Abstract: A washing machine having improved resistance toward frictional walking. The washer comprises a cabinet, a tub assembly disposed in the cabinet for processing a wash load and a suspension including a truss-like pedestal for supporting the tub assembly and for permitting the tub assembly to pivot. The supporting feet of the washer are rotatably coupled to the suspension. Preferably, the number of members comprising the suspension is greater than or equal to three times the number of joints comprising the suspension minus eight. With this arrangement, a statically determinant suspension is provided. The substantially continuous contact between the supporting feet and the floor (i.e. the feet automatically conform to the floor surface) increases the frictional resistance, thereby decreasing the probability of frictional walking.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a mid-level pivot and traverse suspension arrangement and a modular assembly. A support having a central aperture is spaced from the washing machine base by a plurality of upstanding legs. The modular assembly, including a drain tub, a drive shaft, and a transmission, is disposed on the support with the drive shaft and the transmission extending through the central aperture of the support. The modular assembly is a disengageable intact from the support with the transmission and the drive shaft passing through the central aperture of the support.

Abstract: A washing machine brake and release mechanism adapted for use with a motor that is alternately reversed in direction to provide drive during an agitator cycle, and is driven unidirectionally to provide drive for a spin cycle. The motor is linked through a speed reducer that has an output disc connected to the shaft of the agitator. A collar discriminator releases the washer brake when the disc is driven unidirectionally; however, the collar discriminator leaves the brake engaged when the disc is rotated through a stroke arc less than 360.degree.. The collar discriminator has a pair of downwardly extending pins that ride up on ramps positioned on the top surface of the disc when driven unidirectionally thereby causing the discriminator to push up against and release the brake. When the disc is alternately reversed through some arc less than 360.degree. such as during an agitate cycle, the ramps are arranged so as to avoid engaging the pins of the collar discriminator thereby leaving the brake engaged.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine including a cabinet having therein a spin tub rotatably disposed within a stationary drain tub, and an additive liquid dispensing system comprised of a multi-load reservoir of additive liquid connected hydraulically through a pump to a liquid ejector nozzle. The reservoir comprises a liquid-tight housing which is vertically elongated and has a triangular cross-sectional shape for fitting into an elongated corner portion of the cabinet adjacent a front defining wall thereof. A side of the housing adjacent the front defining wall has a vertically elongated transparent portion disposed coextensively in alignment with a vertically elongated window in the front defining wall of the cabinet. The transparent portion of the housing may comprise a vertically extending tubular member disposed in communication with additive liquid in the housing such that the level of liquid in the tubular member is an indication of the level of liquid in the housing.