INTEGRATED POCKET HANDLE TOWEL HOOK

Abstract

A hook assembly for a household appliance, the assembly including a recess, a pivoting arm, and a hook. The pivoting arm is rotatable between a retracted position and an extended position, the hook is positioned outside of the recess when the pivoting arm is in the extended position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to household appliances, in particular kitchen appliances with a pocket handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kitchen appliances commonly have a door rotatably coupled to the appliance body. Typically, the door included a bar handle to provide an element suitable for gripping to assist in opening the door. Some kitchen appliances have eliminated the bar handle and replaced it with a pocket handle disposed within the door. With a pocket handle, a user may insert his or her fingers into the pocket handle to facilitate opening the door. Pocket handles may provide a smooth, relatively uniform appearance to the front of the appliances in the kitchen.

Bar handles offered a benefit in addition to assisting in opening the kitchen appliance door. Many users find bar handles, particularly horizontal bar handles, useful for hanging towels, oven mitts, or the like for storage or display. Many users find the horizontal bar handle particularly useful for hanging damp towels to dry. The replacement of bar handles with pocket handles may remove a useful feature from some kitchen appliances, such as dishwashers. Accordingly, improvements to kitchen appliance pocket handles that provide a hanging feature is desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect, a hook assembly for a household appliance is provided. The hook assembly comprises a mounting panel defining a recess, a pivoting arm rotatably mounted within the recess and being movable between a retracted position and an extend position and a hook extending from the pivoting arm, wherein the hook is positioned outside the recess when the pivoting arm is in the extended position.

In another example aspect, a pocket handle for a household appliance, the pocket handle defining a lateral direction, a vertical direction, and a transverse direction, the lateral, vertical, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular is provided. The pocket handle comprises a front wall and an opposite rear wall spaced transversely from the front wall, a pocket extending transversely from the front wall in a general direction of the rear wall, and a hook coupled to the pocket handle, the hook spaced from the pocket, the hook comprising an arm.

In another example aspect, a household appliance door comprising a pocket handle is provided. The pocket handle comprises a front wall and an opposite rear wall spaced transversely from the front wall, a pocket extending transversely from the front wall in a general direction of the rear wall; and a hook coupled to the pocket handle and spaced from the pocket, the hook comprising an arm extending opposite from the rear wall.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front view of a household appliance in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 provides a partial side sectional view of the household appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 provides an enlarged perspective view of a pocket handle towel hook in a first position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of a pocket handle towel hook in an intermediate position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a pocket handle towel hook in a second position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 provides a prospective view of a hook in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of a recess in a pocket handle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 provides an alternate embodiment of a towel hook for a pocket handle in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 provides an alternate embodiment of a towel hook for a pocket handle in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, 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 scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, 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 scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the term “article” may refer to, but need not be limited to dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and other cooking utensils and items that can be cleaned in a dishwashing appliance. The term “wash cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which a dishwashing appliance operates while containing the articles to be washed and uses a detergent and water, preferably with agitation, to e.g., remove soil particles including food and other undesirable elements from the articles. The term “rinse cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwashing appliance operates to remove residual soil, detergents, and other undesirable elements that were retained by the articles. Such may be after completion of the wash cycle or may be a cycle unto itself. The term “drain cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwashing appliance operates to discharge soiled water from the dishwashing appliance. The term “cleaning cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time that may include a wash cycle, rinse cycle, or a drain cycle. The term “wash fluid” refers to a liquid used for washing or rinsing the articles and is typically made up of water that may include other additives such as detergent or other treatments. The term “rinse fluid” refers to a fluid used for rinsing the articles and is typically made up of water and may include other additives such as rinse aid solutions. The term “quick-wash” is intended to refer to the various features described in exemplary embodiments of the invention and does not limit the invention to any particular time period for using such features. The term “wash” is intended to refer or reference the fluid or process of adding detergent to water to remove dirt and particles from articles to be washed. The term “rinse” is intended to refer or reference the fluid or process of using water and potentially rinse aid additives to remove residual soil, detergents, or other undesirable elements that were retained by the articles.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, household or kitchen appliance described herein is provided as a dishwasher appliance 100 by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable household appliance. Thus, the present subject matter may be used with other dishwasher appliances having different configurations, including more or fewer rack assemblies, more or fewer spray assemblies, etc. The present subject matter may further be used with other household appliances such as microwave ovens, washing machine appliances, dryer appliances, oven appliances, refrigerator appliances, freezer appliances, etc. Dishwasher appliance 100 will be described below, with the understanding that other embodiments may include or be provided as another suitable household appliance (e.g., a household appliance comprising a door attached to the appliance for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis).

