US2695510A

US2695510A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: US2695510A
Application number: US37573A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clark Kendall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-07-08
Filing date: 1948-07-08
Publication date: 1954-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 1971-11-30

Description

Nov. 30, 1954 K. CLARK WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8, 1948 2 .m a w wfi w m R 8 a I I IT 9 m 4 V 2 a m 8 4 M. 7 0 2 n HI 9 x 3 a f M I W u m -1--I /m 2 4 I l 6 8 0 Z l 4 9 m m D I B Nov. 30, 1954 K. CLARK WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1948 United States Patent Office r 2,695,510 Patented Nov. 30, 1954 WASHING MACHINE Kendall Clark, Glen Ellyn, Ill.

Application July 8, 1948, Serial No. 37,573 18 Claims. (CL 68-43) This invention relates to a washing machine and more particularly to a machine of the automatic type.-

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved form of agitator in which the clothes in the machine are agitated without causing any objectionable tangling.

it is another object of this invention to provide a wash-- ing machine of the automatic type-hr which the agitator scoops the water and clothes radially inwardly along the bottom of the tub and then upwardly so as to circulate the clothes Within the tub.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machine of the automatic type inwhich the agitator causes floating dirt and South, if any, to' collect adjacent the Wall of the tub, so that when the spinningoperation tion, as will become. more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a first embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a second or modified agitator construction which may be substituted for the agitator construction shown in Figure. l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing the relationship between the agitator drive shaft and the agitator supporting shaftin the first embodiment of my invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing the relationship between the drive shaft and the agitator support and taken at right angles to" the corresponding construction shown in Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the relationship between the agitator drive shaft and the agitator supporting shaft in the second type of agitator construction shown in Figure 2- of the drawings;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the man'- nerin which the basket adjusts itself during the spinning operation to compensate for any uneven distribution of the clothes in the basket; and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a radial element 45 of a hyperbolic figure. of revolution generated by the axis of the agitatorsupporting. shaft shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 while in operation.

Referring now to the drawings wherein there is illustratedtwo preferred embodimentsof my invention; reference numeral 10 designates generally the main outer housing for the washing machine'withinthe upper end of which a clothes washing tubor basket 12 is disposed. A circular trough ordrain'basin 1 3'is arranged beneath the tub 12' as shown. Reference numeral 1'4 designates a stationary hollow housing and bearing support element which is resiliently supportetlat its lower end on the: stationary brackets 16' by means of a plurality of rubber orrubber-like grommets: or mounting elements 18'. The-upper endofthe hollow element 14isprovided' with a'snubbing plate 19 which is frictionally engaged bythe snubber pads 221- which are? supported-2 by means of suiti 2 able resilient brackets 29 carried by the trough or drain basin 13, as shown in Figure 1-. This construction permits. relative lateral snubbing movement between the element 14 and the stationary trough 13 for a purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter.

A hollow shaft 24, is supported withinthe element 14 by means of the

ball bearing assemblies

17 and 21 andhas secured thereto a drive pulley 26 at its lower end. The drive shaft 24 is drivingly connected to the basket or tub 12 through the. rubber or rubber-like member 2-8 which is vulcamzed or otherwise secured to the lower portion of the basket 12 and also. to the adapter 15 secured to the upper portion of the shaft 24. The member 28 thus constitutes a universal joint for connecting the basket 12 to the shaft 24. g

A solid shaft 40 is arranged to rotate within the hollow shaft 24 and isadapted to operate the agitator 50. A motor and pulley arrangement to be described more fully hereinafter is adapted to operate the agitator drive shaft 40 at a relatively slow speed during the clothes washing period and to operate the tub or basket spinning shaft 24 at a relatively high speed for removing water from the clothes after the clothes have been washed.

Onefof the major problems in designing a Washing machine in which the basket or tub is spun at a high rate of speed for removing the water from the clothes is that of compensating for uneven loading of the clothes within the machine. The purpose of the resilient connection 28 is to automatically allow the basket to. shift its, axis so as to compensate for such uneven loading without causing excessive vibration when the basket spins at the desired high speed necessary for effectively removing the Water fromthe clothes. The resiliency of the rubber or rubber-like element 28 is selected such that it is capable. of holding the basket substantially upright when the basket is at rest and when filled with water and clothes, but it is made sufiiciently yieldable to permit the basket to tilt during the spinning operation. The construction and arrangement of the connection 28 and the resilient mounting for the hollow main bearing support 14 is such that the: basket is held upright at slow basket speeds but isallowed to shift at higher speeds so as to compensate for uneven distribution of load within the basket and thereby avoid excessive vibration and strain on the washing machine housing.

