Abstract:
A utility shelf includes a retaining frame pivotally connected to a support frame. The support frame is pivotally connected to a side portion of a dish rack through a plurality of hinge elements. Similarly, the retaining frame is pivotally connected to the support frame through a corresponding plurality of hinge members. The hinge members on the retaining frame are adapted to abut a stop member that positions the retaining frame at an angle relative to the support frame. With this arrangement, the retaining frame can be extended from the support frame to support objects during a washing operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to the art of dishwashers and, more particularly, to a utility shelf including a pivoting retaining wall for mounting on a dish rack of a dishwasher. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     In the art of dishwashers, it has typically been industry practice to design racks with dish support members arranged for loading standard dishware, such as dinner plates. Some articles, such as flatware, cannot be loaded like standard dishware, but rather require special consideration. Toward that end, manufacturers provide removable baskets for supporting flatware during a washing operation. Other articles that require special consideration include small or lightweight plastic tableware and various cooking and food preparatory utensils. 
     Most modern dishwashers employ a number of wash arms to deliver a high pressure spray of washing fluid onto the dishware. This high pressure spray is very effective at removing built-up soil and food from the dishware. Unfortunately, it is also effective at dislodging small and lightweight tableware arranged in a dish rack. Once dislodged, the lightweight tableware can interfere with the washing operation, such as by blocking spray arms or shielding other objects from the high pressure spray. To combat this problem, manufacturers have included snuggers and other retaining members to hold the lightweight articles on a rack. 
     Cooking and food preparatory utensils also require special consideration. Too large to be accommodated by the flatware baskets, consumers typically lay the utensils on the dish rack or on the retaining member used to hold the lightweight tableware in the dish rack. In either case, like the lightweight tableware, the utensils can dislodged during a washing operation. To address this concern, certain manufactures include removable utensil baskets with their dishwashers. However, the baskets take up valuable space and, since they are not always necessary, they are removed from the dishwasher and often times lost or misplaced. 
     Based on the above, there exists a need in the art for a utility shelf that can support utensils and other items not suited for a standard flatware basket in a dishwasher. More specifically, there exists a need for a utility shelf that does not take up valuable space and yet remains an integral part of a dish rack. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a utility shelf having a retaining frame pivotally connected to a support frame within a dishwasher. More specifically, the dishwasher includes a rack including a bottom support and a peripheral wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom support. The rack is constituted by a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending members. The support frame is secured to the rack through a plurality of hinge elements that snap-fit onto one or more of the rack forming members. In one preferred form, the rack is formed from a plurality of coated wires. However, other types of racks, such as preformed plastic racks, are equally acceptable. 
     In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the support frame includes plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending web members that define a support surface, with the plurality of hinge elements being formed on one of the web members. Once mounted, the support frame is adapted to be rotated from a first position, wherein the support frame rests against one of the peripheral wall portions of the rack, to a second position, wherein the support frame extends substantially perpendicularly from the peripheral wall portion of the rack. 
     In further accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the retaining frame is pivotally secured to the support frame. More specifically, the retaining frame is formed from a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending fence members that collectively define a combination retaining and supporting surface. The retaining frame also includes a hinge member sized to attach to one of the web members of the support frame. With this arrangement, the retaining frame can rotate from a first position, wherein the retaining frame rests against the support frame, to a second position, wherein the retaining frame is angled, such as at approximately a 160° angle, relative to the support frame. Preferably, the retaining frame is nested within the support frame when not in use to enable the support frame to lie flush against the peripheral wall portion. 
     Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an upper right perspective view of a dishwasher including a utility shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted to a dish rack arranged within the dishwasher; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the utility shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a upper right perspective view of the utility shelf of the present invention depicted in an open position supporting a utensil shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view of the utility shelf of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the utility shelf of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , a dishwasher  2  is generally indicated to be positioned below a kitchen countertop  5 . Also below kitchen countertop  5  is shown cabinetry  8  including a plurality of drawers  10 - 15  for storing various items. Dishwasher  2  includes a tub  22  that is preferably injection molded of plastic so as to include integral bottom, side, rear and top walls  25 - 29  respectively. Within the confines of walls  25 - 29 , tub  22  defines a washing chamber  33  within which soiled kitchenware is adapted to be placed upon shiftable lower and upper racks  35  and  36  to undergo a washing operation in a manner widely known in the art. Tub  22  has attached thereto a frontal frame  39  which pivotally supports a door  42  used to seal chamber  33  during the washing operation. In connection with the washing operation, door  42  is preferably provided with a detergent tray or cup assembly  43  into which a consumer can place liquid or particulate washing detergent for dispensing at predetermined portions of the washing operation. Of course, dispensing detergent in this fashion is widely known in the art such that this arrangement is only being described for the sake of completeness. 
