Washing machine agitator having helical rib and method for using same
AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorsScott E. Griffith, Chris P. Lickiss, Craig S. Ruhl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
A washing machine comprising:
- a washing machine cabinet;
- a wash basket mounted within the washing machine cabinet for rotation about a wash basket axis, the wash basket having an access opening for placing materials to be washed within the wash basket;
- a first agitator mounted in the basket for rotation about a first agitator axis that extends in a direction different from the wash basket axis;
- the first agitator having a first helical rib thereon for engaging and agitating the materials to be washed within the wash basket when the first agitator is rotating about the first agitator axis.
An appliance agitator comprising:
- an agitator member having a concave surface, an opposite convex surface, and a peripheral edge;
- a helical rib protruding from the concave surface and extending in an outward radial helical direction from a central starting point to an outer end point adjacent the peripheral edge of the agitator member.
A washing machine comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a washing basket mounted within the cabinet for rotation about a basket axis, the washing basket having a basket cavity and concave interior surface facing toward the basket cavity;
- a first agitator having a concave surface, an opposite convex surface, and a peripheral edge,
- the convex surface facing toward the concave interior surface of the washing basket and the concave surface of the first agitator facing toward the basket cavity;
- the first agitator being mounted for rotation relative to the washing basket about a first agitator axis;
- a first helical rib protruding from the concave surface of the first agitator, the first helical rib commencing at an inner location and progressing in a helical direction and an outward radial direction therefrom.
A method for operating a washing machine having a basket for containing the fabrics to be washed, and first and second agitators mounted within the basket for rotation about first and second agitator axes respectively, the method comprising:
- rotating the first and second agitators about the first and second agitator axes respectively;
- lifting the fabrics being washed with first and second helical ribs on the first and second agitators during rotation of the first and second agitators about the first and second agitator axes respectively;
- dropping the fabrics from the first and second helical ribs after the first and second helical ribs lift the fabrics whereby the fabrics will turn over and fall within the basket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.