This invention relates generally to basket assemblies, and, more particularly, to small, item basket assemblies for use in automatic washing machines.
Conventional dishwashing machines include a washing chamber in which upper and lower dishware racks are slidably mounted. Each rack is typically supported on side walls of the dishwasher and includes rollers for sliding movement between an extended position wherein the rack is substantially outside of the washing chamber and a retracted position wherein the rack is substantially inside the washing chamber. As dishware items are loaded and unloaded, the racks are moved to their extended positions for substantially unobstructed loading of items. The racks are lattice structures adapted for holding dishes, plates, cups, pots, pans and other dishware, cookware, and food storage containers while permitting water spray action for cleaning items in the racks. As at least some small items, such as bottle tops, lids, and measuring spoons, are too small for the racks to accommodate, a small item basket containing one or more compartments is typically attached to one of the racks to hold smaller items within the washing chamber.
Typically, users remove the small items basket when not in use and store under the sink or in a drawer. Removing the basket increases usable rack space. However, attaching and detaching the basket may be time consuming and awkward. Eliminating the need to remove the basket while not in use and increasing usable rack space during dishwasher operations are desirable features of a small items basket.
In one aspect, a dishwasher rack basket assembly is provided that includes a water impervious basket of open mesh construction, the basket is selectively positionable between a first size and a second size, the first size securing small items while permitting flow of liquid therethrough, the second size smaller than the first size and not securing small items while permitting flow of liquid therethrough, and a projection positioned on the basket, wherein the projection is engageable to transform the basket from the first size to the second size.
In another aspect, a rack assembly for a dishwasher machine is provided that includes a dish rack for retaining items to be washed, a basket assembly removably attached to the rack, wherein the basket includes a plurality of longitudinal walls having a first length, a plurality of lateral walls having a second length, each of the lateral walls is pivotably attached to at least one of the longitudinal walls, a bottom wall pivotably attached to at least one of the longitudinal walls, a lid pivotably attached to at least one of the longitudinal walls, and a knob positioned on at least one of the longitudinal walls.
In another aspect, a dishwasher is provided that includes a cabinet including an interiorly disposed washing chamber, a dish rack disposed in the washing chamber, and at least one basket assembly collapsible between a first size and a second size having a generally rectangular cross section and removably attached to the. The basket assembly includes a pair of spaced apart end walls movably coupled to a pair of spaced apart elongate walls, such that the end walls and the elongate walls are movable between a first position and a second position, the second position collapsing the basket assembly, a bottom wall pivotably coupled to at least one of the elongate walls, such that the bottom wall is rotatable between a first position and a second position, a lid pivotably coupled to at least one of the elongate walls, and a knob positioned on at least one of the elongate walls.
Rack 22 has a reticulated or open network construction so that wash and rinse liquid sprayed into chamber 16 can freely impinge upon items supported on rack 22 and drain back into the bottom of chamber 16. A network of spaced apart, vertical tines or fingers 24 extend upward from a bottom 26 of rack 22 to support dishes, glasses, and other items placed in rack 22. Tines 24 may be omitted from an area of rack 22 to provide an open area 28 to receive a small item basket assembly 30. Basket assembly 30 may be used for placement of tops, lids, measuring spoons, and other dishwasher items that are too small to be accommodated by the open network construction.
Basket assembly 30 includes at least one connector 31 for removably securing at least one wall of basket assembly 30 to rack 22. In one embodiment, connector 31 is a plastic snap ring. It is understood that various types of connectors, fasteners, or clasps may be implemented to attach and detach basket assembly 30 to rack 22.
Front and back walls 34, 36 extend a length 48 and a height 50. Each of side walls 38 extend a length 52 and height 50. Bottom wall 40 and lid 42 extend length 48 and height 50. In one embodiment height 50 is equal to length 52 and length 48 is greater than height 50 and length 52. In an alternative embodiment, height 50 is not equal to length 52 and length 48 is greater than height 50 and length 52. In the illustrated embodiment, length 48 is approximately eight inches, height 50 is approximately five inches, and length 52 is approximately five inches.
Each of walls 34, 36, 38, 40 and lid 42 is fabricated from materials and techniques known in the art to form a lattice structure or framework therein that permits water spray action cleaning of items in basket 32 and to drain out. In one embodiment, each of walls 34, 36, 38, 40 and lid 42 is fabricated from a rigid, but flexible, plastic material, such as polypropylene. In an alternate embodiment, each of walls 34, 36, 38, 40 and lid 42 is fabricated from steel wires which have been welded together and coated with a vinyl or plastic material.
Front wall 34 includes substantially horizontal upper and lower edges 62, 64, opposite substantially vertical ends or corners 66, and a width 68. In one embodiment, each of ends 66 includes at least two slide portions 70 positioned proximate upper edge 62 and lower edge 64, respectively. In another embodiment, each of ends 66 includes a plurality of slide portions 70 positioned equal distant through out the length of each end 66.