Figure 6 somewhat. diagrammatically illustrates the principle of operation involved. In this figure the

referencejnumerals

29 and 31 designate unequal quantities of clothes within the tub 12. The dottedline 35 indi cates the plane of maximum polar inertia when the basket is spinning.

Reference numerals

35 and 37 desig-" nate' respectively the axis of spin and the axis of sym metry of the basket and the basket driving shaft. Reference numeral 28a is used to' designate the flexible joint 28 which allows the basket to tilt relative to the axis of the drive shaft. The axis of symmetry of the drive shaft designated by the reference numeral. 37 is not necessarily in direct alignment with the axis of sym metry of the basket. By virtue of the above described arrangement, the basket shifts automatically so as to compensate for uneven loading and thereby prevents excessive vibration and strain on the parts.

Any' unbalance in load occurs in the lower portion of thebasket and the plane of maximum polar inertia would thus be inclined to the axis of symmetry of the basket.

When the basket and its load then begins to spin about their mutual center of gravity with such an unbalanced load, there is a tendency for the plane of maximum polar inertia to become perpendicular to' the axis of spin and in so doing the common axis of symmetry bonds at the universal joint, with the result that' the axis of shaft 14 is forced nearer to the axis of spin. This reduces the gyration .of the supporting. tubular shaft 14 and conse-' quently less vibration is transmitted through snubbing disc 19 and the snubber pads 22 to the trough or drain basin 13.

A conventional shaft seal of the type commonly used in refrigerating systems is provided at 39 for preventing the escape of water between the rotating shaft 24 and the bottom of the water compartment. Suitable ball bearings are used throughout, as shown, for supporting low shaft 24 and has secured thereto at its lower end a V-belt pulley"42 which is used in operating the main agitator generally designated by the reference numeral 50. The upper end of the solid shaft 40 has secured thereto a crank arm 44 which in turn carries the agitator supporting shaft 46 to which the agitator assembly 50 is rotatably supported by means of a suitable ball bearing assembly 52 and agitator support 54. The shaft 46 is preferably anchored in the crank arm 44 so as not to rotate relative to the arm 44 but so as to rotate about the axis of the shaft 40. The longitudinal axis of the shaft 46 lies in a plane parallel to but offset from a plane passing through the longitudinal axis or axis of rotation of the shaft 40.

As indicated in Figures l and? of the drawings, the agitator supporting shaft 46 is arranged with its axis inclined to, but not intersecting, the axis of shaft 40. A line 43 (see Figure 4) designates the position of minimum distance between the axes of the

shafts

46 and 40. The axes of the'agitator supporting shaft 46 and the drive shaft 40 lie in two parallel planes respectively which are mutually perpendicular to the line 43. The length of line 43 may be-constructed at any length from zero to slightly less than the radius of the tub. The minimum distance position between the axes of shafts 40 and 46 (designated by radius 43) may be located at any vertical position on the axis of shaft 40 or projected extensions thereof; for example, Figures 3 and 4 show it below the crank arm 44 and Figures 2 and 5 show it above the crank arm. The agitator assembly 50 is prevented from actually rotating about its own axis by means of the flexible element 28 secured to the upper end of the hollow shaft 24, as shown in Figure 1, or it may be'rotated as it gyrates when in contact with fabrics in the basket as in the construction shown in FigureZ.

By virtue of the above described arrangement, it will be observed that rotation of the main drive shaft 40 will cause the agitator S0 to gyrate in a circular path about the axis of the shaft 40 without rotating in unison with the shaft 40. The construction and arrangement of the drive shaft 40 and the agitator supporting shaft 46 are such that as the shaft 40 is rotated, the projection of each and every point on the agitator 50 on a vertical plane through the axis of shaft 40 will travel in an elliptical path relative to the vertical plane, as illustrated by the

representative ellipses

60 and 61 shown indotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawings. Thus it will be observed that the periphery of the agitator member 66 describes an elliptical-path as projected ona vertical plane as shown in Figure 1, while the ,axis of the agitator assembly describes a hyperbolic figure of revolution 45, one radial element of which appears as indicated by the reference numeral in Figure 7. The arrangement of

