# How Early Washing Machines Moved Clothes > This 1910 patent describes a mechanical system designed to power the washing action within early washing machines, focusing on how the tub or agitator moved. - **Patent:** US 966677 - **Original title:** Drive mechanism for washing-machines. - **Owner:** HURLEY MACHINE Co - **Granted:** 1910 - **Status:** Public domain (expired) - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, mechanical, home_appliances ## What it does Based on its title, 'Drive mechanism for washing-machines,' this patent likely details the mechanical system responsible for moving the washing machine's components, such as an agitator or the wash tub itself. In the early 20th century, these mechanisms typically involved a series of gears, pulleys, and linkages to convert a rotating input (from an electric motor or manual crank) into the oscillating or rotating motion needed to clean clothes. Without specific claim text, the exact configuration of these elements cannot be described, but it would aim to provide a robust and efficient way to agitate laundry. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover the specific design of the washing tub or the agitator that directly touches the clothes. - Does not cover the methods for heating water or adding soap to the washing machine. - Does not cover any electrical control systems, as the patent focuses solely on mechanical power transfer. - Does not cover drying functions or spin cycles, which are separate mechanisms. ## The clever bit For its era, the cleverness likely lay in designing a durable and effective mechanical system that could reliably agitate clothes without breaking down, translating a simple input motion into the complex movement needed for washing. ## Real-world examples 1. Early 20th-century electric washing machines 2. Manual crank washing machines with geared drives 3. Washing machines with oscillating tubs ## Why it matters This patent represents an early step in the mechanization of household chores, specifically laundry. Before such drive mechanisms, washing clothes was a labor-intensive manual process. Patents like this one contributed to the development of more efficient and accessible washing machines, transforming domestic life by reducing the physical burden of laundry and paving the way for the widespread adoption of automated appliances in homes. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Early Washing Machines Moved Clothes cover? This 1910 patent describes a mechanical system designed to power the washing action within early washing machines, focusing on how the tub or agitator moved. ### Who owns patent US 966677? HURLEY MACHINE Co owns this patent, granted in 1910. ### When does this patent expire? This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent represents an early step in the mechanization of household chores, specifically laundry. Before such drive mechanisms, washing clothes was a labor-intensive manual process. Patents like this one contributed to the development of more efficient and accessible washing machines, transforming domestic life by reducing the physical burden of laundry and paving the way for the widespread adoption of automated appliances in homes. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover the specific design of the washing tub or the agitator that directly touches the clothes. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/966677/electric-washing-machine-fisher **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US966677 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Early Industrial Food Mixers Used Planetary Gear Systems](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1264128/stand-mixer-kitchenaid-johnston) — A 1918 patent for a heavy-duty industrial mixing machine that used a specific gear arrangement to rotate a beater while simultaneously moving it around the bowl. - [Josephine Cochrane's Mechanical Dishwashing Machine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/355139/dishwasher-cochrane) — A late 19th-century invention that used a pressurized water pump and a rotating rack to clean dishes mechanically, moving away from manual scrubbing. - [How the 1940 Nachumsohn Cooking Apparatus Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2187888/crock-pot-slow-cooker-naxon) — A 1940 patent for a cooking device designed to heat food efficiently using an enclosed chamber and specific heat distribution methods. - [How James Spangler Invented the First Portable Electric Vacuum Cleaner](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/889823/vacuum-cleaner-spangler) — A 1908 patent for a portable suction-based cleaning device that combined a rotating brush with a fan to lift dust into a bag. - [Early Car Wheel Traction Device](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1141798/zipper-slide-fastener) — A 1915 patent for a metal device clamped to a car wheel to improve traction on slippery surfaces.