GB811506A - Washing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

811,506. Washing-machines. LEPPER, W. Sept. 12, 1955 [Sept. 11, 1954; Nov. 8, 1954], No. 26039/55. Class 138 (2). A washing-machine agitator mounted on a vertical shaft at the bottom of a container, presents at least one upper surface generated by a line extending from the axis to the periphery and rotating about the axis, with or without movement in the axial direction, the outer end of the line rising uniformly as the line rotates from the leading edge to the lagging edge of the surface and then falling steeply to the level at the leading edge. As shown in Fig. 1 the agitator 11 has a single radially extending stepped portion 13 and the surface 15 of the agitator is substantially helical. Fig. 3 shows a modification in which the upper edge 14a of the stepped portion curves gradually from the centre of the agitator and then extends along a line parallel to the radius thereof. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (not shown) illustrate agitators having four and two stepped portions respectively, the stepped portions 32 in Fig. 4 having a substantially uniform height along their length whereas those in Fig. 5 gradually increase in height from the centre to the periphery of the agitator. In Fig. 6 (not shown) the stepped portions extend downwardly beyond the bottom surface of the agitator and the agitator is provided with cut-outs or slots behind each stepped portion in the direction of rotation to augment the suction effect of the stepped portions. The agitator may be provided with ribs extending across each slot. Alternatively the agitator may be formed of two, three or more entirely separate parts independently fixed to a central portion of the agitator.