US3473351A

US3473351A - Adjustable two-speed two-stroke agitator

Info

Publication number: US3473351A
Application number: US666700A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony Mason
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 1967-09-11
Filing date: 1967-09-11
Publication date: 1969-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 1986-10-21

Description

Get. 21, 1969 A. MASON 3,473,351

ADJUSTABLE TWO-SPEED TWO-STROKE AGITATOR Filed Sept. 11, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR A/V7H0 V Y M4 5 ON By ATTORNEYS Oct. 21, 1969 A. MASON ADJUSTABLE TWO-SPEED TWO-STROKE AGITATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 11, 1967 WW m mm w r W M r v hm. Mm a a: 5 H 4 \\\\%i k 5 r u \N\\ \NI & %W 9 J/ H H v I 3 rll. I

Oct. 21, 1969 A. MASON ADJUSTABLE TWO-SPEED TWO-STROKE AGITATOR Filed Sept. 11. 19s? 4 Sheets-Sheet F I XVENTOR.

/ /v7/ 0/v MASON ATTORNEYS Oct. 21, 1969 A. MASON 3, 7

ADJUSTABLE TWO-SPEED TWO-STROKE AGITATOR Filed Sept. 11, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3y ATTORNEYS United States Patent Int. Cl. D06f 13/02 US. 11. 68133 27 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A drive mechanism for a laundry applicance agitator employing a planetary gear mechanism which enables the agitation action to be adjusted for both agitation speed and stroke length simultaneously, thereby affording either a long vigorous stroke or a short gentle stroke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the field of agitator type washing machines and more particularly to such machines having means for varying the level of agitation produced by the agitator.

Agitation type washing machines having means for varying the level of agitation are desirable since some laundry materials are capable of withstanding a vigorous washing action while others are best laundered with a more gentle washing action. For action, heavy work clothes may require a high level of agitation and turbulence to provide thorough laundering, whereas lighter materials such as lingerie not only require less agitation but may be damaged if subjected to a vigorous washing action.

In agitation type washing machines the agitator is oscillated back and forth about an axis of rotation by a drive shaft which also oscillates about a fixed axis. The drive shaft is usually oscillated at fixed agitation speed and stroke length by means of a drive arrangement including a constant speed electric motor and a drive coupling between the motor and the drive shaft which converts the constant-speed rotary motion of the motor to a constant-frequency oscillating motion of the drive shaft.

The prior art discloses coupling connections between the drive shaft and the agitator for varying the oscillating motion of the agitator with respect to that of the drive shaft to provide both vigorous and gentle washing actions. See, for example, Worst US. Patent No. 3,213,651. In such arrangements, however, the agitator is not driven continuously by the drive shaft through the full stroke of the drive shaft except when the agitator is directly coupled to the shaft for joint oscillation. Further, even though the stroke of the agitator may be varied with respect to the stroke of the drive shaft the speed of the agitator is not varied commensurately. As a consequence, variations in the level of agitation are accomplished only by varying the stroke of the agitator rather than by varying both the agitation speed and the stroke length simultaneously.

Where the agitator is not driven continuously by the drive shaft heavy impact forces are placed not only on the agitator, the drive shaft and the other driving components, but also on the laundry material. Where the agitation speed is not reduced commensurately with a reduction of agitator stroke the laundry material is subjected to short, choppy or jerky strokes of the agitator, rather than to short, gentle strokes.

By means of the present invention not only is the agitator continuously driven through the full stroke of the drive shaft during both vigorous and gentle washing cycles, but also the agitation speed is reduced in proportion to a reduction in the length of stroke of the agitator during gentle wash cycles.

Patented Oct. 21, 1969 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention may be briefly summarized as comprising a washing machine having a drive shaft, means for rotationally oscillating the drive shaft at a given frequency, through a given stroke and with a given amplitude of speed, an agitator rotationally oscillatable relative to the drive shaft and drive coupling means between the drive shaft and the agitator for oscillating the agitator in unison with the drive shaft, said drive coupling means having means shiftable between a first position for driving said agitator through a first stroke and with a first amplitude of speed and a second position for driving the agitator through a second stroke and with a second amplitude of speed, at least one of said first and second amplitudes of speed being different from said given amplitude of speed.

