US20070039904A1

US20070039904A1 - Brackets for supporting article holders

Info

Publication number: US20070039904A1
Application number: US11/504,840
Authority: US
Inventors: Balaji Purushothaman
Original assignee: Electrolux Home Products Inc
Current assignee: Electrolux Home Products Inc
Priority date: 2005-08-18
Filing date: 2006-08-16
Publication date: 2007-02-22

Abstract

A mounting bracket for mounting an article holder to a dishwasher rack includes a plurality of mounting seats configured to receive a mount portion of an article holder. The mounting bracket can include a path in communication with the mounting seats to permit a mount portion of an article holder to travel along the path to be received by a selected one of the mounting seats.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/709,238 filed Aug. 18, 2005, the entire disclosure which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to brackets for supporting article holders and more particularly to brackets for supporting article holders for a dishwasher.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional dishwashers typically include dishwasher racks adapted to support articles during a dishwashing cycle. For example, conventional racks may support pots, pans, plates, bowls, utensils, glassware, drinking vessels (e.g., cups, mugs, glasses, stemware) or other kitchenware. Dishwasher racks are known to include conventional shelves to provide alternative support for articles within an interior area of a dishwasher. There is a need for brackets for supporting article holders within the interior area of a dishwasher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide brackets for supporting article holders within the interior area of a dishwasher.
In accordance with one aspect, a mounting bracket for mounting an article holder to a dishwasher rack is provided. The mounting bracket includes a mounting structure configured to mount the mounting bracket to a side wall of a dishwasher rack such that the mounting bracket extends away from a side wall of a dishwasher rack. The mounting bracket further includes a plurality of mounting seats configured to receive a mount portion of an article holder. Furthermore, the mounting bracket includes a path in communication with the mounting seats to permit a mount portion of an article holder to travel along the path to be received by a selected one of the mounting seats.
In accordance another aspect, an article holder assembly for a dishwasher rack is provided. The article holder assembly comprises an article holder including a first mount portion and a first mounting bracket. The first mounting bracket includes a first mounting structure configured to mount the mounting bracket to a side wall of a dishwasher rack. The first mounting bracket includes a first set of mounting seats that are each configured to receive the first mount portion of the article holder. The first mounting bracket also includes a first path in communication with the first set of mounting seats to permit the first mount portion of the article holder to travel along the first path to be received by a selected one of the first set of mounting seats.
In accordance still another aspect, a dishwasher rack assembly is provided. The dishwasher rack assembly comprises a dishwasher rack including a base and a side wall extending away from the base, wherein the side wall has a width extending in a direction along the base. The dishwasher rack assembly further comprises a first article holder assembly including an article holder positioned at a selected one of a plurality of alternate distances from the base of the dishwasher rack. The first article holder assembly further includes a first and second mounting bracket that are each mounted to the side wall along the width of the side wall. Each mounting bracket includes a set of mounting seats configured to receive respective portions of the first article holder to position the first article holder at the selected one of the plurality of alternate distances from the base of the dishwasher rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher rack assembly incorporating example aspects of the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a side view of portions of an article holder assembly incorporating example aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements.
FIG. 1 depicts one example of a dishwasher rack assembly 200 that may be used in a wide variety of ways before, during and/or after the dishwashing cycle. The dishwasher rack assembly 200 can include a dishwasher rack 100 configured to receive and support a wide range of articles. For example, the dishwasher rack 100 may be designed to receive and support articles such as pots, pans, plates, bowls, utensils (e.g., knives, forks, spoons, spatulas, ladles, etc.), glassware, drinking vessels (e.g., cups, mugs, glasses, stemware, etc.) or the like. The dishwasher rack 100 not only receives and supports the above-referenced articles, but permits cleaning and rinsing fluids to pass through the dishwasher rack 100 during a dishwashing procedure. Although not required in all examples, the dishwasher rack 100 may comprise a plurality of elongated members (e.g., wires) to permit passage of cleaning and rinsing fluids while maintaining a shape for receiving and supporting the articles.
The dishwasher rack 100 can include a wide range of configurations to receive and support articles and facilitate passage of cleaning and rinsing fluids during the dishwashing procedure. In one example, the dishwasher rack 100 can include a base 106 and a side wall 102 extending away from the base 106. The side wall 102 include a width “W” extending in a direction along the base 106 of the dishwasher rack 100. Optionally, the dishwasher rack 100 can also include one or more further side walls in addition to the side wall 102. In the illustrated example, the dishwasher rack 100 includes four side walls including the side wall 102 and another side wall 103 partially shown in FIG. 1. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the side walls 102, 103 are located at approximately 90° with respect to one another although other angles may be employed in further embodiments incorporating aspects of the invention. For example, each side of a four-sided dishwasher rack may be located at approximately 90° with respect to an adjacent side wall to form a rectangular shaped dishwasher rack 100. In further examples, sides of the dishwasher rack may be located at other angles with respect to an adjacent side wall to obtain alternative dishwasher rack configurations.
