Dishwasher with Utensil Rack and Slides Therefor

Abstract

A dishwasher comprises a cabinet defining a wash chamber and a utensil rack mounted within the wash chamber by at least one slide. The slide comprises a track that slidably receives a wheel and includes an access opening for insertion or removal of the wheel from the track. A closure for selectively closing the access opening can prevent undesired removal of the wheel from the track. A method of removing the utensil rack comprises sliding the utensil rack to align the wheel with the access opening and lifting the utensil rack to move the wheel through the access opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/092,453 filed Mar. 29, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a household dishwasher with a utensil rack and a slide for supporting the utensil rack.

2. Description of the Related Art

Automatic dishwashers are well known, especially those for use in household environments. A typical automatic dishwasher comprises a cabinet that defines a washing chamber, which is accessible through a moveable door. Typically, an upper rack and a lower rack for holding utensils to be cleaned are provided within the washing chamber. Both the upper and lower racks are slidably mounted within the washing chamber in such a manner that at least a major portion of the racks can be slid substantially beyond the washing chamber to ease the loading of the racks.

A problem associated with conventional dishwasher racks relates to the slides that mount the racks to the side walls of the dishwasher cabinet. Usually, the racks include wheels or similar devices mounted to the sides thereof, and the wheels ride within a slide movably mounted to the cabinet. To remove the rack from the dishwasher, the user pulls the rack out of the wash chamber by sliding the wheel toward the end of the slide and, once the rack reaches the end of the slide, removes the wheels from the slide, usually by slightly lifting the rack to lift the wheel over a detent in the slide while continuing to pull. However, with such a configuration, it is easy for the user to accidentally pull the wheel over the detent while pulling the rack out of the wash chamber in a normal fashion and thereby unintentionally remove the rack from the slide. It is therefore desirable to have an automatic dishwasher with a slide that prevents undesired removal of the rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An automatic dishwasher according to another embodiment of the invention comprises an open-faced cabinet comprising opposing side walls and defining a wash chamber; a door movably mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the wash chamber; a utensil rack comprising opposing sides; at least one track defining an elongated raceway and comprising a stop terminating at a forward end of the raceway and an access opening to the raceway; and a wheel assembly comprising at least one wheel slidably received within the raceway and sized for insertion and removal through the access opening. One of the track and wheel assembly is mounted to one of the cabinet and utensil rack and the other of the track and wheel assembly is mounted to the other of the cabinet and utensil rack to slidably mount the utensil rack to the cabinet, and the wheel moves along the raceway to the access opening for removal through the access opening. A closure can be provided for closing the access opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a household dishwasher according to one embodiment of the invention comprising two conventional utensil racks and a third utensil rack positioned within a wash chamber of the dishwasher, wherein the third utensil rack is mounted to the dishwasher by a pair of slides and comprises a frame that supports a pair of basket elements, which are shown in an upper position on the frame.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1 with the third utensil rack according to one embodiment of the invention slid exteriorly from the wash chamber.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the slides and the third utensil rack of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the basket elements of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1, with a traditional upper rack shown in phantom for clarity, and the third utensil rack according to one embodiment of the invention shown in an upper position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dishwasher similar to FIG. 2, except that the basket elements are shown in a lower position on the frame.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the dishwasher similar to FIG. 5, except that the basket elements are in the lower position on the frame.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded view of a track and closure of the slides of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9A is enlarged view of the region labeled 9A in FIG. 6 with the closure on the slide shown in a closed position.

FIG. 9B is enlarged view similar to FIG. 9A, except that the closure on the slide is shown in an opened position and a wheel on the third rack is aligned with an access opening in the top of the slide.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a wheel support from the third utensil rack of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 9B with the wheel being removed from the slide through the access opening according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative slide according to one embodiment of the invention having an access opening at the end of the slide.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a utensil rack with an alternative embodiment pair of slides according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the slide and a wheel support of FIG. 13 according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the slide of FIG. 13, wherein the slide is shown in an initial position.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the slide of FIG. 14.

