LAVAPLATOS WITH GRILLE OF UTENSILS AND SLIDING GUIDES FOR THE SAME DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a domestic dishwasher with a grid of utensils and a sliding guide to hold the utensil grid. Automatic dishwashers are well known, especially those for use in home environments. A typical automatic dishwasher comprises a cabinet defining a washing chamber, which is accessible through a movable door. Typically, a top rack and a bottom rack are provided to maintain utensils that are to be cleaned inside the wash chamber. Both the upper and lower grids are slidably mounted within the washing chamber such that at least a larger portion of the grids can slide substantially beyond the washing chamber to facilitate loading of the grids. A problem associated with conventional dishwashing racks relates to the slide rails that mount the racks to the side walls of the dishwasher cabinet. Usually, the grids include wheels or similar devices mounted on the sides thereof, and the wheels are mounted within a sliding guide movably mounted to the cabinet. To remove the grid from
dishwasher, the user pulls the rack out of the wash chamber by sliding the wheel towards the end of the slide and, once the rack reaches the end of the slide, removes the wheels from the slide, usually Raising the grille slightly to raise the wheel on a ratchet on the slide while continuing to pull. However, with such a configuration, it is easy for the user to accidentally pull the wheel on the pawl while pulling the rack out of the washing chamber in a normal manner and, consequently, unintentionally removing the rack from the slide. It is therefore desirable to have an automatic dishwasher with a sliding guide that prevents unwanted removal of the grid. An automatic dishwasher according to another embodiment of the invention comprises an open-angle cabinet comprising opposite side walls and defining a washing chamber; a door movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively close the washing chamber; a grid of utensils comprising opposite sides; at least one rail defining an elongated track and comprising a stop terminating at a leading end of the track and an access opening to the track; and a wheel assembly comprising at least one wheel received in a sliding manner within the track and sized for insertion and removal through the
access opening. One rail as a wheel assembly is mounted to the cabinet and the utensil rack and the other rail and wheel assembly is mounted to the other cabinet and the utensil rack is slidably mounted to the utensil rack to the cabinet, and the wheel It moves along the track to the access opening for removal through the access opening. A lock can be provided to close the access opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a domestic dishwasher according to an embodiment of the invention comprising two conventional utensil grids and a third utensil rack placed inside a washing chamber of the dishwasher, wherein the third rack of utensils is mounted to the dishwasher by a pair of slide guides and comprises a frame supporting a pair of basket elements, which are shown in an upper position in the frame. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dishwasher of Figure 1 with the third utensil rack according to an embodiment of the invention slid externally from the washing chamber. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the sliding guides and the third utensil grid of the
Figure 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the basket elements of Figure 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 is a front view of the dishwasher of Figure 1, with a traditional upper grid shown in imaginary for clarity, and the third grid of utensils according to an embodiment of the invention shown in a top position. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dishwasher similar to Figure 2, except that the basket elements are shown in the lower position in the frame. Figure 7 is a front view of the dishwasher similar to Figure 5, except that the basket elements are in the lower position in the frame. Figure 8 is an enlarged exploded view of a rail and lock of the slide guides of Figure 3 according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 9A is an enlarged view of the region labeled 9A in Figure 6 with the latch on the slide shown in a closed position. Figure 9B is an enlarged view similar to Figure 9A, except that the latch on the slide is shown in an open position and a wheel on the third
grid is aligned with an access opening in the upper part of the sliding guide. Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a wheel support from the third utensil rack of Figure 3 according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view similar to Figure 9B with the wheel being removed from the slide guide through the access opening according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative slide guide according to an embodiment of the invention having an access opening at the end of the slide. Figure 13 is a perspective view of a utensil rack with a pair of slide guides of the alternative embodiment according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 14 is an exploded view of the sliding guide and a wheel support of Figure 13 according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the slide guide of Figure 13, wherein the slide guide is shown in an initial position. Figure 16 is an exploded view of the guide
Figure 14. Figures 17-19 are perspective views similar to Figure 15 showing an exemplary operation of the sliding guide when moving from the initial position of Figure 15. Figure 20 is an enlarged view of the sliding guide. the region labeled XX of Figure 19 which shows a lock in the sliding guide in a closed position. Figure 21 is a perspective view similar to Figure 20 showing the latch on the slide in an open position. Figure 22 is a perspective view similar to Figure 20 of an alternative sliding guide. Referring now to the figures, Figure 1 shows a domestic dishwasher 10 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a cabinet 12 having spaced apart upper and lower walls 14, 16 joined by opposite side walls 18, 20 and a wall 22 back forming an open angle wash chamber 24. A door 26 movably mounted to the cabinet 12 is movable between an open position, as shown in Figure 1, where the user can access the washing chamber 24, and a closed position, where the door 26 closes the open angle of the washing chamber 24 in a conventional manner. The dishwasher 10 also comprises a first
