Abstract: A dishwasher has upper and lower spray arms, a telescoping spray tower and a filtering system which includes a frusto-conical screen cage, the outside of which connects to a dishwasher sump by way of a tangential channel including a drain opening therefrom. The inside of the cage connects to the inlet of a double outlet, centrifugal, recirculation pump. Particulates are filtered from recirculating dishwashing fluid on the outside of the screen as the fluid swirls around the cage in a clockwise direction. The tangential approach of the fluid sets up centrifugal forces as an aid in removing filtered particulates from the outside of the screen. A backwash spray rotates in a counterclockwise direction on the inside of the cage to keep the particulates from sticking to the screen. The pump volute is divided into two predetermined volumes rotated with respect to one another to produce two distinct cutoff points and outlets.

Abstract: An extensible dishwasher rack arrangement has a rail on each side of the dishwasher tub and a dish support rack which has on each side thereof a pair of rollers straddling the rail for supporting the rack as the rack is pulled into a position extending from the tub. Rigid pins project sidewise from the rack to bump the rail and prevent the rack from being lifted in front. An end cap on the outboard end of the rail provides a bumper to stop the rack in its extended position. The end cap includes an integral latch finger which blocks one of the rigid pins to prevent lifting the rack front in its extended position. The latch finger may be flexed out of the way of the blocked pin to facilitate removal of the rack from the rail.

Abstract: A telescoping conduit for transmitting washing liquid from a lower spray arm assembly to an upper spray arm in the wash chamber of a dishwasher. The conduit includes telescoping stabilizing means to insure that the conduit engages a connection member positioned on the upper spray arm.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for a dishwashing appliance of the type having movable upper and lower racks and upper and lower spray arms has a telescoping tower in fluid communication with a manifold during operation. A face seal between the upper spray arm and the telescoping portion of the tower is effected upon buildup of fluid pressure in the tower sufficient to bring the telescoping portion into engagement with the upper spray arm and thereby deliver wash liquid to the upper spray arm. A generally axially-extending seal actuated by the fluid pressure in the tower seals the telescoping portion to the fixed portion of the tower during delivery of wash liquid through the fluid conduit system. When the pumping of the wash liquid is terminated, the telescoping portion of the tower automatically retracts.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing wash liquid to a spray device which is located above a dish-supporting rack in a dishwashing appliance, the apparatus including a vertical hollow tower having an open lower end fixedly attached to the rack, means for rotatably mounting the spray device onto an apertured upper end of the tower so that there is fluid communication between the tower and the spray device, and a fluid-expansible coupling member located below the rack and having an upper opening below and substantially concentric with the open lower end of the tower. A hub assembly supports the coupling member on a pump means which forces wash liquid through the hub assembly and into the coupling member to expand it into a sealing contact with the tower at the open lower end of the tower so that fluid flows through the tower to the spray device.

Abstract: A spray assembly having at least one intermittently operating nozzle which comprises a spray device rotatably mounted on a pressurized water source within a washing chamber of a dishwashing appliance and having at least one nozzle thereon in isolated fluid communication with the water source so as to be operative only during select portions of a revolution of the spray device about the water source.