Examples of the present invention provide an article holder 20 positioned at a selected one of a plurality of alternative vertical elevations with respect to the dishwasher rack 100. For example, the alternative vertical elevations can be considered alternative distances of the article holder from the base 106 of the dishwasher rack 100.
The article holder 20 can include a wide range of structural features to provide support and/or holding capabilities for articles associated with the dishwasher rack 100. For example, the article holder 20 can comprise an article support portion 22 that can comprise various structural arrangements adapted to support articles. For example, the article support portion 22 can provide a structural arrangement that may act as a shelf to support articles resting above the shelf. Example articles that may be supported by the an article holder in the form of a shelf include, but are not limited to utensils or beverage containers. In further examples, the article support portion 22 can comprise a slot 23 a adapted to receive a stem from a stemware beverage container. In use, the stemware may be inverted and hung by inserting the stem within the slot 23 a. In further examples, the article support portion 22 can comprise one or more apertures 23 b adapted to receive the handle of a utensil to hang the utensil from the article support portion. Although not shown, article holders may also comprise other types of article holders. For example, other examples of article holders can include article fasteners (e.g., clips), article inserts (e.g., vertical support rods configured to be inserted into the supported article), article receptacles such as an article basket (e.g., silverware basket), article tray, or other types of article holders.
The article holder 20 may be provided as part of an article holder assembly 10 a, 10 b that may cooperate with one or more side walls of the dishwasher rack 100 to form the dishwasher rack assembly 200. In addition, the article holder assembly 10 a, 10 b can include one or more mounting brackets for mounting to the sidewall of the dishwasher rack. For example, as shown first and second mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b are provided for mounting to at least one sidewall of the dishwasher rack although it is contemplated that a single mounting bracket or three or more mounting brackets may be incorporated in further examples of the invention. Although not shown, the first and second mounting brackets, if provided, can be at least partially mounted to different side walls of the dishwasher rack. For example, the first mounting bracket can be mounted to a first sidewall while the second mounting bracket is mounted on an opposed sidewall. In the illustrated example, the first and second mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b of each article holder assembly 10 a, 10 b is mounted to a single side wall 102 along the width “W” of the side wall 102. Providing the mounting the brackets 32 a, 32 b on a single side wall can permit mounting of a plurality of article holder assemblies 10 a, 10 b that have a combined length that is less than about the width “W” of the side wall 102. Furthermore, providing mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b for mounting to a single sidewall allows the article holder assembly 10 a, 10 b to be mounted to various alternative dishwasher rack configurations having side walls with different widths, lengths or otherwise. Moreover, a plurality of article holder assemblies 10 a, 10 b may be installed on the side wall 102 (see FIG. 1) to provide different article holder capabilities along a single side wall. For instance, as shown two article holder assemblies 10 a, 10 b may be provided side-by-side on a single side wall along the width “W” of the side wall 102. Such a configuration allows article holders 20 to be located at different positions (as shown) to accommodate different desired article holding configurations. In further examples, the article holders 20 may be positioned at the same elevation to provide an effectively increased-length article holder for supporting longer articles on top of the article holder or to support a plurality of similar shaped articles, for example.
As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b of each article holder assembly 10 a, 10 b are substantially identical to one another although it is contemplated that the mounting brackets may have different structural features in further examples. The first mounting bracket 32 a is described more fully with respect to FIG. 2 with the understanding that such description can apply equally to the second mounting bracket 32 b. As shown, the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b can each include a mounting structure 33 configured to mount the mounting bracket to the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100. The mounting structure can be configured to mount the mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b to the side wall 102 such that the mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b extends away from the side wall 102. For example, as shown, the mounting structure 33 can orient the mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b such that the mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b extends toward an interior area 104 of the dishwasher rack 100. It is also contemplated, in further examples, that the mounting structure can orient the mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b such that the mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b extends away from the interior area 104 of the dishwasher rack 100 or extend in different ways from the side wall 102. In still further examples, the mounting structure can be configured to mount the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b to the side wall 102 such that it doesn't extend away from the side wall 102. For example, the mounting structure can be configured to mount the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b such that they extend along or within the side wall 102 without extending away from the side wall 102.
