Abstract: A drive mechanism for a vertical axis automatic washer. The washer has a rotatable wash basket, a rotatable agitator concentrically mounted in the wash basket and a drive motor. The drive mechanism includes a first drive shaft driven by the motor at a first rotational speed and with a first torque. A second drive shaft is arranged to rotatingly drive the agitator. A mechanism is arranged between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to convert the first rotational speed and the first torque to a second rotational speed and a second torque at the second drive shaft. A first clutch is arranged between the wash basket and the first drive shaft to allow for selective engagement and disengagement between the wash basket and the first drive shaft. A second clutch is arranged between the wash basket and the second drive shaft to allow for selective engagement and disengagement between the wash basket and the second drive shaft.

Abstract: A washing machine having a wobbling device. The wobbling device causes a wobbling action of a washboard without rotating the washboard during a washing mode operation, thus effectively washing the clothes. This wobbling device includes a vertical rotary shaft rotated by a washing shaft, and an inclined rotary shaft arranged above the vertical rotary shaft. A first rotary unit couples the inclined rotary shaft to the vertical rotary shaft, thus rotating the two shafts at the same time. An upper surface of the first rotary unit forms a first sloping surface inclined at an angle of inclination. A second rotary unit rotatably receives the inclined rotary shaft therein, and is provided at its lower surface with a second sloping surface corresponding to the first sloping surface of the first rotary unit.

Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed, in which a structure of transmitting power to a wobbler is improved. The outer tub is provided in a cabinet, an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, and the wobbler is provided in the inner tub. A cylindrical dehydration shaft passes through the outer tub, and is connected to a bottom of the inner tub, and a wash shaft passes through inside of the dehydration shaft and the bottom of the inner tub. A motor rotates the wash shaft in a direction or in an opposite direction. A clutch assembly, operated according to a signal of a control unit, selectively transmits rotating force of the wash shaft to the dehydration shaft. A rotation guide having a flat section in spiral form is projected on the upper end of the wash shaft.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing machine cabinet. A wash basket is mounted within the washing machine cabinet. A first agitator is mounted in the basket for rotation about a first agitator axis that extends in a direction different from the rotational axis of the wash basket. First agitator includes a first helical rib thereon for engaging and agitating the materials to be washed within the wash basket. A second agitator with a second helical rib may also be contained within the wash basket.

Abstract: A washing machine with a wobbling unit including a washing plate which wobbles in a vertical direction without rotating, thus washing laundry. The wobbling unit further includes a vertical rotating shaft rotating by a washing shaft and an inclined rotating shaft provided at a predetermined position above the vertical rotating shaft. A first rotary member allows the vertical rotating shaft to rotate along with the inclined rotating shaft. A second rotary member rotatably receives the inclined rotating shaft therein. The wobbling unit also includes a projecting pin, a wobbling pin, and a leveling pin to control positions of the first and second rotary members. A position of the washing plate is changed to a level position or a wobbling position by an operation of the pins. Further, a clutch is mounted to the second rotary member so that the position of the washing plate is securely changed to a desired position.

Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed, in which a structure of transmitting power to a wobbler is improved. The outer tub is provided in a cabinet, an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, and the wobbler is provided in the inner tub. A cylindrical dehydration shaft passes through the outer tub, and is connected to a bottom of the inner tub, and a wash shaft passes through inside of the dehydration shaft and the bottom of the inner tub. A motor rotates the wash shaft in a direction or in an opposite direction. A clutch assembly, operated according to a signal of a control unit, selectively transmits rotating force of the wash shaft to the dehydration shaft. A rotation guide having a flat section in spiral form is projected on the upper end of the wash shaft.

Abstract: A washing machine having a wobbling device. The wobbling device causes a wobbling action of a washboard without rotating the washboard during a washing mode operation, thus effectively washing the clothes. This wobbling device includes a vertical rotary shaft rotated by a washing shaft, and an inclined rotary shaft arranged above the vertical rotary shaft. A first rotary unit couples the inclined rotary shaft to the vertical rotary shaft, thus rotating the two shafts at the same time. An upper surface of the first rotary unit forms a first sloping surface inclined at an angle of inclination. A second rotary unit rotatably receives the inclined rotary shaft therein, and is provided at its lower surface with a second sloping surface corresponding to the first sloping surface of the first rotary unit.

Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed, which washes laundry by mechanisms of vibration or/and pumping, thereby improving washing performance, as well as preventing the laundry from being damaged while reducing consumption of washing water. The washing machine includes an outer tub for storage of washing water, a washing tub mounted in the outer tub, an impeller rotatably fitted in a lower part of an inside of the washing tub for pumping the washing water in a space between the washing tub and the outer tub, a washing plate up and down movably fitted inside of the washing tub, a driving motor under the outer tub, and a power transmission means connected to the driving motor for transmitting a rotation power of the driving motor to the impeller with a reduced speed, and transmitting a rotation power of the driving motor to the washing plate with the rotation power converted into up and down direction power.

Abstract: A wobble joint for use in automatic washing appliances and the like includes inner, outer and intermediate joint members which have nesting curved sliding surfaces that enable the joint members to pivot relative to one another. The joint has motion limiting features acting between the intermediate joint member and each of the inner and outer joint members to restrict relative movement between the outer joint member and the intermediate joint member to pivotal movement within a first plane and to restrict relative movement of the intermediate member and inner joint member to pivotal movement within a second plane transverse to the first plane. The motion limiting features comprise first and second arcuate grooves extending parallel to the first and second planes and retainers captured in the grooves and relatively moveable therealong.

Abstract: A wobble joint particularly useful for supporting a wash plate in a wash basket of an automatic washing appliance includes inner and outer races formed with mating part-spherical surfaces having common centers of curvature about a longitudinal axis of the joint. Anti-rotation structure acts between the inner and outer races to prevent relative rotation of the races about the longitudinal axis, and cooperates with the part-spherical surfaces to restrict the races to two degrees of tilting movement about respective tilt axes disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to one another, such that one of the races is thereby supported for wobbling movement relative to the other of the races. In a washing appliance application, the wash plate is fixed to the outer race and wobbles relative to the inner race.

Abstract: A laundry appliance comprises a drum for receiving a load of articles. The drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive which is capable of rotating the drum so as to cause relative rotation between the drum portions. A controller monitors and controls operation of the appliance. The controller is arranged to determine when there is an overload condition on the drive during a period when the drum portions are being rotated relatively to one another and, in the event of an overload condition, causes the drive to operate in a manner that alleviates the overload condition. The drive can abort the current drum action and begin the next drum action in the sequence and, after a predetermined number of overload conditions, can suspend counter-rotating drum operation. The user may be provided with an indication when an overload condition occurs.

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: A washing machine with agitator is disclosed. The washing machine with agitator has a washing tub of which a bottom surface protrudes axially and inwardly like a pyramid, wherein the washing tub has at least two slanted portions which slant upwardly from an edge of the bottom surface toward an inside central axis of the washing tub. A washing shaft is rotatably installed and extended vertically from a lower space in the washing machine to the bottom surface of the washing tub. A driving wheel is installed on the washing shaft, wherein a frictional surface is formed on one side of the driving wheel. At least two frictional wheels rotate and contact with the frictional surface of the driving wheel. At least two driven wheels of which a frictional surface formed on one side contacts with the frictional wheels respectively, wherein the driven wheels are rotatably installed on one surface of the slanted portions.

Abstract: Auxiliary washing device in a washing machine comprises a beam mounted on an upper side of an outer tub and extended to an inner space of a washing tub, and a washing bar supported at an extended end of the beam to be capable of swinging. The washing bar is swung upwardly by a motor and downwardly by a torsion spring. When electric power to the motor is stopped at the position in which the washing bar is swung upwardly by the motor, the washing bar swings downwardly by the torsion of the torsion bar to strike laundry in the washing tub. Thus, washing is enhanced by the impact to the laundry, and the laundry is stirred upwardly and downwardly. Therefore, inefficiency in the upper part of the washing tub due to the washing operation only by pulsator is prevented, and washing of all clothes is enhanced.

Abstract: A clothes washer includes a wash tub in which an agitator is mounted. The agitator includes a blade member which oscillates clockwise and counterclockwise about a vertical axis, a reciprocable member which oscillates with the blade member while reciprocating up-and-down, and a shoe cleaning device mounted on the reciprocable member for oscillation and vertical reciprocation therewith. The shoe cleaning device includes a circular plate carrying a plurality of brushes.

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 washplate deflector for an automatic washer having a wash basket and a moveable washplate positioned within the basket. The deflector is mounted to the periphery of the washplate and abuts the wash basket, preventing clothing disposed in the wash basket from being caught between the washplate and the wash basket.

Abstract: A washing machine according to the present invention is a new washing machine which is compact and can realize uniform and good washing. The plane shape of a washing tub 211 is an approximately rectangular inner shape which is defined by a bottom 213, a pair of long side walls 214a and 214b, and a pair of short side walls 215a and 215b. A pulsator 212 is so provided on the one long side wall 214b out of the pair of long side walls that its center axis 219 is perpendicular to the long side wall 214b. The diameter A of a disk 220 of the pulsator 212 is so set that W<A. Further, a projection 221 of the pulsator 212 is a projection which is long in the radial direction of the disk 220, so that the height thereof from the surface of the disk 220 is large on the side of the circumference of the disk 220. In the washing machine, the pulsator 212 is increased in the efficiency of agitation of wash water and laundry in the washing tub 211 while being longitudinally arranged.

