Patent Publication Number: US-2015059415-A1

Title: Washing machine with agitator

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/871,918 filed Aug. 30, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a washing machine and more particularly to a front load washing machine with an agitator. 
     Washing machines are well known in the art. While washing machines exist, the most effective way to clean clothing remains hand washing. The reason is that the process of hand washing creates sufficient agitation of the fabric to open up the weave pattern that allows dirt to be removed. 
     Attempts have been made to create agitation in the wash process to improve the cleaning performance of the washing machines. While improving the cleaning performance, these devices were complex and too expensive to manufacture. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a washing machine that addresses these deficiencies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A washing machine is presented. The washing machine is designed to open up the weave pattern that allows dirt to be removed. The washing machine comprises a cabinet having a back plate that separate the housing into a first chamber and second chamber. A drum is disposed within the first chamber and rotatably mounted to a first axle that extend through the back plate. Disposed within the drum is an agitator that is rotatably mounted to a second axle that also extends through the back plate. At least motor is connected to the first and second axle and in operation the drum and agitator rotate in opposite directions. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The FIGURE is a side cut-away of a washing machine. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the FIGURE, a washing machine  10  has a top wall  12 , a bottom wall  14 , side walls  16 , a back wall  18 , and a front wall  20  that form a cabinet or housing  22 . Hingedly mounted to the front wall  20  is a door  24 . Disposed within the cabinet  22  is a back plate  26  that separates the cabinet  22  into a first chamber  28 , and a second chamber  30 . 
     Disposed within the first chamber  28  is a rotating drum  32  that is mounted to a first axle  34  that extends through an opening in the back plate  26 . The drum  32  has a back wall  36 , a side wall  38  and an open front  40  that aligns with and is in communication with the door  24 . Preferably, the drum  32  is angled downwardly from the open front  40  toward the back wall  36  to cause clothing to fall toward the back wall  36  of the drum  32 . 
     Disposed within the drum  32  and rotatably mounted to a second axle  42  that extends through an opening in the back plate  26  is an agitator  44 . The agitator  44  is of any size and shape and preferably is not more than half the length of the drum  32  and is conical in shape extending from a base  46  and tapering to a rounded nose  48 . Mounted about the agitator  44  is a helical screw fin  50 . The agitator  44  rotates in a direction opposite of the rotation of the drum  32  and may also angle downwardly toward the back plate  26 . In one embodiment, a plurality of air jets  52  connected to a source of pressurized air  54  are disposed on and about the agitator  44 . The use of the agitator  44  in conjunction with the drum  32  leads to improved cleaning performance and a more gentle wash cycle that opens up the weave portion of clothing fabrics. 
     Disposed within the second chamber  30  is at least one and possibly two motors  56 . The motor  56  is operatively connected to the first and second axles  34  and  42  through the use of a gear train  58  or plurality of pulleys  60  and belts  62 . Also, extending into the second chamber  30  through an opening in the back wall  18  is an inlet tube  64  and an outlet tube  65  that are in fluid communication with the first chamber  28 . 
     In an additional embodiment, an electrical transducer  66  is used in association with the drum  32  and/or agitator  44  to provide very fast vibration, either linear or elliptical oscillation to the devices. The transducer  66  is mounted directly to the drum  32  and/or agitator  44  or to the first and/or second axle  34  and  42 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the vibrations created by the agitator  44  associated with the transducer  64  are ultrasound. Alternatively, the vibrations can produce micro-currents, which are emitted within the radio frequency spectrum. Micro-currents of this nature give off thermal energy as well as assist in enriching oxygen, which in turn increases the ability to remove stains and brighten clothing. In one arrangement, the mode of vibration be selectively set to produce linear oscillation, elliptical oscillation, ultrasound, or micro-currents. 
     From the above discussion, it will be appreciate that the small detachable golf bag assembly presented improves upon the state of the art. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims that are intended to be covered thereby.