Dishwasher rack assembly

[0001] This application is a continuation of copending International Application No. PCT/EP00/11039, filed Nov. 8, 2000, which designated the United States and was not published in English.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a dishwasher with at least one pullout dish rack that is intended for accommodating items that are to be washed and has a base rack including a wire framework.

[0004] The prior art includes placing one or two pull-out dish racks for accommodating items that are to be washed—e.g., pieces of crockery such as plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, etc.—in a dishwashing compartment of a dishwasher.

[0005] European Patent Application EP 0 143 754 A1 discloses a dishwasher with two dish racks that are intended for accommodating items that are to be washed and each have a U-shaped base rack. Different additional elements may be coupled to the end side of the base rack through snap-connection closures to make possible for the dish rack, including the base rack and variable end element, to be adapted, regardless of its installation location, to the size and the construction of the dishwashing compartment.

[0006] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a dishwasher with a dish rack that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and that is of straightforward construction and flexibly accommodates items that are to be washed.

[0007] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a dishwasher assembly, including at least one pull-out dish rack for accommodating items to be washed, the dish rack having a wire frame base rack having lateral sides and at least one rack side element releasably connected to at least one of the lateral sides, and the side element having an integrated cutlery-accommodating device. Preferably, the dishwasher assembly is part of a dishwasher and is disposed in the dishwashing compartment, and the dish rack is moveably disposed in the compartment.

[0008] Taking as the departure point a dish rack with the base rack including a wire framework, at least one rack side element, in accordance with the subject matter of the invention, is connected releasably to the base rack and, as seen by a user who is loading the dish rack with items that are to be washed, is fitted laterally. A cutlery-accommodating device is integrated in the rack side element. Such a configuration gives an integral dish rack that allows, on one hand, the straightforward construction of the base rack—preferably in a U-shape—and, on the other hand, the releasable fastening of the rack side element to an integrated cutlery-accommodating device. The advantages in comparison with the conventional dish rack are lower production outlay, improved differentiation possibilities in relation to prior art appliances and, in particular, the capability of integrating an additional element in the dish rack in the form of the special cutlery-accommodating device.

[0009] If the invention is used in the top rack, there results a particularly ergonomic configuration for the user of the dishwasher. Such a configuration makes it possible for the user to load the dishwasher with cutlery without bending down to a cutlery box, which is usually disposed in the bottom rack. This configuration advantageously results in a free and open configuration of the bottom rack without obstruction by the cutlery box. A long useful length of the lateral rack side element with integrated cutlery-accommodating device makes it possible for pieces of cutlery to be accommodated individually, which, furthermore, contributes to an improvement in the washing results.

[0010] In accordance with another feature of the invention, it has proven advantageous for one rack side element with an integrated cutlery-accommodating device to be disposed respectively on both sides of the base rack. It is even possible to enhance the above advantages by way of the releasable fastening of rack side elements with integrated cutlery-accommodating devices on both sides of the base rack.

[0011] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, a spray bar is integrated in the rack side element for subjecting the pieces of cutlery accommodated by the cutlery-accommodating device to the action of a cleaning liquid. It is, thus, possible to further improve the cleaning result for the cutlery and, moreover, to individualize the washing for certain pieces of cutlery.

[0012] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the spray bar is coupled hydraulically to a feed line for the cleaning liquid because, in this way, the water is simply supplied through the rear feed line, disposed in the dishwashing compartment, for the top spray arm. It is, thus, possible for the pieces of cutlery to be disposed in the integrated cutlery-accommodating device with their handles oriented upward, causing the pieces of cutlery to be washed in a specifically targeted manner. Such washing advantageously results in better hygiene and safety for the user.

[0013] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, an adjusting device for adjusting the dish rack is preferably integrated in the rack side element, which, in particular, when used in the top rack in the compartment, is accompanied by a relatively large amount of freedom of construction and cost reductions, along with increased flexibility.

[0014] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, there is provided additional functional means or elements, for example, a handle, a deflecting bracket, and/or a ledge, fitted or mounted on the rack side element. Preferably, the base rack has an interior and the ledge projects into the interior.

[0015] In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the rack side element with the cutlery-accommodating device of a dish rack used as a top rack is extended downward. Such a configuration makes it possible, in particular, for long pieces of cutlery to be accommodated particularly well without encroaching in the region of a spray device—e.g., in the form of a spray arm.

[0016] In respect of the low production outlay, it is particularly advantageous, in accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, for the rack side element to be of a plastic part.