utensil grid 28, lower and a second utensil grid 30, upper mounted slidably to the side walls 18, 20 of the cabinet 12. The first and second grid 28, Utensils are preferably conventional utensil grids commonly used in household dishwashers currently to maintain various utensils, such as plates, cups, other tableware and beverage containers. Usually, the first utensil rack 28 is adapted to hold plates, cups and large items, such as pots and pans and the second utensil rack 30 is spaced a sufficient distance over the first utensil rack 28 to accommodate the items in the first rack. 30 grid of utensils. The second utensil rack 30 commonly holds beverage containers, such as cups and cups and other small items. However, the first and second utensil grids 28, 30 can be disposed in the dishwasher 10 in any suitable manner and can hold any utensils that can be washed in the dishwasher 10. During the operation of a dishwasher wash cycle 10, the the door 26 is in the closed position, and the first and second utensil grids 28, 30 are disposed within the washing chamber 24 and exposed to the washing fluid, such as water and washing aids, such as detergents and cleaning auxiliaries. rinse. When the dishwasher 10 is not operated,
the user can move the door 26 to the open position and slide the first and second utensil grids 28, 30 from the washing chamber to empty or fill the first and second utensil grids 28, 30. As shown in Figure 2, according to one embodiment of the invention, the dishwasher 10 may further comprise a third utensil rack 40 slidably mounted to the cabinet 12 by a pair of slide guides 42. The third grid 40 of utensils can be placed on the second utensil rack 30 and near the upper wall 14 within the washing chamber 24 and can be moved relative to the washing chamber 24 in the same manner as described above for the first and second one. grids 28, 30 of utensils. The third utensil grid 40 comprises a frame 44 supporting a pair of removable basket elements 46A, 46B, which can contain various types of utensils having various sizes and shapes. Referring now to Figure 3, the frame 44 comprises an upper U-shaped cable 48 and a generally rectangular lower peripheral cable 50 joined by a plurality of separate and generally vertical connecting wires 52. The peripheral cables 48, 50 form separate front and rear ends 54, 56 connected by opposite sides 58, 60. The U-shaped cable 48 is
orientates so that it opens at the rear end 56, and the lower peripheral wire 50 is formed by a pair of opposing U-shaped lower, front and rear peripheral cables 50A, 50B that connect to opposite sides 58, 60 . The frame 44 further comprises a support rail 62. upper and a rear upper support rail 63 extending between and on the opposite sides 58, 60 of the upper peripheral cable 48 and parallel to, and separating from the front end 54 and the rear end 56, respectively. In addition, frame 44 includes a first pair of opposed lower support rails 64 and a second pair of opposing lower support rails 66 on opposite sides 58, 60 of 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 is generally U-shaped and depends on the upper peripheral cable 48 extending below the lower peripheral cable 50. In this way, the upper support rails 62, 63 are separated vertically from the lower support rails 64, 66. The upper and lower peripheral cables 48, 50, the upper support rails 62, 63, and the lower support rails 64, 66 are
preferably metallic cables coated with polymeric materials that can withstand the environment of the washing chamber 24 and protect the metallic cables from corrosion. Alternatively, the upper and lower peripheral cables 48, 50, the upper support rails 62, 63, and the lower support rails 64, 66 can be completely composed of polymeric materials. Referring now to Figure 4, according to one embodiment of the invention, the basket elements 46A, 46B, which are seated in the frame 44, each comprise a vertical peripheral wall 70 and a grate formed by a plurality of intersecting rods 72 forming a lower wall surrounded by the peripheral wall 70. The intersection rods 72 are spaced apart from each other a suitable distance to contain utensils such as cutlery, spatulas and the like. In addition, the bottom wall optionally includes at least a small article support area 68 comprising intersecting support rods 86 that separate closer to the intersecting rods 72 that contain small items, such as corn cobs, that can fall potentially between the intersection rods 72. As shown in Figure 4, the small article support areas 68 are preferably located at the corners of the basket elements 46A, 46B, but can be located
in any suitable region of the lower wall. The peripheral wall 70 comprises first and second parallel and separated edges 70A, 70B joined by third and fourth edges 70C, 70D separated. Each of the first and second edges 70A, 70B are substantially straight and may include a carrier handle 80 integrally formed therewith. Each of the handles may comprise a lateral hook or flange 82 dimensioned 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 70 ?, 70B, while the fourth edge 70D may comprise an intermediate curve 74 forming a first portion 76 of a basket element and a second portion 78 of a basket element that it is wider than the first portion 76 of the basket element. As a result of this configuration, utensils of different length can be efficiently arranged within the basket elements 46A, 46B. As shown in Figure 4, relatively small utensils A, such as standard tongs and spoons, can be placed in the first portion 76 of the basket element in an orientation parallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B, while the utensils B of medium length, such as table knives, can be accommodated in the second portion of the basket element also in orientation generally parallel to the first and