The mounting structure 33 can comprise various structural configurations to attach to the side wall 102 depending on the configuration of the sidewall or other design considerations and/or preferences. As shown, the mounting structure 33 can comprise one or more hooks 34, 36 configured to hang the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b on the first side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack. Although not required in all embodiments, the mounting structure 33 can include an optional snap portion 37 configured to snap around a portion of the dishwasher rack 100 to inhibit inadvertent dismounting of the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b from the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100. Other alternative mounting structures such may also be incorporated. For example, a mounting structure including only one or more hooks without a snap portion may be provided. In further examples, the mounting structure may comprise a plurality of snap portions, latch arrangements, locking devices, clamping devices, interlocking structures, or the like. Moreover, although the mounting structures are configured to mount to a single sidewall, it is contemplated that the mounting structures may mount to more than one sidewall in further examples. For instance, the mounting structures may be configured to mount the mounting bracket to adjacent sidewalls, where the mounting bracket may be positioned at or near a corner of the dishwasher rack. Furthermore, the mounting structures may comprise permanent connection, such as integral connection, between the dishwasher rack and article holder assembly in further embodiments.
As further shown in FIG. 2, the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b can each include two or more mounting seats configured to receive a mount portion 24 a, 24 b of the article holder 20. As shown, the mount portions 24 a, 24 b of the article holder 20 can comprise end portions of a horizontal rod 26 of the article holder 20. In the illustrated example, the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b include a first mounting seat 40 a, a second mounting seat 40 b, a third mounting seat 40 c and a fourth mounting seat 40 d although more or less mounting seats may be provided in further examples of the present invention. Each of the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d are configured to receive the mount portion 24 a, 24 b of the article holder. The mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d can be designed to facilitate maintenance of an article holder 20 in a predetermined orientation with respect to the dishwasher rack 100. The predetermined orientation can comprise an angular orientation between the article holder 20 and the dishwasher rack 100 and/or can comprise an elevational position of the article holder 20 with respect to the dishwasher rack 100. In one example, the elevational position can be considered the distance between a portion of the article holder and the base 106 of the dishwasher rack 100. In applications where the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d are at different elevations, it will be appreciated that the mounting seats can facilitate maintenance of the article holder 20 at a selected one of a plurality of alternate distances from the base 106 of the dishwasher rack 100.
The mounting seats can comprise a wide range of structures in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d comprise pivot seats that allow the mount portion 24 a, 24 b to be pivotally received in the mounting seats. Providing the mounting seats as pivot seats can allow the article holder 20 to be pivoted about the pivot seats from a deployed position to a stored position. In the deployed position, the article holder 20 is configured to extend from the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100. In the stored position, the article holder may be positioned substantially upright against the side wall 102. In further examples, the mounting seats may comprise a non-pivot seat. Such seats may be beneficial to allow nonrotatable engagement of the article holder to facilitate maintenance of a predetermined position of the article holder in a use or non-use position. In still further examples, the mount seats may comprise a snapping structure, joint arrangement, hinge arrangement, attachment location or other arrangement configured to receive a mount portion of an article holder.
The mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b may also be provided with a plurality of optional stop members. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the mounting bracket 32 a can include a first stop member 41 a associated with the first mounting seat 40 a, a second stop member 41 b associated with the second mounting seat 40 b, a third stop member 41 c associated with the third mounting seat 40 c and a fourth stop member 41 d associated with the fourth mounting seat 40 d. Although not shown, each mounting seat may be associated with a plurality of stop members to provide alternate angular positions of the article holder at each elevation. Each stop member 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d can be configured to cooperate with a corresponding mounting seat 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d to facilitate maintenance of an article holder 20 in a predetermined orientation (e.g., angular and/or elevational position) with respect to the dishwasher rack 100. In applications where the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d are at different elevations, it will be appreciated that the stop members 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d can facilitate maintenance of the article holder 20 at a selected one of a plurality of alternate distances from the base 106 of the dishwasher rack 100. Moreover, each stop member can cooperate with a corresponding mounting seat to provide a cantilever support structure for the article holder 20 at the selected one of the plurality of alternate distances from the base 106 of the dishwasher rack 100. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 2 for example, the first mount portion 24 a is shown to be mounted in the first seat 40 a at the highest elevational position of the article holder 20 with respect to the dishwasher rack 100. An extension 28 of the article holder 20 is shown to engage a lower surface of the first stop member 41 a. Thus, it will be appreciated that the first mounting seat 40 a can act as a fulcrum support while the first stop member 41 a can provide a counter force behind the fulcrum to counter the weight of the extending portion of the article holder 20 and any articles supported thereon.
The mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b can also include a path 39 in communication with the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d to permit the mount portion 24 a, 24 b of the article holder 20 to travel along the path 39 to be received by a selected one of the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d. As shown, the path 39 comprises an intermediate angled portion between two substantially vertical parallel portions such that the mount portion 24 a, 24 b may travel along a shape of the side wall 102 while providing access to a selected one the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d. Although not shown, it is contemplated that the path 39 may comprise a substantially linear or other nonlinear shape and may or may not be shaped to follow the shape of the side wall.
In further examples, the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b can also include a base portion 42 including the mounting structure 33. Although not required, the base portion 42 can be designed to abut portions of the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100. The base portion 42 may also optionally include the stop members 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d. In further examples, the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b can include a rack portion 44 attached to the base portion 42. As shown, the optional rack portion 44 may be provided with the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d and may arrange the plurality of mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d such that each mounting seat faces the base portion 42. The base portion 42 and the rack portion 44 can define the path 39. In some examples, the base portion 42 and the rack portion 44 enclose the path 39 such that the mount portion 24 a, 24 b may be trapped within the path 39 during use. In further examples, a lateral entrance area may be provided into the path 39. For example, although not shown, the base portion 42 or rack portion 44 may include a lateral entrance into the path 39. In further non-illustrated examples, a lateral entrance may be provided at a juncture between the base portion and the rack portion.
An exemplary installation of the first article holder assembly 10 a to the dishwasher rack 100 to form an example dishwasher rack assembly 200 will be described. While installation is described with respect to the first article holder assembly 10 a, it will be appreciated that a similar or identical procedure may be used to install the second article holder assembly 10 b to the dishwasher rack 100. During installation, the first step can include assembling the first article holder assembly 10 a wherein first and second mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b and an article holder 20 are provided. The article holder 20 is then attached to the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b such that the first and second mount portions 24 a, 24 b are received within the path 39 of each of the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b. For example, although not shown, the article holder 20 may include an access slot having a dimension configured to receive a thickness of the material of the base portion 42 or rack portion 44 to be inserted through the access slot but restricting a width of the base portion 42 and rack portion 44 from being inserted through the slot. Thus, once the brackets 32 a, 32 b are mounted to the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100, only the width of the base portion 42 and rack portion 44 is exposed to the access slot, thus inhibiting subsequent removal of the article holder 20 from the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b, once the article holder assembly 10 a is mounted to the side wall 102.
Next, the assembled first article holder assembly 10 a can be mounted to the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100 to provide the dishwasher rack assembly 200. To mount the first article holder assembly 10 a, the first and second mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b can be mounted to the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100. As shown in FIG. 2, a first hook 34 can be placed over a first horizontal rung 110 while a second hook 36 can be placed over a second horizontal run 112. The first and second mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b can be pressed down to cause the second horizontal rung 112 to pass through the snap portion 37 mount the first and second mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b to the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100. The snap portion 37, if provided, may be incorporated as a portion of the third stop member 41 c as shown in FIG. 2. Once the first and second mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b are mounted to the single wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100, mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d of the first mounting bracket 32 a are each horizontally aligned with a corresponding one of the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d of the second mounting bracket 32 b.
The second article holder assembly 10 b may be installed in a similar manner and, as shown, may be installed adjacent the first article holder assembly 10 a to provide alternative support configurations and/or to lengthen a particular support configuration.