Abstract: A washing net attaching and detaching structure of a fully automatic washing machine with a washing course of dry-marked clothes is shaped as a basket which is attachably and detachably installed within a washtub for being vibrated in the up and down directions in accordance with a reciprocal ascending and descending movement of a driving member to preserve and wash laundry indicated with a dry mark. The washing net has a diameter smaller than an inner circumference of an upper end of the washtub for being easily attached and detached to and from the washtub during the cleaning of dry-marked clothes to provide a convenience to a user and prevent damage to the laundry caused by the laundry being bitten in the lower portion of the washing net, thereby significantly improving the efficiency and reliability of the product.

Abstract: A washing apparatus of a fully automatic washing machine incorporated with a washing course of dry-marked clothes includes a motor shaft installed to a motor mounted to an outer tub for being rotated by the driving of the motor, a driving member coupled with the motor shaft for reciprocally ascending and descending together with the rotational movement of the motor shaft, and a washing net joined to the driving member for being vibrated in up and down directions in accordance with the reciprocal ascending and descending movement of the driving member to preserve and clean the laundry indicated with the dry mark, in which the driving member is installed to the center of a washing blade and inserted with the washing net. Thus, the washing net housing with the laundry thereon is vibrated in up and down directions while the driving member reciprocally ascends and descends along with the driving of the motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulsator with an improved structure and more particularly to a pulsator having punching function used in the washing machine. The pulsator of the present invention is composed of such improved structure that a rotating member has a guiding dimple formed on the its upper end surface, and an elevating member has a guiding protrusion projected from the inner surface. According to such pulsator, non-symmetrical water flow and up-and-down water flow can be generated easily so that the entanglement of the washing articles can be minimized, and the washing is carried out effectively.

Abstract: A washing machine for reducing a tangling of washing objects is disclosed. The washing machine includes an eccentric link having a base plate, an upper shaft formed on an upper surface of the base plate, and a lower shaft formed on a lower surface of the base plate and eccentrically disposed with respect to the upper shaft. In the washing machine, the upper shaft circularly moves around the lower shaft as the lower shaft is rotated on its own shaft so that a pulsator secured to the upper shaft is pseudo-rotating, and thereby an irregular liquid flow is generated in a washing tub.

Abstract: A plurality of snubbers for a washing machine dampens and isolates unbalanced load excursions by using the positive displacement pumping action of air being forced through an orifice in each snubber. One end of each snubber is attached to the washing machine housing and the other end attached to the tub or mounting platform and has a resilient middle portion sidewall defining a cavity that changes in volume to minimize the effects basket excursions caused by unbalanced loads. The snubber sidewall defines an orifice providing a passageway for egress and ingress of air during the change in volume. The orifice meters air so that the resiliency of the snubber is greater for low frequency excursions than for high frequency excursions to thereby function as a damper for low frequency excursions and as a gas spring for high frequency excursions.

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: A clothes washing machine includes an outer tank, a plurality of vertical suspenders hung by their upper ends adjacent respective corners of the tank, and a water container disposed within the tank and supported at lower ends of the suspenders. The upper ends of the suspenders are secured to a cover member which is attached to an upper end of the tank. The upper end of each suspender projects through a rib-reinforced hole formed in the cover and is secured to the cover by a cap-pin fastener device. A unit constituted by the cover, suspenders, and water container can be tested prior to being installed in the tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulsator with an improved structure and more particularly to a pulsator having punching function used in the washing machine. The pulsator of the present invention is composed of such improved structure that a rotating member has a guiding dimple formed on the its upper end surface, and an elevating member has a guiding protrusion projected from the inner surface. According to such pulsator, non-symmetrical water flow and up-and-down water flow can be generated easily so that the entanglement of the washing articles can be minimized, and the washing is carried out effectively.

Abstract: A method and equipment for the surface-treatment of textiles, whereby the textiles are processed by mechanically stressing their surfaces, illustratively to achieve fading/wash-out effects, thereby simulating substantial wear of a garment, additional waste removal being minimized. A liquid-holding container is provided to receive the textiles being treated, with wooden bodies being present in the liquid and evincing such a density that either they float at the surface and/or within the liquid. An agitator keeps the textiles being treated in motion inside the liquid and between the wood bodies.