FIGS. 17-19 are perspective views similar to FIG. 15 showing an exemplary operation of the slide as it moves from the initial position of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the region labeled XX of FIG. 19 showing a closure on the slide in a closed position.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 20 showing the closure on the slide in an opened position.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 20 of an alternative embodiment slide.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a household dishwasher 10 according to one embodiment of the invention comprising a cabinet 12 having spaced upper and lower walls 14, 16 joined by opposing side walls 18, 20 and a rear wall 22 to form an open-faced wash chamber 24. A door 26 movably mounted to the cabinet 12 is movable between an open position, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the user can access the wash chamber 24, and a closed position, wherein the door 26 closes the open face of the wash chamber 24 in a conventional fashion. The dishwasher 10 further comprises a lower, first utensil rack 28 and a higher, second utensil rack 30 slidably mounted the side walls 18, 20 of the cabinet 12. The first and second utensil racks 28, 30 are preferably conventional utensil racks commonly utilized in present day household dishwashers for holding various utensils, such as plates, bowls, other tableware, and beverage containers. Usually, the first utensil rack 28 is adapted to hold plates, bowls, and large items, such as pots and pans, and the second utensil rack 30 is spaced a sufficient distance above the first utensil rack 28 to accommodate the items in the first utensil rack 30. The second utensil rack 30 commonly holds beverage containers, such as glasses and cups, and other small items. However, the first and second utensil racks 28, 30 can be arranged in the dishwasher 10 in any suitable fashion and can hold any utensils that can be washed in the dishwasher 10. During operation of a wash cycle of the dishwasher 10, the door 26 is in the closed position, and the first and second utensil racks 28, 30 are disposed within the wash chamber 24 and exposed to washing fluid, such as water, and wash aids, such as detergents and rinse aids. When dishwasher 10 is not operating, the user can move the door 26 to the open position and slide the first and second utensil racks 28, 30 from the wash chamber to empty or fill the first and the second utensil racks 28, 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher 10 can further comprise a third utensil rack 40 slidably mounted to the cabinet 12 by a pair of slides 42. The third utensil rack 40 can be positioned above the second utensil rack 30 and near the upper wall 14 within the wash chamber 24 and can move relative to the wash chamber 24 in the same manner as described above for the first and second utensil racks 28, 30. The third utensil rack 40 comprises a frame 44 that supports a pair of removable basket elements 46A, 46B, which can hold several types of utensils having various sizes and shapes.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the frame 44 comprises an upper U-shaped wire 48 and a generally rectangular lower peripheral wire 50 joined by a plurality of spaced and generally vertical connecting wires 52. The peripheral wires 48, 50 form spaced front and rear ends 54, 56 connected by opposing sides 58, 60. The U-shaped wire 48 is oriented such that it opens at the rear end 56, and the lower peripheral wire 50 is formed by a pair of opposed, U-shaped front and rear lower peripheral wires 50A, 50B that join at the opposing sides 58, 60. The frame 44 further comprises a front upper support rail 62 and a rear upper support rail 63 that extend between and above the opposing sides 58, 60 of the upper peripheral wire 48 and are parallel to and spaced from the front end 54 and the rear end 56, respectively. Additionally, the frame 44 includes a first pair of opposing lower support rails 64 and a second pair of opposing lower support rails 66 on the opposing sides 58, 60 of the frame 44. The first pair of lower support rails 64 is integral with the front upper support rail 62, and, similarly, the second pair of lower support rails 66 is integral with the rear upper support rail 63. Each of the lower support rails 64, 66 is elongated and generally U-shaped and depends from the upper peripheral wire 48 such that it extends below the lower peripheral wire 50. Thus, the upper support rails 62, 63 are vertically spaced from the lower support rails 64, 66. The upper and lower peripheral wires 48, 50, the upper support rails 62, 63, and the lower support rails 64, 66 are preferably metal wires coated with polymeric materials that can withstand the environment of the wash chamber 24 and protect the metal wires from corrosion. Alternatively, the upper and lower peripheral wires 48, 50, the upper support rails 62, 63, and the lower support rails 64, 66 can be composed entirely of polymeric materials.

Referring now to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the invention, the basket elements 46A, 46B, which rest on the frame 44, each comprise an upstanding peripheral wall 70 and a grid formed by a plurality of intersecting ribs 72 that form a bottom wall surrounded by the peripheral wall 70. The intersecting ribs 72 are spaced from one another a distance suitable for holding utensils such as silverware, spatulas, and the like. Further, the bottom wall optionally includes at least one small item support area 68 comprising intersecting support ribs 86 that are spaced closer than the intersecting ribs 72 to support small items, such as corn cob holders, that can potentially fall between the intersecting ribs 72. As shown in FIG. 4, the small item support areas 68 are preferably located in corners of basket elements 46A, 46B, but they can be located in any suitable region of the bottom wall.

The peripheral wall 70 comprises parallel and spaced first and second edges 70A, 70B joined by spaced third and fourth edges 70C, 70D. Each of the first and second edges 70A, 70B are substantially straight and can include a carry handle 80 formed integrally therewith. Each of the handles can comprise a lateral hook or flange 82 sized to receive the upper and lower support rails 62, 63, 64, 66. The third edge 70C is generally straight and perpendicular to the first and second edges 70A, 70B, while the fourth edge 70D can comprise an intermediate curve 74 to form a first basket element portion 76 and a second basket element portion 78 that is wider than the first basket element portion 76. As a result of this configuration, utensils of different length can be efficiently arranged within the basket elements 46A, 46B. As shown in FIG. 4, relatively short utensils A, such as standard forks and spoons, can be placed in the first basket element portion 76 in an orientation parallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B, while medium length utensils B, such as table knives, can fit in the second basket element portion 78 also in an orientation generally parallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B. Additionally, the basket elements 46A, 46B are sized so that relatively long utensils C, such as spatulas, mixing spoons, chef knives, and the like, can be arranged across both the first and second basket element portions 76, 78 in an orientation parallel to the third edge 70C and generally perpendicular to the relatively short utensils A and the medium length utensils B. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the relatively long utensils C are longer than the medium length utensils B, which are longer than the relatively short utensils A. However, the utensils can be placed in any suitable location of the basket elements 46A, 46B. For example, the relatively short utensils A can be placed in the second basket element portion 78, if desired.