second edges 70A, 70B. In addition, the basket elements 46A, 46B are dimensioned so that relatively long utensils C, such as spatulas, mixing spoons, chef knives, and the like, can be disposed through the first and second portion 76, 78 of the element. layette in an orientation parallel to third edge 70C and generally perpendicular to relatively small utensils A and utensils B of medium length. As illustrated in Figure 4, the relatively long utensils C are larger than the medium length utensils B, which are larger than the relatively small utensils A. However, the utensils can be placed in any suitable location of the basket elements 46A, 46B. For example, relatively small utensils A can be placed in the second basket element portion 78 if desired. Each basket element 46A, 46B may further comprise a plurality of teeth 88 projecting upwardly from intersecting rods 72 that support and separate individual utensils. The teeth 88 can be arranged in groups so that the user can efficiently place utensils of different length in different areas of the basket elements 46A, 46B. A first group 90 of teeth extends along the fourth edge 70D to contain utensils in an orientation
parallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B, and a second group 92 of teeth is disposed along the second edge 70B to contain utensils in an orientation parallel to the third edge 70C. Preferably, the teeth 88 in the first group 90 of teeth are separated to keep relatively thin utensils, such as table knives, spoons and forks (ie, relatively small utensils and medium length B utensils), while the teeth 88 in the second group 92 of teeth they are separated at a greater distance to accommodate larger utensils, such as spatulas (ie, relatively long utensils). In addition, the teeth 88 are preferably arranged in pairs of teeth forming two parallel rows 88A, 88B of teeth 88. As a result of this configuration, the utensils placed between the teeth 88 are held by the teeth 88 in two locations a length of the same, and, therefore, the rows 88A, 88B of the teeth 88 prevent the pivotal movement of the utensils and keeps the utensils in the orientation generally parallel to the first and second edges 70A, 70B or parallel to the third edge 70C. In addition, the second group of teeth 92 includes a third row 88C of teeth 88 along the first edge 70A to secure both ends of the relatively long utensils C which prevent pivotal movement thereof.
With reference again to Figure 2, according to one embodiment of the invention, the fourth edge 70D of the basket elements 46A, 46B are complementary and are coupled together when the basket elements 46 ?, 46B settle in 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 46 ?, 46B form a generally rectangular periphery with less discontinuation at the interface between the elements 46A, 46B of basket. In addition, because the basket elements 46A, 46B are complementary, the basket elements 46A, 46B are coupled to form a generally rectangular complete basket. The complete basket is defined by the rectangular periphery and has a surface area slightly smaller than the area defined between the front and rear ends 54, 56 and the opposite sides 58, 60 of the frame 44. In particular, the complete basket corresponds to a single layette sized to span in one direction between the upper support rails 62, 63 and in the other direction at a distance slightly smaller 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 member 46A is aligned with the second basket element portion 78 of the second basket member.
basket element 46B, and the second basket member portion 78 of the first basket member 46A is aligned with the first basket member portion 76 of the second basket member 46B to form the complete basket, which has a constant equal width 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 is responsible for half of the complete basket. In addition, production costs are minimized when the basket elements 46A, 46B are identical because only a simple mold design is required for all basket elements 46A, 46B. The basket elements 46A, 46B are adjustably mounted to the frame 44 to accommodate utensils contained by the second rack 30 of utensils and utensils contained by the basket elements 46A, 46B and efficiently utilizing the limited space in the washing chamber 24. In particular, the basket elements 46? 46B can be vertically adjustable in the frame 44 and, therefore, inside the washing chamber 24. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, according to one embodiment of the invention, the basket elements 46A, 46B can be mounted in an upper position where
the flanges 82 on the first and second edges 70A, 70B are seated in the upper support rails 62, 63. As shown in Figures 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 are seated in a lower position. the first and second pairs of lanes 64, 66 of opposite lower support. A comparison of Figures 5 and 7 show that the basket elements 46A, 46B are located higher in the washing chamber 24 when they are in the upper position. In addition, the bottom walls formed by the intersecting rods 72 of the basket elements 46A, 46B are separated from the second rack 30 of utensils a greater distance when the rack elements 46A, 46B are in the upper position than when the elements 46A, 46B of the basket are in the lower position, but the 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 they are in the upper position . Assembling the basket elements 46A, 46B in the upper and lower positions is, therefore, a compromise between the space between the second utensil grid 30 and the third utensil grid 40 and the clearance between the third utensil grid 40 and the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12.
