US1923580A - Method and apparatus for washing clothes - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 1933. J. c. NELSON 1,923,580

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES Filed April 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l 40 INVENTDR BY A umms 3 Aug. 22, 1933. NELSON 1,923,580

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES Filed April 15, 1933 s sheets-sheet 2 7 3 v I H I I 3 @I I 22200 C WITNESS 4 7 Y; 2

An mums Aug. 22, 1933. Q NELSON 1,923,580

. m THOD AND APPARATUS FOR WA NG CLOTHES Filed April 15, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATrnRNEYs Patented Aug. 22, 1933 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR WASHING CLOTHES METHOD AND Jabez Curry Nelson, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Easy Washing Machine Corporation, Syracuse N. Y., a Corporation of Delaware I Application April 15, 1933. Serial No. 666,338

31 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in method and apparatus for washing clothes.

Clothes washing machines of the type in which an agitator is mounted centrally in [a washing machine vat, commonly known in the art as dolly type machines may, in general, be divided into two classes. The first class utilizes a continuously rotating dolly while those of the second class employ an oscillating dolly.

Machines of the first class, although they have a distinct advantage in that they circulate the water and clothes in one direction only, insuring thorough and continuous circulation of the clothes and washing fluid around and around the entire circumference of the annular space between the dolly and the vat, have at least two disadvantages which have practically restricted their commercial use; first, the clothes tend to wrap around and become entangled on the dolly and may be more rapidly worn or even torn if the dragging action of the dolly becomes too positive; second, the clothes tend to,circulate substantially'in a body-that is, the clothes may not be relatively agitated and drawn sufiiciently to insure thorough inter-mingling of the clothes with the washing fluid, or on the other hand, a

longer period of time may be required to effectively wash the clothes.

These disadvantages have led, in this type of machine, to the practically universal commercial adoption of the oscillatory type of dolly. However, the oscillatory dolly machine has certain inherent disadvantages, the most important of which may be that while the clothes are perhaps more thoroughly agitated than in the rotatable type, due to the fact that the action of the dolly in one direction is counteracted by the action in the opposed direction at regular alternate intervals the clothes remain substantially in the same position circumferentially of the vat within the limits of the oscillatory movement of the dolly and even this movement is very much restricted when such a machine contains a normal load or batch of clothes for which the apparatus was designed. Little circulation of the clothes is obtained and all portions of the surfaces of the clothes are not readily exposed to cleansing action.

Further, both of the above types of machines have one common disadvantage in' that the clothes, while they are to a certain extent both circulated and agitated, are not during the operation, spread out, unfolded and separated so as to expose each portion of each article individually to a thorough washing action.

By the present invention, a radically new method and apparatus for washing clothes is produced, markedly different from either of the above types of machines or the methods carried out thereby in that the method and apparatus of the present invention insures a thorough circulation of the washing fluid and movement of the clothes being washed in one direction around the vat whereby the clothes are thoroughly cleansed by rubbing friction and the movement of the fluid throughout the entire circumference of the vat, while at the same time eliminating the tendency for the clothes to wrap around or entangle on the dolly.

In addition, this invention has certain other marked superiorities which radically distinguish it from the washing machines above referred to, which improvements or superior characteristics may perhaps be characterized by the distinction which may be said to exist between the terms collectively and individually. The clothes in both of the above previous types of dolly machines referred to are treated and washed collectively- 0 that is, the entire body of the clothes moves collectively in one direction in the continuously rotating dolly type and oscillates collectively in the oscillating dolly type, whereas in contradistinction, the clothes by the present method and apparatus may be said to be treated and washed individually. Each article of clothing I during the washing cycle is individually drawn away and separated from the collective batch of clothes and is unfolded, flexed and is individually subjected to the rubbing action of the dolly and the adjacent clothes while in the washing fluid so that the entire surface of each article is substantially uniformly subjected to the cleansing action of the washing fluid and is thoroughly and uniformly washed in a reasonably short period of time.