Each basket element 46A, 46B can further comprise a plurality of tines 88 projecting upward from the intersecting ribs 72 to support and separate individual utensils. The tines 88 can be arranged in groups so that the user can efficiently position utensils of different length in different areas of the basket elements 46A, 46B. A first tine group 90 extends along the fourth edge 70D for holding utensils in an orientation parallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B, and a second tine group 92 is disposed along the second edge 70B for holding utensils in an orientation parallel to the third edge 70C. Preferably, the tines 88 in the first tine group 90 are spaced to hold relatively thin utensils, such as table knives, spoons, and forks (i.e., the relatively short utensils A and the medium length utensils B), while the tines 88 in the second tine group 92 are spaced farther apart to accommodate wider utensils, such as spatulas (i.e., the relatively long utensils C). Further, the tines 88 are preferably arranged in pairs of tines to form two parallel rows 88A, 88B of tines 88. As a result of this configuration, the utensils positioned between the tines 88 are held by the tines 88 at two locations along the length thereof, and, therefore, the rows 88A, 88B of tines 88 prevent pivotal movement of the utensils and maintain the utensils in the orientation generally parallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B or parallel to the third edge 70C. Additionally, the second group of tines 92 includes a third row 88C of tines 88 along the first edge 70A for securing both ends of the relatively long utensils C to prevent the pivotal movement thereof.

Referring back to FIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the invention, the fourth edges 70D of the basket elements 46A, 46B are complementary and matingly abut one another when the basket elements 46A, 46B are seated on the frame 44. As a result, the first edges 70A, the second edges 70B, and the third edges 70C of both of the basket elements 46A, 46B form a generally rectangular periphery with a minor discontinuation at the interface between the basket elements 46A, 46B. Further, because the basket elements 46A, 46B are complementary, the basket elements 46A, 46B mate to form a whole, generally rectangular basket. The whole basket is defined by the rectangular periphery and has a surface area slightly less than the area defined between the front and rear ends 54, 56 and the opposing sides 58, 60 of the frame 44. In particular, the whole basket corresponds to a single basket sized to span in one direction between the upper support rails 62, 63 and in the other direction a distance slightly less than the distance between the first and second pairs of opposing lower support rails 64, 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the first basket element portion 76 of the first basket element 46A aligns with the second basket element portion 78 of the second basket element 46B, and the second basket element portion 78 of the first basket element 46A aligns with the first basket element portion 76 of the second basket element 46B to form the whole basket, which has a constant width equal to the sum of the individual widths of the basket element portions 76, 78. Preferably, the basket elements 46A, 46B are identical in shape and size so that each of the basket elements 46A, 46B accounts for about one half of the whole basket. Further, production costs are minimized when the basket elements 46A, 46B are identical because only a single mold design is required for all of the basket elements 46A, 46B.

The basket elements 46A, 46B are adjustably mounted to the frame 44 to accommodate utensils held by the second utensil rack 30 and utensils held by the basket elements 46A, 46B and to efficiently utilize the limited space in the wash chamber 24. In particular, the basket elements 46A, 46B can be vertically adjustable on the frame 44 and, therefore, within the wash chamber 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, according to one embodiment of the invention, the basket elements 46A, 46B can be mounted in an upper position wherein the flanges 82 on the first and second edges 70A, 70B rest on the upper support rails 62, 63. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, according to one embodiment of the invention, the basket elements 46A, 46B can be mounted in a lower position, wherein the flanges 82 on the first and second edges 70A, 70B rest on the first and second pairs of opposing lower support rails 64, 66. A comparison of FIGS. 5 and 7 shows that the basket elements 46A, 46B are located higher in the wash chamber 24 when in the upper position. Further, the bottom walls formed by the intersecting ribs 72 of the basket elements 46A, 46B are spaced from the second utensil rack 30 a greater distance when the basket elements 46A, 46B are in the upper position than when the basket elements 46A, 46B are in the lower position, but clearance between the bottom walls and the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12 is greater when the basket elements 46A, 46B are in the lower position than when in the upper position. Mounting the basket elements 46A, 46B in the upper and the lower positions is, therefore, a compromise between spacing between the second utensil rack 30 and the third utensil rack 40 and clearance between the third utensil rack 40 and the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12. Additionally, the basket elements 46A, 46B in the upper position are oriented generally orthogonal to the basket elements 46A, 46B in the lower position because the portions of the frame 44 that support the basket elements 46A, 46B in these two positions are oriented orthogonal to one another. Such an arrangement facilitates mounting the basket elements 46A, 46B to the frame 44 since the upper support rails 62, 63 do not interfere with the basket elements 46A, 46B when mounting them on the first and second pairs of opposing lower support rails 64, 66 and vice-versa.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8 and generally to FIG. 3, the slides 42 that slidably mount the third utensil rack 40 to the cabinet 12 each comprise a track 100 having a generally vertical middle wall 102 with an aperture 103 near a front end thereof and pairs of upper and lower L-shaped flanges 104, 106 extending along the middle wall 102 to define an inner raceway 110 on an interior side (i.e., the side closer to the third utensil rack 40) of the middle wall 102 and an outer raceway 110 on an outer side (i.e., the side farther from the third utensil rack 40) of the middle wall 102. The raceways 110, 112 terminate at a pair of stops in the form of front flanges 108 at the front end of the track 100. The upper flange 104 that partially defines the inner raceway 110 is spaced from the front flange 108 on the interior side of the middle wall 102 to form an access opening 114 therebetween. A closure 120 pivotally mounted to the upper and lower flanges 104, 106 of the track 100 selectively blocks the access opening 114. The closure 120 comprises parallel upper and lower walls 122, 124 joined by a side wall 126 and a front wall 128 orthogonal to the side wall 126. The side wall 126 and the front wall 128 form a grip 130 sized to be grasped between a user's fingers for pivotally moving the closure 120. Additionally, the closure 120 includes a detent 132 that extends from the side wall 126 and is sized to mate with the aperture 103. The closure 120 is movable between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 9A, wherein the upper wall 122 blocks the access opening 114, and an opened position, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, wherein the closure 120 is pivoted away from the track 100 so that the upper wall 122 is spaced from the access opening 114.