Furthermore, the basket elements 46? 46B in the upper position are oriented generally orthogonally to the basket elements 46A, 46B in the lower position due to the portions of the frame 44 that support the basket elements 46A, 46B, in these two positions are oriented orthogonal to each other. Such an arrangement facilitates the mounting of 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 mounted on the first and second pairs of rails 64, 66 of inferior support opposite and vice versa. With particular reference to Figure 8 and in general to Figure 3, the sliding guides 42 which are slidably mounted to the third utensil rack 40 to the cabinet 12 each comprise a rail 100 having a generally vertical central wall 102 with an opening 103 near a front end thereof and pairs of upper and lower L-shaped flanges 104, 106 extending along the central wall 102 defining an inner track 110 on an inner side (i.e. , the side closest to the third utensil grid 40) of the central wall 102 and an external track 110 on an external side (i.e., the side farther from the third utensil grid 40) of the central wall 102. The tracks 110, 112 end in a pair of stops in the form of flanges 108
fronts at the front end of the rail 100. The upper flange 104 that partially defines the inner track 110 separates from the front flange 108 on the inner side of the central wall 102 to form an access opening 114 therebetween. A lock 120 pivotally mounted to the top and bottom flanges 104, 106 of the rail 100 selectively blocks the access opening 114. The latch 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 handle 130 sized to be gripped between the fingers of the user to pivotally move the latch 120. In addition, the latch 120 includes a pawl 132 extending from the side wall 126 and dimensioned to engage with opening 103. Lock 120 is movable between a closed position, as shown in Figure 9A, where upper wall 122 blocks access opening 114, and an open position, as illustrated in Figure 9B, in where the closure 120 is pivoted away from the rail 100 so that the top wall 122 separates from the access opening 114. With particular reference to Figure 10 and in general to Figure 3, a wheel support 140 couples each opposite side 58, 60 of the third utensil grid 40 to its corresponding slide guide 42. Each support 140
The wheel member is a generally rectangular, elongated member with front and rear wheels 142, 144 mounted rotatably to an outer side thereof. The wheels 142, 144 are sized to receive within the access opening 114 and the inner track 110. The wheel support 140 further includes a pair of parallel notches 146 on an inner side thereof for receiving the upper and lower peripheral cables 48, 50 of the frame 44. The snap clamps 150 adjacent the notches 146 are sized to securely receive at least one of the upper and lower peripheral cables 48, 50 to prevent lateral displacement of the wheel support 140 relative to the frame 44. In addition, the inner side of the wheel support 140 includes sets of U-shaped projections 148 vertically aligned between the notches 146 sized to receive brackets 152 to sandwich the frame 44 between the wheel support 140 and the brackets 152 whereby the support 140 is mounted to the frame 44. The wheel support 140 also comprises a projection 154 which is extends upwards and outwards to facilitate the mounting of the wheel support 140 to the rail 100. An exemplary description of the assembly and operation of the Wax grid 40 of utensils and the following sliding guides 42. It will be apparent to someone of ordinary experience that the assembly and operation can proceed in any logical order and is not limited to the
sequence presented later. The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any way. Each of the slide guides 42 mounted to the dishwasher 10 upon joining the rail 100 to a conventional slide mount (not shown) on the corresponding opposite side wall 18, 20. The slide mount can be of any suitable type of device that couples the rail 100 to the corresponding opposite side wall 18, 20. For example, the slide mount may comprise one or more wheels mounted to the side walls 18, 20. Normally, the rail 100 receives the slide mount within the outer track 112 so that the rail 100 can slide relative to the cabinet 12. Next, the wheel supports 140 are mounted to the opposite sides 58, 60 of the frame 44 aligning the upper and lower peripheral cables 48, 50 with the notches 146, snapping the lower peripheral cable 50 into the snap clamps 150, and inserting the brackets 152 into the projections 148 to hold the upper peripheral cables 48, 50 and lower between the wheel support 140 and the clamps 150. After the wheel supports 140 are secured to the frame 44, the user pivots the latches 120 on the slide guides 42 to the open position so that the rear wheels 144 can insert in
the internal tracks 110 through the access openings 114. The user then pushes the frame 44 towards the washing chamber 24 so that the rear wheels 144 travel along the inner track 110 until the front wheels 142 align with the access openings 114, as shown in the Figure 11. After the user inserts the front wheels 142 on the inner track 110 through the access openings 114, the user pivots the latches 120 towards the rail 100 to the closed position, where the pawls 132 engage the openings 103 and the upper walls 122 block the access openings 114 to prevent inadvertent removal of the front wheels 142 from the inner tracks 110, as shown in Figure 9A. In this position, the protrusions 154 of the wheel supports 140 are seated in the top flanges 104 of the rail 100 to help support the frame 44 in the slideways 42. When the slideways 42 are mounted to the cabinet 12 and the frame 44 is mounted to slide rails 42, the third utensil rack 40 is therefore mounted to the dishwasher 10 and can be slid in relation to the washing chamber 24. The user can mount the basket elements 6A, 46B to the frame 44 in any upper position or the lower position depending on the desired configuration of
