US2730886A - Clothes washing machines - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 17, 1956 G. P. cAsTNER 2,730,885

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l f Iliff? m .....i%\\\\\ 2 H r INVENTOR. George l? Casfner Ahys.

Jan. 17, 1956 G, P, CASTNER 2,730,886

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 6. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alfys.

United States Patent 4`O viy 2,730,386 j CLOTHES WASHING MAcmNns George P. Castner, Webster City, Iowa, assigner to Speed-Flex, Inc., a corporation of Iowa Application December 6, 1951, Serial No. 260,170

Claims. (Cl. 68-23) The present invention relates to clothes washing ma chines and more particularly to such machines comprising an upstanding tub `employing a ilat disk-like dasher arranged in the lower portion thereof and continuously rotated at a relatively high speed in order to effect .circulation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in the tub and to produce a washing action upon the clothes.

Heretofore, it vhas been proposed to provide aclothes washing machine that comprises a stationary upstanding tub provided with a bottom wall carrying a at disklike dasher adjacent thereto that is continuously rotated about a substantially vertical axis at a relatively high speed for the` purposes of effecting circulation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in the tub and of producing a washing action upon the clothes. However, this machine was not productive of a satisfactory washing action upon the clothes due to the formation of an upstanding vortex in thesubstantially vertically disposed column of the wash liquid located directly above the face of the dasher incident `to the continuous rotation of the dasher at the relatively high speed, whereby the clothes became trapped in the upstanding hollow vortex in the wash liquid and the wash liquid was circulated in an upstanding torus about the clothes, so that the clothes were badly tangled `anti poorly washed. ln view of `this difficulty, it was concluded that the production of a satisfactory clothes washing machine of the character .noted was not feasible, since no arrangement was apparent that would prevent the formation of the undesirable upstanding vortex in the wash liquid `incident to the continuous rotation of the dasher at the necessary relatively high speed.

Accordingly it is a general object ot' the present invention to providea clothes washing machine of the type noted that incorporates an arrangement for preventing the formation of theupstanding yortex Vin the wash liquid disposed directly above theface of vthe 4dasher not'- withstanding the continuous rotation ofthe' dasher at l a relatively high speed. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a clothes washing machine of the type noted that includes an up standing housing provided with a top wall having a top opening, a top door associated with the top opening and movable between open and closed positions with respect thereto, and structure carried by the top door and projecting downwardly therefrom in `the closed position of the top door into the upper `portion of the tub and partially submerged in the wash-liquid contained therein for preventing the formation of the upstanding vortex in the wash liquid incident to the continuous rotation of the dasher at a relatively high speed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clothes washing machine comprising an upstanding spin tub provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly and outwardly directed side wall, and a substantially disk-like dasher disposed in the spin tub adjacent to the center of the bottom wall, wherein the dasher is mounted for continuous rotation at a relatively highV speed about the ice upstanding central axis of the spin tub in order to effect circulation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in the spin tub and to produce a washing action upon the clothes, and wherein the spin tub is also mounted for continuous rotation at a relatively high speed about its upstanding central axis in order to effect removal of the wash liquid therefrom followed by extraction of the Wash liquid from the clothes contained therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washing machine of the character noted, an improved and simplified drive arrangement including a reversible drive member mounted for rotation in opposite directions at .a relatively high speed, and an automatic clutch thatis responsive to rotation of the drive member in one direction for clutching the dasher thereto and for 'declutching the .spin tub therefrom and responsive to rotation of the drive member in the opposite direction to clutch the spin `tub thereto and to declutch the dasher therefrom.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of theelerneuts of the clothes washing machine, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

ln accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that in a clothes washing machine of the character noted, the formation of the upstanding vortex in the wash liquid disposed directly above the face of the dasher incident to continuous rotation. of the dasher at a relatively high speed may be prevented by the provision of an imperforate member arranged directly over the dasher and projecting from above downwardly into the tub containing the wash liquid and partially submerged in the wash liquid, the area of the lower submerged surface of the member being somewhat larger than the area of the face of the dasher, and the dasher being disposed entirely within the vertical projection of the lower submerged surface of the imperforate member, lPreferably the imperforate member is carried by a top door associated with a top opening formed in a top wall of a housing for the machine, the tub being disposed in the upper portion of the housing. In the arrangement the imperorate member is movable with the top door and projects downwardly therefrom into the tub, the .lower portion of the imperforate member being submerged in the wash .liquid contained in the. tub when the top door occupiesits closed position, as previously noted. Also in themachine a oat controlledswitch is provided that permits continuous 4rotation of the dasher at the relatively thigh speed only in response to the provision of a predetermined level of the wash liquid in the tub, insuring that the lower portion of the imperforate member is submerged prior to initiation of the continuous rotation of the dasher at the relatively high speed.

Apparently the formation of the upstanding vortex in the vertical column of the wash liquid extending between the face of the4 dasher and the lower surface of the impertorate member is dependent upon the admission of air at the surface of the` wash liquid directly into the center of the whorl of the wash liquid as continuous rotation of `the dasher is initiated, since the upstanding vortex does not form in the wash liquid when the imperforate member is in place, as described above, prior to initiation of continuous rotation of the dasher. On the other hand, the upstanding vortex does form in the wash liquid when the imperforate member is not in place, as described above, prior to initiation of the continuous rotation of the' dasher. ln other words, when the top door occupies its closed position and the tub is filled to its normal level thereof prior to initiation of continuous rotation of the dasher, the upstanding vortex does not form in the wash liquid; and on the other hand, when the door occupies its open position or when the tub is not filled to its normal level thereof prior to initiation of the continuous rotation of the dasher, the upstanding vortex does form in the wash liquid. Also it has been discovered that during normal operation of the machine, without the upstanding vortex in the washing liquid, the upstanding vortex can be formed or be induced to form by admitting air from the exterior into the area disposed below the submerged surface of the imperforate member; which circumstance again seems to point to the fact that it is the induction of air into the center of the whorl at the top surface of the wash liquid that initiates the formation of the upstanding vortex therein.