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary domestic dishwasher or dishwashing appliance 100 that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a front view of a dishwasher appliance 100 with the door in a closed position and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the dishwasher appliance 100. For the particular embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the dishwasher appliance 100 includes a cabinet 102 (FIG. 2) having a tub 104 therein that defines an interior wash chamber 106. As shown in FIG. 2, tub 104 extends between a top 107 and a bottom 108 along a vertical direction V, between a pair of opposing side walls 110 along a lateral direction L, and between a front side 111 and a rear side 112 along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another. References to these orthogonal directions when specifically describing door 114 are based on door 114 being in a closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 unless clearly indicated otherwise.

In this regard, as used herein, the terms “cabinet,” “housing,” and the like are generally intended to refer to an outer frame or support structure for appliance 100, e.g., including any suitable number, type, and configuration of support structures formed from any suitable materials, such as a system of elongated support members, a plurality of interconnected panels, or some combination thereof. It should be appreciated that cabinet 102 does not necessarily require an enclosure and may simply include open structure supporting various elements of appliance 100. By contrast, cabinet 102 may enclose some or all interior portions. It should be appreciated that cabinet 102 may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.

The tub 104 includes a front cabinet opening (not shown) and a door 114 horizontally hinged (i.e., axis of rotation is parallel to the lateral direction) at its bottom 116 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein the wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for washing operations, and a substantially horizontal open position for loading and unloading of articles from the dishwasher 100 (not shown). Door 114 is mounted on cabinet 102 to selectively restrict access to the internal chamber (e.g., wash chamber 106) in the closed position. Door 114 includes pocket handle 200 mounted thereto and an integrated pocket handle towel hook 201 (FIG. 1), which will be described in more detail below. Latch 118 is used to lock and unlock door 114 for access to wash chamber 106.

At least one rack assembly is slidably positioned within wash chamber 106 and is configured for the receipt of articles for cleaning. For the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, opposing tub side walls 110 accommodate a plurality of rack assemblies. More specifically, upper and lower guide rails 120, 122 are mounted on tub side walls 124 and accommodate roller-equipped rack assemblies 126 and 128. Each of the rack assemblies 126, 128 may be fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 130 (for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up assemblies 126, 128 are shown in FIG. 2). Each rack assembly 126, 128 is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown), in which the rack 126 or 128 is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), in which the rack 126 or 128 is located inside the wash chamber 106. This rack movement is facilitated by rollers 130 and 132, for example, mounted onto racks 126 and 128, respectively. A silverware basket (not shown) may be removably attached to rack assembly 128 for placement of silverware, utensils, and the like that are otherwise too small to be accommodated by the racks 126, 128. Although guide rails 120, 122 and rollers 130, 132 are illustrated herein as facilitating movement of the respective rack assemblies 126, 128, it should be appreciated that any suitable sliding mechanism or member(s) may be used according to alternative embodiments. In some embodiments, dishwasher appliance 100 may accommodate a different number of rack assemblies and supporting guide rails. For example, dishwasher appliance 100 may accommodate only first rack assembly 126 with accompanying guide rails. In another example, dishwasher appliance 100 may accommodate a third rack assembly (not pictured) with accompanying guide rails. The third rack assembly may be located vertically above rack assemblies 126, 128.

At least one spray assembly is located in wash chamber 106 and is configured to direct wash fluids onto at least one rack assembly for washing articles located therein. For the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, dishwasher appliance 100 further includes a plurality of spray assemblies 134, 136, 138 for urging a flow of water or wash fluid onto the articles placed within wash chamber 106. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, dishwasher appliance 100 includes a lower spray-arm assembly 134 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 140 of the wash chamber 106 and above a tub sump assembly 142 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to rack assembly 128. Additionally or alternatively, a mid-level spray-arm assembly 136 may be located in an upper region of the wash chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper rack 126. Also, additionally or alternatively, an upper spray assembly 138 may be located above the upper rack 126.

The lower, mid-level, and upper spray-arm assemblies 134, 136, 138 may be part of a fluid circulation assembly 144 for circulating water and dishwasher fluid in the tub 104. The fluid circulation assembly 144 may also include a recirculation pump 146 positioned in a machinery compartment 148 located below the tub sump assembly 142 of the tub 104. Pump 146 may receive fluid from sump assembly 142 to provide a flow to fluid circulation assembly 144, or optionally, a switching valve or diverter (not shown) may be used to select flow. In some embodiments, a heating element 150 can be used to provide heat during e.g., a drying cycle.

