Whirlpool Corporation

James R Sawyer

Steven Fricke

Scott D Slabbekoorn

Kurt Werner

John M Hunnell

William K Kangas

Jason S Sabel

Dennis J Tuckowski

Eric E Chang

Adam J Emery

Michael R Carey

Rick A Schneider

Phillip Edward Lindeman

Michael S Short

A laundry treating appliance for treating a load of laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet having at least one panel and a vessel, such as a tub or drum, suspended within the cabinet. An embossed pattern is provided on the at least one panel of the cabinet.

Laundry treating appliance

A laundry treating appliance for treating a load of laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet and a vessel, such as a tub or drum, suspended within the cabinet. An embossed pattern is provided on at least one wall or panel of the cabinet to complement the outer peripheral shape of the vessel.

An appliance cabinet, such as a laundry treating appliance cabinet, having a chassis and a cover removably mounted to the chassis, and a labyrinth coupler connecting the cover and the chassis, wherein the coupler is physically configured to define a path requiring a specific sequence of movements between the cover and the chassis to couple or uncouple the cover from the chassis.

Appliance cabinet and method of assembling same

A side panel for a fabric care appliance is described. The side panel includes an embossed pattern for increasing a first natural frequency (or first harmonic) of the side panel. Preferably, the first natural frequency is substantially higher than any ordinary operating frequency or driving frequency of the appliance. For example, in a washing machine, the first natural frequency of the side panel is preferably at least 1.6 times greater than the maximum rotational frequency of a drum or tumbler of the machine.

Appliance panel with increased natural frequency

An automatic washing machine comprises a spin tube coupled to the basket and an agitator shaft coupled to an agitator mounted in the basket. A motor coupled to the agitator shaft applies a torque the agitator shaft and thereby the agitator in first and second torque directions. A clutch couples the spin tube to the agitator shaft for cooperative rotation of the basket and the agitator regardless of the rotational direction of the agitator shaft. Because of the dual directionality of the clutch, reversing the motor simultaneously dynamically brakes the basket and the agitator, thereby eliminating the need for a separate friction brake for the basket.

Multiple directional clutch for a washing machine

Multiple directional clutch for washing machine

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Monticello, IN, United States of America

James R Sawyer