Finally in the arrangement the tub is mounted for rotation about its upstanding central axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the dasher for the purpose of removing the wash liquid from the tub and of extracting the wash liquid from the clothes contained therein. `For the purpose of selectively and continuously rotating the dasher and the tub, a drive arrangement is provided that comprises a drive member mounted for rotation, and a reversible motor operative to rotate the drive member in either direction at a relatively high speed, together with an automatic clutch that is responsive to rotation of the drive member in one direction to clutch the dasher thereto and to declutch the tub therefrom and responsive to rotation of the drive member in the opposite direction to clutch the tub thereto and to declutch the dasher therefrom. This arrangement is very advantageous in view of the fact that the total assembly is essentially balanced, both during the washing operation and. during Vthe wash liquid extracting operation, thereby simplify- Referring now to Figs. V1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawings, the clothes washing machine 10 there illustratedr and embodying the features of the' present invention comprises an upstanding housing 11 provided with a substantially tubular side wall 12 and a substantially annular top wall 13 having a substantially centrally disposed top opening 14 therein. The top opening 14 may be of any configuration but is preferably substantially rectangular and is' provided with an associated top door 15 carried by the top wall 13 and mounted upon'associated hinges 16 for movements between'open and closed positions with respect to the top opening 14. Preferably a substantially rectangular depending flange 17 is carried by the top wall l13 in surrounding relation with respect to the top opening 14 so that the outer surface of the door 15 is disposed substantially flush with the outer surface of the top wall 13 when the top door 15 occupies its closed position. A substantially disk-shaped partition 18 is arranged in the housing 11 Vand secured in liquidtight relation about the periphery thereof to the adje cent side wall 12 in order to define an upper washing compartment 19 and a lower machinery compartment 20.

Arranged in the machinery compartment 2t) is a' substantially annular supporting ring 21 secured to the side wall 12 and carrying a spider 22 terminating adjacent to the vertical center line of the machine in a substantially annular bearing support 23 having a centralopening 24 therein, the bearing support 23 carrying a substantially the tub, the wash liquid being circulated from the face of the dasher in outwardly directed spirals across the bottom wall of the tub and thence upwardly along the side wall of the tub and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of the dasher, and the clothes being circulated with the wash liquid and being annular bearing plate 25, that, in turn, supports a substantially annular clutch plate 26 through an interposed antifriction thrust bearing 27 that maybe of the ball bearing type. An upstanding drive member or shaft 28 is arranged along the vertical center line of the machine and extends through the ceutralopening 24 provided in the bearing support 23 and through an aligned central opening 29 provided in thefbearing plate 25, the upper end of the drive shaft 28 being tixedly secured in a cen tral opening provided in the clutch plate 26, and the lower end of the drive'shaft 28 having a pulley 30 fixedly by the provision of a plurality of shallow smooth Vcon- Vex ribs formed on the face of the dasher. This wash-y ing action produced by the continuous rotation of the dasher at a relatively high speed is very gentle yet entirely adequate lthoroughly to wash heavily soiled colthes.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in Vwhich Figure l is a vertical sectional View of a clothes washing machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal Sectional view, ytaken in the direction of the arrows along the line 2--2 in Fig. l, of the intermediate portion of the machine, illustrating the arrangement of the spin tub, the baffle and the dasher incorporated therein; Fig. 3 isa horizontal sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 3-3 in Fig. l, of

. the lower portion of the machine, illustrating the arrange ment of the automatic direction responsive clutch incorporated between the drive member and the spin tub and the dasher; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electric control system for the machine shown in Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a reduced plan view of a modified form of the spin tub that may be incorporated in the machine shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6y is a reduced vertical sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5, of the modified spin tub.

secured thereto. The extremeupper end of the drive shaft 28 has a center recess formed therein that' receives a ball 31 that, in turn, supports the extreme lower end of a dasher shaft `32, the lower end of the dasher shaft 32 having a substantially annular clutchplate 33 fixedly secured thereto that, in turn, carries a clutch plate 34 through an interposed antifriction thrust bearing 35 that may be of the ball bearing type. A 'tubular spin tub shaft 36 is arranged in surrounding relation with respect to the dasher shaft 32, the lower end of the spin tub` shaft 36 being fixedly secured to the clutch plate 34 and the upper end of the spin tub shaft 36 being xedly secured to a substantially annular collar 37 that terminates in ak substantially annular spin tub supporting platform 38. The concentric positions of the shafts 32 and 36 are maintained by upper and lower sleeve bearings 39. and 40;- the lower end of the shafts 32 and 36 being arranged in the machinery compartment 20, and the upper ends of the shafts 32 and 36 being arranged in the washing compartment 19. More particularly, the central portion of the partition 18 is provided with an opening 41 surrounded by an opstanding tube 42 having an open upper end and projecting well above the partition 18 into the washing compartment 19. Thus the collar 37 carried by the upper end of the shaft 36 projects out of the upper open end of the tube 42 so that the platform 38 is disposed entirely in the washing compartment 19. v