Abstract: A low frequency vibration type washing machine has a shrinkable shielder for prevention of clothes jamming in the gap between the low frequency vibrating disc and the inner bottom of the washing tub from the outside. The washing machine includes the washing tub and a vibrating disc placed in the washing tub for causing resonance phenomena in a multi-phase washing medium received in the washing tub. The shrinkable shielder is placed in the gap such that it shields the gap from the outside. The shielder totally or partially shields the gap and is made of rubber or sponge. The shielder may be a tube type shielder placed in the gap at a lower edge of the vibrating disc. Alternatively, the shielder may be a spring type shielder. As a further alternative, the shielder may be a flexible thin film annularly placed in the gap at a lower edge of the vibrating disc. The tube type shielder is charged with gas or liquid.

Abstract: A low frequency vibration type washing machine is disclosed that is capable of detecting the range of linear reciprocating movement of its drive shaft to control the vibration range of its low frequency oscillating vibrator to be constant, and sensing water level in its washing tub to control the water level. The washing machine includes a low frequency oscillating vibrator adapted to vibrate in a washing tub while being subjected to a water level pressure. The vibrator thereby generates a resonance phenomenon in a multi-phase medium contained in the washing tub.

Abstract: An input energy saving device for a low frequency vibration type washing machine. The device lets the resonance frequency of the washing tub and the input frequency of the oscillating disc be equal to each other during generation of resonance phenomena in the multi-phase washing medium for clothes washing, thus to save the input energy required in generation of the resonance phenomena. The device comprises a washing tub receiving multi-phase washing medium therein and an oscillating disc provided in the washing tub for generation of resonance phenomena in the washing medium. A flexible elastic body is placed between the disc and the inner bottom of the washing tub for letting the input frequency of the disc means and the resonance frequency of the washing tub be equal to each other. An actuator is coupled to the disc through a shaft so as to drive the disc means.

Abstract: This invention provides a combined washing machine in which pulsator type and drum type washing machine features are united such that they can be selectively utilized depending upon a desired washing condition, thereby executing optimal washing operation. The combined washing machine comprises a washing drum having both of a plurality of lifters, as in a drum type machine, and a pulsator, as in a pulsator type machine, and being rotatable through 90.degree. between vertical and horizontal positions by means of a driving device.

Abstract: A reciprocating laundry basket for an automatic washer is provided in which the basket has a peripheral wall, a bottom wall contiguous with the peripheral wall, a post mounted within the basket for rotation with the basket, a spray device mounted on the post for spraying wash liquid into the interior of the wash basket and spray inlets and vertical fins positioned adjacent the peripheral wall for enhancing agitation of the fabric load.

Abstract: A washing tub and an outer tub are inclined together by a tub posture tilting mechanism. The tub posture tilting mechanism is constituted of a link mechanism structure. One of the tub posture tilting mechanism comprises mainly a pair of beams mounted integrally on the outer tub, a pair of bases mounted turnable on the beams, a crank mounted turnable on a rear base and an arm mounted turnable on the crank and mounted on a motor. The motor is mounted integrally on the rear base and drives the tub posture tilting mechanism. Another of the tub posture tilting mechanism comprises mainly a pair bases mounted turnable on the outer tub, a crank mounted turnable on a rear base and an arm mounted turnable on the crank and mounted turnable on a motor. The motor is mounted integrally on the outer tub and drives the tub posture tilting mechanism. A delicate washing clothes is washed softly in a triangular washing region at a uniform inclined state of the washing tub.

Abstract: A portable small-sized washing machine is proposed. The washing tub of this machine has a capacity of washing about ten dishcloths at the most, each of these dishcloths being about 30 cm square.

Abstract: A dyeing washing and/or milling machine particularly useful for dyeing woollen components including an annular working fluid reservoir and rotating paddle members which pass into and out of the reservoir to circulate the fluid therein. The apparatus may further include a heating system and a fluid pump and duct system, to heat and increase the circulation of fluid within the reservoir.

Abstract: An agitator for a clothes washing machine including a center post extending into the clothes receiving receptacle and upon which is mounted a vertically reciprocable agitator member including an agitator element extending radially outward from the center post. The agitator element is mounted on a nut member which mates with a thread formed on the center post, such that upon relative rotation between the agitator element and the center post, vertical reciprocation of the agitator element takes place to induce turnover motion of the clothes. The center post is oscillated to cause the reciprocation by engagement of the agitator element with clothes disposed in the machine during the wash cycle. The agitator element is configured with a downwardly extending flared skirt portion having scalloped edges to increase the interengagement with the clothes. The flared shape of the agitator element causes a net downward force on the clothes drawing them downwardly along the center post.