More specifically, an object of this invention is to provide an oscillatable dolly so constructed and arranged that it will cause the water to circulate around the vat in one direction whereby complete circulation of the clothes is obtained.

A further object is to provide an oscillatable dolly in the general form of a high pitch coneshaped body with a spiral blade or blades thereon so constructed and arranged that it will cause the fluid in the vat to circulate around the tub in one direction, the velocity of such circulation however, being, during spaced substantially uniform intervals, retarded or caused to hesitate and ,downwardly to be thrown, forced or drawn out at the bottom ends of the blades at the expiration of the alternate retardable or hesitation periods and during the alternate periods when the velocity of circulation of the fluid and clothes in the unitary direction has been accelerated. This operation is rendered more effective by reason of the fact that the ends of the blades project from the cone toward the side of the tub at the bottom of the cone-shaped body leaving an open space between the blades leading to the vat bottom outside the border of the base of the cone-shaped body whereby the clothes can move to the bottom of the vat in the space between adjacent blades. A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a method of washing clothes which consists in actuating or moving a washing fluid in a vat containing clothes to be washed in such a manner that it circulatescontinuously in a unitary direction accompanied by an intermittent alternate retardation period or in cases, for instance, of heavy load with a seeming hesitation period during which retardation or hesitation period, the clothes are drawn or sucked by a partial vacuum downwardly at. the center of the vat with the distinct tendency to pull out and separate each article from adjacent articles so that they move piece by piece toward the bottom of the vat with a radially outward movement of preferably small degree until they reach the bottom of the vat where they are forced outwardly with a component movement forward around the vat in the direction of circulation until they reach the inner surface of the vat and they continue to move forwardly and upwardly and inwardly until they reach the upper surface of the vat near the center thereof and are subjected to the reduced pressure existing near that point and the cycle is repeated. The form of direction of movement is generally in an advancing spiral around the vat with intermittent periods of retardation which may even reach a seeming hesitation with heavy loads.

The velocity of the advancing movement of the washing fluid and the clothes in the advancing spiral direction described varies somewhat dewith the same quantity of washing fluid and a comparatively large or heavy load of clothes, the cycle of operation as determined by a single movement of water and clothes through the defined spiral is comparatively short and may take place within an arc of movement of 180 degrees more or less. In other words, the inclination and length of the spiral defining a single cycle of operation is dependent upon the amount of washing fluid in the vat as compared with the load of clothes. t;

Other objects and advantages of this invencirculation of the water and clothes.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the center line of the dolly showing a portion of the vat and the operating means for the dolly.

- Figure 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a slightly modified form of dolly in which the conical surface is slightly concaved or symmetrically curved on .a long radius.

Figurue5 illustrates a cross-section'of a washing machine incorporating the dolly of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an elevation of a further modified and perhaps preferred form of dolly with complete conical body.

Figure 7 is a top plan of the same.

Figure 8 is a cross-section taken on line 8-8, Figure 6.

This invention, as illustrated herein, comprises an ordinary vat or tub 1 preferably circular in horizontal cross-section and may be provided with a removable cover 2. The bottom of the tub at substantially its central portion is provided with an opening for the reception of one end of an upstanding sleeve 3 secured to the bottom 40 of the tub in any suitable water-tight manner. This sleeve at its upper end is provided with a portion 4 of reduced internal diameter constituting an upper bearing for an oscillatory dolly shaft 5 which extends upwardly from a point without the vat to a point above the bearing 4.

- The lower end of the dolly shaft 5 may, as shown in Figure 5, have an end thrust bearing 6 with a contact ball '7 upon which the shaft oscillates. Any usual and well-known means may be provided for oscillating the dolly shaft through a desirable are as, for instance, 200 degrees more or less, and there is here shown a gear 8 mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and adapted to be driven in reverse directions by a segment gear or rack 9 reciprocated from any suitable source of power. The dolly shaft 5 projects above the bearing 4 and is formed at its upper end with lengthwise splines or grooves for inter-engagement with corresponding splines or grooves on a bearing member 10 permanently secured within the upper closed end 11 of dolly 12. In this manner, a driving connection and support for the dolly is provided by means of the dolly shaft 5 itself, and preferably the dolly shaft is out of contact with the interior of sleeve 3 except at the bearing 4 although this is not essential.

