Auxiliary rack and automatic dishwasher using the same

Abstract

An auxiliary rack for an automatic dishwasher increases an adaptability of racks to accommodate a variety of items to be washed and further increases the adaptability through the use of a single auxiliary rack. An automatic dishwasher can be selectively provided with at least one auxiliary rack, which includes a pivot support; and an auxiliary rack insert, rotatably coupled to the pivot support, having a plurality of rack insert sides, each side providing a specific accommodation of items according to a rotation of the auxiliary rack insert. The auxiliary rack insert is selectively rotatable with respect to the pivot support through an insertion of at least one pivot pin, centrally disposed with respect to the auxiliary rack insert, into at least one pivot hole formed in either the pivot support or the auxiliary rack insert to be disposed in opposition to the pivot pin, thereby enabling a selective rotation of the auxiliary rack insert with respect to the pivot support, to direct upward any one of the rack insert sides. At least one nodule protrudes to a predetermined height from either the pivot support or the auxiliary rack insert, with at least one recess being opposingly formed to receive and seat the nodule in a rotation-checked state, which directs upward one of the plurality of rack insert sides.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2004-0030948, filed on May 3, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to automatic dishwashers, and more particularly, to an auxiliary rack for selective application in automatic dishwashers.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

An automatic dishwasher is a home appliance for automatically washing and drying dishes and other items to be washed, which are placed on one or more internally positioned racks, by spraying washing water over the racks and thereby onto the items being washed. A general automatic dishwasher is illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a cabinet housing 110 forms the perimeter of an interior space of the dishwasher, and sliding racks 120 and 130 are respectively installed in the interior space behind a cabinet door 111, which provides access to the sliding racks and items placed there for washing. An arrangement of wheels (not shown) is typically provided on the bottom of each of the sliding racks 120 and 130, to engage with one or more rails (not shown) positioned under the sliding racks, respectively, so that either sliding rack may be easily rolled out through the cabinet door 111, when opened, and thereby accessed.

Under the cabinet housing 110, a sump 170, a pump 180, and a motor 190 are coupled to each other to provide via a water guide 140 a pressurized source of washing water to each of a plurality of nozzles 150, 155, and 160, which are respectively arranged adjacent the sliding racks 130 and 140. When the motor 190 is operated, the pump 180 draws the washing water collected in the sump 170 and pumps the washing water through the water guide 140, out the nozzles 150, 155, and 160, and onto a variety of items that may be placed in either of the sliding racks 130 and 140.

In an automatic dishwasher as described above, however, each of the sliding racks 130 and 140 has a predetermined structure, e.g., a wire-mesh basket, which also fixes the amount, number, and type (size and shape) of items that can be placed on either sliding rack to be washed, thus limiting the adaptability of rack usage. Though the greater adaptability can be achieved by installing one or more alternatively structured racks, there is a limit to the number of various racks that can be simultaneously accommodated with the interior space of the cabinet housing, and it would be prohibitively cumbersome for a user to perform additional rack installation as required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an auxiliary rack, and an automatic dishwasher using the same, that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary rack for an automatic dishwasher, which increases an adaptability of racks to accommodate a variety of items to be washed and further increases the adaptability through the use of a single auxiliary rack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary rack, which facilitates the use of an automatic dishwasher.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary rack, which eliminates the need to exchange an auxiliary rack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic dishwasher, which has increased adaptability to accommodate a variety of items to be washed, which facilitates dishwasher usage, and which eliminates the need to exchange an auxiliary rack.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a rotatable auxiliary rack for accommodating items to be washed by an automatic dishwasher. The rotatable auxiliary rack comprises a pivot support; and an auxiliary rack insert, rotatably coupled to the pivot support, having a plurality of rack insert sides, each side providing a specific accommodation of items according to a rotation of the auxiliary rack insert.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exchangeable auxiliary rack for accommodating items to be washed by an automatic dishwasher. The exchangeable auxiliary rack comprises a frame having at least two sides between which a lattice structure connected to inner surfaces of the frame is formed; and detachable fixing means, provided to at least one outer surface of the frame, for selectively installing the auxiliary rack in a cabinet housing of the automatic dishwasher.

