Patent ID: 7614262
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. An automatic washing machine comprising: a basket defining a wash chamber to hold a clothes load; a spin tube coupled to the basket for cooperative rotation with the basket; a wrap spring housing coupled to the basket for cooperative rotation with the basket; an agitator mounted for rotation within the basket; an agitator shaft coupled to the agitator for cooperative rotation with the agitator; a motor coupled to the agitator shaft for rotating the agitator shaft and the agitator in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite the first direction; and a clutch comprising a wrap spring having a first clutched condition, wherein the wrap spring surrounds at least a portion of the spin tube and surrounds at least a portion of the agitator shaft in a tightened condition to couple the basket to the agitator shaft during cooperative rotation in a first rotational direction, a second clutched condition, wherein the wrap spring surrounds at least a portion of the wrap spring housing and surrounds at least a portion of the agitator shaft in a tightened condition to couple the basket to the agitator shaft during cooperative rotation in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, and an unclutched condition, wherein the wrap spring is in a loosened condition wherein the basket is not rotationally coupled to the agitator shaft.