The dolly 12 may further have a bearing on the sleeve 3 and for this purpose, is formed with a plurality of inwardly extending flanges 13, in this case, shown as four in number, each formed at its lower end with a shouldered portion for receiving a bearing disk 14 permanently secured to the flanges 13 and adapted to rotate about the exterior surface of the sleeve 3.

The dolly 12 of this invention is of new, novel and peculiar form and arrangement and comprises, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 a conical body section 15 merging at its upper end into a substantially cylindrical post section 16 terminating in the curved top 11 normally projecting some distance above the water level in the vat 1 for the reason that the upper end of the sleeve tion will appear from the following description, 3 is designed to extend above'such water level so that there can be no leakage of washing fluid through the bearing 4.

A series, in this instance three, of spirally arranged blades 17 are secured upon or project outwardly from the conical portion 15 of the dolly as they extend downwardly from top to bottom thereof. The upper ends 18 of these blades may, as shown, extend vertically in substantially straight lines along the post section 16 of the dolly, but merge symmetrically into the spirally arranged blade portions on the cone surface of the dolly. Although these blades may project a uniform distance from the surface of the dolly throughout their length, it is preferable that they should gradually widen asthey extend downwardly from their upper ends to lower ends merging substantially into the posts 16 near its upper end but projecting substantial distances radially from the periphery of the dolly at its base. In this manner, channels or passageways are formed between the adjacent blades which extend spirally around the cone surface of the dolly and open at their lower ends to the bottom of the tub beyond the periphery of the base of the dolly. Further, the degree of curvature of the spiral blades may vary substantially but it is found that good results are obtained when the lower end of the blade terminates approximately 180 degrees around the circumference of the cone from the point of termination of the upper ends of the blades.

The blades, in their circuitous paths on the conical surface, traverse elements of the conical portion of the agitator and by the terms elements of the conical portion or cone-shaped por-' tion as used herein, are meant imaginary straight lines extending from the apex of the conical portion along its outer surface to and intersecting the base thereof, and which lines are perpendicular to the tangent to the base circle at the point of intersection.

Further, it is desirable to incline the spirally arranged blades projecting from the surface of the cone with respect to a line normal to the surface of the cone. This angle of inclination may be uniform throughout the length of the spiral portion of the blade, but preferably gradually increases from the upper portion of the blade toward the lower end thereof. This inclination of the blade with respect to a line normal to the cone surface forms a pocket upon one side of the blade as indicated at 19 and the side of the blade toward this pocket may, for the purpose of this specification, be termed the forward side of .the blade as its movement clockwise of the vat 1 causes the water circulation in the vat 1, whichis in one direction around the vat as indicated in dotted lines, Figure 1.

When the dolly moves reversely in a counterclockwise direction, the spiral arrangement of the blades on the cone surface assisted in some extent by the inclination of the blades with 'respect to a line normal to the cone surface permits the blades to move through the washing fluid without causing reverse movement thereof much in the manner of a slipping clutch. However, this counterclockwise alternate movement of the dolly tends to a certain extent, to momentarily retard the flow of the fluid around the vat in a clockwise direction. So far as the dolly is concerned, this retarding movement depends greatly upon the radius upon which the spirals are formed, as well as the extent of inclination of the blades with respect to a line normal to the cone surface. However, although the dolly determines and causes the flow of the fiuid'around the vat in one directionwithout reverse movement thereof, the weight or quantity of clothes being washed in the aparatus determines the extent to which that flow in one direction is retarded by the counterclockwise movement of the dolly and it is possible by placing heavy loads of clothes in the machine,to retard momentarily the flow of the washing fluid in one direction to such extent that a seeming hesitation takes place in such flow.