The drive coupling is adapted to continously drive the agitator from the drive shaft through the full stroke of the drive shaft to avoid impact forces. The shiftable means comprises a gear block movable axially with respect to the common axis of rotation of the drive shaft in the agitator. A cap rotatably mounted on the drive shaft is connected to the gear block for easily and conveniently shifting the gear block between the first and second positions in response to the rotation of the cap.

Other features of the drive coupling include a pair of axially spaced gears connected to the drive shaft for joint oscillation therewith. A plurality of planetary gears are situated about the periphery of the drive shaft and are journalled for rotation relative to the drive shaft on axes parallel to the drive shaft axis. The planetary gears are in continuous meshing engagement with the lower of the axially spaced gears and when the gear block is in the first position thereof it meshingly engages the planetary gears, either directly or through a gear sleeve. The gear block is connected to the agitator for joint oscillation, and in the first position of the gear block the agitator is driven by the drive shaft through the planetary gears and the gear block. In the second position, the gear block meshes with the upper axially spaced gear and the agitator is effectively driven directly by the drive shaft.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a drive coupling for connecting the drive shaft and the agitator of an agitator type washing machine whereby the agitator may be driven either at the same frequency through the same stroke and with the same amplitude of speed as is the drive shaft, or may be driven at the same frequency as is the drive shaft but through a different stroke and with a different amplitude of speed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an agitator type washing machine including the above described drive coupling whereby the drive shaft is in continuous driving relation with the agitator through the full stroke of the drive shaft even though the stroke and speed of the agitator is less than the stroke and speed of the drive shaft.

Another object of the invention is to confer upon an agitator type washing machine the ability to launder lighter and more fragile fabric with a more gentle washing action. Another object is to provide means for easily and conveniently shifting between a vigorous and a gentle washing action.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gear coupling between the drive shaft and the agitator whereby the agitator may be either driven directly by the drive shaft or through reduction gears to reduce the stroke and amplitude of speed of oscillation of the agitator while maintaining the same frequency of oscillation.

Another object is to provide such a gear coupling with means for easily shifting the gears to change the driving relation between the drive shaft and the agitator.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of the drawings, in which preferred structural embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an agitation type washing machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention with portions thereof cut away to show the relative disposition of parts.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the drive shaft and agitator of the machine shown in FIGURE 1 and a drive coupling for connecting the drive shaft and the agitator in driving relation.

FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGURE 2 but shows the drive coupling arranged to oscillate the agitator through a stroke and with an amplitude of speed less than that of the drive shaft.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines IVIV of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines VIIVII of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines IX-IX of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIGURES 12 and 13 are horizontal sectional view taken along lines XII-XII and XIII-XIII, respectively.

DESCRPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Although the principles of the present invention are of utility in any variable speed coupling arrangement which connects an oscillating driving member to a driven member the invention finds particular utility in interconnecting the drive shaft and the agitator of an agitator type washing machine, and an embodiment of such a washing machine incorporating the principles of the present invention is indicated generally at reference numeral in FIG- URE 1.

The washing machine 20 may be more particularly characterized as comprising a cabinet 21 supported on a plurality of leveling legs as indicated at 22 and having stationarily mounted therewith an imperforate tub 23. A perforate washing drum 24 in which the fabric or material to be laundered is loaded is disposed concentrically within the tub 23.

During a washing cycle the laundry material as well as the laundry liquid within the washing drum 24 is agitated by means of an agitator indicated generally at reference numeral 27. The agitator oscillates rotationally on a vertical axis and is driven by a drive shaft 28 which extends upwardly from a lower portion 29 of the cabinet 21 through vertically registered apertures formed in bottom walls 29 and 30 of the tub 23 of the washing drum 24, respectively. Suitable drive means including an electric motor for oscillating the drive shaft 28 about its vertical axis at a constant frequency, through a constant stroke and with a constant amplitude of speed is housed in the lower portion 29 of the cabinet 21.

