Oscillatable tub with flexible blade

Claim 2

In a washing machine, the combination comprising: supporting structure means; a tub defining a washing chamber for containing fabrics and supported by said supporting structure means for oscillation about a generally vertical axis; at least one flexible blade having a first portion attached to said tub, said blade including a section portion connected to and extending from said first portion into said washing chamber at a position radially spaced from said axis and detached from a portion of said tub for flexible movement relative to said tub; means for providing washing fluid to said tub; and means for oscillating said tub to effect the washing of fabrics therein through the tub oscillation and blade flexure.

Claim 3

In a washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible blade is disposed in a generally vertical plane with said tub in a generally stationary posture.

Claim 4

In a washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of flexible blades are disposed in said tub and equally spaced about said vertical axis.

Claim 5

In a washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said tub includes a sidewall having perforations permitting fluid flow therethrough while retaining the fabrics in said tub and wherein said washing machine further includes an imperforate outer tub in which the perforate tub is contained whereby said perforate tub effectively contains the fabrics being washed and said outer tub effectively contains the washing fluid in which said fabrics are washed.

Claim 6

In a washing machine, the combination comprising: supporting structure means; a tub including a peripheral sidewall and defining a washing chamber for containing fabrics, said tub being supported by said supporting structure means for oscillation about a generally vertical axis; at least one flexible blade attached along a lower portion thereof to said tub at a position adjacent to said sIdewall, said blade being detached along an upper portion thereof from said sidewall whereby said upper portion is flexibly movable relative to said tub; means for providing washing fluid to said tub; and means for oscillating said tub to effect the washing of fabrics therein through the oscillation of said tub and the flexure of said blade.

Claim 7

In a washing machine, the combination comprising: supporting structure means; a tub including a peripheral sidewall and defining a washing chamber for containing fabrics, said tub being supported by said supporting structure means for oscillation about a generally vertical axis; at least one flexible blade attached along a lower portion thereof to said tub at a position adjacent to said sIdewall, said blade being detached along an upper portion thereof from said sidewall whereby said upper portion is flexibly movable relative to said tub; means for providing washing fluid to said tub; and means for oscillating said tub to effect the washing of fabrics therein through the oscillation of said tub and the flexure of said blade.

Claim 8

In a washing machine as defined in claim 5 wherein the effective flexibility of said blade gradually increases from said lower portion to said upper portion whereby the upper portion effects a fishtail action during oscillation of said tub.

Claim 9

In a washing machine as defined in claim 5 wherein a plurality of flexible blades are disposed in said tub and equally spaced about said vertical axis for effecting a generally upward movement of fluid and fabrics adjacent the peripheral sidewall.

Claim 10

In a washing machine as defined in claim 5 and further including means for rotating said tub to effect centrifugal extraction of washing fluid from the fabrics being washed therein.

Claim 11

In a washing machine, the combination comprising: supporting structure means; a non-rotatable imperforate outer tub supported by said supporting structure means; a perforate inner tub including a peripheral sidewall and defining a washing chamber for fabrics, said inner tub being rotatably and oscillatably supported within said outer tub on a generally vertical axis; at least one flexible blade disposed in said washing chamber and attached along a lower portion thereof to said inner tub at a position radially spaced from said axis, said blade being detached along an upper portion thereof from said sidewall whereby said upper portion is flexibly movable relative to said inner tub during oscillation thereof; means for providing washing fluid to said inner tub; means for oscillating said inner tub to effect the washing of fabrics therein through the oscillation of said inner tub and the flexure of said blade; and means for rotating said inner tub to centrifugally remove washing fluid from said fabrics.

Claim 12

In a washing machine, the combination comprising: supporting structure means; a non-rotatable imperforate outer tub supported by said supporting structure means; a perforate inner tub including a peripheral sidewall and defining a washing chamber for fabrics, said inner tub being rotatably and oscillatably supported within said outer tub on a generally vertical axis; at least one flexible blade disposed in said washing chamber and attached along a lower portion thereof to said inner tub at a position radially spaced from said axis, said blade being detached along an upper portion thereof from said sidewall whereby said upper portion is flexibly movable relative to said inner tub during oscillation thereof; means for providing washing fluid to said inner tub; means for oscillating said inner tub to effect the washing of fabrics therein through the oscillation of said inner tub and the flexure of said blade; and means for rotating said inner tub to centrifugally remove washing fluid from said fabrics.

Claim 13

In a washing machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for oscillating is operable for moving said inner tub and said blade through an arc of approximately 204* at the rate of 54 strokes per minute.