the utensil grids 28, 30, 40 in the washing chamber 24, the sizes of the utensils in the second utensil rack 30 and the sizes of the utensils that are held in the third utensil grid 40. To maximize the space between the second utensil rack 30 and the basin elements 46A, 46B, the basin elements 46A, 46B are positioned adjacent to each other in the upper position, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, with the flanges 82 in the upper support rails 62, 63. In addition, the basket elements 46A, 46B are placed with their fourth complementary edge 70D in adjacent contact to form the complete basket. However, if the user wishes to maximize the clearance between the rack elements 46A, 46B and the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12 to accommodate larger utensils in the third utensil rack 40, the rack elements 46A, 46B are rotated. 90 degrees and placed adjacent to each other in the lower position, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, with the flanges 82 in the first and second opposing pairs of lower support rails 64, 66. As in the upper position, the basket elements 46A, 46B are placed with their fourth complementary edge 70D, in adjacent contact to form the complete basket. With the basket elements 46A, 46B in any upper or lower position, the user
it can fill the basket elements 46A, 46B with various shapes and sizes of utensils, including relatively small utensils A, medium length utensils B, and relatively long utensils C, as described above. The utensils may be arranged in the basket elements 46? 46B in any suitable manner to maximize the amount of utensils contained by the third utensil rack 40 without compromising the ability of the dishwasher 10 to clean utensils. In addition, the user can place small items, such as corn cobs, in the support areas 68 of small items. During the operation of a wash cycle, the teeth 88 surrounding the small article support areas 68 help retain the small items in the small article support areas 68. After the washing cycle is completed, the user pulls the third utensil grid 40 from the washing chamber to empty the basket elements 46A, 46B. The front stop flanges 108 limit movement towards the frame 44 relative to the slide guides 42. Thereafter, the user removes the utensils from the third utensil grid 40 in any suitable manner. For example, the user can manually remove each utensil from the basket elements 46 ?, 46B while the elements 46A, 46B of
The basket can be mounted to the frame 44, the user can remove at least one of the basket elements 46A, 46B with the utensils therein and empty at least one basket element 46A, 46B in a separate location from the dishwasher 10, or the The user can remove at least one of the basket elements 46A, 46B with the utensils therein and use at least one basket storage element 46A, 46B, such as by placing at least one basket element 46a, 46B in a basket. drawer. If the user wishes to remove the complete frame 44 from the dishwasher, the user pivots the safety 120 away from the rails 100 to the open position, as shown in Figure 9B, to unlock the access openings 114. The latches 120 in the illustrated embodiment advantageously remain mounted to the rails 100 during movement between the closed and open positions and at the same time in the open position. Next, the user aligns the front wheels 142 with the access openings 114 and raises the frame 44, such as by pivoting the frame 44, thereby elevating the front wheels 142 through the access openings 114, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 11. Further, the user pulls the frame 44 further, from the washing chamber 24 until the rear wheels 144 align with the access openings 114 and raise the frame 44, such as by pivoting the frame 44, so that raise the wheels 144
afterwards through the access openings 114 and the frame 44 is disconnected from the slideways 42. An alternative slideway 42 'is illustrated in Figure 12, wherein components similar to those of the first slideway 42 the mode are identified by the same number as the prime symbol (') - The slide guide 42' is substantially identical to the first slide guide 42 of the mode, except that the rail 100 'does not include the flange stops 108 front, and the upper and lower flanges 104 ', 106' extend all the way to the end of the rail 100 '. As a result, the access opening 114 'is defined between the ends of the top and bottom flanges 104', 106 'and the lock 120' in the closed position functions as the stop while the access opening 114 'is blocked. Alternatively, the access opening 114 may be located elsewhere on the rail 100. For example, the access opening 114 may be formed between the lower flange 106 and the front flange stop 108 if the lower flange 106 is sufficiently separated from the front flange 106. front end of the rail 100. An alternative embodiment of the slideways 200 is illustrated in Figure 13. The slideways 200 are shown in Figure 13 together with the
second grid 30 of utensils; however, it is within the scope of the invention to use the slide guides 200 with the first utensil rack 28, the third utensil rack 40 or any other utensil rack. The remaining description of the sliding guides 200 are presented with respect to one of the sliding guides 200, by which it is understood that the description can apply both of the sliding guides 200. A wheel support 202 engages the sliding guide 200 on one side of the second utensil rack 30. With reference to Figure 14, which is an exploded view of the sliding guide 200 and the wheel support 202, the wheel support 202 carries a front wheel 204 and a rear wheel 206 on the support plate 208. The front wheel 204 and the rear wheel 206 of the illustrated embodiment each include a circumferential notch 210. A wheel support bracket 212 attached to the support plate 208 mounts the wheel bracket 202 to the second tool rack 30. The glide guide 202 includes a rail 220 and a grid 222 slidable relative to the rail 202. The rail 220 includes a generally vertical wall 224 having bracket detents 226 that receive sliding brackets 228, which engage the rail 220 to a of the side walls 18, 20 of the cabinet. According to the
