The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 1978
Filed:
Oct. 06, 1977
Clark I Platt, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Jack F Clearman, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
An automatic washing machine of the vertical axis, oscillating agitator type promotes an improved rollover washing action. A separate lower camming element beneath the skirt portion of the upper, oscillating agitator is moved in a stepwise, unidirectional rotation about the axis and carries on an outer periphery thereof at least one ramp surface inclined upwardly opposite its direction of rotation. A clutch arrangement between the agitator skirt and the camming element effects positive rotation of the element during a portion of each one-half cycle of agitator oscillation, leaving the element at rest during the other part of the oscillation cycle. In one embodiment a ratchet-type clutch is employed having inclined teeth on the agitator skirt and spaced-apart, oppositely-inclined lugs or notches on a cooperating portion of the camming element.