A spin tub 43 is fixedly secured to the platform 38 and is provided with an upwardly sloping substantially disk-like bottom wall 44 having a central opening 45 therein through which the extreme upper end of the shaft 32 projects. -Also the spin tub 43 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly directed substantially tubular side wall .46 terminating in an open top having ank outwardly and downwardly rolled rim 47, the junction between the upper portion of the bottom wall 44 and the lower portion of the side wall 46 providing an `annular ledge 48 supporting the lower end of a substantially tubular baffle 49 disposed within `the spin tub 43. The bafe 49 is provided with an upwardly and inwardly directed side wall 50 that terminates adjacent to the upper end thereof in an inwardly directed and smoothly curved flange 51 having a central top opening 52 formed therein and provided with an inwardly and downwardly directed rolled rim 53. A substantially annular depression 54 is provided in the bottom wall 44 of the spin tub 43 in surrounding relation with respect to the central opening 45; and a substantially annular disk-like dasher 55 is iixedly secured to the extreme upper end of the shaft 32 and arranged at least partially in the depression 54. As best shown in Figs. l and 2, the dasher-55 is provided with a substantially flat face 56 terminating in a downwardly directed peripheral rim 57 projecting into the depression 54, the face 55 being somewhat upwardly crowned and carrying six shallow radially disposed ribs 58 angularly spaced-apart by intervening substantially pie-shaped shallow depressions 59. For the purpose of sealing the space between the upper end of the shafts 32 and 36 about the central opening 45 provided in the bottom wall 44 of the spin tub 43, a suitable packing gland 60 is arranged just above the upper sleeveV bearing 40 and within the collar 37, whereby wash liquid contained in the spin tub 43 is sealed against entry into the tubular shaft 36. In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the dasher 55 is mounted for rotation at a relatively high speed with the shaft 32 and independently of the shaft 36 for the purpose of producing a washing action within the spin tub 43; while the shaft 36 is mounted for rotation at a relatively high speed independently of the shaft 32 for the purpose of producing a water extracting operation of the spin tub 43.

Considering now in greater detail the constructionand arrangement of the drive mechanism for the shafts 32 and 36, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the annular clutch plate 26 comprises a hollow central cavity 61 in which the ball 31 is arranged, a surrounding upwardly directed annular auge 62 and a surrounding upwardly directed annular flange 63, the flanges 62 and 63 being arranged in spaced-apart relation by an annular intervening groove 64. The annular clutch plate 33 is provided with a central downwardly directed annular hub 65 arranged in the central cavity 61 and a downwardly directed annular flange 66 arranged in the annular groove 64. The annular clutch plate 34 is provided with a downwardly directed annular body 67 terminating at the lower end thereof in an annular ange 68 surrounding the annular flange 63. Finally the annular bearing plate 25 is provided with an upwardly directed annular flange 69 surrounding the annular flange 68. Arranged in the annular ilange 62 are three substantially equally f angularly spaced-apart tintes or channels 70 that receive three cooperating clutch parts 71 that may take the form of balls or stub rollers; arranged in the annular flange 63 are three substantially equally angularly spacedapart utes or channels 72 that receive three cooperating clutch parts 73 that may take the form of balls or stubrollers; and arranged in the annular ange 68 are three sbstantially equally angularly spaced-apart flutes or channels 74 that receive three cooperating clutch parts 75 that may take the form of balls or stub rollers. The flutes or channels 70 and 74 are directed from the peripheries of the respective anges 62 and 68 ,inwardlyV in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3; while the utes or channels 72 are directed from the4 periphery of the'ange 63 inwardly in the counterclockwise direction as,- viewed in Fig. 3.

Accordingly, it will be understood that when the drive shaft 28 is rotated in the clockwise directionas viewed in Fig. 3, the clutch plate 26 is rotated therewith carrying the anges 62 and 63 therewith, whereby the clutch parts Madsen' 71 move outwardly in the flutes or channels '70 into binding engagement between the anges 62 and 66 so that the clutch plate 33 and the dasher shaft 32 are also rotated in the clockwise direction; and on the other hand, the clutch parts 73 move inwardly in the flutes or channels 72 into complete disengagement with respect to the ange 68 so that the clutch plate 34 is declutched with respect to the clutch plate 26. Contrariwise when the drive shaft 28 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the clutch plate 26 is rotated 'therewith carrying the flanges 62 and 63 therewith, whereby the clutch parts 73 move outwardly in the flutes or channels 72 into binding engagement between the flanges 63 and 68 so that the clutch plate 34 and the spin tub shaft 36 are also rotated in the counterclockwise direction; and on the other hand, the clutch parts 71 move inwardly in the flutes or channels 'itl into complete disengagement with respect to the flange 66 so that the clutch plate 33 is declutched with respect to the clutch plate 26. Hence, when the drive shaft 28 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the dasher shaft 32 is clutched thereto for direct rotation therewith and the spin tub shaft 36 is declutched therefrom; and on theotherhand, when the drive shaft 28 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the spin tub shaft 36 is clutched thereto for direct rotation therewith and the dasher shaft 32 is declutched therefrom. Also when the spin tub shaft 36 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the clutch plate 34 is rotated therewith so that the clutch parts 7S move inwardly in the utes or channels 74 into complete disengagement with respect to the ange 69 carried by the relatively stationary bearing plate 25. Moreover when the dasher 5S is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed `in Fig. 3, there is a tendency for the wash liquid and the clothes contained in the spin tub 43 to rotate the spin tub 43 in the clockwise direction, rotating the clutch plate 34 therewith, whereby the clutch parts 75 move outwardly in the flutes or channels 74 into binding engagement between the anges: 68 and 69, thereby to clutch the clutch plate 34 to the relatively stationary bearing plate 25. Finally when the spin tub 43 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the wash liquid and the clothes contained therein have a tendency to rotate the dasher 55 in the.` counterclockwise direction, but this is in no way objectionable as the wash liquid and the clothes are readily tlung centrifugally away from the dasher 55 and onto the bathe Si), as explained more fully hereinafter.

