US3260077A - Diaper launderette - Google Patents

Description

" July 12, 1966 G. w. JONES 3,260,077

DIAPER LAUNDERETTE Filed March 25, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. GOMER W. JONES FIG. I

July 12, 1966 G. w. JONES 3,260,077

DIAPER LAUNDERETTE Filed March 25, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 EILEE- INVENTOR. GOMER w. JONES ATTORNEY July 12, 1966 G. W. JONES DIAPER LAUNDERETTE Filed March 23. 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. GOMER W. JONES 'ZMJWM ATTOR N EY United States Patent 3,260,077 DIAPER LAUNDERETTE Gomer W. Jones, Wichita, Kans., assignor to I Eleanor M. Parsons, Wichita, Kans.

Filed Mar. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 353,921 5 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates generally to washing fabrics. In a more specific aspect this invention relates to a Washing apparatus. In a still more specific aspect, this invention relates to a small washing apparatus capable of washing and rinsing diapers and other soiled fabrics, and is especially adapted to be mounted as a semipermanent installation in a bathroom of a house, apartment, hotel, or motel. The apparatus is adapted to use existing plumbing facilities and to discharge spent Washing fluid into the conventional toilet bowl found in every bathroom.

Automatic washing machines that wash, rinse and spin dry clothes are well known in the art. These known washing machines are relatively large, heavy, and expensive. In general, the washing machines known to the prior art have a complex gear system, often employing a transmission, to transmit the energy of a motor or other drive means to a rotatable basket and reciprocal plunger. This type of mechanism is expensive since complex gear systems are expensive to machine, form, and assemble. Further, the shafts supporting the gears, etc. must have adequate bearing supports in order to provide the rigidity and endurance expected from such an expensive machine. The gears and similar transmission means often Wear out rapidly necessitating an expensive overhaul job, which also puts the washing machine out of operation. The gears and other drive means known to the washing machines often are noisy and set up vibrations particularly when they become slightly worn. In a small diaper launderette the relatively high cost of known trans-mission means makes this type of unit prohibitively expensive. Further, this type of unit when provided with the drive means known to the prior art are bulky, heavy and difiicult to move and install. There is thus an urgent existing need for a washing apparatus, in particular a small diaper launderette washing apparatus, with a driving arrangement that is inexpensive, trouble free in operation, quiet, and requires a minimal upkeep.

I have invented a new apparatus for washing fabrics and the like. My new washing apparatus 'has a tub means that is adapted to receive washing liquid and has a means therewith to discharge spent washing liquid. A container means is mounted for rotary movement in the tub means which is adapted to receive fabrics to be'washed. A plunger means is mounted for reciprocal movement in the container means. A means to transmit energy is operatively connected to the container means and to the plunger means. A first drive means is associated with the means to transmit energy to reciprocate the plunger means. A second drive means is also associated with the means to transmit energy to rotate the container means. My apparatus is adapted to wash fabrics by reciprocating the plunger means relative to the container means and wash liquid, and remove wash liquid from the fabrics by rotating the container means with same therein with the principle portion of the wash liquid discharged from the tub means.

My Washing apparatus solves all of the prevailing problems associated with washing apparatus known to the prior art. My washing apparatus is inexpensive since it utilizes a very efficient means to transmit power from the motors or other driving means to the container means and the plunger means. In a specific embodiment of my invention there are no complex gears, belts, or transmis sions, etc. which are ordinarily quite expensive to produce,

assemble and maintain in operation. Further the washing apparatus of my invention by reason of this aforementioned novel means for transmitting energy is relatively light in weight which makes it easy to move and install. Moreover my washing means is very quiet in operation and virtually eliminates vibration thereof. The mechanism of the washing apparatus of my invention is very eificient and requires a very minimum upkeep in order to maintain it in Working operation over prolonged periods of time. Moreover the elements in the washing apparatus of my invention are simple and easy to produce and assemble and have a very long working life. The drive means is particularly adapted to be used in a small launderette type washing apparatus because of its simplicity, lightness and dependability.