shaft

46 or 46a with respect to the shaft 40 may be referred to as a hyperbolic crank, due to the fact that every point in the axis of the

shaft

46 or 46a generates a circle about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 40. The. loci of points formed by the intersection of this family of circles with any plane lying in the longitudinal axis of. the shaft 40 forms a hyperbolic curve. In other words, the axis of

shaft

46 or 46a may be referred to as a generatrix revolving about the shaft 40 generating or sweeping out a figure of revolution which is a hyperbolic figure; hence, it seems the term hyperbolic crank very, aptly describes the arrangement of

shafts

40 and 46 or 46a. i

In order to increase the effectiveness of the agitator in producing circulation of liquid within the tub 12, there is provided a pair of rubber or rubber-like members 64 and 66 which serve to assist in propelling the wash water in the tub. The elliptical motion of the periphery of the agitator members 64 and 66 is such that the water will tend to flow in the direction indicated by the arrows when the agitator is rotated in the proper direction or opposite to the arrows if the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction. The agitator causes both a scooping action and a wobbling action. It will be noted that with the water traveling in the direction indicated by the arrows, any scum or foam which might collect on the top of the wash water will tend to collect adjacent the outer edge of the basket, so that when the basket is caused to spin for drying clothes, the scum will be car ried along with the first water to leave the basket.

The exact construction of the basket 12 may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of my invention. For purposes of illustration, I have shown the basket made up in two parts which have their meeting edges partially telescoped together with clearance between the edges, so as to provide an outlet 11 for the water during the spinning operation. Baskets of this type are well known and need no further description. The basket 12 constitutes an inner water receptacle and the upper portion of the main housing 10 constitutes an outer water receptacle for receiving the water leaving the receptacle 1 12 during the spinning operation.

For purposes of illustrating the invention, I have shown an electric motor for supplying power for operating the agitator 50, for spinning the basket 12, and for operating the water pump 84, whereas an internal combustion engine or any other type of power unit could be used. In the preferred embodiment, the electric motor 80 is provided with an upper shaft extension 82 to which a water impeller or pump 84 is secured so as to forcefully pump water out of the trough 13 to the line 86 to which a hose or the like may be attached for conveying the water to any desired point such as a drain or to a point of reuse. The motor 80 is also provided with a lower shaft extension 88 to which there is secured a pulley supporting element 90 which is keyed to rotate with the shaft 88 at all times. A combination clutch plate and pulley flange 92 is secured to the element 90, so as to rotate with the element 90 at all times. A complementary pulley flange 96 is slidably supported on the element 90 and is biased into belt engaging position by a coil spring 98 which serves to maintain the proper tension of the belt 94 which is arranged for driving the V-belt pulley secured to the lower end of the agitator drive shaft 40. The arrangement is such that the agitator shaft 40 is driven by the motor 80 at a relatively slow speed whenever the motor 80 is operating. A floating V-belt pulley 100 is slidably and rotatably supported on the element 90 and is provided with friction material 102 on its opposite sides as indicated. A pulley shifting arm 104 is provided which serves to shift the pulley 100 axially. The arm 104 is controlled by the solenoid assembly 106 which when energized serves to shove the pulley 100 andits associated friction material 102 into driving engagement with the rotating clutch flange 92 which rotates with the motor shaft at all times. Consequently, whenever the solenoid 106 is energized, the hollow shaft 24, to which the spinner tub 12 is secured, will be driven through the medium of the pulley 100, the V-belt 108, and the pulley 26 which is secured to the shaft 24.

When it is desired to discontinue the spinning operation, the solenoid 106 is deenergized, with the result that the V-belt pulley 100 will be moved upwardly'by the spring 110, so as to cause disengagement between the pulley 100 and the rotating element 92 and so as'to cause the pulley 100 to engage the stationary brake surface 112 which is fixed to the stationary motor housing. In other words, the floating pulley 100 rotates with the-motor shaft 88 when the solenoid 106 is energized so as to force the pulley 100 downwardly into driving engagement with the clutch element 92 but is prevented from rotating whenever the solenoid 106 is deenergized and the spring 110 forces the floating pulley out of driving engagement with the clutch 92 and into engagement with the brake sur-' face 112. V