For the purpose of selectively rotating the drive shaft 28 in the opposite directions, an arrangement is provided that includes an electric drive motor 76 having a frame 77 suitably supported upon the side wall 12 and provided with a reversible rotor carried by an upstanding drive shaft 73 carrying a pulley 79 on the upper end thereof, the pulleys 79 andA 30 being arranged in alignment with each other and interconnected by a V-belt 801. In the arrangement, the pulley 30 is adapted vto be rotated in opposite directions at a speed of about 600 R. P. M. and the operating shaft 78 of the motor 76 is adapted to be rotated in opposite directions at about 1800 R. P. M., whereby the pulleys 79 and 30 bring about a 3:1 speed reduction therebetween.

When the spin tub 43 is rotated in the.` counterclockwise direction at a relativelyhigh speed, there is a tendency for it to gyrate about its mounting, particularly when the contained load of clothes is somewhat unbalanced, and specifically for the bearing plate 25 to move excessively with respect to the bearing support 23, which action is minimized by the provision of a relatively heavy balance ring 81 carried by the upper portion of the side wall 46 of the spin tub 43 just below the rim 47. Moreover, the entire-,mounting ofthe spin tub 43 is stabilized by an arrangement including an antifriction bearing 82 disposed between the spin tub shaft 36 and the side wall 12. More particularly the antifriction bearing 82 maybe of Vinto its closed position.

the ball bearing type including an inner race 83 lixedly secured to the spin tub shaft 36 between the clutch plate 34 and the collar 37, an outer race 84 and a number of interposed balls 85. The outer race 34 is securely fastened to a ring S6 having a substantially channel-shaped cross sectionthat, in turn, is secured to a number of radially and outwardly extending arms 87 by a clamping housing 8S. The opposite ends of the arms 8'/ are movably supported upon a number of feet 89 secured to the side wall 12 by a number of interposed snubbers 90. Each of the snubbers 90 includes a snubbing member 91 formed of rubber or the like disposed between the adjacent foot 89 and the adjacent outer end of the arm S7, as well as a cooperating nut and bolt 92 retaining the parts mentioned in assembled relation. The spin tub shaft 36 is normally located in its upstanding position along the vertical center line of the spin tub 43 by an arrangement including a plurality of radially disposed coil springs 93 extending between the clamping housing 8S and a plurality of studs 94 secured to the side wall 12. Preferably the arms S7 and the coil springs 93 are arranged in equally angularly spaced-apart relation, each coil spring 93 being positioned in interposed relation with respect to two adjacent ones of the arms 87. Accordingly. the coil springs 93 retain the spin tub 43 in its opstanding position, while the snubbers 90 cooperating between the arms 87 and the feet 89 damp excessive gyratory movement of the spin tub 43 incident to a spinning operation thereof.

For the purpose of admitting wash liquid into the spin tub 43, an arrangement is provided that includes an inlet valve 95 provided with a casing communicating with both an inlet conduit 96 and an outlet conduit 97, the inlet valve 9S' being normally biased into its closed position and being operated into its open position by an associated solenoid 9S. The inlet conduit 96 is connected `to an associated source of wash liquid, such for example, as a hot water tank, not shown; while the outlet conduit 97 extends through an opening provided in the partition 13 from the machinery compartment into the washing compartment 19. The opening mentioned that is provided in the partition 18 is sealed about the outlet conduit 97 to prevent the leakage of wash liquid from the washing compartment 19 into the machinery compartment 20; and the outlet conduit 97 continues upwardly through the washing compartment 19 along the inside of the side wall 12and thence around the top Wall 13 into an overhanging and downwardly terminating position with respect Vto the open end of the spin tub 43. Thus it will be understood that when the solenoid 98 is enp ergized the inlet valve 95 is operated into its open position causing wash liquid from the inlet conduit 96 to be supplied vla the outlet conduit 97 into the upper open end of the spin tub 43; and on the other hand, when the sole noid 98 is deenergized the inlet valve 95 is returned back For the purpose of controlling the normal level of the wash liquid in the spin tub 43,

an arrangement is provided that includes a float switch 99 carried by the top wall 13 and provided with a hollow float 100 connected thereto by an associated pivotally mounted arm 101, the oat 100 depending into the upper open top of the spin tub 43. As explained more fully hereinafter, the float 100 cooperates with the wash liquid admitted into the spin tub 43 for the purpose of controlling the float switch 99 so as to maintain the normal level of the wash liquid in the spin tub 43 at the level indicated by the broken line 102 disposed just below the rim 47 provided at the open top of the spin tub 43.