An object of this invention is to provide a new washing means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing apparatus that is simple and inexpensive to produce.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a washing apparatus having a power transmission means that is simple and efficient in operation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a washing apparatus that is quiet in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing apparatus that is light in weight, and easy to move and install.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new diaper launderette adapted to utilize existing plumbing facilities in a bathroom and discharge the spent washing 7 liquid into a conventional Water closet; which launderette is inexpensive, light in weight, and practically vibrationless in use.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a power transmission means for a washing apparatus that is operably connected to both the container means and plunger means, and also to driving means for said container means and plunger means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a washing apparatus having a rotatable container means and reciprocal plunger means mounted in a tub means that does not utilize transmissions, belts and the like in the drive means of these elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing apparatus driving means that will not be damaged or broken if the tub and/ or reciprocal plunger is blocked or jammed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure set forth herein.

Drawings of preferred specific embodiments of the invention accompany and are a part hereof, and such are to be understood to not unduly limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in cross section illustrating a preferred specific embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial side elevational view in cross section illustrating in enlarged detail the driving connection between the shaft and the driving means for the plunger.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial front elevational view in cross section showing details of the drive means for the container means in the tub.

The following is a discussion and description of the new washing apparatus of my invention made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. The discussion and description are of preferred specific embodiments of the new washing apparatus and elements thereof, and is to be understood that such are not to unduly limit the scope of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5, there is illustrated my new diaper launderette of my invention. The diaper launderette of my invention is particularly adapted to be mounted in close proximity to a water closet and discharge spent wash liquid into the bowl thereof. The diaper launderette of my invention has an upright cylindrical tub 12 having a bottom 14 with a discharge outlet 15 therein. A tubular shaped housing 16 having a top open is rigidly secured to the center of the bottom 14 of tub 12. The tubular housing 16 is welded or otherwise secured to tub 12. If necessary or desirable the housing can be formed integrally with the tub 12. Tub 12 is Wide open at the top to re ceive material to be washed and has a removable top cover 18. Within tub 12 is mounted a cylindrically shaped perforated basket 20 (perforations not shown) preferably having a rolled top edge 21. There is a central aperture in tub 20, and an upright tubular housing 22 secured to the bottom of the basket over the previously mentioned aperture. Tubular housing 22 is disposed over tubular housing 16 in telescoping relationship. Housing 22 has an annular shaped end 24 on the top and which abuts the top of tubular housing 16 on the lower side thereof to maintain the bottom of basket 20 in spaced relation to bottom 14 of the tub 12. The annular end 24 has a square central aperture therein. Any suitable noncircular aperture can be provided in end 24 if necessary or desirable. Sleeve bearings 26 are disposed between tubular housings 16 and 22 in longitudinally spaced relation. Preferably one of the sleeve bearings 26 is positioned on the lower end of tubular housing 22 and a second sleeve bearing 26 positioned adjacent the top end. However any suitable type of bearing can be substituted for bearings 26. A plunger means 28 is mounted within the basket 20. The plunger means 28 has a disc-like annular flange 30 positioned in spaced relation to the bottom of basket 20. Plunger means 28 also has an upright tubular housing 32 secured to the disclike annular flange 30. On the top of plunger means 28 is a cap means 34 fixed to the top of tubular housing 32. The cap means 34 has a centrally disposed square depression 36 and a transverse pin aperture 38. Any suitable non-circular shaped depression 3 6 can be provided in cap 34. However it is preferable that the cross sectional configuration of depression 36 and the aperture in cap 24 be similar in shape.

A tapered housing 40 having an inwardly inclined front side 42, and inclined side surfaces 44, is provided. The housing 40 also includes a bracket 46 that has a flat top portion or surface 48 and a vertical rear portion 49. The tub 12 is mounted on the flat top portion 48 of bracket 46 ofhousing 40. A resilient annular ring 50 of rubber of other resilient material is disposed between tub 12 and the housing in order to insulate it from vibrations, etc. A strip 51 of rubber or other suitable material is disposed over the top edge of the housing 40 to prevent direct contact between it and the tub 12. The resilient mountings 50 and 51 reduce the metal-tometal contact and the subsequent vibration noise when the washing machine is operating. A drive shaft 52 having an upper reduced portion 54 with a square cross section, and a transverse pin aperture 55, is disposed in tubular housing 16 and extends downwardly int-o housing 40. The cross sectional configuration of the reduced portion 54 can be any suitable non-circular cross section, and is adapted to fit in depression 36 of cap 34 and aperture 25 in annular cap 24. The reduced port-ion 54 is rigidly secured to the cap 34 of plunger 28 with a pin 56. The reduced portion 54 extends through aperture 25 in annular top 24 in slidable relation thereto. With this arrangement the shaft, when rotated, rotates both the basket 20 and plunger 28. When the shaft 52 is reciprocated the basket 20 remains stationary but the plunger 28 moves longitudinally. Shaft 52 has a lower reduced portion 58 having a circular cross section, and a second transverse pin aperture 60. An annular flat abutting surface 62 exists at the point where the lower reduced portion 58 joins the main body of shaft 52. A tubular housing 64 having .a top radial flange 65 is bolted to bracket 46 and encloses the lower portion of shaft 52. The tubular housing 64 has'a rectangular cutout 66 in the intermediate portion thereof. If necessary .or desirable the tubular port-ion 64 can be secured instead to the tub 12 or bracket 46. A bearing means 68 is disposed within the housing 64 near the top thereof to support the drive shaft 52 in rotatable and slidable rotation thereto.