Referring particularly to FIG. 10 and generally to FIG. 3, a wheel support 140 couples each opposing side 58, 60 of the third utensil rack 40 to its corresponding slide 42. Each wheel support 140 is an elongated, generally rectangular member with front and rear wheels 142, 144 rotatably mounted to an outer side thereof. The wheels 142, 144 are sized for receipt within the access opening 114 and the inner raceway 110. The wheel support 140 further includes a pair of parallel grooves 146 on an interior side thereof for receiving the upper and lower peripheral wires 48, 50 of the frame 44. Snap clamps 150 adjacent the grooves 146 are sized to securely receive at least one of the upper and lower peripheral wires 48, 50 to prevent lateral translation of the wheel support 140 relative to the frame 44. Additionally, the interior side of the wheel support 140 includes sets of vertically aligned U-shaped projections 148 between the grooves 146 sized to receive brackets 152 for sandwiching the frame 44 between the wheel support 140 and the brackets 152 to thereby mount the wheel support 140 to the frame 44. The wheel support 140 also comprises an upwardly and outwardly extending overhang 154 to facilitate mounting the wheel support 140 to the track 100.

An exemplary description of the assembly and operation of the third utensil rack 40 and the slides 42 follows. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill that the assembly and operation can proceed in any logical order and is not limited to the sequence presented below. The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any way.

Each of the slides 42 is mounted to the dishwasher 10 by attaching the track 100 to a conventional slide mount (not shown) on the corresponding opposing side wall 18, 20. The slide mount can be any suitable type of device that couples the track 100 to the corresponding opposing side wall 18, 20. For example, the slide mount can comprise one or more wheels mounted to the side walls 18, 20. Typically, the track 100 receives the slide mount within the outer raceway 112 so that the track 100 can slide relative to the cabinet 12. Next, the wheel supports 140 are mounted to the opposing sides 58, 60 of the frame 44 by aligning the upper and lower peripheral wires 48, 50 with the grooves 146, snapping the lower peripheral wire 50 into the snap clamps 150, and inserting the brackets 152 into the projections 148 to clamp the upper and lower peripheral wires 48, 50 between the wheel support 140 and the brackets 150. After the wheel supports 140 are secured to the frame 44, the user pivots the closures 120 on the slides 42 to the opened position so that the rear wheels 144 can be inserted into the inner raceways 110 through the access openings 114. The user then pushes the frame 44 towards the wash chamber 24 so that the rear wheels 144 travel along the inner raceway 110 until the front wheels 142 are aligned with the access openings 114, as shown in FIG. 11. After the user inserts the front wheels 142 into the inner raceway 110 through the access openings 114, the user pivots the closures 120 toward the track 100 to the closed position, wherein the detents 132 mate with the apertures 103, and the upper walls 122 block the access openings 114 to prevent inadvertent removal of the front wheels 142 from the inner raceways 110, as shown in FIG. 9A. In this position, the overhangs 154 of the wheel supports 140 rest on the upper flanges 104 of the track 100 to help support the frame 44 on the slides 42. When the slides 42 are mounted to the cabinet 12 and the frame 44 is mounted to the slides 42, the third utensil rack 40 is thereby mounted to the dishwasher 10 and can slide relative to the wash chamber 24.

The user can mount the basket elements 46A, 46B to the frame 44 in either the upper position or the lower position depending on the desired configuration of the utensil racks 28, 30, 40 in the wash chamber 24, the sizes of the utensils in the second utensil rack 30, and the sizes of the utensils to be held in the third utensil rack 40. To maximize the space between the second utensil rack 30 and the basket elements 46A, 46B, the basket elements 46A, 46B are placed adjacent one another in the upper position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, with the flanges 82 on the upper support rails 62, 63. Further, the basket elements 46A, 46B are positioned with their complementary, fourth edges 70D in abutting contact to form the whole basket. However, if the user desires to maximize the clearance between the basket elements 46A, 46B and the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12 to fit larger utensils in the third utensil rack 40, the basket elements 46A, 46B are rotated 90-degrees and placed adjacent one another in the lower position, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the flanges 82 on the first and second opposing pairs of lower support rails 64, 66. As in the upper position, the basket elements 46A, 46B are positioned with their complementary, fourth edges 70D in abutting contact to form the whole basket.

With the basket elements 46A, 46B in either the upper position or the lower position, the user can fill the basket elements 46A, 46B with various shapes and sizes of utensils, including the relatively short utensils A, the medium length utensils B, and the relatively long utensils C, as described above. The utensils can be arranged in the basket elements 46A, 46B in any suitable fashion to maximize the quantity of utensils held by the third utensil rack 40 without compromising the ability of the dishwasher 10 to clean the utensils. Additionally, the user can place small items, such as corn cob holders, in the small item support areas 68. During operation of a wash cycle, the tines 88 surrounding the small item support areas 68 help retain the small items in the small item support areas 68.

