Patent ID: 7069752
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. An agitator assembly for a fabric washer comprising: an agitator body having an upstanding axis; an auger body mounted for rotation relative to the agitator body about the upstanding axis of the agitator body; a drive motor operatively connected to the agitator body for causing reciprocating movement of the agitator body in first and second opposite rotational directions around the upstanding axis; a clutch between the auger body and the agitator body for causing the auger body to rotate in the first rotational direction in response to rotation of the agitator body in the first rotational direction and for causing lost rotational motion between the auger body and the agitator body when the agitator body rotates in the opposite rotational direction; the clutch having a clutch bearing comprising first and second clutch bearing rings adapted to bear against one another during relative rotational movement between the agitator body and the auger body; a lower bearing on the auger body spaced axially from the clutch bearing along the upstanding axis of the agitator body, the lower bearing having a bearing surface adapted to bear against a bearing surface of the agitator body during relative rotational movement between the agitator body and the auger body; one of the clutch bearing and the lower bearing limiting only radial movement of the auger body relative to the upstanding axis of the agitator body; and the other of the clutch beating and lower bearing limiting both axial and radial movement of the auger body relative to the upstanding axis of the agitator body.