A cam follower 70 having a flat top surface 71, a vertically extending aperture 72, and a horizontal transverse cam surface 74 is positioned in tubular housing 64 and extends outwardly through rectangular cutout 66. The lower reduced portion 58 of shaft 52 is disposed in aperture 72 of cam follower 70. The shaft 52 can be rotated relative to the cam follower 70. The top surface 71 of cam follower 70 abuts the annular abutting flange 62 on shaft 52. When the cam follower 70 is therefore lifted upwardly it also forces the shaft 52 and plunger 28 upwardly. An electric motor 76 is suitably mounted in housing 40 on bracket and has a horizontally disposed protruding shaft. A coupling means 77 having an eccentric cam means 78 is mounted on the end of the shaft and is positioned in operative engagement with the transverse cam surface 74 on cam follower 70. Rotation of the shaft of motor 76 thereby causes longitudinal reciprocation of shaft 52 and also reciprocation of plunger 28.

A second electric motor 80 is suitably mounted in housing 40 on the lower end of tubular housing 64 and has a vertically disposed drive shaft 81. Coupling means 82 having a cylindrical portion is mounted on the end of shaft 81 of motor 80. The coupling means 82 has a cylindrical portion that is rotatably mounted in the lower end of tubular housing 64, and has a vertically extending aperture that receives the reduced portion 58 of shaft 52. On the cylindrical portion of coupling 82 is provided transverse longitudinally extending slots 84 that intersect the previously mentioned vertically extending aperture. A pin means is disposed in pin aperture 60 in shaft 52 and in slots 84 of the coupling 82. This arrangement provides a means for exerting rotational driving motion to the shaft 52 by motor 80 but allows the shaft 52 to reciprocate in a longitudinal motion without affecting the motor 80.

An inlet opening is positioned in the tub 12 adjacent the top. A mixing valve 92 is mounted in the housing 40 and has an outlet 94, an inlet for hot water 96 and an inlet for cold water 98. A solenoid 100 is mounted on valve 92 to control the flows of hot and cold water flowing through outlet 94. A conduit 102 shown in broken cross section in FIG. 1 is connected to outlet 94 of mixing valve 92 and the opening 90 in tub 12. Drain valve 104 having an outlet 105 and an inlet 106 is mounted in housing 40. A solenoid means is associated with drain valve 104 for controlling the fluid flow in same. Conduit means 107 is connected to the inlet 106 of drain valve 104 and the drain 15 in tub 12. A flexible conduit means 110 is connected to outlet 105 of drain valve 104 and adapted to communicate with a water closet not shown.

An overflow outlet 112 is disposed in tub 12 at the height of the desired liquid level during operation of the washing apparatus or launderette 10. A conduit means 114 is connected to the outlet 112 and to the conduit 110. Also mounted in the housing 40 is a timing means 120. The timing means has a shaft 122 protruding through a side 44 of housing 42 and adapted to receive a control knob thereon. The timing means has a plurality of switches therein. The timing means is old in the art and will therefore not be dis-cussed in detail. Associated with the timing means 120 is an electrical circuit means not shown, that is associated with the electrical motor 76, electrical motor 80, the solenoid 100 of mixing valve 92 and the solenoid of drain valve 104 to control same in a predetermined wash sequence. The wash sequence can be of any suitable conventional sequence as for example, a soak cycle, wash cycle, a rinse cycle and a spin dry cycle.