According to the present invention, the exchangeable auxiliary rack enables a selective application of an auxiliary rack to an automatic dishwasher by installing any one of several exchangeable auxiliary racks as desired. Meanwhile, the rotatable auxiliary rack enables a selective rotation of the auxiliary rack insert to direct upward any one the plurality of rack insert sides as desired and to thereby embody any one of the several exchangeable auxiliary racks.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic dishwasher comprising at least one sliding rack installed in a cabinet housing of the automatic dishwasher; at least one of the above auxiliary racks; and detachable fixing means for selectively installing the at least one auxiliary rack with respect to the at least one sliding rack.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a general automatic dishwasher, showing a plurality of sliding racks;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of two different types of exchangeable auxiliary racks, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a rotatable auxiliary rack according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotatable auxiliary rack of FIG. 3, illustrating its operation; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an automatic dishwasher according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively illustrate first and second exchangeable auxiliary racks 10 and 20 as individual auxiliary racks for accommodating various types of items to be washed. The first exchangeable auxiliary rack 10 may be particularly devised to accommodate, for example, primarily long narrow items, such as knives, chopsticks, and similarly shaped utensils, and the second exchangeable auxiliary rack 20 may be particularly devised to accommodate, for example, primarily large round items, such as cups, glasses, and similarly shaped dishware. Either of the first and second exchangeable auxiliary racks 10 and 20 may be selectively installed in the interior space of the cabinet housing 110, for example, to correspond to the internal positioning of one of the sliding racks 130 and 140, preferably being selectively installed on one or more of the sliding racks themselves, for example, to be suspended within the basket-like structure of either rack, using a detachable fixing means 11 or 12 comprised of at least one hanger provided to one or more outer surfaces, e.g., a rear edge surface, of the first or second exchangeable auxiliary rack.

The first exchangeable auxiliary rack 10 comprises a frame 13 having at least two sides between which a lattice structure connected to inner surfaces of the frame is formed by a plurality of first rods 14 intersecting a plurality of second rods 15 and a plurality of first pegs 16 extending perpendicularly to a predetermined height from predetermined points of intersection between the rods. Similarly, the second exchangeable auxiliary rack 20 comprises a frame 23 having at least two sides between which a lattice structure connected to inner surfaces of the frame is formed by a plurality of third rods 24 intersecting a plurality of fourth rods 25 and a plurality of second pegs 26 extending perpendicularly to a predetermined height from predetermined points of intersection between the rods. The auxiliary racks may be provided with a side holder 17 or 27 for receiving one or more items arranged along an outward edge of the lattice structure and may be configured to have a predetermined gradient with respect to an installed auxiliary rack so that the received items may be held at rest in the side holder. In any case, the specific structure of the first and second exchangeable auxiliary racks 10 and 20, each of which constitute individual and separate components of an automatic dishwasher, may be variously provided as desired, and any number of such racks can be made available for exchange as desired by a user.

The individualized nature of the above-described racks, however, still limits the adaptability of rack usage, since the number of various racks that can be simultaneously accommodated with the interior space of the cabinet housing is still limited and since a user must perform additional rack installation as required. Therefore, the present invention provides a rotatable auxiliary rack 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

According to the present invention, the rotatable auxiliary rack 300 includes an auxiliary rack insert 301, a pivot support 330, and a detachable fixing means 310 comprised of at least one hanger provided to the pivot support. The auxiliary rack insert 301 is rotatable within the pivot support 330, to accommodate a placement of a variety of items of varying size and shape, by directing upward one of a plurality of rack insert sides according to the rotation of the auxiliary rack insert and the number of rack insert sides provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotatable auxiliary rack 300 provides two such rack insert sides, namely, a first side (directed upward in FIG. 3) and a second side (the reverse side), each rack insert side providing a specific accommodation for items to be washed by their placement on a corresponding lattice structure such as that shown in FIG. 2A or 2B. In other words, one rack insert side can be designed to receive one type of item or one set of items, and the other rack insert side can be designed to receive another type of item or another set of items.

The auxiliary rack insert 301 is selectively rotated 180°, by a user as desired, within the pivot support 330, which is formed of an elastic material to impart the pivot support with an elasticity with respect to the auxiliary rack insert. In doing so, one of the two rack insert sides and thereby one of the lattice structures can be selectively directed upward. Here, two lattice structures are formed by a plurality of fifth rods 340 intersecting a plurality of sixth rods 350 and pluralities of third and fourth pegs 360a and 360b respectively extending perpendicularly, in opposite directions, to a predetermined height from predetermined points of intersection between the rods. At the same time, the selective rotation also causes one of first and second side holders 370a and 370b, which are arranged along one side of the auxiliary rack insert 301 and preferably configured to have a predetermined gradient, to become accessible and thereby provide various additional accommodation for item placement according to the rotation of the auxiliary rack insert. Though not specifically illustrated in the drawings, the auxiliary rack insert 301 according to the present invention may comprise a lattice structure having more than two sides, each of which may be selectively directed upward in turn by a less-than-180° rotation of the auxiliary rack insert within the pivot support 330.