The dolly of Figures 4 and 5 is substantially the same as the dolly of Figure 1 except that the body thereof is in the form of a continuous cone 22, the exterior conical surface of which is slightly con-' caved or formed upon an arc of long radius and the further fact that the, blades 23 which are spirally arranged upon the conical surface of the dolly in the same manner as illustrated in Figure 1 constitute a continuous spiral from their upper ends to their lower ends.

The dolly of Figures 6, '7 and 8 constituting a perhaps preferred form of the invention is substantially the same as the dollies of Figures 1 and 4 except that its body portion 24 is a right angle cone from top to bottom and the blades 25 as in the dolly of Figure 4 constitute spirals throughout from upper end to lower end.

Although the pitch of the cone body of the dolly of this invention may vary considerably, it is found that the effective operation thereof in' connection with the spirally arranged blades preferably inclined with respect to a line normal to the cone surface and preferably utilizes a cone dolly of high pitch and, as shown in Figure 8, the angle of inclination of the cone surface to a vertical 10 plane is preferably about 10 degrees although, as stated, this may vary considerably on either side of the prescribed degree. Further, the inclination of the spiral blades with respect toa line normal to the surface of the cone may vary considerably, but is found here also that the tendency of the dolly to cause a retarding of the circulation of the fluid in one direction about the vat is decreased as this angle is decreased within limits and an angle of 10 degrees is found effective in forming the desired pocket on the forward side of the blade as hereinbefore defined.

Further, the radius upon which the spiral blades are formed may vary considerably, but

their radius also has a material effect upon the extent to which the circulation is retarded during alternate periods of oscillation of the dolly. As theradius is decreased, the extent oLthe retarding of the circulation decreases. As before stated,

a satisfactory result is obtained when the lower 13 approximating 200 degrees more or less is efiective in the operation of this apparatus.

Although the method of washing effected by this apparatus has been heretofore generally described, it may further be said, as perhaps best illustrated by the arrows in Figure 1, that in operation when the dolly is moved in a clockwise direction, the washing fluid and clothes are caught by the spirally arranged blades and moved or pulled forwardly retaining a substantial momentum when the dolly reverses in a counterclockwise direction. In moving counterclockwise, the blades due to their form and relation with respect to the cone, slide through the clothes and the water without neutralizing this momentum but to a certain extent dependent upon the amount of clothes in the vat, will reduce this momentum causing a retardation of. the fluid. However, as the spiral blades on the cone surface move counterclockwise, a vacuum is produced in the space between the blades perhaps particularly because of the pocket formed in front of each blade due to its inclination with respect to a line normal to the surface of the cone. This vacuum is of sumcient extentso as to suck portions of the clothes adjacent the dolly into the space between the blades.

The normal operation is that the suction picks out a portion of one piece of the clothes and draws it partially into this space. This continues until the dolly reverses and moves in a counterclockwise direction whereupon the clothes and the water are again pushed and forcibly moved forwardly around the vat. Upon reverse movement, the dolly again slips through the water and the clothes, and the suction thereupon acts again to draw the piece of cloth further down in the channel between two blades.

The operation continues and the number of forward movements and reversals 'in order that the vacuum produced in the space between any blade, may separate out the particular piece of cloth upon which it is operating, depends upon the length of the cloth and to a considerable extent, upon the amount of clothes being washed. However, in a few operations, the vacuum operates to draw the entire piece of cloth into the channel between the blades and if the cloth is long enough, has thrown out the first portion that was sucked in from the space between the bottom of the blades to the bottom of the tub and outwardly therefrom, but due to the fact that the water movement and the movement of the clothes is in one direction around the tub, this outward movement of the piece of cloth discharged through the space between the bottom of the blades has a forward component and, therefore, moves outwardly and forwardly toward the edge of the tub.

