Abstract: A molded commutator is made up of segments arranged in a ring with their brush contact surfaces facing inwardly and forming a cylindrical shape. A matrix of plastic is molded between and around the outside of the segment ring in order to separate the segments electrically and to hold them in the ring configuration. A reinforcing metal casing serves to contain the commutator against breaking up due to centrifugal forces experienced during rotation. An alternate embodiment uses metal bands embedded within the matrix for this purpose.

Abstract: The external segments of a commutator for rotating electrical machinery are mechanically interlocked to a molded matrix by a plurality of tang assemblies having protrusions at their ends for engagement deep within the internal matrix, to hold the segments against centrifugal forces. The tang assemblies also have anchoring bars shaped for interlocking engagement with the longitudinal channels located on the inner surfaces of the segments.

Abstract: A fabric washing machine includes a receptacle to receive washing liquid and a fabric article load to be washed in the liquid. The receptacle includes a generally upright outer wall and a generally upright center post spaced radially inward of the outer wall. The outer surface of the center post is textured to minimize slippage between the center post and fabric articles. The outer wall and center post are interconnected by a bottom wall having an upper surface textured to maximize slippage with the fabric articles. The upper surface of the bottom wall is contoured to slope downwardly substantially continuously from the outer wall to the center post and to undulate circumferentially of the receptacle.

Abstract: A basket for an orbital washer is provided with a bottom wall having a variable slope. The angle of bottom slope varies from a maximum angle to a minimum angle in the circumferential direction about the axis of the basket. The slope variation causes changes in the rate of motion of clothes as the clothes move circumferentially within the basket, which change enhances turbulence of the clothes motion and, thereby, washing of the clothes.

Abstract: A symmetrical opposed-motion basket design is provided for an orbital clothes washer. The symmetrical opposed-motion basket is structured to cause clothes in one portion of the basket to tend to move clockwise, while clothes in another portion of the basket tend to move counter-clockwise. The center post and outer wall each have a relatively rough surface and the basket bottom wall has a relatively smooth surface comprising two concentric rings, one of which slopes continuously upwardly from the outer wall and the other of which slopes continuously upwardly from the inner wall to a point of intersection of the two rings. This structure enhances mixing and turbulence within the clothes load during the orbital cycles of the clothes washer.

Abstract: An unsymmetrical basket design is disclosed for an orbital clothes washer. The unsymmetrical design includes a basket bottom having one portion thereof axially lower than another portion with prescribed slopes connecting the upper and lower portions of the basket bottom. In one portion of the basket the inner bottom surface slopes downwardly from the center of the basket to produce turnover in one sense of clothes disposed therein, and in another sloped portion of the basket the inner bottom surface slopes upwardly from the center to facilitate turnover of cloth in a sense opposite the sense of turnover in the one portion, such that mixing of clothes within the basket is enhanced during the orbiting of the basket.