In operation of the washing apparatus, activation of electric motor 76 causes subsequent rotation of the protruding shaft and coupling 77 and reciprocation of cam 78. The cam 78 engages the cam follower 70 in the transverse camming surface 76 thereby causing vertical reciprocation of the cam follower 70. The motion of the cam follower 70 is transmitted to the shaft 52 which transmits it on to the plunger 28. The shaft 52 is free to 'slide in coupling means 82 without affecting the motor An important feature of driving means for reciprocating plunger 28 is that in the event that a blockage occurs,

such as clothing obstructing movement of the plunger, no

damage will result to the drive means. For example, if clothing should become wedged between the bottom of tub and plunger flange 30, the motor 76 could continue to run but no breakage would occur. Likewise, when the tub 20 was subsequently rotated by motor 80, no undue stress would result since plunger 28 rotates with tub 30. Upon activation of electric motor 80, which can also be provided with a speed changer, rotational movement is imparted to protruding shaft 81 and in turn transmitted to coupling 82. This motion is transmitted to shaft 52 which in turn transmits same to rotate basket 20 and plunger 28. It should be noted that reciprocation of the plunger 28 by shaft 52 does not affect the motion of the basket 20 since the shaft 52 is free to slide in end 24 through non-circular aperture 25.

While I have described preferred specific embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that the washing apparatus and elements thereof disclosed may be made in other forms than herein described and suggested without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

' 1. A diaper launderette for mounting in close proximity to" a water closet and adapted to discharge spent wash liquid into the bowl thereof comprising, an upright cylindrical tub having a bottom with a discharge outlet therein, a first upright tubular shaped housing having an open end rigidly secured to the center of said bottom of said tub, said tub being wide open at the top to receive material to be washed therethrough, a removable top cover for said tub, a cylindrically shaped basket within said tub, a second upright tubular shaped housing rigidly secured to the bottom of said basket and disposed over said first tubular housing of said tub in telescoping relation thereto, an annular end on the top of said second tubular housing abutting the .top end of said first tubular housing and having a square aperture therein, sleeve bearings disposed between said first and second tubular housings in longitudinally spaced relation maintaining said housings in radially spaced relatively rotatable relation, a plunger means disposed within said basket having a disc-like annular flange positioned in spaced relation .to the bottom of said basket, a third upright tubular housing rigidly fiXed to said disc-like flange and positioned in telescoping relation to said second tubular housing, and a cap means fixed to the end of said third tubular housing having a centrally disposed square depression and a transverse pin aperture therein, a tapered housing comprised of a bracket having a flat top supporting portion, and a vertical rear portion mountable on a wall, and inwardly inclined from and side surfaces, means mounting said tub on the flat top portion of said bracket, a

drive shaft having an upper reduced portion with a square cross section, and a transverse first pin aperture, said drive shaft disposed in said first tubular housing with said reduced portion longitudinally slidably disposed in the square aperture in the annular end of said second tubular housing, and fixedly secured in the central depression in the cap means of said third tubular housing, a pin means disposed in said pin aperture in said cap means and said first pin aperture, said shaft having a lower reduced portion of a circular cross section and a second transverse pin aperture therein, an annular flat abutting surface on the lower portion of said shaft spaced from the lower end thereof, a fourth tubular housing in said housing enclosing the lower portion of said shaft and provided with a rectangular cutout in the intermediate portion thereof, bearing means in said fourth tubular housing supporting said drive shaft for rotatable and longitudinal movement, a cam follower with a flat top surface having a vertically extending aperture and a horizontal transverse groove shaped cam surface disposed in said fourth tubular housing with said lower reduced .portion of said shaft in the aperture, and with said annular abutting surface engaging the flat top surface of same, a first electrical motor with speed changer mounted in said housing having a horizontally disposed protruding shaft, an eccentric cam means on the end of said shaft in operative engagement with said transverse cam surface on said cam follower, a second electric motor with speed changer mounted in said housing having a vertically disposed drive shaft, a coupling means mounted on the drive shaft of said second motor, said coupling means having a cylindrical portion that is rotatably mounted in the lower end of said fourth tubular housing, an aperture to receive said reduced portion of said shaft, and opposed transverse pin slots, a pin means disposed in said second pin aperture and said slots connecting said coupling means and said shaft in rotatable driving and longitudinally slidable relationship, an inlet opening in said tub adjacent the top, a mixing valve in said housing having an outlet, an inlet for hot water, and an inlet for cold water, a first solenoid means for controlling the flows of hot and cold water in said mixing valve, a conduit means connected to said outlet of said mixing valve and said inlet opening in the tub, a drain valve in said housing having an inlet and an outlet, a second solenoid means for controlling fluid flow in said drain valve, conduit means connected to the discharge outlet in said tub and the inlet of said drain valve, 9. flexible conduit means connected to the outlet of said drain valve and adapted to communicate with a water closet, an overflow outlet in said tub disposed at the height of the desired level during operation, a conduit means connected to said overflow outlet and said conduit means connected to said outlet of said drain valve, a timer means mounted on said housing, an electrical circuit means associated with said timer means to control in a predetermined wash sequence said first motor, said second motor, said solenoid of said mixing valve, and said solenoid of said drain valve.