As previously noted, the side wall 46 of the spin tub 43 is directed upwardly and outwardly while the side wall of the baille 49 is directed upwardly and inwardly so as to provide an upwardly diverging annular space 103 therebetween; in which space 103 a number of upstanding .substantially equally angularly spaced-apart ns 104are maidens arranged and secured to the interior surface of the side wall 46; and the lower portion of the baille 49 is per forated as indicated at 105; which arrangements are employed for the purpose of controlling the circulation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in the spin tub 43, as explained more fully hereinafter. Finally a hollow sealed member 106 of general box-like construction is carried by the lower surface of the top door 15 and movable therewith. The member 106 is of imperforate construction and includes a lower wall 107, an upper wall 108, and a continuous connectingv annular side wall 109. When the top door 15 occupies its closed position, the lower wall 107 of the member 106 is completely submerged Vin the wash liquid contained in the spin tub 43 and the side wall 109 extending between the lower wall 107 and the upper wall 108 isfpartially submerged therein. Moreover, -the lower wall 107 of the member 106 projects into the central opening 52 provided in the top auge 51 carried by the baie 49 and in spaced relation therewith. vFinally, it is noted that the member 106 is disposed directly over the dasher 55 when the top door 15 occupies its closed position and the side wall 109 has a radius considerably larger than the radius of the dasher 55, so that the perimeter of the dasher 55 is disposed entirely within the vertical projection of the perimeter of the side wall 109, for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

VIn the operation of the machine 10, the clothes and detergent are placed in the spintub 43 within the baille 49 through the top opening 14; the top door 15 is moved iuto its closed position with respect to the top opening 14 and latched in place by latch mechanism, not shown, cooperating between the top doorv15 and the top wall 13; and the inlet valve is operated into its open position to admit wash liquid into the spin tub 43. When a given quantity of Wash liquid is admitted into the tub 43 to the level indicated by the broken line 102 the float 100 operates the oat switch 99 so as to return theinlet valve 95 into its closed position and to condition the motor 76 for rotation in the clockwise direction. At this time, the motor 76 may be rotated in the clockwise direction effecting continuous rotation of the dasher 55 in the clockwise direction at a relatively high speed of about 600 R. P. M., whereby the wash liquid and clothes contained in the spin tub 43 are circulated therein. More particularly the wash liquid is circulated from the face of the dasher 55 in outwardly directed spirals in the clockwise direction across the bottom wall 44 and through the perforations in the bale 49 and thence upwardly between the side wall 46 of the spin'tub 43 and the side wall 50 of the baffle 49 and then back inwardly over the Ytop ange 51 of the bale 49 and back` downwardly through the space between the opening 52 provided in the top ilange 51 and the imperforate member 106 and ultimately downwardly toward the center of the face of the dasher 55; and the clothes are circulated from the face of the dasher 55 outwardly across the bottom wall 44 and thence upwardly along the side wall 50 ot' the `baffle 49 and ultimately back'inwardly and downwardly ytoward the center of the face of the dasher 55. Moreover the clothes contained in the spin tub 43 are rubbed and pulsated by the shallow ribs 5S provided upon the face of the dasher 55 as they are moved thereacross, so `as to obtain a thorough washing action thereupon. Also the baille 49 exerts a drag upon the clothes as they are circulated upwardly along the side wall 50 thereof; while the wash liquid circulated upwardly between the side ' walls 46 and 50 has a rotary component in the clockwise direction that isreduced or minimized by the arrangement of the opstanding tins 104 disposed in the l upwardly tapered space 103.

During the washing operation of the machine 10, there is a'tendency for there to form a substantially 'opstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column ofthe wash liquid extending between the face of the dasher 55 and theI submergedvlower wall 107 ot' the im- ;perforate' membervlU-incident toy the circulation thereof as a consequence of the continuous rotation of the dasher aveces@ 55 at a relatively highspeed; however, this tendency is entirely eliminated by the provision of the imperforate member 106 submerged in the upper portion of the wash liquid contained in the spin tub 43 and preventing the introduction of air into the center of the whorl at `the top surface of the wash liquid in the rotating column thereof. Thus the member 106 constitutes an anticavitation element for the dasher 55 preventing the formation of the upstanding vortex noted in Vwash liquid, whereby the washing action of the dasher 55 vupon the clothes is very effective. In the arrangement, the speed and size and configuration of the dasher 55 are correlated so that the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to the submerged lower wall 107 of the non-porous member 106 sealed in air-tight relation therewith are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i., so as not to exceed substantially the maximum atmospheric pressure of one atmosphere to which the' wash liquid is subjected.

Subsequently the motor`76 may be operated to rotate the spin tub 43 in the counterclockwise direction at the relatively high speed of about 600 R. P. M. in order to cause the wash liquid to be flung centrifugally from the open top of the spin tub 43 and caught in the washing compartment 19. The wash liquid may be drained from the washing compartment 19 via an associated drain conduit 110 sealed in an opening provided in the 'lower portion of the partition 18 adjacent to the side wall 12, and ultimately pumped to the exterior by a suitable liquid pump, not shown, arranged in the machinery compartment 20, and driven in any suitable manner, not shown. As the spinning operation continues, the clothes are finally pressed by centrifugal force against the battle 49, whereby the absorbed wash liquid is pressed therefrom and proceeds downwardly along the side wall 50 of the bale 49 and through the perforations S into the upwardly tapered space 103 disposed between the baille 49 and the spin tub 43 so that the last-mentioned wash liquid is also flung by centrifugal force from the open top of the spin tub 43 and caught in the washing compartment 19 and ultimately drained to the exterior via the drain conduit 110. At the conclusion of the spinning operation, a considerable portion of the` absorbed wash liquid has been extracted from the clothes, whereby the clothes are in proper condition to be transferred to a clothes dryer, or the like. At this time, the operation of the motor 76 may be arrested and the clothes removed from the spin tub 43 after it comes to rest and after the door 15 has been moved into its open position with respect to the top opening 14. In passing, it is noted that the imperforate member 106 is movable with the top door 15 through the top opening 14 so that the clothes contained in the spin tube 43 within the bathe 49 are readily accessible through the top opening 14 provided in the top wall 13 and the top opening 52 provided in the top flange 51 carried by the baflle 49.

