Semi-automatic washing machine

Abstract

A semi-automatic washing machine includes a first tub, a second tub, and a retractable water supply conduit. The first tub is configured to receive clothing articles for treatment therein. The second tub has a spin drum disposed therein. The spin drum defines an internal space configured to receive clothing articles subsequent to receiving treatment in the first tub. The spin drum is configured to rotate during a spin cycle to remove liquid from the clothing articles via centrifugal force.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A semi-automatic washing machine comprising:
 a first tub configured to receive clothing articles for treatment therein;   a second tub having a spin drum disposed therein, wherein the spin drum (i) defines an internal space configured to receive clothing articles subsequent to receiving treatment in the first tub and (ii) is configured to rotate during a spin cycle to remove liquid from the clothing articles via centrifugal force;   a tube (i) disposed within the internal space along a rotational axis of the spin drum, (ii) defining a central opening configured to receive water, and (iii) defining a plurality of perforations establishing fluid communication between the central opening and the internal space, wherein the tube is configured to supply water from the central opening, through the plurality of perforations, and to the clothing articles disposed within the internal space via centrifugal force to remove detergent from the clothing articles during at least a portion of the spin cycle; and   a retractable water supply configured to (i) engage the tube and supply water to the central opening when in a first position and (ii) disengage the tube and starve the central opening of water when in a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable water supply is disposed on a lid that is configured to cover an opening defined along a top of the second tub. 
     
     
         3 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the retractable water supply transitions to the first position via closing the lid. 
     
     
         4 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the retractable water supply transitions to the second position via opening the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable water supply includes (i) a telescoping portion that extends toward the tube at a position that is above spin drum and (ii) and an outlet nozzle extending downward from the telescoping portion and into the internal space defined by the spin drum, wherein the outlet nozzle is configured to engage the tube to supply water to the central opening. 
     
     
         6 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the retractable water supply transitions to the first position via the telescoping portion advancing toward the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the retractable water supply transitions to the second position via the telescoping portion retracting away from the tube. 
     
     
         8 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations form trapezoid-shaped nozzles configured to direct water in a plurality of directions. 
     
     
         9 . A semi-automatic washing machine comprising:
 a first tub configured to receive clothing articles for treatment therein;   a second tub having a spin drum disposed therein, wherein the spin drum (i) defines an internal space configured to receive clothing articles subsequent to receiving treatment in the first tub and (ii) is configured to rotate during a spin cycle to remove liquid from the clothing articles via centrifugal force;   a tube disposed within the internal space along a rotational axis of the spin drum; and   at least one conduit (i) disposed within the tube and (ii) having a plurality of nozzles extending therefrom and through the tube, wherein the plurality of nozzles is configured to (a) increase a velocity of fluid flowing through the nozzles and (b) direct the fluid radially outward from the tube to the clothing articles disposed within the internal space to remove detergent from the clothing articles during at least a portion of the spin cycle.   
     
     
         10 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one conduit includes at least a first conduit and a second conduit, and wherein nozzles extending from the first conduit and nozzles extending from the second conduit direct fluid in different radial directions with respect to the tube. 
     
     
         11 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one conduit includes a spiral-shaped tube, and wherein the nozzles extending from the spiral-shaped tube direct fluid in a plurality of radial directions with respect to the tube. 
     
     
         12 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 9  further comprising a pump configured to direct fluid to the at least one conduit. 
     
     
         13 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the pump is configured to direct water from a fresh water supply to the at least one conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 12  further comprising a tank configured collect used water being directed out of the internal space, and wherein the pump is configured to direct the used water from the tank to the at least one conduit. 
     
     
         15 . A semi-automatic washing machine comprising:
 a first tub configured to receive clothing articles for treatment therein;   a second tub having a spin drum disposed therein, wherein the spin drum (i) defines an internal space configured to receive clothing articles subsequent to receiving treatment in the first tub, (ii) has an external radial surface that defines openings to the internal space, and (iii) is configured to rotate during a spin cycle to remove liquid from the clothing articles via centrifugal force; and   a conduit (i) disposed external and adjacent to the spin drum and (ii) having a plurality of nozzles extending therefrom, wherein the plurality of nozzles is configured to (a) increase a velocity of fluid flowing through the nozzles and (b) direct the fluid through the openings and to the clothing articles disposed within the internal space to remove detergent from the clothing articles during at least a portion of the spin cycle.   
     
     
         16 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the conduit extends downward such that the plurality of nozzles is arranged in a vertically extending column. 
     
     
         17 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the openings are arranged in a plurality of vertically extending columns. 
     
     
         18 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein the spin drum includes vertically extending members that separate the vertically extending columns. 
     
     
         19 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the openings are arranged in a plurality of horizontally extending rows. 
     
     
         20 . The semi-automatic washing machine of  claim 19 , wherein the spin drum includes horizontally extending members that separate the horizontally extending rows.