In addition to a lattice structure such as that described above, the auxiliary rack insert 301 comprises at least one outer frame surface 302 having a pivot pin 303, which is centrally disposed for supporting the rotation of the auxiliary rack insert. The lattice structure of the auxiliary rack insert 301 is structurally connected, preferably at opposing ends of the lattice structure, to the at least one outer frame surface 302. Meanwhile, the pivot support 330 comprises at least one inner pivoting surface 332 having a pivot hole 333, which is centrally formed for receiving the pivot pin of the at least one outer frame surface and is therefore disposed in opposition to the pivot pin of the outer frame surface. Thus, since each outer frame surface 302 can be rotated with respect to a corresponding inner pivoting surface 332, the outer frame surfaces and inner pivoting surfaces oppose each other along a circular plane 380 (see FIG. 4) established by one full rotation.

To couple the auxiliary rack insert 301 to the pivot support 330, each pivot pin 303, which protrudes a predetermined length from each outer frame surface 302, is inserted into the corresponding pivot hole 333 to establish a pivot point 381 at one end of an axis of rotation 382 intersecting perpendicularly the circular plane 380. Accordingly, a means of rotating the auxiliary rack insert 301 with respect to the pivot support 330 is established by the insertion of the pivots pins 303 into the pivot holes 333. Though the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a coordinated pair of rotation means, formed by two outer frame surfaces 302 respectively rotating with respect to two inner pivoting surfaces 332 along two circular planes 380, such that there are likewise two pivot pins 303 and two pivot holes 333, the present invention may be realized by a rotation means that pivots with respect to just one surface (circular plane), which may correspond to that of either pivot point or to that of another side of the lattice structure, using just one each of the pivot pins and the pivot holes. In addition, though the embodiment of FIG. 3 provides the pivot pins 303 to the outer frame surfaces 302 and the pivot holes 333 to the inner pivoting surfaces 332, the same effect can be achieved by providing the pivot holes to the outer frame surfaces and the pivot pins to the inner pivoting surfaces.

For selectively checking the rotation of the auxiliary rack insert 301 within the pivot support 330, a rotation checking means is provided on an opposing pair of rotation surfaces corresponding to the at least one outer frame surface 302 and the at least one inner pivoting surface 332. In the preferred embodiment, the rotation checking means is comprised of at least one recess 334 formed in each inner pivoting surface 332 of the pivot support 330 to receive and seat, in a rotation-checked state, at least one nodule 304 protruding to a predetermined height from each outer frame surface 302 of the auxiliary rack insert 301, the predetermined height of the nodule being less than the predetermined length of the pivot pin 303. Thus, while in the rotation-checked state, the auxiliary rack insert 301 is supported within the pivot support 330 by the pivot pins 303 respectively inserted in the pivot holes 333 and by the nodules 304 respectively seated in the recesses 334, and during rotation, the auxiliary rack insert is supported by the pivot pins only.

Preferably, the rotation checking means is provided on either side of each pivot point. Each nodule 304 may be provided with at least one inclined surface 304a disposed, preferably, along at least one of an upper engaging edge and a lower engaging edge of each nodule according to a rotation of the auxiliary rack insert 301 with respect to the pivot support 330, to impart the nodules with a predetermined angle of inclination for facilitating the rotation while providing a checking force sufficient to hold the rotation-checked state, i.e., to prevent a slippage of the auxiliary rack insert with respect to the pivot support, which may result due to an imbalanced placement of items with respect to the pivot point. The elasticity of the pivot support 330 enables the nodules 304 to be fully removed from their seated positions, to pass over the inner pivoting surfaces 332 and allow rotation of the auxiliary rack insert 301 as desired, either before or after an installation of the rotatable auxiliary rack 300 in the dishwasher. The elasticity of the pivot support 330 also enables the replacement and exchange of the auxiliary rack insert 301 with respect to the pivot support, to provide even greater adaptability.

The rotatable auxiliary rack 300 is loadable into the interior space of the cabinet housing 110 to be selectively coupled via the detachable fixing means 310 to an interior surface of the cabinet housing 110, for example, at a position correspon ding to either of the sliding racks 120 and 130. The pivot support 330 is essentially channel-shaped and includes a rear connecting bar 331 for supporting the pivot support by connecting the inner pivoting surfaces 332, the rear connecting bar having a rear edge surface providing one or more coupling points for the detachable fixing means 310. Preferably, the auxiliary rack insert 301 is coupled to the pivot support 330 before loading the rotatable auxiliary rack 300 in an automatic dishwasher.