     Disposed within tub  22  and, more specifically, mounted within a central opening (not separately labeled) formed in bottom wall  25  of tub  22 , is a pump assembly  48 . In the embodiment illustrated, pump assembly  48  includes a main housing  50 , an annular, radial outermost strainer  52  and a filter guard (not separately labeled). Extending about a substantial portion of pump assembly  48 , at a position raised above bottom wall  25 , is a heating element  56 . In a manner known in the art, heating element  56  preferably takes the form of a sheathed, electric resistive-type heating element. The exact structure and operation of pump assembly  48  does not constitute part of the present invention and therefore will not be described in greater detail. However, for a detailed description of pump assembly  48 , as well as a particular method of operation, reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/186,739 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,992 herein entitled “Dishwasher Pump and Filtration System” which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , lower dish rack  35  includes a bottom support  70  having a plurality of longitudinal and lateral wire members  71  and  72 , and a peripheral wall  75  including front, rear, and opposing side wall portions  77 - 80 . In a similar manner, upper rack  36  includes a bottom support  84  and a peripheral wall  85 . In a manner known in the art, lower and upper racks  35  and  36  are provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting tines (not separately labeled) for supporting kitchenware within tub  22  during washing operations. In general, the structure described above is provided for the sake of completeness as the present invention is particularly directed to a utility shelf  100  removably secured to lower and/or upper dish racks  35  and  36 . Also, although dishwasher  2  is shown to include door  42  which pivots about a lower horizontal axis, it should be understood that utility shelf  100  could be incorporated in other types of dishwasher units, including drawer-type dishwashers. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2-5 , utility shelf  100  includes a support frame member  102  and a retaining frame member  104 . As shown, support frame member  102  includes a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending web members (not separately labeled) that collectively define a stepped support surface  107  having upper and lower stages or plateaus  108  and  109 . Likewise, retaining frame member  104  includes a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending fence members  110  that combine to form a retaining and supporting surface  111 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , support frame member  102  includes a peripheral edge portion  114  having a first longitudinal side  115 , a second, opposing longitudinal side  116 , and opposing lateral side members  117  and  118  which surround stepped support surface  107 . Arranged along first longitudinal side  115  of support frame member  102  are a plurality of hinge members, one of which is indicated at  120 . Each hinge member  120  includes a first end  121  projecting from peripheral edge portion  114  and extending to a second end that terminates in a hook-like element  122 . Also arranged along first longitudinal side  115  of support frame member  102  are a plurality of notches or grooves  125  which, as will be discussed more fully below, enable utility shelf  100  to seat against and extend from one of peripheral wall portions  75  and  85  of lower and upper dish racks  35  and  36  respectively. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , arranged along second longitudinal side  116  of support frame member  102  are a plurality of hinge receiving lands, one of which is indicated at  130 . As will be detailed more fully below, hinge receiving lands  130  are employed to interconnect with retaining frame member  104 . Also shown along second longitudinal side  116  are a plurality of U-shaped recesses  133 - 135  which extend inwardly from second longitudinal side  116  toward first longitudinal side  115  through supporting surface  107 . In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, a portion of each U-shaped recess  133 - 135 , as well as a portion of support surface  107 , is defined by a raised section  136  that extends in a plane offset from lower stage  109 , but which is preferably co-planar with upper stage  108 . In further accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, projecting perpendicularly from upper stage  108  are first and second tab members  138  and  139 . First and second tab members  138  and  139  terminate in a hook-like end portions  141  and  142  for engaging respective portions (not separately labeled) of lower or upper dish racks  35 ,  36 . More specifically, tab members  138  and  139  are provided to secure utility shelf  100  against a respective side portion  75 ,  85  of lower or upper dish rack  35 ,  36  respectively, when utility shelf  100  is placed in an upright, non-use or storage position. 
     In a manner similar to that described above with specific reference to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , fence members  110  of retaining frame member  104  are surrounded by a peripheral edge portion  154 . Arranged along a first portion  156  of peripheral edge  154  are a plurality of hinge members, one of which is indicated at  158 . Each hinge member  158  is adapted to snap-fittingly engage onto a respective hinge receiving land  130  of support frame member  102 . As will be discussed more fully below, each hinge member  158  defines a respective stop member  159  (see  FIG. 4 ) for maintaining retaining frame member  104  in an open position. Also shown extending along first edge  156  are a plurality of U-shaped recesses  160 - 162  which actually define an associated plurality of finger elements  163 - 165  that project from a second portion  167  of peripheral edge  154 . With this arrangement, retaining frame member  104  can nest into lower stage  109 , with finger elements  163 - 165  being at least partially surrounded by raised sections  136 , so as to be coplanar with upper stage  108  in order to maintain a thin profile for utility shelf  100 . 
     Having described a preferred construction of utility shelf  100 , a brief description of a preferred method of operation will be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , utility shelf  100  is shown snap-fittingly engaging a peripheral wall  75  of lower rack  35  through hinge members  120 . In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, utility shelf  100  is adapted to be rotated from a first position, wherein utility shelf  100  extends substantially parallel to peripheral wall  75  while being secured to lower rack  35  by tab members  138  and  139 , to a second position extending substantially perpendicularly from peripheral wall  75 , with notches  125  accommodating various wire members of lower rack  35  as shown in  FIG. 1 . When placed in the second position, utility shelf  100  is adapted to receive kitchenware, such as a utensil as generally indicated at  173  in  FIG. 3 . In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in order to more securely receive utensil  173 , retaining frame member  104  is rotated from a first position, wherein finger elements  163 - 165  nest along U-shaped recesses  133 - 135 , to a second position, wherein retaining frame member  104  projects at an angle from support frame member  102 . In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, retaining frame member  104  is maintained at an angle, e.g., approximately 160° from support surface  107  through stop members  159 . In this manner, a consumer is able to place large utensils, including stirring spoons, spatulas, and the like, within washing chamber  33  without fear that the utensil will be dislodged from a respective lower or upper rack  35 ,  36 . In addition, the present invention enables the consumer to suspend utensils, which are typically difficult to accommodate in a kitchenware basket, in an easily operated utility shelf  100  provided in dishwasher  2 . 
     Although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, while a single utility shelf is shown provided in the dishwasher, a plurality of utility shelves can be secured to either or both of the dish racks. Also, the disclosed angle at which the retaining frame member projects from the support frame is but one preferred example, and it should be understood that various other angles could be readily established, such as by enabling variable detent positions for the retaining frame member. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.