Each spray-arm assembly 134, 136 may include an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing washing fluid received from pump 146 onto dishes or other articles located in rack assemblies 126 and 128. The arrangement of the discharge ports in spray-arm assemblies 124, 128 can provide a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the spray-arm assemblies 126, 128 and the operation of fluid circulation assembly 144 using fluid from pump 146 provides coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with a washing spray. Other configurations of spray assemblies may be used as well.

The dishwasher 100 is further equipped with a controller 152 to regulate operation of the dishwasher 100. The controller may include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 152 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

The controller 152 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 152 may be located within a control panel area 154 of door 114 as shown in FIG. 1. In some such embodiments, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the controller 152 and various operational components of dishwasher 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom 116 of door 114. Typically, the controller 152 includes a user interface 156 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher 100. In some embodiments, the user interface 156 represents a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In additional or alternative embodiments, the user interface 156 includes input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface 156 may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface 156 may be in communication with the controller 152 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

Dishwasher appliance 100 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a cloud-server that may include a database or may be, e.g., a cloud-based data storage system and may also include image recognition and processing capabilities including artificial intelligence as further described below. For example, appliance 100 may communicate with cloud-server over the Internet, and appliance 100 may access via WI-FI®, such as from a WI-FI® access point in a user's home or through a mobile device. Alternatively, dishwasher appliance 100 may be equipped with such image recognition and processing capabilities as part of controller 152 or other components onboard appliance 100.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher appliance 100. The exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for illustrative purposes only. For example, different locations may be provided for user interface 156, different configurations, including providing one or more rack assemblies 126, 128 and one or more spray assemblies 136, 138, to dishwasher appliance 100 may be used, different configurations may be provided for rack assemblies 126, 128 different spray assemblies 136, 138 and spray manifold configurations may be used, and other differences may be applied while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, dishwasher appliance 100 is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable household appliance. Thus, present subject matter may further be used with other household appliances having different configurations such as microwave ovens, washing machine appliances, dryer appliances, refrigerator appliances, etc. Dishwasher appliance 100 will be described below, with the understanding that other embodiments may include or be provided as suitable for another household appliance (e.g., an appliance defining an internal chamber).

Turning to the figures, FIG. 3 provides an enlarged closeup view of a portion of a pocket handle 200 in accordance with the present disclosure. The lateral L, vertical V, and transverse T directions of the pocket handle 200 correspond with the lateral L, vertical V, and transverse T directions of the dishwashing appliance 100 of FIG. 1 when the door 114 is in the closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2). The lateral L, vertical V. and transverse T directions being mutually perpendicular.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, pocket handle 200 includes a front wall 230, an opposite rear wall 232 spaced transversely from the front wall 230, and a pocket 234 extending transversely from the front wall 230 in the general direction of the rear wall 232, the pocket 234 may extend beyond (in the transverse direction T) the rear wall 232 as may be seen in FIG. 4. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 3, hook 201 is spaced laterally from the pocket 234, to the left of the pocket 234 when viewed from the front. In other embodiments, hook 201 may be in other locations with respect to the pocket 234.

In some embodiments, a hook assembly may be placed in a location spaced away from the pocket handle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a remote hook 203, a component of a hook assembly, can be located in the door 114, generally at any location in the door panel 202. The construction of a remotely located hook 203 would be similar, or substantially similar, to the construction described below for the pocket handle 200 hook 201.