After the wash cycle is complete, the user pulls the third utensil rack 40 from the wash chamber to empty the basket elements 46A, 46B. The front stop flanges 108 limit the forward movement of the frame 44 relative to the slides 42. Next, the user removes the utensils from the third utensil rack 40 in any suitable manner. For example, the user can either manually remove each utensil from the basket elements 46A, 46B while the basket elements 46A, 46B are mounted to the frame 44, the user can remove at least one of the basket elements 46A, 46B with the utensils therein and empty the at least one basket element 46A, 46B at a location separate from the dishwasher 10, or the user can remove at least one of the basket elements 46A, 46B with the utensils therein and use the at least one basket element 46A, 46B for utensil storage, such as by placing the at least one basket element 46A, 46B in a drawer.

If the user desires to remove the entire frame 44 from the dishwasher, the user pivots the closures 120 away from the tracks 100 to the opened position, as shown in FIG. 9B, to unblock the access openings 114. The closures 120 in the illustrated embodiment advantageously remain mounted to the tracks 100 during movement between the closed and opened positions and while in the opened position. Next, the user aligns the front wheels 142 with the access openings 114 and lifts the frame 44, such as by pivoting the frame 44, to thereby lift the front wheels 142 through the access openings 114, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Thereafter, the user pulls the frame 44 further from the wash chamber 24 until the rear wheels 144 are aligned with the access openings 114 and lifts the frame 44, such as by pivoting the frame 44, to thereby lift the rear wheels 144 through the access openings 114 and disconnect the frame 44 from the slides 42.

An alternative slide 42′ is illustrated in FIG. 12, where components similar to those of the first embodiment slide 42 are identified with the same numeral bearing a prime (′) symbol. The slide 42′ is substantially identical to the first embodiment slide 42, except that the track 100′ does not include the front flange stops 108, and the upper and the lower flanges 104′, 106′ extend all the way to the end of the track 100′. As a result, the access opening 114′ is defined between the ends of the upper and lower flanges 104′, 106′, and the closure 120′ in the closed position functions as the stop while blocking the access opening 114′.

Alternatively, the access opening 114 can be located elsewhere in the track 100. For example, the access opening 114 can be formed between the lower flange 106 and the front flange stop 108 if the lower flange 106 is sufficiently spaced from the front end of the track 100.

An alternative embodiment of slides 200 is illustrated in FIG. 13. The slides 200 are shown in FIG. 13 in conjunction with the second utensil rack 30; however, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize the slides 200 with the first utensil rack 28, the third utensil rack 40, or any other utensil rack. The remaining description of the slides 200 is presented with respect to one of the slides 200, with it being understood that the description can apply to both of the slides 200. A wheel support 202 couples the slide 200 to a side of the second utensil rack 30.

Referring to FIG. 14, which is an exploded view of the slide 200 and the wheel support 202, the wheel support 202 carries a front wheel 204 and a rear wheel 206 on a support plate 208. The front wheel 204 and the rear wheel 206 of the illustrated embodiment each include a circumferential groove 210. A wheel support bracket 212 attached to the support plate 208 mounts the wheel support 202 to the second utensil rack 30.

The slide 202 includes a rail 220 and a track 222 slidable relative to the rail 202. The rail 220 includes a generally vertical wall 224 having bracket retainers 226 that receive slide brackets 228, which couple the rail 220 to one of the cabinet side walls 18, 20. According to the illustrated embodiment, the bracket retainers 226 fixedly couple the slide brackets 228 to the rail 220, and the bracket retainers 226 are fixedly coupled to the one of the cabinet side walls 18, 20; thus, the rail 220 is fixedly mounted to the one of the cabinet side walls 18, 20.

Referring now to FIG. 16, which is a perspective view of the slide 200 the rail 220 further includes upper and lower flanges 230, 232 extending along the vertical wall 224 to define a rail raceway 234. Each of the upper and lower flanges 230, 232 forms a channel 236. The channel 236 in the upper flange 230 extends upward, and the channel 236 formed in the lower flange 232 extends downward; thus, the channels 236 extend away from the rail raceway 234. Further, the channels 236 extend along the entire length of the upper and lower flanges 230, 232, except at the ends of the upper and lower flanges 230, 232, where a projection 238 juts downward and upward from the upper and lower flanges 230, 232, respectively, into the rail raceway 234. The rail 220 further includes a track stop 239 mounted to the vertical wall 224 and protruding into the rail raceway 234.

The track 222 includes a generally vertical wall 240 with upper and lower flanges 242, 244 that together define a track raceway 246. Each of the upper and lower flanges 242, 244 forms a channel 248. The channel 248 in the upper flange 242 extends downward, and the channel 248 formed in the lower flange 232 extends upward; thus, the channels 248 extend towards the track raceway 246. The channels 248 extend along the entire length of the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, except at rear ends of the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, where a projection 250 juts upward and downward from the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, respectively, away from the track raceway 246. The track raceway 246 terminates at a front stop 252 and a rear stop 254 in the form of flanges at ends of the track 222. The front stop 252 in the illustrated embodiment is generally L-shaped. The upper flange 242 that partially defines the track raceway 246 is spaced from the front stop 252 to form an access opening 256 therebetween. The track 222 further includes a position limiter 258 formed in the vertical wall 240 and extending away from the track raceway 246

A closure 260 pivotally mounts to the track 222, particularly to the upper and lower flanges 242, 244 of the track 222, and selectively blocks the access opening 256. The closure 260 includes parallel upper and lower walls 262, 264 joined by a side wall 266 and a front wall 268 orthogonal to the side wall 266. The side wall 266 and the front wall 268 form a grip 270 sized to be grasped between a user's fingers for pivotally moving the closure 260. The closure 260 further includes a wheel retainer in the form of a projection 274 depending from the upper wall 262 into the track raceway 246. The closure 260 is movable between a closed position (FIG. 20), where the upper wall 262 blocks the access opening 256, and an opened position (FIG. 21), where the closure 260 is pivoted relative to the track 222 so that the upper wall 262 is spaced from the access opening 256. The closed and opened positions will be described in more detail below. When the closure 260 is in the closed position, the projection 274 linearly aligns with the channel 248 in the track upper flange 242.

