Dish rack with swinging arm
A dish rack has a wire frame base, a horizontal wire segment coupled to the wire frame base, and a swinging arm pivotably coupled to the horizontal wire segment. The swinging arm has a plurality of holders and a lock mechanism that removably engages the swinging arm with a portion of the wire frame base.
Latest Patents:
This is a continuation application of co-pending Ser. No. 10/830,583, filed Apr. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,975, whose disclosures are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dish racks and their accessories, and in particular, to a dish rack having a multi-purpose swinging arm which can be manipulated to hold wine glasses and large utensils.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Dish racks are commonly used in dishwashers for organizing and positioning plates, bowls, cups and utensils for washing. Dish racks are also commonly used on kitchen countertops for positioning plates, bowls, cups and utensils to let them dry after they have been washed.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIt is an object of the present invention to provide a dish rack that has greater utility than conventional dish racks.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dish rack that can effectively hold a variety of different objects.
In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a dish rack having a wire frame base, a horizontal wire segment coupled to the wire frame base, and a swinging arm pivotably coupled to the horizontal wire segment, the swinging arm having a plurality of holders and a lock mechanism that removably engages the swinging arm with a portion of the wire frame base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The swinging arm 24 and its operation are best illustrated in connection with
When the swinging arm 24 is in the locked lower position, the locking bulbs 40, 42 engage the leg 50 so as to prevent the swinging arm 24 from experiencing any pivoting motion. As best shown in
When the user desires to raise the swinging arm 24, the user pivots the swinging arm 24 in the rearward direction (see arrow A), and then slides the swinging 30 arm 24 sideways away from the leg 50 and towards the leg 52. See
To place the swinging arm 24 back in the locked lower position, the user slides the swinging arm 24 away from the leg 50 and towards the leg 52, and then pivots the swinging arm 24 downwardly in the direction of the arrow A, about the pivot axis of the wire segment 22. The user then slides the swinging arm 24 towards the leg 50, and then pivots the swinging arm 24 inwardly so that the locking bulbs 40, 42 are passed behind the leg 50, and extend outwardly on the outer side of the leg 50 away from the center of the dish rack 10.
Thus, the swinging arm 24 provides a dual-retention mechanism that can be used to hold different types of objects. The swinging arm 24 can be deployed conveniently and quickly.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A Method of using a swinging arm on a dish rack, comprising:
- a. providing a dish rack having a wire frame base, a horizontal wire segment coupled to the wire frame base, and a swinging arm pivotably coupled to the horizontal wire segment, the swinging arm having a plurality of holders and a lock mechanism;
- b. pivoting the swinging arm to a lowered position; and
- C. engaging the lock mechanism to a portion of the wire frame base to secure the swinging arm in a locked lowered position.
11. The method of claim 10, further including:
- d. disengaging the lock mechanism from the portion of the wire frame base;
- e. pivoting the swinging arm to a raised position; and
- f. engaging the lock mechanism to another portion of the wire frame base to secure the swinging arm in a secured raised position.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein step (c) includes engaging the lock mechanism to a leg of the wire frame base.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein step (f) includes abutting the lock mechanism against a leg of the wire frame base.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein step (b) includes sliding the swinging arm away from the leg.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein step (e) includes sliding the swinging arm towards the leg.
16. The method of claim 11, further including:
- g. disengaging the lock mechanism from the another portion of the wire frame base;
- h. pivoting the swinging arm to the lowered position; and
- i. engaging the lock mechanism to the portion of the wire frame base to secure the swinging arm in the locked lowered position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2008
Applicant:
Inventors: Frank Yang (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA), Adam Wade (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA), Myk Lum (Irvine, CA)
Application Number: 11/811,167
International Classification: A47G 19/08 (20060101);