In FIG. 3, the hook 201 is illustrated in a closed, first position, while the hook 201 is shown in an intermediate, partially open position in FIG. 4, and in a fully open, second position in FIG. 5. The hook 201 comprises a pivoting arm, arm 240 having a first surface 242, an opposite second surface 244, a first end 245 with a spaced apart second end 246. A retainer 250 extends from the arm 240 at the first end 245. As illustrated, the retainer 250 extends generally perpendicular to the first surface 242 of the arm 240. In other embodiments, the retainer may extend from other surfaces of the arm 240. The arm may include a boss 248 that may facilitate coupling the arm 240 to the pocket handle 200. In some embodiments, the boss may fixedly attach the hook 201 to the pocket handle 200. In other embodiments, the boss 248 may be a pivot boss including a pivot receptacle 260 (FIG. 6) formed at one or both lateral ends of the boss 248. The pivot receptacle 260 may facilitate support of the arm 240, and the hook 201, in a pivoting attachment about an axis with respect to the pocket handle 200.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 4 and 5, pocket handle 200 may include an edge 252 formed in the front wall 230 and extending transversely in the direction of the rear wall 232. The edge defines a recess 254 having a recess wall 258 extending transversely from the edge 252. In some embodiments, the recess wall 258 may extend around the perimeter of the edge 252, in other embodiments, the recess wall 258 may only extend around only a portion of the perimeter formed by the edge 252. As illustrated, the edge 252, and therefore the recess 254, is sized and shaped to receive, or substantially receive, a perimeter 247 of the hook 201 when the hook 201 is in the first position as illustrated in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, when the hook 201 is in the first position, the second surface 244 of the arm 240 is parallel with the front wall 230 of the pocket handle 200. In some embodiments, the second surface 244 may be flush with the front wall 230 when the hook is in the first position.

In embodiments, a remote hook 203 is provided for a household appliance, for example a dishwasher appliance 100. The remote hook 203 is included in an assembly, the assembly comprising a mounting panel defining a recess 254, an arm 240 rotatably mounted within the recess 254 and pivotable between a retracted, first position (FIG. 3) and an extended, second position (FIG. 5), and a retainer 250 extending from the arm 240. The retainer 250 is positioned outside the recess 254 when the arm 240 in in the extended, second position. In some embodiments, the mounting panel is a front panel 202 of a household appliance, for example a dishwasher appliance 100. In other embodiments, the mounting panel is a front wall 230 of a pocket handle 200.

In supporting the arm 240 for rotation, the pivot receptacle(s) 260 may engage one or more studs 266 (FIG. 7), a stud 266 being a cylindrical or partially cylindrical protuberance extending from a portion of the recess wall 258, to provide a bearing surface for rotation about an axis defined by the stud 266. In some embodiments, two coaxial studs 266, each formed on a portion of the recess wall 258, may define the axis A of rotation and support the hook 201 for rotation between the first position of FIG. 3 and the second position of FIG. 5. In other embodiments, the stud 266 may be a continuous piece formed between opposing portions of the recess wall (FIG. 9). In still other embodiments, a separate element, for example an axle (not shown), may pass through the recess walls 258 and the boss 248 to define the axis of rotation. The axis A of rotation for the arm 240 and hook 201 may be transversely spaced from the front wall 230 into the recess 254.

In some embodiments, a rib 256 is disposed within the recess 254, the rib having a rib first surface 262 spaced apart from and generally parallel to a rib second surface 264. The rib first and second rib surfaces 262, 264 are generally parallel to the axis A of rotation. In embodiments, when the hook 201 is in the second (i.e., fully open) position as in FIG. 5, a portion of the arm 240 adjacent to second end 246 contacts the rib first surface 262. The contact between the second end 246 of the arm 240 and the rib first surface 262 may arrest rotation of the arm 240 beyond a prescribed amount of rotation. Further, in the second position, a portion of second surface 244 of arm 240 may contact a portion of the edge 252 formed in the pocket handle 200. In some embodiments, contact between the second end 246 of the arm 240 with the first rib surface 262 and contact between the arm second surface 244 and a portion of the edge 252 may occur simultaneously to arrest rotation of the hook 201 beyond a prescribed rotation.

The illustrative hook 201 has been illustrated as having a generally rectangular shaped arm 240. This has been for ease illustration. In other embodiments, other shapes are included for the arm 240. For example, in FIG. 7, an arm 240 having a generally round shape is illustrated in a second, fully open position similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5. The round arm includes a first surface 242 and an opposite second surface 244. The front wall 230 of the pocket handle 200 includes an edge 252 defining a recess 254 with a rib 256 disposed in the recess 254. The round arm 240 operates as described above, supported for rotation on axis A with the first surface 242 contacting a rib first surface 262 to arrest the rotation at a prescribed position.

