US 7,506,525 B2
Wash plate for an automatic clothes washer
Kathleen M. La Belle, Lawrence, Mich. (US); and Kurt Werner, St. Joseph, Mich. (US)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich. (US)
Filed on Jan. 24, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/41,388.
Prior Publication US 2006/0162395 A1, Jul. 27, 2006
Int. Cl. D06F 13/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 68—134  [68/3 R; 68/131] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automatic clothes washer for washing articles of fabric, comprising:
a wash tub defining a wash chamber for receiving the articles of fabric; and
a wash plate movably mounted within the wash tub for imparting mechanical energy to the articles of fabric, the wash plate comprising a blade the blade made from a first material and terminating in a tip made from a second material having a hardness greater than the first material wherein both the blade first material and the blade second material are exposed to direct contact with the articles of fabric during use of the washer.