In order to control the operation of the machine 10, the simplied electric diagram illustrated inFig. 4 is provided that includes a wash and spin control switch 111, a till control switch 112, the iloat control switch 99, the solenoid 98, the electric motor 76 and a source of power supply. The motor 76 may be of the single-phase split-phase capacitor start type, including a main or run winding 113 and an auxiliary or start winding 114, as well as a centrifugal switch 115 and an associated capacitor 116; and the source of power supply may be of 115- volts single phase A. C. 1n the operation of the control circuit, it will be understood that when the fill control switch 112 is closed, a circuit is completed for energizing the solenoid 98 via contacts controlled by a bridging member 99a incorporated in the oat switch 99, whereby the contacts mentioned are opened when the 'spin tub 43 is filled to the level indicated by the broken line 102 so as to deenergize the solenoid 98. Likewise it will be'ob` served that when the wash and spin control switch 111 is operated into its wash position a circuit for operating the motor 76 in the clockwise direction is prepared, but this circuit is not closed until the oat effects operation of the float switch 99 so as to close two pairs of contacts respectively controlled by two bridging members 99b and 99e incorporated in the float switch 99. When the spin tub 43 is filled with the wash liquid to the desired level indicated by the broken line 102, the iloat 100 operates the iloat switch 99 so that the bridging members 9911 and 99C close the respective circuits to the main and auxiliary windings 113 and 114, so that the motor 76 is operated in the clockwise direction. On the other hand, when the switch and spin control switch 111 is operated into its spin position, the circuit for operating the motor 76 in the counterclockwise direction is immediately closed independently of the float switch 99. ln passing, it is noted that the centrifugal switch 115 is arranged to interrupt the circuit for energizing the auxiliary winding 114 in series relation with the capacitor 116 in response to rotation of the drive shaft 78 of the motor 76 in either direction at a speed somewhat in excess of 50% of the normal operating speed of the motor 76. Further the wash and spin control switch 111 has an off position, as well as the wash and spin positions previously noted, and is effective in the respective Wash and spin positions thereof appropriately to pole the auxiliary winding 114 and the capacitor 116 in the respective clockwise and counterclockwise directions with respect to the main winding 113. l

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, a modified form of the spin tub 143 embodying the features of the present invention is illustrated that comprises a plurality of upstanding substantially flat baies 149 that are perforated as indicated at 205. The baffles 149 are preferably arranged in substantially equally angularly spaced-apart relation with respect to each other in order to preserve the balance of the spin tub 143 and to serve the function of exerting a drag 'upon the clothes in the washing operation in a manner substantially identical to the perforated baille 49 that is provided in the spin tub 43. The general principle of operation of the modified spin tub 143 is substantially identical to that of the spin tub 43 previously described.

In view of the foregoing considerations, it is apparent that there has been provided an improved clothes washing machine that embodies a simple arrangement for carrying out both a washing operation and a centrifugal Water extracting operation therein, and that embodies no complicated oscillating transmission mechanism or other structure that `t'ends to unbalance the rotatably mounted elements including the spin tub. Moreover, the machine embodies an improved and simpliied arrangement for preventing the formation of an upstanding vortex in the wash liquid contained in the spin tub not withstanding the circumstance that the dasher is in the form of a substantially iiat disk-like structure that is continuously rotated about a substantially vertical axis at a relatively high speed.

In conclusion, itis noted that the present clothes washing machine is of the fundamental construction and arrangement of that disclosed and claimed in the copending application of George P. Castner, Serial No. 258,433, tiled November 27, 1951; and that in operation the present clothes washing machine carries out the fundamental method of Washing clothes of that disclosed and claimed in the application mentioned.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:`

l. In a washing machine including an upstanding housing provided with a top wall having a top opening therein, and a top door mounted upon said top wall for movechansen ments between open and closed positions with respect to said top opening; the combination comprising an up- Y open top communicating with the atmosphere and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical and central axis extending through said top opening and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the nor mal wash liquid level in said spin tub .being disposed adjacent to the open top thereof so that said spin tub is substantially filled with the wash liquid, the interior of said spin tub being readily accessible from the exterior through said top opening when said top door occupies its open position, the Wash liquid contained in said spin tub being centrifugally flung from the upper portion thereof and caught in said housing in response to continuous'rotation of said spin tub at a relatively high speed, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said spin tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantialy smooth face and mounted for rotation about said axis, means for continuously rotating said dasher at a sufficiently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and the vclothes contained in said spin tub, the wash liquid contained in said spin tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and rdownwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said spin tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, and means including a non-porous member carried by said top door and projecting downwardly therefrom and partially submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said spin tub when said top door occupies its closed position for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of the wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and the lower submerged surface of said member incident to the circulation of the wash v liquid, the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said spin tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i. Y

2. In a washing machine including an upstanding housing provided with a top wall having a top opening therein, a top door mounted upon said top wall for movements between open and closed positions with respect to said top opening, and an upstanding tub arranged in the upper portion of said housing and provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly directed side wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub being adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said tub is substantially filled with the wash liquid, the interior of said tub being readily accessible from the exterior through said top opening when said top door occupies its open position; the combination comprising a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed in substantial alignment with said top opening, means for continuously rotating said dasher at a sufficiently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said tub, the wash liquid contained in said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are projecting downwardly therefrom and partially submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with thewash liquid contained in said tub when said top door occupies its closed position for preventing the formation of anysubstantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of the wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and the lower submerged surface of said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the washliquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to ksaid member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