As used herein, frequency may be defined as the number of oscilaltions per unit of time. Stroke is defined as the angle through which the drive shaft 28 turns as it oscillates between the extreme positions thereof and amplitude of speed is defined as the maximum angular velocity of the drive shaft 28 as its oscillates between the extreme positions thereof.

The agitator 27 is provided with a plurality of agitation vanes, one of which is indicated at reference numeral 31. The agitation vanes 31 function if the nature of paddles to agitate the laundry liquid and the laundry material in the washing drum 24 and to create turbulence to provide a thorough cleansing action.

Depending upon the type of laundered material being washed, it may be desirable to subject the material to a more or less intensive agitation action. As used herein, the term agitation level refers to the intensity of the agitation action to which the laundered material is subjected.

In order to vary the agitation level of the washing machine 20 the agitator 27 is connected in driving relation to the drive shaft 28 by means of a coupling adapted to oscillate the agitator 27 at a frequency identical to the frequency of the drive shaft 28 but through a stroke and with an amplitude of speed which may be equal to or less than the stroke and amplitude of speed of the drive shaft 28. Thus the coupling is adapted to provide agitation levels which correspond either to a vigorous or a gentle washing action.

This particular coupling arrangement finds particular utility in the field of agitator type washing machines since, in reducing the agitation level to provide a gentle washing action not only is the stroke or the angle through which the agitator 27 travels reduced, but correspondingly the amplitude of speed of the agitator 27 is also reduced.

Furthermore the drive shaft-agitator coupling of the present invention continuously connects the drive shaft 28 to the agitator 27 through the full stroke of the drive shaft 28 regardless of the stroke of the agitator 27, thereby not only avoiding short, choppy movements of the agitator 27, but also avoiding impact forces between the drive shaft 28 and the agitator 27 as the drive shaft 28 oscillates.

Referring to FIGURES 2-4, one embodiment of the drive shaft-agitator coupling constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is indicated generally at reference numeral 32. The coupling 32 may be more particularly characterized as comprising a pair of axially spaced gears or gear rings 33 and 34 formed on a gear member 36 which is connected for joint oscillation to a splined end 37 of the drive shaft 28. A plurality of planetary gears indicated at reference numeral 38 are journalled for rotation on a plurality of supporting posts 35 supported on a collar 39. The collar 39 is adapted to remain stationary as the drive shaft 28 oscillates during a washing cycle. The planetary gears 38 surround and meshingly engage the lower axially spaced gear 33 of the gear member 36. Thus the planetary gears 38 rotationally oscillate about their vertical axes in response to oscillation of the drive shaft 28. A gear block 40 circumferentially surrounds the gear member 36 and has formed thereon a pair of

gears

41 and 42. The teeth of gear 41 extend radially and surround and are adapted for meshing engagement with the planetary gears 38. The teeth of gear 42 extend axially in axial alignment with the gear 34 formed on the gear member 36 and are adapted for meshing engagement therewith.

The gear block 40 is connected to the agitator 27 for joint oscillatory movement. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2-4, the gear block 40 is also connected to the agitator 27 for joint axial movement and is, in fact, formed integrally with the agitator 27.

The gear member 36 comprises a cylindrical peripheral wall 43 and the gear block 40 comprises an inner cylindrical wall 44. A bushing 46 is disposed between the

cylindrical walls

43 and 44 to provide for good relative rotation between the gear member 36 and the gear block 40.

In the position of the gear block 40 shown in FIGURE 2 the gear 42 thereof is in meshing engagement with the gear 34 of the gear member 36, and the gear 41 thereof is out of meshing engagement with the planetary gears 38. In this position of the gear block 40 the agitator 27 is in effect directly coupled to the drive shaft 28 and will oscillate at the same frequency, through the same stroke and with the same amplitude of speed as the drive shaft 28. Thus the disposition of the gear block 40 is as shown in FIGURE 2 during a vigorous washing action of the washing machine 20.