A bearing assembly comprising a bearing cage 280 comprising a plurality of ball bearings 282 slidably couples the track 222 and rail 220 for relative slidable movement.

Referring to FIG. 15, when the slide 200 is assembled, the rail raceway 234 receives the track 222 with the bearing assembly positioned between the upper and lower flanges 230, 232 of the rail 220 and the upper and lower flanges 242, 244 of the track 222. In particular, the bearing cage 280 sits between the channels 236 on the rail 220 and the channels 248 on the track 222. The projections 238 at the ends of the channels 236 on the rail 220 retain the bearing cage 280 in the rail raceway 234 (i.e., the projections 238 prevent the bearing cage 280 from sliding forwardly or rearwardly out of the rail raceway 234). When the track 222 is coupled to the wheel support 202 to couple the slide 200 to the second utensil rack 30, the track raceway 246 receives the front and rear wheels 204, 206. The front and rear wheels 204, 206 are illustrated in phantom in FIG. 15 to show the positioning of the front and rear wheels 204, 206 within the track raceway 246. The grooves 210 on the front and rear wheels 204, 206 receive the inwardly extending channels 248 of the track upper and lower flanges 242, 244 such that the front and rear wheels 204, 206 can roll along the channels 248, which act as a guide to facilitate retaining the front and rear wheels 204, 206 in the track raceway 246.

An exemplary operation of the slide 200 will be described with respect to FIGS. 15 and 17-21. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill that the operation can proceed in any logical order and is not limited to the sequence presented below. The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any way.

FIG. 15 illustrates the slide 200 in an initial position with the front and rear wheels 204, 206 located as far rearwardly as possible within the track raceway 246 and with the position limiter 258 on the track 222 abutting the track stop 239 on the rail 220 (not shown). This position coincides with the utensil rack 30 being completely received within the chamber 24 of the dishwasher 10. The interaction between the position limiter 258 and the track stop 239 prevents further rearward movement of the track 222 relative to the rail 220. In this position, a front end of the track 222 and the closure 260 are both received within the rail raceway 234. When the user desires to move the second utensil rack 30 relative to the cabinet 12, the user pulls the second utensil rack 30 forwardly, and the front and rear wheels 204, 206 consequently roll forwardly in the track raceway 246 along the channels 248 until the front wheel 204 abuts the front stop 252, as shown in FIG. 17. When the front wheel 204 approaches the front stop 252, the groove 210 on the front wheel 204 rolls off of the channel 248 in the upper flange 242 and into engagement with projection 274 on the closure 260. As the user continues to pull the second utensil rack 30, the front wheel 204 transfers the forward force to the track 222 via the front stop 252, and the track 222 slides forwardly relative to the bearing cage 280 and the rail 220 until the projections 250 on the track 222 abut a rear end of the bearing cage 280, as illustrated in FIG. 18. As the user continues to pull the second utensil rack 30, the track 222 transfers the forward force to the bearing cage 280 via the projections 250, and the bearing cage 280 slides forwardly with the track 222 relative to the rail 220 until the front end of the bearing cage 280 abuts the projections 238 at the forward end of the rail 220, as illustrated in FIG. 19. At this point, the slide 200 is at its most extended position relative to the cabinet 12 as is the second utility rack 30.

When the slide 200 fully extends from the cabinet 12, as shown in FIG. 19, or when the slide 200 is in any other position where the front wheel 204 abuts or nearly abuts the front stop 252, and the closure 260 is in the closed position blocking the access opening 256, the groove 210 on the front wheel 204 receives the projection 274 on the closure 260. FIG. 20, which is an enlarged view of the region labeled XX in FIG. 19, best illustrates the mating relationship between the front wheel 204 and the projection 274. The relationship between the front wheel 204 and the projection 274 prevents lateral movement of the front wheel 204 relative to the track 222 and the track raceway 246. Thus, the projection 274 prevents the front wheel 204 from popping out of the track raceway 246 thereby avoiding accidental removal of the second utensil basket 30 from the slide 220.

If the user desires to remove the second utensil rack 30 from the slide 200, the user moves the closure 260 from the closed position of FIG. 20 to the opened position. Before the user can move the closure 260, however, the user must ensure that the front wheel 204 does not mate with the projection 274 on the closure 260. If the front wheel 204 and the projection 274 mate, then the user pushes the second utensil rack 30 rearward until at least the front wheel 204 no longer engages the projection 274, as illustrated in FIG. 21.