illustrated embodiment, the bracket detents 226 are firmly coupled to the slide brackets 228 to the rail 220, and the bracket detents 226 are firmly attached to one of the cabinet side walls 18, 20; thus, the rail 220 is firmly mounted to one of the side walls 18, 20 of the cabinet. Referring now to Figure 16, which is a perspective view of the sliding guide 200, the rail 220 further includes upper and lower flanges 230, 232 extending along the vertical wall 224 defining a track 234 of lane. Each of the upper and lower flanges 230, 232 forms a channel 236. The channel 236 in the upper flange 230 extends upwards, and the channel 236 formed in the lower flange 232 extends downward; thus, channels 236 extend away from lane track 234. In addition, 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 projects downward and upwardly. from flanges 230, upper and lower 232, respectively, in track 234 of rail. The rail 220 further includes a rail stop 239 mounted to the vertical wall 224 and projecting into the rail track 234. The rail 222 includes a generally vertical wall 240 with flanges 242, 244 upper and lower defining
together a track 246 of rail. Each of the upper and lower flanges 242, 244 form 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; in this way, the channels 248 extend to the rail track 246. The channels 248 extend along the entire length of the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, except at the rear ends of the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, where a projection 250 projects up and down from the flanges 242, 244 upper and lower, respectively, far from the rail track 246. The rail track 246 terminates at a front stop 252 and a rear stop 254 in the form of flanges at the ends of the rail 222. The front stop 252 in the illustrated embodiment is generally L-shaped. The upper flange 242 partially defines the rail track 246 is separated from the front stop 252 to form an access opening 256 therebetween. The rail 222 further includes a position limiter 258 formed in the vertical wall 240 and extends away from the rail track 246. A latch 260 is pivotally mounted to the rail 222, particularly the top and bottom flanges 242, 244 of the rail 222, and selectively blocks the access opening 256. The safety 260 includes parallel upper and lower walls 262, 264 joined by a side wall 266 and a wall 268
front orthogonal to the side wall 266. The side wall 266 and the front wall 268 form a handle 270 sized to be gripped between the fingers of the user to pivotally move the latch 260. The latch 260 further includes a wheel retainer in the form of a projection 274 depending on the wall 262 top on track 246 of track. The latch 260 is movable between a closed position (FIG. 20), wherein the upper wall 262 blocks the access opening 256, and an open position (FIG. 21), wherein the latch 260 is pivoted in relation to the latching rail 222. so that the upper wall 262 is separated from the access opening 256. The closed and open positions will be described in more detail later. When the latch 260 is in the closed position, the projection 274 is linearly aligned with the channel 248 in the top flange 242 of the rail. A bearing assembly comprising a bearing cage 280 comprising a plurality of ball bearings 282 slidably engages the rail 222 and the rail 220 for relative sliding movement. With reference to Figure 15, when the sliding guide 200 is assembled, the rail track 234 receives the rail 222 with the bearing assembly positioned between the top and bottom flanges 230, 232 of the rail 220 and the top flanges 242, 244 and bottom of the rail 222. In
in particular, the bearing cage 280 sits between the channels 236 in the rail 220 and the channels 248 in the rail 222. The projections 238 at the ends of the channels 236 in the rail 220 retain the bearing cage 280 in the track 234 rail (ie, the projections 238 prevent the bearing cage 280 from sliding forward or backward from the rail track 234). When the rail 222 engages the wheel bracket 202 which engages the slide guide 200 to the second tool rack 30, the rail track 246 receives the front and rear wheels 204, 206. The front and rear wheels 204, 206 are pictorially illustrated in Figure 15 showing the placement of the front and rear wheels 204, 206 within the rail track 246. The notches 210 in the front and rear wheels 204, 206 receive the channels 248 that extend internally from the top and bottom rail flanges 242, 244 so that the front and rear wheels 204, 206 can roll along the channels 248, which act as a guide to facilitate the retention of the front and rear wheels 204, 206 on the rail track 246. An exemplary operation of the sliding guide 200 will be described with respect to Figures 15 and 17-21. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the operation can proceed in any logical order and is not
limits to the sequence presented later. The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any way. Figure 15 illustrates the sliding guide 200 in an initial position with the front and rear wheels 204, 206 located as far back as possible inside the rail track 246 and with the position limiter 258 on the rail 222 projecting the stop 239 rail in lane 220 (not shown). This position coincides with the utensil rack 30 that is received completely inside the chamber 24 of the dishwasher 10. The interaction between the position limiter 258 and the rail stop 239 furthermore prevents the backward movement of the rail 222 relative to the lane 220. In this position, a front end of the rail 222 and the latch 260 are both received within the lane 234. When the user wishes to move the second utensil rack 30 relative to the cabinet 12, the user pulls the second utensil rack 30 forward, and the front and rear wheels 204, 206 are subsequently rolled forward on the track track 246. along the channels 248 until the front wheel 204 butts the front stop 252, as shown in Figure 17. When the front wheel 204 approaches the front stop 252, the notch 210 in the front wheel 204 is rolled out of the channel 248 in the upper flange 242 and in engagement with the