In the form of invention illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the agitator shaft 46 has a wider sweep at its upper end than at its lower end, with the result that the upper surface of the water in the tub- 12 is rather violently pushed around. 'In Figure 2 of the drawings, I have shown a modified agitator arrangement: in which all of the parts are identical to the corresponding parts shown in Figure l of the drawings except that the crank arm 44a, which supports the agitator shaft 4611 on the main drive shaft 40, is arranged to support the agitator shaft 46a at a different angle, as best illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. Also the rubber-like element 28b does not include an upwardly extending portion for preventing relative rotation between the agitator 50 and the agitator supporting shaft 46a. By arranging the agitator shaft 46a so as to taper inwardly toward the central axis of the shaft 40, the upper end of the agitator does. not agitate: the: water to; as; great. an. extent: as. the agitator: arrangement shown imliigureil of? the drawings; Inasmuch as the: crankianmz at the. base of? the: agitator shown. in: Figure 2: is: substantially" the same as the: crank am in: the-constmctiont shown; in Figure l of the draw, iugsg. the: amount of agitation. produced. adjacent the? bot.- ton of the tub will be: much the same as: the agitation produced in; the. bottom. of: the tub; in Figure 1.. The length: of the: crank arms 4'4. or 44a;may' be varied; somewhat depending upon the amount: of. agitation. desired. When. looking: at. right angles to; the. construction. shown. inFigure 5-, one would; see a: construction: similar to the construction showrn im Figure 4'- of the drawinga that the: agitator supporting". shaft. 46a would appear as being in: aiplane paralleh to tlimaxis of? the drive shaftt tit when viewed in the: one direction.

Figure7- schematically shows the: relationship; between the agitator drive shafti. the agitator. supporting: shaft. 46,, and: also shows thehyperboloid: generated by/ the member 46 as; it rotates about. the axis: of shaft; 405.

Although: the preferned= embodiment of' thedevice. has been described, it will be understood that. within: thepurview of. this invention. various changes may! bemade: in. the form, details proportiom and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof. and mode. of operation; which generally statediconsist ima. device capable ofl carrying out the objects set forth; as disclosed and defined; in the appended claims.

Having, thus; described myinvention, I; claim;

1. In a washing, machine, an outer water: receptacle,

an: inner Water receptacle: adapted. to. receive material to be: washed, an: agitator disposed within saidinnen receptacle,, an. agitator drive; shaft, means for supporting said drive shaft within said outer receptacle; a crank. arm on. said drive shaft arranged. within saidiinnerr receptacle,.said; crank arm having its longitudinala axis lying; in a: plane parallel to butofifsefi froma planecont-aining. the axis of rotation of said drive shaft, and an agitatonsupportcarried by said crank arm and projecting upwardly in a direction; towardsvthe axis of. rotation. of said; shaft, said agitator support. being, arrangedto operate-said agitator.

2. In a washing machine; an outer receptacle, an inner receptacle: adapted to receive material to be washed, an agitatordisposed within said inner receptacle, an; agitator drive: shaft means for supporting said drive shaft: within said: outer receptacle, a lateral extensiorr on said drive shaft. arranged within said inner receptacle, said lateral extension including a hyperbolic crank shaft the axis. of which lies-in a plane parallel to butofiset from aplane containing the. longitudinal axis of thedrive shaft; and am agitator support carried by, said. lateral extension and; projecting, upwardly in a direction; away fiiom the central axis of said shaft.

3. In a washing machine, an outer receptacle, an inner receptacle adapted to receive material to be washed, an agitator disposed within said inner receptacle, an agitator drive shaft, means for supporting said drive shaft Within said outer receptacle, a lateral extension on said drive shaft arranged within said inner receptacle, an agitator support carried by said lateral extension and projecting upwardly, said agitator support having its longitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to but offset from a plane containing the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, so that the longitudinal axis generates a hyperbolic surface of revolution, and means for resiliently supporting said agitator within said inner receptacle.

4. In a washing machine, an outer receptacle, an inner receptacle adapted to receive material to be washed, an agitator disposed Within said inner receptacle, an agitator drive shaft, means for supporting said drive shaft within said outer receptacle, a lateral extension on said drive shaft arranged within said inner receptacle, an agitator support carried by said lateral extension, said agitator support having its longitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to but offset from a plane containing the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, so that said longitudinal axis generates a hyperbolic surface of revolution when the drive shaft is rotated, and means for resiliently supporting said agitator within said inner receptacle, said last named means including means for preventing rotation of said agitator about its own central axis.

