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: This invention relates to a balancing ring for a centrifugal extractor for a washing machine which consists of a hollow ring which contains a balancing liquid. The hollow ring is attached to the side wall of a spin basket and is provided with a plurality of partition boards attached alternately to the upper and lower walls of the ring respectively.