projection 274 on the safety 260. As the user continues to pull the second utensil rack 30, the front wheel 204 transfers the force forward to the rail 222 through the front stop 252, and the rail 222 slides forward relative to the bearing cage 280 and rail 220 until projections 250 on rail 222 buttress a trailing end of bearing cage 280, as illustrated in Figure 18. When the user continues to pull the second utensil rack 30, the rail 222 transfers the force forward to the bearing cage 280 through the projections 250 and the bearing cage 280 slides forward with the rail 222 relative to the rail 220 until the front end of the bearing cage 280 butts together. projections 238 on the forward end of the. rail 220, as illustrated in Figure 19. At this point, the sliding guide 200 is in its most extended position relative to the cabinet 12 as is the second utility grid 30. When the sliding guide 200 extends completely from the cabinet 12, as shown in Figure 19, or when the sliding guide 200 is in any other position where the front wheel 204 butts or splices almost the front stop 252, and the lock 260 is in the closed position blocking the access opening 256, the notch 210 in the front wheel 204 receives the projection 274
in the lock 260. Figure 20, which is in an enlarged view of the region labeled XX in Figure 19, best illustrates the coupling 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 rail 222 and the rail track 246. In this way, the projection 274 prevents the front wheel 204 from suddenly leaving the rail track 246 so that the accidental removal of the second utensil canister 30 from the slide guide 220 is avoided. If the user wishes to remove the second utensil grid 30 from the slide 200, the user moves the lock 260 from the closed position of Figure 20 to the open position. Before the user can move the latch 260, however, the user must ensure that the front wheel 204 does not engage the projection 274 in the latch 260. If the front wheel 204 and the projection 274 engage, then the user pushes the second utensil grid 30 backwards until at least the front wheel 204 no longer engages the projection 274, as illustrated in Figure 21. Once the front wheel 204 and the projection 274 are not engaged anymore, the user can moving the lock to the open position shown in Figure 21, such as by pivoting the lock 260 relative to the rail 222. The lock 260
in the illustrated embodiment it remains advantageously mounted to the rail 222 during the movement between the closed and open positions and at the same time in the open position. Moving the latch 260 separates the upper wall 262 from the latch 260 from the access opening 256 so that the user can later pull the second utensil grid 30 forward and upwardly through the access opening 256, as it is indicated by an arrow in Figure 21. The upward movement of the second utensil rack 30 corresponds to the lifting, such as pivoting the second utensil rack 30 relative to the rail 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 raises the second grid 30 of utensils 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 manner where slip and lift are different actions or where slip and elevation overlap chronologically (ie, the lift starts while the slip is executed). By requiring the movement of the second grid 30 of utility in two
different directions the accidental removal of the second utility grid 30 from the slide guide 200 is facilitated. After the front wheel 204 passes through the access opening 256, the user can continue to pull the second rack 30 of utensils forward 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 then pushed into the cabinet 12 by repeating the above procedure in a reverse order. The sliding guides 200 of the alternative embodiment may include features described above with respect to the slideways 42 of the previous embodiment. For example, the access opening 258 can be positioned between the upper and lower flanges 242, 244 of the rail 222. When the access opening 258 is located between the upper and lower flanges 242, 244, the latch 260 can form the front stop for the front wheel 204. In addition, the latch 260 may include a pawl engaging an opening in the rail 222 to retain the latch 260 in the closed position. In addition, the insurance does not need to have the projection 274, which would eliminate the need to support the 30-count of utensils before insurance 260 is opened.
Another sliding guide 200 of the alternative embodiment is illustrated in Figure 22. The sliding guide 200 is identical to the embodiment of the sliding guides 200 shown in Figures 13-21, except that the sliding guide 200 of the Figure 22 does not include the lock 260 and the access opening 256 in the top flange 222 of the rail is separated 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 at a distance at least equal to a diameter of the front wheel 204, as illustrated in Figure 22. The operation of the slide guide 200 of Figure 22 is substantially identical to the operation of the slideways 200 of Figure 13-21, except for the portion related to the removal of the front wheel 204 from the rail track 246. To remove the front wheel 204 from the rail track 246, the user first aligns the front wheel 204 with the access opening 256. If the front wheel 204 is positioned adjacent the front stop 252, the user must slide the front wheel 204 rearward to align the front wheel 204 with the access opening 204. Then, 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 grid 30 forward and upwardly to pass the rear wheel 206 through the access opening 256 in the same manner. Space the access opening 256 from the stop
252 front requires the user to deliberately slide the second utensil rack 30 back before moving the front wheel 204 through the access opening 256. The backward movement is required to help prevent accidental removal of the front wheel 204 from the rail track 246 when the slide 200 does not include the latch 260 to selectively close 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 the front stop 252, as shown with respect to the embodiments of Figures 11 and 21. In addition, the rail track 246 of the illustrated embodiment and the other modes of the slide guides can be substantially cleared so that the front wheel 204 can freely slide along the rail track 246 to the access opening 256. In other words, there are no ratchets or other structures that impede the movement of the front wheel 204 within the rail track 246. The placement of the access opening 256