5. In a washing machine, an outer receptacle, an inner receptacle adapted to receive material to be washed and having walls sloping upwardly and outwardly towards the outlet thereof, an agitator disposed within said inner 1 wobble and scoop,

w; shaft arranged Within 6 receptacle, an: agitator drive shaft;. saith drive shaft within said outer:- receptacle; a lateral extension onzsaid: drive shaft; arranged: within saithinner: receptacle, am agitator support: carried: bysaid laterall extension, said agitator: support having: its? longitudinal a, plane axis lying in. a. plane parallel. to; but: oifseb from; containing the axisof rotation. of, the: drive shafts; so: that" said longitudinal axis generates; a. hyperholic' isurfacex of revolution when the drive: shaft is. rotated; means. for resiliently supporting: said: agitator: withim said. inner receptacle,. said lash named means including means for. preventing rotation of said agitator; about its own: central axis,. a prime mover;. means; for. supplying; power from. said. prime mover. to: said. drive shaft, and! torque transrnittings means. between. said; prime mloven and. said inner: receptacle whereby: said inner: receptacle. mayr'be: causedtto: spin for centrifugally/ removing water therefrom:-

6. In a. washing; machine, a basket adapteditoe contain material. to: be washed and. a. Washing: fluid; an? agitator disposed within said-basket, and means. for operating: said agitator including. a drive: shaft. having a. horizontally disposed offset: within said. basket and' havingi am agitator supporting, shaft carried. by said' ofiset, said last mentioned shaft and the offset. causing; the agitator: to both said agitator: including means formed? thereon: for scooping. the washingfluidx radially inwardly adjacent the bottom of said: basket, the axis;of. said agitator supporting shaft. moving; in. such a mannen as to: generate a hyperbolic: surface. of revolutiona.

7 Ina washing machine, an outer water" receptacle, aninner water receptacle: adapted to receiver material: to: be washed, an agitator di'sposed'within said inner recep tacle, an agitator drive; shaft, means for supporting said drive shaftwithin said outer receptacle, a: crank? arm on.

said drive shaft arranged within; saidzinner receptacle, and.

an agitator. support. carried by. said*- crank. arm: and projecting upwardly in a direction: towards, but not inter.- secting, theaxis: of. rotation: of, said. shaftg. said". agitator support being: arrangedto operate; said agitator;

8-. In aswashingmachine, an=outer receptacllean inner: receptacle. adapted to. receive material; to be: washed, an agitator disposed within said; inner receptacle, anagitator: drive shaft-,.means for supporting said-.dnive'shaftt withini said. outer receptacle; a. lateral. extension om said drive.-

said inner: receptacle, and] an. agrtatorv support. carried by said] lateral; extensionv and: pro jecting, upwardly in a direction away; from, bun notintersecting, the central axis; of said shaft,. so. that the: longi'r tudinaL axis of. said support generatess a hyperbolic; surface of revolution: when the driveshaft is: rotated.

9.. In. combination a: driving elementt. a driven: ele'i. ment, power. transmitting; means between said elements: comprising a hyperbolic crank.

10. In a washing machine, a basket adapted to contain material to be washed and a washing fluid, an agitator disposed within said basket, means for supporting said basket and said agitator in an elevated position, means for operating said agitator including a vertically extending drive shaft having a horizontally disposed oifset within said basket and having an agitator supporting shaft carried by said offset, the mounting of said supporting shaft being such that the longitudinal axis thereof generates a hyperbolic surface of revolution when the drive shaft is rotated.

11. In a washing machine, an outer receptacle, an inner receptacle adapted to receive material to be washed, an agitator disposed within said inner receptacle, an agitator drive shaft, means for supporting said drive shaft within said outer receptacle, a laterally disposed extension on said drive shaft arranged within said inner receptacle, an agitator support carried by said lateral extension, said agitator support having its longitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to but offset from the plane containing the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, said agitator support being so mounted that as the drive shaft is rotated the longitudinal axis of said agitator support generates a hyperbolic surface of revolution, a prime mover, and means for supplying power from said prime mover to said drive shaft.