[0017] Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0018] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a dishwasher, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

[0019] The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Referring now to the single FIGURE of the drawing, it is seen that dishwasher 20 has a dishwashing compartment 30 for accommodating items that are to be washed—preferably pieces of crockery such as cups, saucers, plates, and/or pieces of cutlery. The compartment 30 is closed by a non-illustrated door. The items that are to be washed are usually disposed in two pull-out dish racks and a separate cutlery box. Of these racks, one dish rack 1 is illustrated in the present example. The invention can be used both in a top rack and in a bottom rack. The dish rack 1 includes a U-shaped base rack 2 and two rack side elements 3 and 4 that are fastened releasably on the right-hand and left-hand sides of the base rack 2—as seen by a user who is loading the dish rack 1 with items that are to be washed. The rack side element 3, which is disposed on the right-hand side of the base rack 2, is shown in the released state, while the rack side element 4 disposed on the left-hand side of the base rack 2 has been connected, as an example, to the base rack 2.

[0022] The base rack 2 has a wire framework with bent longitudinal and transverse struts on the rack base. The releasable fastening of the lateral rack side elements 3, 4 on the base rack 2 takes place, for example, on the end struts 15 and 16, which terminate the rack base on both sides. These end struts 15, 16 are extended by latching pins 17—preferably likewise made of wire—which latch into corresponding latching holes of the rack side elements in the connected state and unlatch again to release the connection. In the example illustrated, the right-hand end strut 15 of the rack base has a total of four latching pins 17 that, when the rack side element 3 is moved in the direction of the rack base (see arrow A), penetrate into the same number of non-illustrated latching holes. A cutlery-accommodating device 5, 6 is integrated in each rack side element 3, 4. The cutlery-accommodating device 5, 6 device preferably is constructed as a narrow cutlery strip with mounts for pieces of cutlery—see, for example, pieces of cutlery 9, 10 in the right-hand rack side element 3. Such a configuration produces an integral dish rack that, in comparison with a conventional dish rack, has advantages in respect of production outlay and, in particular, provides a capability of integrating individual cutlery-accommodating devices for loading with pieces of cutlery. If the invention is used in the top rack, the configuration gives a particularly ergonomic configuration for the user of the dishwasher because the configuration makes it possible for the user to place the pieces of cutlery without bending down to the cutlery box, which is usually disposed in the bottom rack. The long useful length, extended over the entire width of the rack base, of the lateral rack side element 3, 4 with integrated cutlery-accommodating device 5, 6 contributes particularly to an improvement in the washing result.

[0023] On both sides of the base rack 2, the respective rack side element 3, 4 preferably also has an integrated spray bar 7, 8 for subjecting the pieces of cutlery accommodated by the respective cutlery-accommodating device 5, 6 (see parts 9, 10 in the rack side element 3) to the action of a cleaning liquid. It is, thus, possible to further improve the cleaning result for the cutlery and, moreover, to individualize the washing for certain pieces of cutlery. The spray bar 7, 8 is preferably coupled hydraulically to a feed line 21 for the cleaning liquid and has spray holes 18 in the surface for the water to be particularly simply supplied through the rear feed line 21, disposed in the dishwashing compartment. Such a feed line 21 is provided for the top spray arm. It is, thus, also possible for pieces of cutlery to be disposed in the integrated cutlery-accommodating device 5, 6 with their handles oriented upward, which causes the cutler pieces to be washed in a specifically targeted manner. Such washing advantageously results in better hygiene and safety for the user.

[0024] A convenient adjusting device 11 for adjusting the dish rack is also integrated in the rack side element 3, which, in particular, when used in the top rack, results in a relatively large amount of freedom of the configuration for loading with pieces of crockery and pieces of cutlery and a reduction in cost. There is also increased flexibility. Further additional elements are preferably provided on the rack side element 3, e.g., a handle 12, which is coupled to the adjusting device 11, and an upwardly oriented deflecting bracket 13. These additional elements or functional devices may also be fitted on the left-hand lateral rack side element 4. A ledge 14, on which it is possible to place items that are to be washed, is, moreover, mounted on the left-hand lateral rack side element 4. The rack side elements 3, 4 with integrated cutlery-accommodating device 5, 6 of a dish rack 1 used as a top rack can be extended downward to make possible, in particular, for long pieces of cutlery to be accommodated particularly well without encroaching in the region of a spray device—e.g., in the form of a spray arm. Extension of the rack is illustrated by dashed-dot lines in the FIGURE of the drawing.

[0025] In respect of the low production outlay, it is particularly advantageous if the rack side elements 3, 4 are produced from plastic.