2. A diaper launderette comprising, an upright tub having a bottom with a discharge outlet therein, a first upright tubular shaped housing rigidly secured to the bottom of said tub, a cylindrically shaped basket within said tub having a second upright tubular housing rigidly secured to the bottom of same and disposed over said first tubular housing in said tub in telescopic relation thereto, an annular end portion on the top of said second tubular housing abutting the top end of said first tubular housing and having a non-circular aperture therein, bearing means maintaining said first and second tubular housings in radially spaced relatively rotatable relation, a plunger means disposed within said basket having disc-like annular flange positioned in spaced relation to the bottom of said basket, and a third upright tubular housing rigidly fixed to said annular flange and positioned in telescopic relation to said second tubular housing, a cap means affixed to the end of said third tubular housing having a centrally disposed non-circular aperture and a transverse pin aperture therein, a housing having a top supporting surface, means mounting said tub on said top supporting surface, a drive shaft having a top portion provided with a non-circular cross section, and a transverse first pin aperture, said drive shaft disposed in said first tubular housing with said non-circular top portion longitudinally slidably disposed in said noncircular aperture in the annular end of said second tubular housing and fixedly secured in the non-circular aperture in said cap means on said third tubular housing, a pin means disposed in said pin aperture in said cap means and said first pin aperture, said shaft having an abutting surface on the lower portion thereof spaced from the lower end, a fourth tubular housing in said housing enclosing the lower portion of said shaft and provided with a cutout in the intermediate portion thereof, a cam follower with a top abutting surface abutting surface on said shaft and a horizontal transverse cam surface, said cam follower disposed in said fourth tubular housing, a first motor means mounted in said housing having a shaft, an eccentric cam means on the end of said shaft in operative engagement with said transverse cam surface on said cam follower, a second motor means mounted in said housing having a vertically disposed drive shaft, coupling means mounted on the drive shaft of said second motor, said coupling means engaging said shaft in driving relationship but allowing relative longitudinal slidable movement therebetween, an inlet opening in said tub adjacent the top, a mixing valve in said housing having an outlet, an inlet for hot water, and an inlet for cold water, a first solenoid means for controlling the flows of hot and cold water in said mixing valve, conduit means connected to said outlet of said mixing valve and said inlet opening in said tub, a drain means for said tub in said housing, a timer means mounted in said housing, an electrical circuit means associated with said timer means to control in a predetermined wash sequence said first motor, said second motor, and said solenoid of said mixing valve.

3. A washing apparatus comprising, a tub, a cylindrically shaped basket rotatably mounted within said tub, means for rotatably supporting said basket in said tub, a plunger means disposed within said basket having a lower disc-like annular flange positioned in spaced relation to the bottom of said basket, a drive shaft extending through the bottom of said tub, means connecting said drive shaft and said basket in rotational driving relationship thereto and allowing vertically slidable movement of said shaft with respect thereto, means connecting said plunger and said shaft in rigid relationship therebetween, a housing, means mounting said tub on said housing, a first power means mounted in said housing, cam means adapting said first power means to vertically reciprocate said shaft, a second power means, means connecting said second power means and said shaft in rotatable relationship thereto, inlet means for said tub, valve means for controlling flow of water to said tub through said inlet means, a timer means, electrical circuit means associated with said timer means to control in a predetermined wash sequence said first power means, said second power means, and said valve means.