In the position of the gear block 40 shown in FIGURE 3 gear 42 is moved out of meshing engagement with gear 34 but gear 41 has moved into engagement with the planetary gears 38. As a result of the difference between the pitch diameters of

gears

33 and 41, the agitator 27 will oscillate at the same frequency as the drive shaft 28 but through a stroke and with an amplitude of speed which is less than that of the drive shaft 28 in proportion to this difference in pitch diameters.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 2-4, the gear block 40 is moved axially alternatively between the two positions thereof by means of helical threads 47 formed on an outer wall 48 of the gear block 40 which engage complemental threads 49 formed on an axially extending cylindrical wall 50 of an adjustment cap 51. The cap 51 is mounted on the upper end 37 of the drive shaft 28 for relative rotation therewith by means of a fastener 52 which is threaded as at 52' to prevent axial movement of the cap 51 relative to the drive shaft 28. As shown in FIGURE 1, the cap 51 is readily accessible to the operator of the washing machine 20 and is merely rotated in opposite directions to raise and lower the gear block 40 between the two positions thereof for changing the agitation level of the washing machine 20 to provide either a vigorous or a gentle washing action.

Another embodiment of the coupling between the drive shaft and the agitator is shown in FIGURES 5-7. Parts similar to those shown in FIGURES 2-4 are indicated with similar reference numerals with the sufiix :1 added.

In this embodiment the agitator 27a further comprises a cylindrical wall 53 and a radial upper end wall 54 supported for relative rotation on an upper end wall 56 of the gear member 36a. An inner wall 57 of the adjustment cap 51a is also shaped cylindrically and circumferentially surrounds wall 53 of the agitator 27a.

This embodiment also differs from the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2-4 in that the gear block 40a is not formed integrally with the agitator 27a but instead comprises a separate member. An outer peripheral wall 48a of the gear block 40a is splined with a cylindrical wall 53 of the agitator 27a for joint oscillation of the gear block 40a in the agitator 27a but for relative axial movement between the two.

Also in this embodiment the sleeve 46a, which is adapted to rotate relative to the gear member 36a, and thus to the drive shaft 2811, further comprises a radially outwardly extending wall 59 on which a gear 60 is formed and an axially extending wall 61 on which a gear '62 is formed. The gear sleeve 46a is prevented from axial movement relative to the gear member 36a by means of a locking ring 63 disposed in radially aligned grooves 64 and 66 formed respectively in the gear member 36a and the gear sleeve 46a.

The gear block 40a, in addition to having the gear 42a formed at the upper end thereof, additionally comprises an axially aligned gear 67 formed at the lower end thereof. The gear block 40a is, of course, relatively rotatable with respect to the gear member 36a.

The gear sleeve 46a continuously oscillates during 05- cillation of the drive shaft 28:: since the gear 62 is in constant meshing engagement with planetary gears 38a. In the position of the gear block 40a shown in FIGURE 5 the gear '67 of the gear block 40a is in meshing engagement with the gear 60 of the gear sleeve 46a, and thus the agitator 27a will oscillate at the same frequency as the drive shaft 284: but through a stroke with an amplitude of speed which is less than the drive shaft 28a in proportion to the difference in pitch diameters of gear 33a, formed on gear member 36a, and gear 62 formed on the gear sleeve 46a.

When the gear block 40a is raised to an upper limiting position thereof, the gear 42a meshes with gear 34a of the gear member 36a, and since the gear block 40a is splined for joint oscillation with the agitator 27a, the agitator will oscillate at the same frequency, through the same stroke and with the same amplitude of speed as the shaft 28a and, in effect, the agitator 27a is directly connected to the drive shaft 28a.

