Whirlpool Corporation

Robert B Sherer

Robert M Weir

Robert A Brenner

Edward E Wiessner

A flexible vane agitator is provided for use with a high stroke rate automatic washing machine in which the vanes on the agitator are very flexible and have a special configuration in which the thickness of the vanes decreases from a base end at the agitator barrel to a point at least half way to the end of the vane and then increases in thickness to the radial tip such that the tip is bulbous and is thicker than any other portion of the vane except for the base. The bulbous tip is rounded and has a shorter height than the base end.

Flexible vane agitator for high stroke rate automatic washer

A filter cone fixed to the bottom of a washing machine basket includes a plurality of closely spaced rigid teeth in a circumferential row extending outwardly and upwardly to divide the tub into first and second chambers for filtering laundry liquid during a washing cycle and for preventing sediment and debris from returning into the basket during a direct-into-spin portion of the wash cycle. The reverse flow of water through the filter teeth during the drain portion of the washing cycle effects self-cleaning of the teeth.

Self-cleaning under basket lint filter for automatic washers

In a front-serviceable appliance having a base frame supporting internal components, the base frame having a front member and side members and a rear panel attached thereto, a removable cabinet has a front bottom flange overlapping and extending beneath the front base frame member, and receptacles for receiving upwardly extending tabs from the side members to position the cabinet with respect to the base. The cabinet is held in position on the base by a pair of spring clips engaging the rear panel and each having a portion abutting a top of the cabinet and curved portions extending into the cabinet through aligned slots in the top thereof to maintain a spring tension. The cabinet is thus retained without the use of screws and its removal does not impair the functional operation of the internal components.

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St. Joseph Township, MI, United States of America

Robert B Sherer