4. In a washing apparatus having a tub adapted to receive washing liquid, an upright container means mounted for rotary movement in said tub and adapted to receive fabrics to be washed, plunger means mounted for reciprocal movement in said container means, a control means including a timer for controlling the washing and rinsing cycle of the apparatus, the improvement comprised of an improved drive means for said container means and plunger means comprising, a vertically disposed drive Shaft extending through ht bottom of said tub, bearing means for said drive shaft supporting same for longitudinal and reciprocal movement, connection means on the top portion of said drive shaft connecting said drive shaft in rotational driving relationship to said container means and allowing vertically slidable movement therebetween, connection means on the top portion of said drive shaft connecting said drive shaft to said plunger means in reciprocal driving relationship, a tubular housing enclosing the bottom portion of said drive shaft having a cutout in the intermediate portion thereof, an annular abutting surface on the lower portion of said drive shaft, a cam follower having a top abutting surface abutting said annular abutting surface on said drive shaft, and a horizontal transverse cam surface, said cam follower disposed in said tubular housing in engagement with said drive shaft and having a portion thereof extending through said cutout, a first electrical motor having a shaft, an eccentric cam means on the end of said motor shaft in operative engagement with said transverse cam surface on said cam follower, a second electric motor having a vertically disposed shaft, coupling means mounted on motor shaft of said second electric motor, said coupling means engaging said drive shaft in driving relationship but allowing relative longitudinal slidable movement therebetween, said first electric motor adapted to in operation reciprocate said plunger means, and said second electric motor in operation adapted to rotate said container means.

5. A washing apparatus comprising, a tub, a basket rotatably mounted within said tub, means central of said basket and connected thereto for rotatably supporting said basket in said tub, plunger means disposed within said basket having a lower substantially horizontally disposed portion positioned in spaced relation to the bottom of said basket, a drive shaft extending through the bottom of said tub, means connecting said drive shaft and said means central of said basket in rotational driving relationship thereto and allowing vertically slidable movement of said shaft with respect thereto, said basket in the top being unobstructed between the outside thereof and said means central thereof for easy introduction thereinto of material to be washed, means connecting said plunger and said shaft in relationship therebetween to move together in operation, a housing, means mounting said tub on said housing, a first motor power means mounted in said housing, means adapting said first motor power means to vertically reciprocate said shaft, a second motor power means, means connecting said second motor power means and said shaft in rotatable relationship thereto, inlet means for said tub, valve means for controlling flow of water to said tub through said inlet means, timer means and electrical circuit means associated therewith to control in a predetermined wash sequence said first motor power means, said second motor power means, and said valve means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,323,774 12/1919 Kirby 6823 1,437,514 12/1922 Graydon 68-23 2,434,199 1/1948 Dyer 68-12 2,879,655 3/1959 McCormick 6823 3,137,153 6/1964 Parsons 68--23 X FOREIGN PATENTS 853,584 10/1952 Germany.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 5. A WASHING APPARATUS COMPRISING, A TUB, A BASKET ROTATABLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID TUB, MEANS CENTRAL OF SAID BASKET AND CONNECTED THERETO FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID BASKET IN SAID TUB, PLUNGER MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BASKET HAVING A LOWER SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED PORTION POSITIONED IN SPACED RELATION TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID BASKET, A DRIVE SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF SAID TUB, MEANS CONNECTING SAID DRIVE SHAFT AND SAID MEANS CENTRAL OF SAID BASKET IN ROTATIONAL DRIVING RELATIONSHIP THERETO AND ALLOWING VERTICALLY SLIDABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID SHAFT WITH RESPECT THERETO, SAID BASKET IN THE TOP BEING UNOBSTRUCTED BETWEEN THE OUTSIDE THEREOF AND SAID MEANS CENTRAL THEREOF FOR EASY INTRODUCTION THEREINTO OF MATERIAL TO BE WASHED, MEANS CONNECTING SAID PLUNGER AND SAID SHAFT IN RELATIONSHIP THEREBETWEEN TO MOVE TOGETHER IN OPERATION, A HOUSING, MEANS MOUNTING SAID TUB ON SAID HOUSING, A FIRST MOTOR POWER MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING, MEANS ADAPTING SAID FIRST MOTOR POWER MEANS TO VERTICALLY RECIPROCATE SAID SHAFT, A SECOND MOTOR POWER MEANS, MEANS CONNECTING SAID SECOND MOTOR POWER MEANS

Images