and the use of the safety 260, either alone or in combination with each other, are sufficient to control the movement of the front wheel 204 and the removal of the front wheel 204 from the sliding guide 200, so that a need for ratchets 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 complete basket to be formed by more than two basket elements and for the basket elements to be shaped and sized in any suitable manner so long as they are complementary and form the complete basket together. For example, the complete 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. In addition, the basket elements 46A, 46B are not limited to use with the frame 44; the basket elements 46A, 46B can be used with any suitable rack or utensil rack and are not required to be vertically adjustable inside the wash chamber 24. So
similarly, the frame 44 can mount a complete unitary basket in place of separate basket elements so that the unitary complete basket is vertically adjustable within the washing chamber 24. Although the third utensil grid 40 has been demonstrated and described as being located near the upper wall 14 of the cabinet 12 and together with the first and second utensil grids 28, 30, it is within the scope of the invention to use the third grid 40. of utensils at any location within the washing chamber 24, such as adjacent to the lower wall 16 or in the middle of the washing chamber 24, and with or without other utensil grids. In addition, the slide guides 42 are not limited for use with the third utensil rack 40; rather, the slide guides 42 can be used with the first utensil rack 28, the second utensil rack 30 or any other suitable utensil grid. The grid of the basket elements 46? 46B has been described as being formed by the plurality of intersecting rods 72; however, it is within the scope of the invention for the grill that is formed by other structures having openings or slits that allow the wash liquid to pass through the bottom wall of the basket elements 46A, 46B. For example, the grill can be a molded panel with
Circular, rectangular or other shapes formed in it. Although the third utensil grid 40 and the sliding guides 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 accessory for wash 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 washing chamber is formed in an open lid drawer that is slidably mounted to a cabinet. In addition, the slide guides 42 can be used to slidably mount the drawer to the cabinet, if desired. The third utensil grid 40 accommodates various shapes and sizes of utensils for effective cleaning thereof without dramatically sacrificing the capacity of the first and second utensil grids 28, 30. Due to the basket elements 46A, 46B are vertically adjustable, the third utensil grid 40 can be arranged to accommodate utensil sizes 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 mounting
the basket elements 46A, 46B can be adjusted to the frame 44. However, the height adjusters can also be located in the basket elements 46A, 46B. For example, the basket elements 46A, 46B can include multiple vertically spaced hooks in the peripheral wall 70 so that the basket elements 46A, 46B can be mounted to a portion of the frame 44 in different vertical orientations depending on which hooks are engaged with the frame portion 44. Although the invention has been specifically described in conjunction with certain specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration and not limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be interpreted as broadly as the technique previous allows it. LIST OF PARTS 10 dishwasher 12 cabinet 14 upper wall 16 lower wall 18 side wall 20 side wall 22 back wall 24 wash chamber 26 door
28 first utensil rack 30 second utensil rack 32 34 36 38 40 third utensil rack 42 slide rails 44 rack 46A / B rack elements 48 upper peripheral cable 50 lower peripheral cable 50A lower front peripheral cable 50B rear lower peripheral cable 52 connection cables 54 front end 56 rear end 58 side 60 side 62 upper front support rail 63 lower upper support rail 64 first pair of lower support rails 66 second pair of lower support rails 68 small item support area 70 wall peripheral
70A / B / C / D ler / 2nd / 3rd / 4th side edges
72 intersection rods 74 intermediate curve 76 first portion of basket element 78 second portion of basket element
80 handle 82 hook or flange 84 86 intersection support rods 88 teeth 88A / 88B rows of teeth 90 first group of teeth 92 second group of teeth 94 96 98 100 rail 102 middle wall 103 opening 104 upper L-shaped flanges 106 flanges L-shaped lower 108 front flanges (stops) 110 internal track 112 external track 114 access opening
116 118 120 safe 122 top wall
124 bottom wall
126 side wall
128 front wall
130 handle 132 ratchet 134 136 138 140 wheel support;
142 front wheel
144 rear wheel
146 notches 148 projections in
150 Clamps <
152 corbels 154 outgoing 156 158 160 162 164
166 168 170 172 174 176 180 182 184 186 188 190 192 194 196 198 200 slide rails 202 wheel support 204 front wheel 206 rear wheel 208 support plate 210 notch 212 wheel support bracket 214 216
218 220 lane 222 rail 224 vertical wall 226 cantilever holds
228 sliding brackets
230 upper flange 232 lower flange 234 track 236 channel 238 projections 239 rail stop 240 vertical wall 242 upper flange 244 lower flange 246 track track 248 channel 250 projection 252 front stop 254 rear stop 256 access opening 258 position limiter
260 safe 262 upper wall 264 lower wall
266 sidewall 268 front wall 270 handle 272 274 projection 276 278 280 bearing cage 282 ball bearings 284 286 288 290 292 294 296 298 300 A relatively small utensils B medium length utensils
C relatively long utensils