As shown in FIG. 5, an automatic dishwasher according to the present invention may be provided with any one of the auxiliary racks of the present invention as described above. For example, in the operation of the automatic dishwasher having an auxiliary rack according to the present invention, the user first opens the door 111 and withdraws either of the sliding racks 120 and 130. After placing items in one or both of the sliding racks 120 and 130, one or more of the auxiliary racks (300, 10, 20) can be loaded onto either sliding rack, and various items to be washed may be additionally placed according to the selected installation of the auxiliary rack or its selective rotation. Here, the lattice structure of the auxiliary racks allows the sprayed washing water to reach items that may be placed on a sliding rack beneath an auxiliary rack.

By adopting the auxiliary rack according to the present invention, an adaptability of racks to accommodate a variety of items to be washed is increased since the auxiliary rack may be selectively loaded onto a sliding rack of an automatic dishwasher, so that various assortments of dishes and the like, for example, an assortment of cups or an assortment of knives, can be placed as desired on the racks, to be washed according to a user selection, thus facilitating the use of the automatic dishwasher. In particular, the present invention further increases the above adaptability through the use of a single auxiliary rack. In addition, by providing a rotatable auxiliary rack, there is no need to exchange an auxiliary rack, since the rotatable auxiliary rack can be selectively rotated to direct upward one of a plurality of rack insert sides designed to receive one type of item or one set of items, as desired.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An auxiliary rack for accommodating items to be washed by an automatic dishwasher, the auxiliary rack comprising:

a pivot support; and

an auxiliary rack insert, rotatably coupled to said pivot support, having a plurality of rack insert sides, each side providing a specific accommodation of items according to a rotation of said auxiliary rack insert.

2. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary rack insert has two rack insert sides.

3. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation of said auxiliary rack insert is 180°.

4. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

detachable fixing means for selectively installing the auxiliary rack in an automatic dishwasher.

5. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 4, wherein said detachable fixing means is connected to said pivot support.

6. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 4, wherein said detachable fixing means comprises at least one hanger connected to a rear surface of said pivot support.

7. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivot support comprises a rear connecting bar for supporting said pivot support.

8. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

detachable fixing means, connected to said rear surface of the rear connecting bar, for selectively installing the auxiliary rack in an automatic dishwasher.

9. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivot support is formed of an elastic material to impart said pivot support with an elasticity with respect to said auxiliary rack insert.

10. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elasticity of said pivot support enables a selective rotation of said auxiliary rack insert with respect to said pivot support.

11. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elasticity of said pivot support enables replacement and exchange of said auxiliary rack insert with respect to said pivot support.

12. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary rack insert has at least one outer frame surface and wherein said pivot support has at least one inner pivoting surface, disposed in opposition to the at least one outer frame surface, for receiving said auxiliary rack insert.

13. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 12, wherein one of the at least one inner pivoting surface and the at least one outer frame surface has a pivot hole for receiving a pivot pin protruding a predetermined length from the other of the at least one inner pivoting surface and the at least one outer frame surface.

14. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pivot pin is centrally disposed with respect to said auxiliary rack insert to support the rotation of said auxiliary rack insert.

15. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 13, wherein the predetermined length of the pivot pin supports a selective rotation of said auxiliary rack insert with respect to said pivot support.

16. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

means for rotating said auxiliary rack insert with respect to said pivot support, said rotation means being established by an insertion of at least one pivot pin, centrally disposed with respect to said auxiliary rack insert, into at least one pivot hole formed in one said pivot support and said auxiliary rack insert and disposed in opposition to the at least one pivot pin.

17. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 16, wherein said rotation means enables a selective rotation of said auxiliary rack insert with respect to said pivot support, to direct upward one of the plurality of rack insert sides.

18. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rotation checking means, provided to each of said pivot support and said auxiliary rack insert, for selectively checking the rotation of said auxiliary rack insert, to direct upward one of the plurality of rack insert sides in a rotation-checked state.

19. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 18, wherein said rotation checking means comprises:

at least one nodule protruding to a predetermined height from one of said pivot support and said auxiliary rack insert; and

at least one recess, formed in the other of said pivot support and said auxiliary rack insert, for receiving and seating said at least one nodule in a rotation-checked state.

20. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 19, wherein each of said at least one nodule comprises at least one inclined surface to impart the nodules with a predetermined angle of inclination.

21. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 20, wherein said at least one inclined surface is disposed along at least one engaging edge of each nodule according to the rotation of said auxiliary rack insert.

22. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 20, wherein the predetermined angle of inclination facilitates the rotation of said auxiliary rack insert and provides a checking force sufficient to sufficient to hold the rotation-checked state.

23. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 18, wherein said rotation checking means is disposed on either side of a means for rotating said auxiliary rack insert with respect to said pivot support.

24. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary rack insert has more than two rack insert sides and wherein a rotation of less than 180° selectively directs upward one of the more than two rack insert sides.

25. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivot support comprises:

at least one inner pivoting surface, disposed in opposition to at least one outer frame surface of said auxiliary rack insert, for elastically receiving said auxiliary rack insert;

a rear connecting bar, connected to said at least one inner pivoting surface, for supporting said pivot support; and

at least one hanger, connected to a rear surface of said rear connecting bar, for selectively installing the auxiliary rack in an automatic dishwasher.

26. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary rack insert comprises:

a lattice structure formed by a plurality of first rods intersecting a plurality of second rods.

27. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 26, wherein said lattice structure comprises:

a plurality of first and second pegs, each extending perpendicularly to a predetermined height from predetermined points of intersection between the first and second rods, to provide a specific accommodation of items according to the rotation of said auxiliary rack insert.

28. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 26, wherein said lattice structure comprises:

first and second side holders for receiving items to be washed, each side holder being arranged along one side of said auxiliary rack insert so that a selective rotation of said auxiliary rack insert causes one of said first and second side holders to become accessible.

29. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 28, wherein said first and second side holders are configured to have a predetermined gradient with respect to the auxiliary rack, the predetermined gradient allowing the received items to be washed to be held at rest in the accessible side holder when the auxiliary rack is installed in an automatic dishwasher.

30. An auxiliary rack for accommodating items to be washed by an automatic dishwasher, the auxiliary rack comprising:

a frame having at least two sides between which a lattice structure connected to inner surfaces of said frame is formed; and

detachable fixing means, provided to at least one outer surface of said frame, for selectively installing the auxiliary rack in a cabinet housing of an automatic dishwasher.

31. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 30, wherein said detachable fixing means comprises at least one hanger connected to a rear surface of said frame.

32. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 30, wherein the lattice structure of said frame is formed by a plurality of first rods intersecting a plurality of second rods.

33. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 32, wherein the lattice structure comprises a plurality of pegs, extending perpendicularly to a predetermined height from predetermined points of intersection between the first and second rods, to provide a specific accommodation of items.

34. The auxiliary rack as claimed in claim 32, wherein said lattice structure comprises:

a side holder for receiving items to be washed, said side holder being arranged along one side of said frame and configured to have a predetermined gradient with respect to the auxiliary rack, the predetermined gradient allowing the received items to be washed to be held at rest in said side holder when the auxiliary rack is installed in an automatic dishwasher.

35. An automatic dishwasher comprising:

at least one sliding rack installed in a cabinet housing of the automatic dishwasher; and

at least one auxiliary rack for providing a specific accommodation of items to be washed, comprising: a frame having at least two sides between which a lattice structure connected to inner surfaces of said frame is formed; and detachable fixing means, provided to at least one outer surface of said frame, for selectively installing the at least one auxiliary rack with respect to said at least one sliding rack.

36. The automatic dishwasher as claimed in claim 35, wherein said at least one auxiliary rack further comprises:

a pivot support; and

an auxiliary rack insert, rotatably coupled to said pivot support, having a plurality of rack insert sides, each side providing a specific accommodation of items according to a rotation of said auxiliary rack insert.

37. The automatic dishwasher as claimed in claim 36, further comprising:

means for rotating said auxiliary rack insert with respect to said pivot support, said rotation means being established by an insertion of at least one pivot pin, centrally disposed with respect to said auxiliary rack insert, into at least one pivot hole formed in one said pivot support and said auxiliary rack insert and disposed in opposition to the at least one pivot pin.

38. The automatic dishwasher as claimed in claim 37, wherein said rotation means enables a selective rotation of said auxiliary rack insert with respect to said pivot support, to direct upward one of the plurality of rack insert sides.

39. The automatic dishwasher as claimed in claim 36, further comprising a rotation checking means, provided to each of said pivot support and said auxiliary rack insert, for selectively checking the rotation of said auxiliary rack insert, to direct upward one of the plurality of rack insert sides in a rotation-checked state.

40. The automatic dishwasher as claimed in claim 39, wherein said rotation checking means comprises:

at least one nodule protruding to a predetermined height from one of said pivot support and said auxiliary rack insert; and

at least one recess, formed in the other of said pivot support and said auxiliary rack insert, for receiving and seating said at least one nodule in a rotation-checked state.