As the operation continues, it moves around the tub gradually rising toward the surface of the washing fluid, until such time as it has reached the surface, whereupon it moves inwardly with the forward component toward the dolly until it again comes within the influence, of the suction produced at the front of the blades during the counterclockwise movement of the dolly, whereupon it is again sucked into the space between the blades and the operation is repeated.

By way of analogy, it may be said that the operation of this dolly in the washing of clothes is very similar to the action effected by a ratchet clutch. When the dolly moves in what we have herein'termed a forward direction, it effects a positive movement of the clothes and water in one direction around the tub pushing and drawing the clothes adjacent the dolly and effecting circulation forwardly around the tub. Upon the reverse or backward action of the dolly, it slides through the water and past the clothes decreasing to a certain extent the momentum given the water and the clothes on the forward stroke of the dolly. The reverse stroke is, therefore, utilized to produce a substantial subatmospheric pressure in the space or pockets in front of the blades which subatmospheric pressure. acts to separate and draw the clothes individually into the space or channels between adjacent blades where they are sucked downwardly to the bottom of the tub and thrown out radially, during which movement they are subjected individually to a friction and water washing action.

With this dolly, I have therefore, a power stroke positive in itsaction in moving the clothes and the water and what may be termed a free vacuumproducing stroke where the movement of the clothes downwardly at the centerof the dolly is eflected by sub-atmospheric pressure as distinguished from a positive forced movement caused I by rotary movement of the dolly.

Although I have shown and described specific forms and constructions of apparatus as constituting embodiments of the invention capable of carrying out the novel method described herein, I do not desire. to restrict myself to the details of the constructions or forms illustrated, or of the method described except where the same are specifically included in the claims hereto appended, as various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of washing clothes which comprises immersing a body of clothes in a vat containing washing fluid, creating violently flowing well-defined currents of fluid advancing around the vat in one general circulatory direction and defining a cycle of operation, said currents including two successive substantially spiral paths of fluid movement in different directions, and separating and flexing the clothes as they move during said cycle of operation whereby to secure a more uniform and thorough washing action.

2. The method of washing clothes by individual .action on the clothes as distinguished from collective action which comprises immersing a body of clothes in a vat containing washing fluid, violent- 1y agitating the clothes and washing fluid so as to cause them, during a cycle of operation, to flow in well-defined paths around the vat in one substantially continuous circulatory direction, said paths including movement downwardly adjacent the center of the vat and outwardly there from toward the sides of the vat and then upwardly along the sides of the vat and inwardly toward the center of the vat.

3. The method of washing clothes by individual action on the clothes as distinguished from collective action which comprises immersing a body of clothes in avat containing washing fluid, violently agitating the clothes and washing fluid so as to cause them to flow in successive welldeflned generally spiral paths around the vat in one substantially continuous circulatory direction, each of said successive paths including movement downwardly adjacent the center of the vat and outwardly therefrom toward the sides of the vat and then upwardly along the sides of the vat and inwardly toward the center of the vat, and individually separating the clothes during such movement whereby to secure a more thorough and uniform cleansing action on the clothes. 4. The method of washing clothes by individualv individual articles of clothes during each cyle of eral direction with respect to the surface of said 5. The method of washing clothes by individual action as distinguished from collective action which comprises immersing a body ofclothes, to

be washed in a vat, circulating the contents of the vat in one general well-defined circulatory direction around the vat throughout successive cycles of. operation, retarding the circulatory movement during each cycle of operation, and

flexing and separating individual articles of clothing from the mass during said retardation period whereby to cleanse the clothes more uniformly and thoroughly.

6. The method of washing clothes in a washing fluid which comprisesmoving the clothes and washing fluid in successivewell-defined substantially spiral paths progressing in the same general circulatory direction, each spiral path in the general circulatory direction including an outer upwardly incliningportion and a downwardly extending inner portion.