12. In a washing machine, an outer receptacle, an inner receptacle adapted to receive material to be washed, an agitator disposed within said inner receptacle, an agitator drive shaft, a prime mover for supplying power to said drive shaft, means for supporting said drive shaft within said outer receptacle, a lateral extension on said means for supporting;-

drive shaft arranged within said inner receptacle, an agitator support carried by said lateral extension, the longitudinal axis of said agitator support generating a hyperbolic surface of revolution when the drive shaft is rotated, and means for resiliently supporting said agitator within said inner receptacle, said last named means including means for preventing the rotation of said agitator about its own central axis.

13. In a washing machine an outer receptacle, a clothes basket disposed within said outer receptacle, an agitator disposed within said basket, a first shaft arrangement for driving said agitator, a prime mover for driving said shaft, a second hollow shaft concentric to said first shaft, a unitary resilient member having a first portion connected to said second shaft and said basket so as to form a resilient connection between said second shaft and said basket and having a second portion yieldably connecting said agitator to said second shaft, an agitator supporting means connected to the first shaft but offset therefrom, said agitator supporting means including a shaft the longitudinal axis of which generates a hyperbolic surface of revolution when the first shaft is rotated.

14. In a washing machine an outer receptacle, a clothes basket disposed within said outer receptacle, an agitator disposed within said basket, a first shaft for driving said agitator, a prime mover for driving said shaft, a second shaft concentric to said first shaft, a unitary resilient member having a first portion connected to said second shaft and said basket so as to form a resilient connection between said second shaft and said basket and having a second portion yieldably connecting said agitator to said second shaft, said agitator having its longitudinal axis lying in a plane parallel to but offset from the plane containing the axis of rotation of said first shaft, said agitator being so mounted that as the first shaft is rotated the longitudinal axis of the agitator generates a hyperbolic surface of revolution.

15. In a washing machine, an outer receptacle, a clothes spinning basket disposed within said outer receptacle and having water outlet means arranged adjacent its outer periphery at a point above the normal water level within said basket, an agitator disposed within said basket, a first shaft arrangement for driving said agitator, a prime mover for driving said shaft, a second shaft concentric to said first shaft, a unitary resilient member having a first portion connected to said second shaft and said basket I so as to form a resilient connection between said second shaft and said basket and having a second portion yieldably connecting said agitator to saidsecond shaft, and supporting means for supporting the agitator upon the first shaft so that as the first shaft is rotated the agitator is gyrated, said supporting means including a shaft pro- 8. jecting into the agitator, the longitudinal axis of said supporting shaft generating a hyperbolic surface of revolution when the first shaft is rotated.

16. In a washing machine, a basket adapted to contain material to be washed and a washing fluid, an agitator disposed within said basket, means for supporting said basket and said agitator in an elevated position, means for operating said agitator including a drive shaft having a horizontally disposed offset within said basket and having an agitator supporting projection carried by said offset, the longitudinal axis of said supporting projection being so disposed that as the drive shaft is rotated the longitudinal axis of the projection generates a hyperbolic surface of revolution, a second hollow shaft concentric with the drive shaft, and a flexible connection between said hollow shaft, said agitator and said basket.

17. In a washing machine, a basket adapted to contain material to be washed and a washing fluid, an agitator disposed within said basket, means for supporting said basket and said agitator in an elevated position, means for operating said agitator including a first drive shaft having a horizontally disposed offset within said basket and having an agitator supporting projection carried by said offset, the longitudinal axis of said supporting projection being so disposed with respect to the drive shaft that as the drive shaft is rotated the longitudinal axis generates a hyperbolic surface of revolution, a second shaft comprising a hollow sleeve surrounding said first drive shaft, and a flexible connection between said second drive shaft, said agitator and said basket.

18. A spinner basket mounted on a joint that deters tilting movement while at rest, a drive shaft, an agitating mechanism on said drive shaft, said agitating mechanismbeing mounted within said basket, said basket and the agitating mechanism being adapted to spin on extraction of water, the basket and the agitating mechanism rotating in unison so that there is no mechanical interference between the two. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 333,328 Peare Dec. 29, 1885 1,952,574 Adams Mar.- 27, 1934 2,145,453 Miller Jan. 31, 1939 2,215,288 Hays Sept. 17, 1940 2,267,786 Chayie Dec. 30, 1941 2,269,190 Dunham Jan. 6, 1942 2,302,012 Dyer Nov. 17, 1942 2,363,184 Jacobs Nov.-21, 1944 2,453,367 Giblin Nov. 9, 1948