Once the front wheel 204 and the projection 274 no longer mate, the user can move the closure to the opened position shown in FIG. 21, such as by pivoting the closure 260 relative to the track 222. The closure 260 in the illustrated embodiment advantageously remains mounted to the track 222 during movement between the closed and opened positions and while in the opened position. Moving the closure 260 spaces the upper wall 262 of the closure 262 from the access opening 256 such that the user can thereafter pull the second utensil rack 30 forwardly and upwardly through the access opening 256, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 21. The upward movement of the second utensil rack 30 corresponds to lifting, such as by pivoting, the second utensil rack 30 relative to the track 222. As a result of this configuration, the user must perform two actions to remove the second utensil rack 30 from the slide 200. The user first slides the second utensil rack 30 in a first direction to align the front wheel 204 with the access opening 256 and then lifts the second utensil rack 30 in a second direction, such as by pivoting, to move the front wheel 204 through the access opening 256. The two actions can be performed in a sequential fashion wherein the sliding and the lifting are distinct actions or wherein the sliding and the lifting chronologically overlap (i.e., the lifting begins while the sliding is being executed). Requiring movement of the second utility rack 30 in two different directions facilitates accidental removal of the second utility rack 30 from the slide 200.

After the front wheel 204 passes through the access opening 256, the user can continue to pull the second utensil rack 30 forwardly and upwardly to pass the rear wheel 206 through the access opening 256 in the same manner. The second utensil rack 30 removed from the slide 200 can be mounted to the slide 200 and pushed rearwardly into the cabinet 12 by repeating the above procedure in a reverse order.

The alternative embodiment slides 200 can include features described above with respect to the previous embodiment slides 42. For example, the access opening 258 can be positioned between the upper and lower flanges 242, 244 of the track 222. When the access opening 258 is located between the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, the closure 260 can form the front stop for the front wheel 204. Furthermore, the closure 260 can include a detent that mates with an aperture on the track 222 for retaining the closure 260 in the closed position. Additionally, the closure need not have the projection 274, which would eliminate the need to back up the utensil rack 30 prior to opening the closure 260.

Another alternative embodiment slide 200 is illustrated in FIG. 22. The slide 200 is identical to the embodiment of the slides 200 shown in FIGS. 13-21, except that the slide 200 of FIG. 22 does not include the closure 260, and the access opening 256 in the track upper flange 222 is spaced from the front stop 252. The access opening 256 can be spaced from the front stop 252 any suitable distance. For example, the access opening 256 can be spaced from the front stop 252 a distance at least equal to a diameter of the front wheel 204, as illustrated in FIG. 22.

The operation of the slide 200 of FIG. 22 is substantially identical to the operation of the slides 200 of FIG. 13-21, except for the portion related to removal of the front wheel 204 from the track raceway 246. To remove the front wheel 204 from the track raceway 246, the user first aligns the front wheel 204 with the access opening 256. If the front wheel 204 is positioned adjacent to the front stop 252, the user must slide the front wheel 204 rearward to align the front wheel 204 with the access opening 204. Next, the user lifts the front wheel 204, such as by pivoting the second utensil rack 30, through the access opening 256. After the front wheel 204 passes through the access opening 256, the user can pull the second utensil rack 30 forwardly and upwardly to pass the rear wheel 206 through the access opening 256 in the same manner.

Spacing the access opening 256 from the front stop 252 requires the user to purposely slide the second utensil rack 30 rearward prior to moving the front wheel 204 through the access opening 256. Requiring the rearward movement helps to prevent accidental removal of the front wheel 204 from the track raceway 246 when the slide 200 does not include the closure 260 for selectively closing the access opening 256. However, it is within the scope of the invention for the access opening 256 to be located in any suitable position, such as directly adjacent to the front stop 252, as is shown with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 21.

Furthermore, the track raceway 246 of the illustrated embodiment and the other embodiments of the slides can be substantially unobstructed such that the front wheel 204 can freely slide along the track raceway 246 to the access opening 256. In other words, there are no detents or other structures to impede movement of the front wheel 204 within the track raceway 246. The positioning of the access opening 256 and the employment of the closure 260, either alone or in combination with one another, are sufficient to control the movement of the front wheel 204 and the removal of the front wheel 204 from the slide 200, thereby negating a need for detents or other structures.

The complementary basket elements 46A, 46B have been described with respect to the number, shape, and size shown in the figures. However, it is within the scope of the invention for the whole basket to be formed by more than two basket elements and for the basket elements to be shaped and sized in any suitable manner as long as they are complementary and together form the whole basket. For example, the whole basket can be formed by two or more rectangular basket elements having straight edges, a first L-shaped basket element and a second square or rectangular basket element, two triangular basket elements, or basket elements similar to the basket elements 46A, 46B but having a fourth edge 70D with a different contour. Additionally, the basket elements 46A, 46B are not limited to use with the frame 44; the basket elements 46A, 46B can be utilized with any suitable frame or utensil rack and are not required to be vertically adjustable within the wash chamber 24. Similarly, the frame 44 can mount a unitary whole basket rather than separate basket elements so that the unitary whole basket is vertically adjustable within the wash chamber 24.

While the third utensil rack 40 has been shown and described as being located near the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12 and in conjunction with the first and the second utensil racks 28, 30, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize the third utensil rack 40 in any location within the wash chamber 24, such as adjacent the lower wall 16 or in the middle of the wash chamber 24, and with or without other utensil racks. Furthermore, the slides 42 are not limited for use with the third utensil rack 40; rather, the slides 42 can be used with the first utensil rack 28, the second utensil rack 30, or any other suitable utensil rack.

The grid of the basket elements 46A, 46B has been described as being formed by the plurality of intersecting ribs 72; however, it is within the scope of the invention for the grid to be formed by other structures having apertures or gaps that allow wash liquid to pass through the bottom wall of the basket elements 46A, 46B. For example, the grid can be a molded panel with circular, rectangular, or other shaped apertures formed therein.

