a vacuum or negative pressure to which is connected two active baffles located on opposite sides of the interior of the drum to withdraw the liquid and air from the drum and two inactive baffles therebetween. This arrangement improves the washability of such a laundry machine.

Abstract: An accumulating control clutch mechanism responsive to reciprocation of the coin slide of a coin receiving mechanism. The control clutch is arranged such that the shaft of a timer mechanism associated therewith is rotated unidirectionally to start the timer in response to a predetermined desired number of reciprocation movements of the coin slide. By this accumulating control clutch mechanism there is provided a means for changing a single slide reciprocation operation to start the timer mechanism to a multiple slide reciprocation operation without changing the coin receiving mechanism.

Abstract: A treating agent dispenser system for an automatic washing machine of the top loading type having an outer tub and a basket spaced inwardly therefrom. There is a dispenser adapted to be mounted above the machine's wash tub and having a plurality of compartments for receiving treating agents to be dispensed into the wash tub at predetermined times in a cycle of the washing machine by liquid being introduced into the machine. One of the compartments has a channel with a drain opening in liquid flow communication with a stationary holding tank. The holding tank has means for evacuating the dilute agent mixture after liquid flow into the tank is terminated. Liquid flowing from the holding tank is directed to the space between the tub and basket. The treating agent dispenser system provides for diluting the treating agent and flushing it from its compartment with fresh incoming liquid and dispenses it into the wash water and not onto the fabrics to be washed.

Abstract: A poly-V-belt and pulley mechanism including a rib-and-groove tractive face belt for service as a transmission belt, conveyor belt or the like, and a pulley over which the belt is trained. The pulley has a spool with grooves and ribs to correspond to and mate with the rib-and-groove tractive surface of the belt and upwardly and outwardly diverging opposing side walls, each being curved convexly. This poly-V-belt and pulley mechanism provides for self-alignment of the ribs of the belt in the grooves of the pulley.

Abstract: A laundry machine and method for washing clothes having both a wash and extraction operation. There is included in the machine a rotatable drum for tumbling the clothes and liquid introduction means are provided for introducing liquid into the drum at the average rate of 0.5 to 3 gallons per minute during the wash operation. Means are also provided for producing a vacuum or negative pressure to withdraw the liquid from the drum during the wash operation at a rate sufficient to prevent a bath type washing action, then at the end of the wash operation stop the introduction of liquid into the drum and continue the negative pressure to withdraw the liquid during the extraction operation.

Abstract: A belt drive mechanism for an automatic clothes washing machine having a timer to control the operational cycles of the machine, a basket supported for rotation, and a vaned structure for agitating the clothes in the basket. A motor provides a plurality of operational modes and has a start winding and a run winding. There is an input shaft connected with the motor by a belt and coupled to the vaned structure for agitation thereof for a first mode of operation of the motor and coupled to the basket for effecting rotation thereof during a second mode of operation of the motor. An idler pulley engages the belt with means arranged for biasing the pulley against the belt to place tension on the belt and means including the motor windings to overcome the pulley biasing means during energization of the motor start winding to thereby release tension on the belt.

Abstract: A delayed-action transmission whereby mechanical coupling between a driven member and a driving member is effected by centrifugal force and the mechanical coupling is controllably delayed.

Abstract: A lint filter for an automatic washing machine having a rotatable walled basket for receiving items to be washed and means for recirculating liquid therein. The lint filter comprises an annulus channel member having an inside wall, an outside wall, and perforations for liquid to pass therethrough. The annulus channel member is secured to the wall of the basket inwardly thereof. There is provided a plurality of elongated protuberances attached to the inside wall of the annulus channel member with their bases positioned toward the rotational axis of the basket such that during rotation of the basket lint will be removed from the protuberances by centrifugal force.