In the illustrative embodiments discussed above, the axis A of rotation of the hook 201 has been shown as parallel to the longitudinal L direction for ease of illustration and clarity of disclosure. In other embodiments, other axis orientations may be used. For example, FIG. 8 is illustrative of a configuration in accordance with this disclosure in which the axis A is parallel to the vertical V direction. The stud 266 may be a continuous element formed between opposing portions of recess wall 258. In other embodiments, the studs 266 may be as in the examples above and be protuberance formed on portions of the recess wall 258. The hook 201 in FIG. 8 includes a retainer 250 at first end 245, the retainer 250 extending in a vertical V direction. A rib 256 extends parallel to the axis A and is contacted by second end 246 of the arm in a second, fully open position as illustrated in FIG. 8.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A hook assembly for a household appliance, the hook assembly comprising:

a mounting panel defining a recess;

a pivoting arm rotatably mounted within the recess and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and

a hook extending from the pivoting arm, wherein the hook is positioned outside the recess when the pivoting arm is in the extended position.

2. The hook assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting panel is a front panel of a dishwasher door.

3. The hook assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting panel is a front panel of a pocket handle.

4. A pocket handle for a household appliance, the pocket handle defining a lateral direction, a vertical direction and a transverse direction, the lateral, vertical, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the pocket handle comprising:

a front wall and an opposite rear wall spaced transversely from the front wall;

a pocket extending transversely from the front wall in a general direction of the rear wall; and

a hook coupled to the pocket handle, the hook spaced from the pocket, the hook comprising an arm.

5. The pocket handle of claim 4, wherein the hook comprises an arm, the arm further comprising:

a first surface and an opposite second surface;

a first end and a second end; and

a retainer extending from the arm at the first end of the arm.

6. The pocket handle of claim 5, wherein:

the arm is supported for rotation with respect to the pocket handle about an axis parallel to the lateral direction; and

the retainer extends from the first surface of the arm.

7. The pocket handle of claim 5, wherein the arm is supported for rotation with respect to the pocket handle about an axis parallel to the vertical direction.

8. The pocket handle of claim 6, wherein the arm is supported for rotation between a first position in which a second surface of the arm is generally parallel with the front wall and a second position.

9. The pocket handle of claim 8 further comprising an edge formed in the front wall, the edge defining a recess extending transversely from the front wall, the recess including a recess wall extending from the edge, wherein a perimeter of the hook is substantially received in the recess in the first position.

10. The pocket handle of claim 9, further comprising a rib disposed in the recess, the rib comprising a rib first surface spaced from a rib second surface, the first and second rib surfaces generally parallel to the axis of rotation.

11. The pocket handle of claim 10, wherein:

the arm is supported about an axis of rotation within the recess;

a portion of the first surface of the arm abuts the first rib surface in the second position; and

a portion of the second surface of the arm abuts a portion of the edge in the second position.

12. The pocket handle of claim 10, further comprising:

a pivot axis;

a pivot boss formed on the arm, the pivot boss comprising a pivot receptacle; and

wherein the pivot axis is received in the pivot receptacle.

13. The pocket handle of claim 12, wherein the pivot axis is formed on the recess wall and extends at least partially into the pivot receptacle.

14. The pocket handle of claim 12, further comprising a pivot pin wherein the pivot pin is inserted through the recess wall at least partially into the pivot receptacle.

15. A household appliance door comprising a pocket handle, the pocket handle comprising:

a front wall and an opposite rear wall spaced transversely from the front wall;

a pocket extending transversely from the front wall in a general direction of the rear wall; and

a hook coupled to the pocket handle and spaced from the pocket, the hook comprising an arm extending opposite from the rear wall.

16. The household appliance door of claim 15, wherein the hook comprises an arm, the arm comprising:

a first surface and an opposite second surface;

a first end and a second end;

a retainer extending from the arm at the first end of the arm; and

wherein the arm is supported for rotation about an axis with respect to the pocket handle between a first position in which a second surface of the arm is generally parallel with the front wall and a second position.

17. The household appliance door of claim 16, wherein the pocket handle further comprises:

an edge formed in the front wall, the edge defining a recess extending transversely from the front wall, the recess including: a recess wall extending from the edge; and a rib disposed in the recess, the rib comprising a rib first surface spaced from a rib second surface;

wherein a perimeter of the hook is substantially received in the recess in the first position; and

a portion of the first surface of the arm abuts the first rib surface in the second position, the first and second rib surfaces generally parallel to the axis.

18. The household appliance door of claim 17, wherein the arm is supported about an axis within the recess, wherein the axis of rotation is transversely spaced from the front wall.

19. The household appliance door of claim 18, wherein a portion of the first surface of the arm abuts the first rib surface in the second position.

20. The household appliance door of claim 18, wherein a portion of the second surface of the arm abuts a portion of the edge in the second position.