An example adjustment of the article holder 20 of the installed article holder assemblies 10 a, 10 b includes lifting the first and second mount portions 24 a, 24 b from corresponding mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d of each mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b. Next, the first and second mount portions 24 a, 24 b are moved within the path 39 of each mounting bracket 32 a, 32 b. One of the mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d corresponding with a desired article holder 20 height is then selected. The first and second mount portions 24 a, 24 b are then moved along the path 39 to the selected mounting seat, after which the mounting portions 24 a, 24 b are mounted within the selected seats of each mounting bracket. The extension 28 is then engaged with the stop member 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d corresponding to the selected mounting seat such that the article holder is supported in a cantilever fashion with the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b. If a user decides to move the article holder 20 to a non-use position, the extension mount portions 24 a, 24 b may be moved within the path 39 to be received by the fourth mounting seat 40 d of the mounting brackets 32 a, 32 b. The article holder 20 may then be pivoted up to extend along the side wall 102 of the dishwasher rack 100.
The article holder assemblies 10 a, 10 b may have a wide range of applications to support articles during the washing cycle. In one example, the article holder assembly presents a support surface for articles having different heights and/or characteristics. For example, locating the article holder in a lower position (see 10 b in FIG. 1) may provide support for taller articles (e.g., taller beverage containers) by the support surface 22 of the article holder. Alternatively, locating the article holder in an upper position (see 10 a in FIG. 1) can permit stemware to be hung from the article holder and/or provide room for articles to be stowed beneath the article holder.
Articles, such as containers may also be placed or trapped under the article holder. For instance, a lightweight beverage container may be trapped underneath the article holder of the article holder assembly such that the article holder assembly acts as a restraining structure. For example, as shown by the second article holder 10 b in FIG. 1, the article holder may be adjusted to a lower orientation wherein a smaller cup (e.g, expanded polystyrene cup) may be stored and trapped underneath the article holder. Trapping the light-weight article underneath the article holder can help anchor the article in place during dishwasher cycles. As shown by the first article holder 10 a in FIG. 1, the article holder may also be adjusted to an upper orientation wherein a larger cup may be stored and trapped underneath the article holder. Article holders herein can also be pivotable about the vertically oriented mounting seats 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d to allow pivoting of the article holder 20 to a stored position when not in use. Moreover, a structure of the article holder may be designed to interact with a structure of one or more brackets 32 a, 32 b or the wall 102 of the dishwasher rack to hold the article holder in the stored position when not in use. In one example, the article holder can include a snapping structure adapted to snappingly receive a wire of the dishwasher rack to maintain the article holder in the stored position. In another example, the article holder can include a structure configured to snap or otherwise interact with a structure of one or more of the brackets 32 a, 32 b to maintain the article holder in the stored position when not in use.
It will be appreciated that the article holder assemblies may be designed for mounting on any side wall of a dishwasher rack or basket. Therefore, depending on desired loading arrangement, the article holder assemblies can be positioned in the optimum location for increasing the overall loading space of the dishwasher racks and baskets. The mounting structure, such as hooks, can also allow the user to easily remove the holder from a dishwasher rack or change the current holder position with respect to the dishwasher rack. For instance, the hooks can simply permit the article holder assemblies to hang from a sidewall of the dishwasher rack. In another example, the article holder assemblies may have a structure adapted to snappingly connect the article holder assembly to the dishwasher rack. Moreover, the article holder assemblies herein can be used in various dishwasher rack arrangements. For instance, the article holder assemblies may be designed for use with an upper and/or lower dishwasher rack of a dishwasher.
The brackets for article holders herein may be formed by a wide variety of materials and methods. In one embodiment, the brackets are formed with polypropylene with an injection molding process. Likewise, article holders herein may be formed from a wide range of materials and methods. In examples, the article holders can comprise a wire or plastic framework although other configurations are contemplated.
It will therefore be appreciated that article holder assemblies of the present invention can provide one or more various advantages. For example, article holders may be flipped up to gain more loading space within the dishwasher rack, or flipped down to present the article holder for further article holding capabilities. The article holders may also be designed with mounting structure (e.g., with hooks) for easy removal from the dishwasher rack to further increase the loading space within the dishwasher rack. Designing the article holders for easy removal can also allow a user to customize the dishwasher placing one or more article holder assemblies at various locations around the periphery of the upper and/or lower dishwasher rack. Still further, the height of the article holder may be selectively adjusted to perform different functions as described above.
From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket for mounting an article holder to a dishwasher rack comprising:

a mounting structure configured to mount the mounting bracket to a side wall of a dishwasher rack such that the mounting bracket extends away from a side wall of a dishwasher rack;

a plurality of mounting seats configured to receive a mount portion of an article holder; and

a path in communication with the mounting seats to permit a mount portion of an article holder to travel along the path to be received by a selected one of the mounting seats.

2. The mounting bracket of claim 1, further comprising a stop member associated with each of the mounting seats, wherein each stop member is configured to cooperate with a corresponding mounting seat of the plurality of mounting seats to provide a cantilever support structure for an article holder at a selected vertical elevation with respect to a dishwasher rack.

3. The mounting bracket of claim 1, further comprising a base portion including the mounting structure and a rack portion attached to the base portion, wherein the rack portion includes the plurality of mounting seats.

4. The mounting bracket of claim 3, wherein the plurality of mounting seats face the base portion.

5. The mounting bracket of claim 3, wherein the path is defined by the base portion and the rack portion.

6. The mounting bracket of claim 5, wherein the base portion and the rack portion enclose the path.

7. An article holder assembly for a dishwasher rack comprising:

an article holder including a first mount portion; and

a first mounting bracket including a first mounting structure configured to mount the mounting bracket to a side wall of a dishwasher rack, a first set of mounting seats that are each configured to receive the first mount portion of the article holder, and a first path in communication with the first set of mounting seats to permit the first mount portion of the article holder to travel along the first path to be received by a selected one of the first set of mounting seats.

8. The article holder assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of stop members associated with each of the mounting seats to provide a cantilever support structure for the article holder at a selected vertical elevation with respect to a dishwasher rack.

9. The article holder assembly of claim 7, wherein the mounting bracket includes a base portion including the mounting structure and a rack portion attached to the base portion, wherein the rack portion includes the set of mounting seats.

10. The article holder assembly of claim 9, wherein the set of mounting seats face the base portion.

11. The article holder assembly of claim 9, wherein the path is defined by the base portion and the rack portion.

12. The article holder assembly of claim 11, wherein the base portion and the rack portion enclose the path.

13. The article holder assembly of claim 7, wherein the article holder further includes a second mount portion, and wherein the article holder assembly further includes a second mounting bracket including a second mounting structure configured to mount the second mounting bracket to a side wall of a dishwasher rack, a second set of mounting seats that are each configured to receive the second mount portion of the article holder, and a second path in communication with the second set of mounting seats to permit the second mount portion of the article holder to travel along the second path to be received by a selected one of the second set of mounting seats.

14. The article holder assembly of claim 13, wherein the first mounting bracket is substantially identical to the second mounting bracket.

15. A dishwasher rack assembly comprising:

a dishwasher rack including a base and a side wall extending away from the base, wherein the side wall has a width extending in a direction along the base; and

a first article holder assembly including an article holder positioned at a selected one of a plurality of alternate distances from the base of the dishwasher rack, and a first and second mounting bracket that are each mounted to the side wall along the width of the side wall, wherein each mounting bracket includes a set of mounting seats configured to receive respective portions of the first article holder to position the first article holder at the selected one of the plurality of alternate distances from the base of the dishwasher rack.

16. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 15, wherein the first mounting bracket includes a first path in communication with the set of mounting seats of the first mounting bracket; and wherein the second mounting bracket includes a second path in communication with the set of mounting seats of the second mounting bracket.

17. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 16, wherein portions of the first mounting bracket enclose the first path and wherein portions of the second mounting bracket enclose the second path.

18. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 15, wherein the first mounting bracket is substantially identical to the second mounting bracket.

19. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 15, wherein a plurality of stop members are associated with each of the mounting seats of the at least one of the sets of mounting seats provide a cantilever support structure for the article holder at the selected one of the plurality of alternate distances from the base of the dishwasher rack.

20. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 15, further comprising a second article holder assembly including a second article holder positioned at a selected one of a plurality of alternate distances from the base of the dishwasher rack, and another first and second mounting bracket that are each mounted to the side wall along the width of the side wall, wherein each mounting bracket of the second article holder assembly includes a set of mounting seats configured to receive respective portions of the second article holder to position the second article holder at the selected one of the plurality of alternate distances from the base of the dishwasher rack.