7. The methodof washing clothes'in a washing fluid which comprises moving the clothes and washing fluid in successive well-defined substantially spiral paths progressing in the same general circulatory direction,' each spiral path in the general circulatory direction including an outer upwardly inclining portion and an inher downwardly inclining'lportion, and separating and flexing the clothes at and adjacent the inner downwardly inclining portion of the path whereby the clothes are subjected to individual washing action. I

8. The method of washing clothes in a washing fluid which comprises moving the clothes and washing fluid in successive well-defined substantially spiral paths progressing inthe same general circulatory direction, each spiral path in the general circulatory direction including an outer upwardly inclining portion and an inner downwardly inclining portion and momentarily retarding the movement of the clothes and washing fluid during movement throughout each successive spiral path.

9. In a machine for washing clothes, a vat, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator including means configurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction responsive to the operation of the agitator.

10. A washing machine comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator including means rigid therewith configurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around said vat in one general circulatory direction during a cycle of operation defined by an oscillation of saidagitator.

11. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted.therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a central portion, and a plurality of blades rigid therewith and inclined with respect to a normal to said central portion in the same direction and acting to circulate fluid and clothes around said vat in one general circulatory direction during a cycle of operation defined by an oscillation of said agitator.

12. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a central substantially conical portion, and a plurality of spiral blades immovable thereon and advancing in the same gen central portion.

13. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mountedtherei'n, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising an upstanding central portion, and

a plurality of blades extending lengthwise of said portion and advancing in the same general direction on the surface of said central portion for circulating clothes and fluid in one general direction around the .vat.

'14. A machine for washing clothes compris ing a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising an upstanding central portion having a substantially conically-shaped surface,

a plurality of blades extending lengthwise of said central portion and curved in the same gen-' eral direction on said surface for circulating clothes and fluid in one general direction around the vat, said cone-shaped surface and said blades co-operating, during a cycle of operation defined by an oscillation of said agitator, to draw the clothes downwardly adjacent the center of the vat and throw them outwardly towards the sides of the vat.

15. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat adapted to have a normal surface level of cleansing fluid therein, an oscillatable agitator mounted in said vat, said agitator including a central portion extending substantially to or above the normal surface level of fluid, and

a plurality of spiral blades rigid with said central, portion and extending downwardly along the surface thereof and advancing in the same general direction with respect to the surface of said central portion, and inclined on the surface of said central portion in the same general direction and adapted to circulate the clothes in one'general circulatory direction around the vat.

16. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a cone-shaped portion'having a pitch in excess of 45 degrees, and a plurality of blades extending lengthwise of the cone-shaped portion and traversing elements thereof.

1'7. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a body portion having a downwardly and outwardly extending surface, and a plurality of curved blades extending lengthwise of the body portion and inclined in the same direction on the surface of said body portion.

18. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an upstanding oscillatableagitator mounted therein, said agitator comprising a central portion having at least three blades rigid therewith and extending downwardly along said por tion and inclined in the same direction with respect to the surface of said central portion and forming channelsextending downwardly toward the bottom of the vat.

19. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, said agitator comprising an upstanding central portion having at least three blades rigid therewith and curved around the surface of said central portion, forming channels extending downwardly toward the bottom of the vat, the over-all diameter of the agitator increasing from top to bottom thereof.

20. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat adapted to have a normal surface level of cleansing fluid therein, an upstanding oscillatable agitator'mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator including means conflgurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction responsive to the operation of the agitator and said agitator being effective from substantially the normal surface level of fluid in the vat to thebottom of the vat.

21. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a central portion having a downwardly and outwardly extending surface, and means on said central portion conflgurated so as to circulate water and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction during a cycle of operation defined by an oscillation of said agitator.

22. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat adapted to have a normal surface level of cleansing fluid therein, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising an upstanding central portion, and means rigid thereon effective substantially from the normal surface level of fluid in the vat to the bottom of the vat, forming channels extending downwardly toward the bottom of the vat and configurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction responsive to the operation of the agitator.

23. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat adapted to have a normal surface level of cleansing fluid therein, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a central portion extending from substantially at least the normal level of cleasing fluid to the bottom of the vat, said central portion having a cone -shaped surface, and means on said cone-shaped surface effective substantially from the normal surface level of cleansing fluid to the bottom of the vat and conflgurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction responsive to the operation of the agitator.

24. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat adapted to have a normal surface level of cleansing fluid therein, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a central portion, and means on said central portion effective substantially from the normal cleansing fluid level to the bottom of the vat and conflgurated so as to draw the clothes downwardly near the center of the vat and circulate them in one general circulatory direction around the vat responsive to the operation of the agitator.

"25. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mountcomprising a body portion having a downwardly and outwardly extending surface, and a plurality of curved blades extending downwardly along the body portion and advancing in the same general direction on the surface of said body portion and increasing in widthtoward theirclower ends.

27. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vet, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a body portion having a downwardly and outwardly extending surface, and a plurality of curved blades extending downwardly along the body portion and inclined with respect to the surface of said body portion and advancing in the same general direction with respect to said body portion and increasing in width toward their lower ends.

28. A washing machine comprising a vat adapted to have an approximate normalwater level for washing, an upstanding agitator inounted in the vat, means for oscillating 'the agitator, said agitator comprising a high-pitched substantially conically-shaped surface extending from adja--' cent the normal water level in the vat to the bottom thereof and at least three curved blades ex-' tending outwardly from and continuously advancing around the said surface in the same general direction through an are so as to circulate .fluid and clothes around the vat in one general ing, an upstanding agitator mounted in the vat,

means for oscillating the agitator, said agitator comprising a high-pitched substantially conivat and at least three blades extending outwardly from, downwardly along' and curved around the said surface in the same general direction through an arc and inclined in the same direction with respect to a normal to said surface and increasing in width toward their lower ends.

30. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, adapted to have an approximate normal surface level of cleansing fluid therein, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator including means configurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction during a cycle of operation and said agitator being effective from substantially the normal surface level of cleansing fluid to the bottom of the vat and increasing in effectiveness as it extends from substantially the normal surface level to substantially the bottom of the vat.

31. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat adapted to have a normal surface level of cleansing fluid therein, an oscillatable agitator mounted in said vat, said agitator including a central portion extending substantially to or above the normal surface level of fluid, and a plurality of spiral blades rigid with said central portion and extending downwardly along the surface thereof and advancing in the same general direction with respect to the surface of said central portion.

' JABEZ CURRY NELSON.

DISCLAIMER 1,923,580.Ja6ez Garry Nelson, Syracuse, N. Y. METHOD AND Arrsnarus FOR WAsHING Cnornns. Patent dated August 22, 1933. Disclaimer filed Apr1l 9, 1935, by the patentee, the assignee, Easy Washing Machine 00rpomtzon, consenting. Hereby enters a disclaimer to claims 9, 10, 13, 21, and 25 in said Letters Patent which are in the following words, to wit:

9. In a machine for washing clothes, a vat, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator including means configurated so as to circulate fluid. and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory d1rection responsive to the operation of the agitator.

10. A washing machine comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator including means rigid therewith configurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around said vat in one general circulatory direction during a cycle f operation defined by an oscillation of said agitator.

13. A machine for washing clothes comprising a yat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprismg an upstanding central portion, and a plurality of blades extending lengthwise of said portion and advancing in the same general direction on the surface of said central portion for circulating clothes and fluid in one general direction around the vat.

21. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for Oscillating said agitator, said agitator comprising a central portion having a downwardly and outwardly extending surface, and means on said central portion configurated so as to circulate water and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction during a cycle of operation defined by an oscillation of said agitator. v

25. A machine for washing clothes comprising a vat, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, means for oscillating said agitator to define a cycle of operation, said agitator including means configurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around the vat in'one general circulatory direction with an intermittent retardation of said circulation during the cycle of operatlon.

[Oflicial Gazette April 80, 1935.]

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