The gear block 40a is moved between the lower and upper positions thereof by means of a radially extending adjustment pin 68 which is connected in fixed assembly to and which extends through the cylindrical wall a of the cap 51a. The pin 68 also extends through a circum ferentially elongated slot 69 formed in the cylindrical wall 53 of the agitator 27a and is received in an arcuately shaped somewhat axially inclined slot 70 formed in the outer wall 48a of the gear block 40a.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the

slots

69 and 70 are so constructed and arranged in the cylindrical Wall 53 and the gear block 40a so that portions thereof through which the pin 68 extends are in radial registry with one another. Rotation of the adjustment cap 51a has the effect of moving the pin 68 about the axis of the cap 51a in a plane extending radially thereof and through the circumferentially extending slot 69 formed in the cylindrical wall 53 of the agitator 27a. Such rotation of the cap 51a has the effect of raising or lowering the gear block 40a as a result of the axial inclination of the slot 70 formed therein.

Thus, rotation of the cap 51a in one direction serves to couple the drive shaft 28a directly to the agitator 27a to provide a high agitation level and a vigorous washing action, whereas rotation in an opposite direction couples the drive shaft to the agitator through gears which provide a low agitation level and a gentle washing action.

Another embodiment of the coupling connection between the drive shaft and the agitator is shown in FIG- URES 8-10, wherein parts similar to those shown in FIGURES 2-4 are indicated by similar reference numerals with the sufiix b added.

In this embodiment an outer peripheral Wall 48a of gear block 40b is splined with the cylindrical wall 53b of the agitator 27b for axial movement relative to and for oscillatory movement jointly with the agitator 27b. Gears 41b and 4217 are formed at the lower and upper ends of the gear block 40b for respective meshing engagement alternatively with the planetary gears 38b and with gear 34b formed on the gear member 36b. The gear block 4% is, of course, rotatable relative to the gear member 36b and as it is shifted axialy between the lower and upper positions thereof the agitator 27b is oscillated either through a reduced stroke and with a reduced amplitude of speed or through the same stroke and with the same amplitude of speed relative to the drive shaft 28b.

The arrangement for shifting the gear block 40b axially between the two positions thereof is similar to the arrangement shown in FIGURES 5-7. Accordingly the pin 68b is fixedly secured to the cylindrical wall 50b of the adjustment cap 51b and extends through the circumferentially elongated slot 69b into an arcuately shaped axially inclined slot 70b formed in the peripheral wall 48b of the gear block 4012. As the adjustment cap 51b is rotated the gear block 40b is shifted axially between the lower position thereof as shown in FIGURE 8 wherein the gear block 40b and thus the agitator 27b are oscillated through the planetary gears 38b, to an upper position thereof at which the gear 42b meshes with gear 34b and the agitator 27b is effectively directly driven by the drive shaft 28b.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGURES 10-13. In these figures parts similar to those of the other em- 7 bodiments are designated by similar reference numerals with the sufiix added.

In this embodiment the gear member 36c is splined to the end portion 37c of the drive shaft 280 and a radial flange 72 is geared at 73 to the member 360 for joint oscillation. A gear sleeve 46c surrounds the gear member 36c for relative rotation therewith and has formed thereon gears 62c and 600 for meshing engagement with the planetary gears 38c and the lower gear 67c of the gear block 400, respectively.

This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG- URES 7 with respect to the interposition of the gear sleeve 460 between the planetary gears 38c and the gear block 400, and is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2-4 with respect to the formation of the gear block 400 integrally with the agitator 270.

As the gear 'block 400 is shifted axially between the position thereof shown in FIGURE 11 to a raised position at which the gear 420 meshes with gear 34c, the stroke and amplitude of speed of the agitator 270 increase to the stroke and amplitude of the speed of the drive shaft 280. The gear block 400 is shifted axially by means of the pin 680 which is fixed to the cylindrical wall 50c of the adjustment cap 51c and which extends into an arcuately shaped axially inclined groove 700 opening to the peripheral wall 480 of the gear block 400. Rotation of the adjustment cap 510 about the axis of the drive shaft 28c serves to shift the gear block 400 between the lower and upper positions thereof. In all of the embodiments illustrated the agitator is connected in continuous driving relation with the drive shaft through the complete stroke of the drive shaft regardless of the stroke of the agitator. Furthermore, a reduction in the stroke through which the agitator oscillates is accompanied by a corresponding reduction in the amplitude of speed of the agitator, thus not only avoiding high impact forces between the drive shaft and the agitator but also providing a more desirable washing action.