While the third utensil rack 40 and the slides 42 have been described and shown as for use in the dishwasher 10 comprising the cabinet 12 and the door 26 movably mounted to the cabinet 12, the dishwasher 10 can be any type of appliance for washing dishes and is not limited to the dishwasher 10 shown in the figures. For example, the dishwasher can be a drawer-type dishwasher, wherein the wash chamber is formed in an open-top drawer that is slidably mounted to a cabinet. Further, the slides 42 can be used to slidably mount the drawer to the cabinet, if desired.

The third utensil rack 40 accommodates various shapes and sizes of utensils for effective cleaning thereof without dramatically sacrificing capacity of the first and second utensil racks 28, 30. Because the basket elements 46A, 46B are vertically adjustable, the third utensil rack 40 can be arranged to accommodate the sizes of utensils in the second utensil rack 30. In the preferred embodiment, various portions of the frame 44, such as the upper support rails 62, 63 and the lower support rails 64, 66, function as height adjusters for adjustably mounting the basket elements 46A, 46B to the frame 44. However, the height adjusters can also be located on the basket elements 46A, 46B. For example, the basket elements 46A, 46B can include multiple hooks vertically spaced on the peripheral wall 70 such that the basket elements 46A, 46B can be mounted to a portion of the frame 44 in different vertical orientations depending on which hooks mate with the portion of the frame 44.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

Claims

1. An automatic dishwasher comprising:

an open-faced cabinet comprising opposing side walls and defining a wash chamber;

a door movably mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the wash chamber;

a utensil rack comprising opposing sides and a wheel mounted to at least one the sides; and

at least one slide slidably coupling the utensil rack to the cabinet for movement of the utensil rack relative to the cabinet and comprising: a track coupled to one of the side walls of the cabinet and defining an elongated raceway for receiving the wheel of the utensil rack and comprising an access opening to the raceway for insertion or removal of the wheel from the raceway; and a closure mounted to the track for movement between an opened position and a closed position to selectively open and close the access opening, wherein the closure remains attached to the track during movement between the opened and closed positions.

2. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the closure is pivotally mounted to the track.

3. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a detent for locking the closure in a closed position blocking the access opening to prevent the removal of the wheel from the raceway.

4. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 3 wherein the detent mates with the track to secure the closure in the closed position.

5. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the track comprises upper and lower flanges that partially define the raceway, and the access opening is located in at least one of the lower flange, upper flange, and between the lower flange and upper flange.

6. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the track further comprises a stop to limit movement of the utensil rack along the raceway.

7. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 6 wherein the track further comprises a flange at an end of the raceway to form the stop.

8. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 6 wherein the closure forms the stop.

9. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 8 wherein the track comprises upper and lower flanges that partially define the raceway, and the access opening is located between the lower and upper flanges.

10. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the slide further comprises a rail coupled to one of the side walls of the cabinet and defining a rail raceway, and the track is slidably received within the rail raceway.

11. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 10 wherein the slide further comprises a bearing assembly that slidably couples the track to the rail in the rail raceway.

12. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 10 wherein the track is fixedly mounted to the one of the side walls of the cabinet.

13. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 10 wherein the closure is mounted to the track and configured to be received within the rail raceway.

14. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the track further defines a second elongated raceway for slidably receiving a slide mount coupling the track to the at least one of the side walls of the cabinet.

15. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 14 wherein the track is configured to slide relative to the slide mount.

16. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a wheel retainer configured to prevent the wheel from exiting the raceway.

17. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 16 wherein the wheel retainer is configured to prevent lateral movement of the wheel relative to the raceway.

18. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 16 wherein the wheel retainer comprises a projection that extends into the raceway.

19. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 18 wherein the wheel comprises a groove that receives the projection.

20. An automatic dishwasher comprising:

an open-faced cabinet comprising opposing side walls and defining a wash chamber;

a door movably mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the wash chamber;

a utensil rack comprising opposing sides;

at least one track defining an unobstructed elongated raceway and comprising a stop terminating a forward end of the raceway and an upwardly facing access opening to the raceway; and

a wheel assembly comprising at least one wheel slidably received within the raceway and sized for insertion and removal through the access opening;

wherein one of the track and wheel assembly is mounted to one of the cabinet and utensil rack and the other of the track and wheel assembly is mounted to the other of the cabinet and utensil rack to slidably mount the utensil rack to the cabinet, and the wheel is free to move unobstructed along the raceway to the access opening for removal through the access opening.

21. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 20 wherein the access opening is spaced from the forward end of the raceway.

22. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 21 wherein the access opening is spaced from the forward end of the raceway a distance at least equal to a diameter of the wheel.

23. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 20 wherein the track comprises an upper flange, and the access opening is formed in the upper flange.

24. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 22 wherein the access opening is spaced from the forward end of the raceway.

25. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 20 wherein the wheel assembly comprises at least a pair of wheels.

26. A method of removing a utensil rack from a dishwasher comprising a cabinet and at least one slide coupling the utensil rack to the cabinet and having a track with a raceway and an access opening to the raceway and a wheel mounted in the raceway, the method comprising:

sliding the utensil rack in a first direction to align the wheel with the access opening; and

lifting the utensil rack in a second direction to move the wheel through the access opening.

27. The method according to claim 26 wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein the second direction corresponds to pivoting the utensil rack.

29. The method according to claim 26, further comprising moving a second wheel through the access opening.

30. The method according to claim 26 wherein the sliding the utensil rack in the first direction comprises freely sliding the utensil rack to the access opening.