Each of slide portions 70 extends substantially perpendicular to end 66 and include a body 72 and a head 74, each approximately centered thereon and extending outward from slide portion 70. Head 74 has a diameter 75 and is configured to slidably engage a side wall slot 114 (shown in
Front wall 34 includes a knob 76 positioned on and extending outward from a front wall outer surface 77. Knob 76 is sized such that a user may securely grasp knob 76. In one embodiment, knob 76 is formed integrally with front wall 34. In an alternate embodiment, knob 76 is coupled to front wall 34 using a chemical fastener, including, but not limited to, an adhesive. Knob 76 extends a distance 78 above upper edge 62 is configured to snap fit engage lid slot 152 and secure lid 42 (shown in
Back wall 36 includes substantially horizontal upper and lower edges 82, 84, opposite substantially vertical ends or corners 86, and a width 88. Back wall 36 includes a plurality of upper and lower hinges 90 positioned adjacent upper edge 82 and lower edge 84, respectively. Hinges 90 are fabricated from the same material as basket 32. In one embodiment, hinges 90 are fabricated from polypropylene. Hinges 90 are sized relative to basket assembly 30. In one embodiment, hinges 90 are integral with back wall 36. In another embodiment, hinges 90 are coupled to back wall 36 using a chemical fastener, including, but not limited to, an adhesive.
Each of hinges 90 is configured to permit rotation of side walls 38 (shown in
Each of side walls 38 includes substantially horizontal upper and lower edges 102, 104, a substantially vertical front end 106, a substantially vertical back end 108, and a width 110. A plurality of pivot pins 112 extend perpendicularly from each of upper edge 102 and lower edge 104, respectively, and are positioned proximate back end 108. Pins 112 are sized and configured to engage and cooperate with back wall hinges 90 (shown in
Each of side walls 38 includes at least two slots 114 that extend between front end 106 and back end 108 and parallel along each of upper edge 102 and lower edge 104, respectively. In another embodiment, each of side walls 38 includes a plurality of slots 114 positioned in a plurality of rows that extend parallel between front end 106 and back end 108.
Each of slots 114 extends substantially the length of edges 102, 104 and includes an opening 116 and a projection 118 disposed therein. Opening 116 includes a diameter 120 that extends throughout a length 122 of each slot 114 and is configured to receive front wall head 74 (shown in
Additionally, each of slots 114 includes a front slot end 124 and a back slot end 126 disposed therein. Each projection 118 is positioned proximate front slot end 124 and sized to permit each front wall head 74 to frictionally pass over each projection 118 such that front wall 34 (shown in
Bottom wall 40 includes substantially horizontal front and back ends 132, 134, opposite substantially horizontal side ends 136, and a width 138. A plurality of pivot pins 140 extend perpendicular from each of ends 136 and are positioned proximate back end 134. Pins 140 are sized and configured to engage and cooperate with back wall hinges 90 (shown in
A plurality of projections 142 extend perpendicular from each of ends 136 and are positioned proximate front end 132. Projections 142 are sized and configured to engage and cooperate with side wall slots 114 (shown in
Lid 42 includes substantially horizontal front and back ends 154, 156 and opposite substantially horizontal side ends 158. A plurality of pivot pins 160 extend perpendicular from each of ends 158 and are positioned proximate back end 156. Pins 160 are sized and configured to engage and cooperate with back wall hinges 90 (shown in
To collapse basket 32 from expanded position 170, user may grasp front wall knob 76 and push front wall 34 horizontally towards back wall 36. Simultaneously, as front wall slides 70 pass over side wall projections 118, bottom wall projections 142 disengage from side wall slot 114 and bottom wall front end 132 rotates upward and back towards back wall 36 about bottom wall pins 140.
Front wall 34 remains vertical and continues to slide horizontally within side wall slots 114 and forces bottom wall 40 into a vertical position adjacent to back wall 36. Front wall 34 remains adjacent to bottom wall 40, both in a vertical position and adjacent back wall 36. Simultaneously, as front wall 34 slides toward back wall 36 and bottom wall 40 rotates toward back wall 36, side walls 38 rotate on sidewall pivot pins 112 toward back wall 36. Side walls 38 rotate such that each of side wall front ends 106 are adjacent each other adjacent front wall 34. After side walls 38 rotate inward, lid 42 rotates downward about lid pivot pins 160 such that lid 42 is adjacent side walls 38. In the collapsed position, basket assembly 30 has a height 182 and a width 184. In one embodiment, height 182 is approximately 5 inches and width 184 is 0.5 inches.
To expand basket assembly from collapsed position 180, user lifts lid 42 upward about pivot pins 160, rotates side walls 38 outward about pivot pins 112, slides front wall 34 within slots 114 until bottom wall 40 rotates downward about pivot pins 140. Bottom wall projections 142 are snapped into slots 114, front wall 34 is pulled past side wall projections 118 until front wall 34 is adjacent side walls front ends 106.
The above-described small items basket is cost effective and versatile. The small items basket includes a plurality of rotatable and slidable walls such that the small items basket is collapsible, thus eliminating the need to remove the basket while not in use and increasing usable space during dishwasher operations. As a result of the collapsible nature of the basket, the user does not waste time searching for a basket. As a result of the increased usable capacity, the operator may add additional wash items to the dishwasher. Thus a basket is provided which reduces wasted time and conserves energy.
Exemplary embodiments of dishwasher racks and basket assemblies are described above in detail. The racks and baskets are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. Each racks and basket component can also be used in combination with other dishwasher components.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
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2529267 | Sloane | Nov 1950 | A |
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5497890 | Clark | Mar 1996 | A |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20050000554 A1 | Jan 2005 | US |