3. The washing machine combination set forth in claim 2, wherein said member is essentially in the form of a hollow sealed imperforate structure secured to the-lower surface of Ysaid top door. t

4. In a washing machine including an upstanding housing provided with atop wall having atop opening therein, a top door mounted upon said top wall for movements between open and closed positions with respect to said top opening, and an upstanding tub arranged in the upper portion of said housing and provided with a bottom Wall and an upwardly directed side wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said tub is substantially lled with the wash liquid, the interior of said tub being readily 'accessible from the exterior through said top opening when said top door occupies its open position; the combination comprising a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed in substantial align# ment with vsaid top opening, means for continuously rotating said dasher at a suiciently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said tub, the Wash liquid contained in said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in-outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, means including perforated structure arranged in' said tub adjacent to said side wall for exerting a drag upon the clothes contained in said tub as they are circulated, and means including a nonporous member carried by said top door and projecting downwardly therefrom and ypartially submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said tub when said top door occupies its closed position for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of the wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and the lower submerged surface of .said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

5. In a washing machine including an opstanding housing provided with a top wall having a top opening therein, a top door mounted upon said top wall for movements between open and closed positions with respect to said top opening, and an upstanding tub arranged in the upper portion of said housing and provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly directed side wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so `that ksaid tub is substantially illed with the wash liquid, the interior of said tub being readily accessible from the ,exterior through said top opening when said top door occupies its open position; the combination comprising a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed in substantial alignment with said top opening, means for continuously rotating said dasher at a suiliciently high speed to circulate-the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said tub, the wash liquid con tained in said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, means including a plurality of upstandingr inwardly directed and angularly spaced-apart projections carried by the upper portion of said side wall for reducing rotation of the wash liquid contained in said tub as it moves upwardly along said side wall, and means includ ing a non-porous member carried by said top door and projecting downwardly therefrom and partially submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said tub when said top door occupies its closed position for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of the wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and the lower submerged surface of said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

6. A washing machine comprising an upstanding tub provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly directed tubular side wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said tub is substantially filled with the wash liquid, an upwardly directed tubular baille arranged in said tub and spaced inwardly with respect to said side wall, the lower end of said baille being supported adjacent to the junction between said bottom wall and said side wall and the upper end of said baille terminating below the upper end of said side wall, the lower portion of said baille being perforated, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, means for continuously rotating said dasher at a suillciently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said tub, the wash liquid contained in said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and through the perforations in said baille and thence upwardly between said side wall and said baille and then back inwardly over the upper end of said baille and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher outwardly across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said baille and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, said bafile exerting a drag upon the clothes containedin said tub as they are moved upwardly therealong, and means including a non-porous member arranged in the upper end of said baille and subi merged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said tub for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said member' are not substantially Iin excess of about 14.7 p. s. 1.

7. A washing machine comprising an upstanding tub provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly directed tubular side wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said tub is substantially filled with the wash liquid, an upwardly directed tubular baille arranged in said tub and spaced inwardly with respect to said side Wall, the lower end of said baille being supported adjacent to the junction between said bottom wall and said side wall and the upper end of said baille terminating below the upper end of said side Wall, the lower portion of said baille being perforated, a substantially dislolke dasher arranged in said tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, means for continuously rotating said dasher at a suiliciently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said tub, the wash liquid contained in said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and through the perforations in said baille and thence upwardly between said side wall and said baille and then back inwardly over the upper end of said baille and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, means including a plurality of upstanding angularly spaced-apart projections arranged between the upper portion of said side wall and the upper portion of said baille for reducing rotation of the wash liquid contained in said tub as it moves upwardly between said side wall and said baille, the clothes contained in said tub being circulated from the face of sai-d dasher outwardly Yacross said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said baille and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, said baille exerting a drag upon the clothes contained in said tub as they are moved upwardly therealong, and means ncluding a non-porous member arranged in the upper end of said baille and submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said tub for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and coniiguration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

8. In a washing machine including an upstanding housing provided with a top wall having a top opening therein, a top door mounted upon said top wall for movements between open and closed positions with respect to said top opening, and an upstanding tub arranged in the upper portion of said housing and provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly directed side wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said tub is substantially iilled with the wash liquid, the interior of said tub being readily accessible from the exterior through said top opening when said top door occupies its open position; the combination comprising a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed in substantial alignment with said top opening, means responsive to the establishment of said normal level of the wash liquid contained in said tub for continuously rotating said dasher at a sufficiently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said tub, the wash liquid contained in said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, and means including a non-porous member carried by said top door and projecting downwardly therefrom and partially submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said tub when vsaid top door occupies its closed position for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of the wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and the lower submerged surface of said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and contiguration. of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