Although minor modifications might be suggested 'by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably come within the scope of my invention contribution to the art.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. In an agitator washing machine, in combination,

a drive shaft rotatably oscillatable on an axis and adapted for connection to drive means for rotatably oscillating said drive shaft at a given frequency and through a given stroke,

agitator means oscillatable on an axis, and

coupling means between said drive shaft and said agitator means for oscillating said agitator means simultaneously with said drive shaft and comprising a first actuatable coupling connection" for driving said agitator means through a first stroke at said given frequency,

a second actuatable coupling connection for continuously driving said agitator means through a second stroke at said given frequency as said drive shaft oscillates through said given stroke, and

means for alternatively actuating said first and second coupling connections.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second coupling connections together comprise first and second gear means fixed on said drive shaft and said agitator means, respectively, and wherein said first and second coupling connection actuating means comprises speed changer gear means for drivingly interconnecting said first and second gear means and for varying the gear ratio therebetween.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first gear means comprises a pair of spaced gears and said speed changer gear means comprises a planetary gear engageable with one of said spaced gears and a gear block connected for joint rotation to said agitator means and shiftable between two positions for alternatively driving said agitator means from the other of said spaced gears through said first stroke and for driving said agitator means from said planetary gear through said second stroke.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said planetary gear is journalled for rotation on a fixed axis and is in constant meshing engagement with said one of said spaced gears.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said gear block comprises a pair of spaced gear block gears driven respectively by said other of said spaced gears and by said planetary gears in said two positions of said gear block.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said gears of said first gear means are spaced axially with respect to said drive shaft and said gear block shifts axially with respect to said drive shaft between said two positions thereof.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said gear block is secured to said agitator means for joint axial movement thereof relative to said drive shaft.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 including means for axially shifting said agitator means relative to said drive shaft.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said gear block is secured to said agitator means for relative axial movement therebetween.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 and including means for axially shifting said gear block relative to said drive shaft and said agitator means.

11. In a washing machine,

a drive shaft rotatably oscillatable on an axis and adapted for connection to drive means for rotatably oscillating said drive shaft through a given stroke and with a given amplitude of speed,

agitator means including an agitator oscillatable on an axis, and

positive drive coupling means between said drive shaft and said agitator means for oscillating said agitator simultaneously with said drive shaft,

said drive coupling means having means shiftable between a first position for continuously driving said agitator through a first stroke and with a first amplitude of speed and a second position for continuously driving said agitator through a second stroke and with a second amplitude of speed,

at least one of said first and second amplitudes of speed being different from said given amplitude of speed.

12. The washing machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said first stroke and said first amplitude of speed are equal to said given stroke and said given amplitude of speed, respectively.

13. The washing machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said second stroke and said second amplitude of speed are less than said given stroke and said given amplitude of speed, respectively.

14. An agitator assembly for a washing machine comprising a drive shaft and an agitator each journalled for oscillation on an axis of rotation,

said drive shaft being adapted for connection to drive means for rotatably oscillating said drive shaft through a given stroke and with a given amplitude of speed, and

coupling means for positively interconnecting said drive shaft and said agitator for oscillating said agitator alternatively through said given stroke and with said given amplitude of speed and through a stroke and with said amplitude of speed different from said given stroke and amplitude of speed.

15. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said coupling means comprises,

first and second axially spaced gears connected to said drive shaft for joint oscillation therewith,

a planetary gear in meshing engagement with said first of said gears, and

a gear block connected to said agitator for joint oscillation therewith and shiftable between a first position at which said gear block is in driven relation with said planetary gear and a second position at which said gear block is in driven relation with said second of said axially spaced gears.

16. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said first and second gears have axes of rotation which are aligned with the axis of said drive shaft and the axis of said planetary gears are disposed in spaced parallel relation to the axis of said drive shaft.

17. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 16 and including,

guide means for guiding said gear block axially between said first and second positions,

said gear block being connected in fixed assembly to said agitator,

a cap mounted on said drive shaft for rotation about the axis of said drive shaft, and

cooperating threads formed on said cap and said agitator for moving said agitator axially to move said gear block between said first and second positions thereof.

18. An agitator assembly for a washing machine comprising a drive shaft and an agitator journalled for relative rotation on a common axis,

said drive shaft being adapted for connection to drive means for rotatably oscillating said drive shaft about said axis at a given frequency and through a given stroke,

a gear assembly coupled between said drive shaft and said agitator including a gear block shiftable axially between a first position at which said drive shaft oscillates said agitator at said given frequency and through a first stroke and a second position at which said drive shaft oscillates said agitator at said given frequency and through a second stroke,

a cap rotatably mounted on said drive shaft, and

means operatively connecting said cap and said gear block for shifting said gear block axially between said first and second positions in response to rotation of said cap.

19. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 18 including means locking said cap against axial movement relative to said drive shaft.

20. The agitator assembly as defined in including,

means connecting said gear block to said agitator for joint oscillation therewith.

21. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 20 wherein said gear assembly comprises,

a pair of axially spaced gears connected to said drive shaft for joint oscillation therewith, and

a planetary gear journalled for rotation relative to said drive shaft and in meshing engagement with one of said axially spaced gears,

said agitator being dirven through said planetary gear in said first position of said gear block and through the other of said axially spaced gears in the second position of said gear block.

22. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 21 Wherein said gear block is connected to said agitator for joint axial movement therewith and including,

complemcntal threads formed on said cap and on said agitator for moving said agitator and said gear block between said first and second positions as said cap is rotated.

claim 19 and 23. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said gear block is connected to said agitator for relative axial movement therebetween,

said agitator comprising an axially extending wall and a clilrcumferential slot extending radially through said wa said gear block comprising an axially extending wall adjacent said agitator wall and a cooperating arcuately shalped axially inclined slot formed in said gear block wa said slots being constructed and arranged so that portions thereof are in registry with one another, and including a pin mounted on said cap for joint rotation therewith and extending radially through said registered portion of said agitator wall slot and into siaid registered portion of said gear block wall s ot,

whereby said gear block is moved axially between said first and second positions in response to rotation of said cap.

' 24. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said gear block is connected to said agitator for joint axial movement therewith,

said agitator comprising an axially extending cylindrical wall and a radially extending axially inclined slot formed in said Wall, and including a pin mounted on said cap for joint rotation therewith and extending radially into said slot whereby said gear block is moved axially between said first and second positions in response to rotation of said cap.

25. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 24 and including,

a gear sleeve concentrically disposed and relatively rotatable with respect to said drive shaft and circumferentially surrounding said planetary gear,

first and second gears formed on said gear sleeve,

said first gear on said gear sleeve being in meshing engagement with said planetary gear, and

first and second gears formed on said gear block,

said first gear on said gear block being in meshing engagement with said second gear on said gear sleeve in said first position of said gear block and said second gear on said gear block being in meshing engagement with said other of said axially spaced gears in said second position of said gear block.

26. The agitator assembly a defined in claim 24 and including first and second gears formed on said gear block,

said first gear block gear being arranged in driven relation with said planetary gear in said first position of said gear block, and

said second gear block gear being arranged in driven relation with said other of said axially spaced gears in the second position of said gear block.

27. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 26 wherein said first gear on said gear block is disposed in circumferentially surrounding relation to said planetary gear.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,010 3/1931 Schuyler 68133 1,175,618 3/1916 Dewey 68-136 1,646,174 10/1927 Szekely 68-133 XR 1,755,419 4/1930 Anderson 68-133 1,965,183 7/1934 Getz 68-133 2,002,573 5/1935 Green 68133 2,098,075 11/1937 Watts 68133 XR 2,270,080 1/ 1942 Oakley. 2,273,566 2/1942 Faber 68133 2,361,767 10/1944 Hays 68133 XR 2,487,253 11/1949 Lyle et al. 68-433 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner