Dehydrating tank stopping mechanism for single-tank type washing machine

A dehydrating tank stopping mechanism for a single-tank type washing machine, comprising:

• a dehydrating tank for washing and dehydrating a washing load put therein;
• an agitator arranged in said dehydrating tank;
• means for rotating said agitator alternately in forward and reverse directions to agitate the water and the washing load in said dehydrating tank, the angle of rotation thereof in each of said forward and reverse directions being no more than 360.degree.;
• first and second shafts arranged in the form of a coaxial dual shaft structure and coupled respectively to said dehydrating tank and said agitator;
• a clutch mechanism provided for said first and second shafts to selectively allow said first and second shafts to rotate in association with each other or allow only said second shaft coupled to said agitator to rotate;
• and
• a brake device provided on said first shaft coupled to said dehydrating tank to stop rotation of said first shaft when said clutch mechanism operates to allow only said second shaft to rotate,
• said brake device comprising:
• a brake wheel mounted on said first shaft coupled to said dehydrating tank;
• a brake band passed around said brake wheel;
• and
• lever means operated in a braking operation for engaging said brake band to thereby prevent rotation of said brake band and including means for actuating said clutch mechanism to perform a switching operation,
• said brake band having a collar extending radially of said brake band for regulating the engagement of said lever means with said brake band and said clutch mechanism, and having an opening formed therein, said brake band including lever engaging means protruding within said opening, said lever means being engaged with said lever engaging means of said brake band, and said actuating means being engaged with said clutch mechanism, when said lever extends into said opening, and
• said lever means being operated when said first and second shafts are being rotated in one direction in association with each other.