9. A washing machine comprising an upstanding spin tub provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly and outwardly directed side wall and open to the atmosphere and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertically and centrally disposed axis and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said spin tub being disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said spin tub is substantially lled with the wash liquid, the wash liquid contained in said spin tub being centrifugally ung from the upper portion thereof in response to continuous rotation of said spin tub at a relatively high speed, a substantially disk-lile dasher arranged in said spin tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted for rotation about said axis, said dasher when continuously rotated at a predetermined high speed elfecting circulation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said spin tub so that they are peripherally centrifugally discharged from the face f said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence moved upwardly along said side wall and then sucked back` inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, means including shallow ribs provided on the face of said dasher for rubbing and pulsating the clothes as they are moved across the face of said dasher, a drive member mounted for rotation, means for rotating said drive member c011- tinuously at said predetermined high speed, means for selectively clutching said dasher to said drive member Vfor direct rotation therewith, means for selectively clutching said spin tnb to said drive member for direct rotation therewith, and means including a non-porous member arranged in the upper portion of said spin tub and submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said spin tub for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of washliquid extending between the face of said dasher and said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and conguration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said spintub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

l0. A washing machine comprising an upstanding spin tub provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly and outwardly directed side wall and open to the atmosphere and mounted for rotation about a substantially vertically and centrally disposed axis and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said spin tub being disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said spin tub is substantially filled with the washliquid, the wash liquid contained in said spin tub being centrifugally flung fromthe upper portions thereof in response to continuous rotation of said spin tub at a relatively high speed, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said spin tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a' substantially smooth face and mounted for rotation about said axis, said` dasher when continuously rotated at a predetermined high speed effecting circulation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said spin tub so that they are peripherally centrifugally discharged from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence moved upwardly along said side wall and then sucked back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, means including shallow ribs provided on the face of said dasher for rubbing and pulsating the clothes as they are moved across the face of said dasher, a drive member mounted for rotation, a reversible motor for rotating said drive member continuously at said predetermined high speed in either direction, automatic means responsive to rotation of said drive member in one direction for clutching said dasher thereto and for declutching said spin tub therefromand responsive to rotation of said drive member in the opposite direction for clutching said spin tub thereto and for declutching said dasher therefrom, and means including a non-porous member arranged in the upper portion of said spin tub and submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said spin tub for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said spin tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s; i. v

l1. The washing machine set forth in claim 10, and further comprising means for preventing rotation of said spin tub in said one direction by the circulation of the clothes and wash liquid contained therein incident to continuous rotation of said dasher in said one direction.

l2. The washing` machine set forth in claim 10, wherein said reversible motor rotates said drive member at said predetermined high speed of about 600 R. l. M. in either direction, so that said dasher is continuously rotated at about 600 R. P. M. in said one direction when it is clutched to said drive member and said spin `tub is continuously rotated at about 600 R. P. M. in said opposite direction when it is clutched to said drive member.

13. A washing machine comprising a tub including a bottom wall and a connecting upstanding tubular side wall having a top opening communicating with the atmosphere, structure removably supported in the top opening in said side wall and cooperating therewith to define a compartment in said tub and partially closing the top opening in said side wall to deiine an upstandingl space therebetween above said compartment and communicating between vsaid compartment and the atmosphere, said compartment being adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed up in said space so that said compartment is completely'flled with the wash liquid and the clothes, said structure including a down wardly facing non-porous wall arranged in opposed relation with respect to said bottom wall and constituting a top wallfor` said compartment and submerged in'and forming an air-tight seal with the washiliquid in said tub, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said compartment adjacent to said bottom wall and directly below said top wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted on said bottom wall for rotation about a substantially vertical axisy offset with respect to said space, and means for continuously rotating said dasher at a sufficiently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said compartment, the wash liquid contained in said compartment being circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said compartment being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, and means for exerting a drag on the clothes circulated in said compartment in order to effect distribution of the clothes in the wash liquid, the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said top wall are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

14. A washing machine comprising a` tub including a bottom wall and a connecting upstanding tubular side wall having a top opening communicating with the at mosphere, structure removably supported in the top opening in said side wall and cooperating therewith to define a compartment in said tub and partially closing the top opening in said side wall to define an upstanding space therebetween above said compartment and communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, said compartment being adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed up in said space so that said compartment is completely filled with the wash liquid and the clothes, said structure including a downwardlyl facing non-porous wall arranged in opposed relation with respect to said bottom wall and constituting a top wal-l for said compartment and submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the Wash liquid in said tub, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said compartment adjacent to said bottom wall and directly below said top wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted on said bottom wall for rotation about a substantially vertical axis offset with respect to said space, motor means operative to rotate said dasher contnuously at a suticiently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said compartment, the wash liquid contained in said compartment being circulated from the face or" said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, means governed by the wash liquid level in said tub for controlling operation of said motor means so that said dasher is rotated only in the event the wash liquid is disposed up in said space completely filling said compartment, and means for exerting a drag on the clothes circulated in said said compartment in order to effect distribution of the clothes in the wash liquid, the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said top wall are not substantialiy in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

l5. The washing machine set forth in claim 6, wherein said side wall of said tub is directed upwardly and outwardly and provided with an open top, said bathe is directed upwardly and inwardly and provided with an open top, and said member is mounted for movements into and out of the upper end of said bafe through the open top of said tub and the open top of said baie.

References Cited inthe tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS l,580,778 Coverstone Apr. 13, 1926 2,269,190 Dunham Jau. 6, 1942 2,278,911 Breckenridge Apr. 7, 1942 2,392,652 Dyer Jan. 8, 1946 2,482,319 Casse Sept. 20, 1949 2,498,734 Bozanich Feb. 28, 1950 2,502,965 Knapp Apr. 4, 1950 2,513,844 Castner et al. July 4, 1950 2,588,963 Chapin Mar. 11, 1952 2,596,980 Castner May 20, 1952 2,630,696 Castner Mar. 10, 1953

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