Utility shelf for a dishwasher dish rack

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.

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With initial reference toFIG. 1, a dishwasher2is generally indicated to be positioned below a kitchen countertop5. Also below kitchen countertop5is shown cabinetry8including a plurality of drawers10-15for storing various items. Dishwasher2includes a tub22that is preferably injection molded of plastic so as to include integral bottom, side, rear and top walls25-29respectively. Within the confines of walls25-29, tub22defines a washing chamber33within which soiled kitchenware is adapted to be placed upon shiftable lower and upper racks35and36to undergo a washing operation in a manner widely known in the art. Tub22has attached thereto a frontal frame39which pivotally supports a door42used to seal chamber33during the washing operation. In connection with the washing operation, door42is preferably provided with a detergent tray or cup assembly43into 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 tub22and, more specifically, mounted within a central opening (not separately labeled) formed in bottom wall25of tub22, is a pump assembly48. In the embodiment illustrated, pump assembly48includes a main housing50, an annular, radial outermost strainer52and a filter guard (not separately labeled). Extending about a substantial portion of pump assembly48, at a position raised above bottom wall25, is a heating element56. In a manner known in the art, heating element56preferably takes the form of a sheathed, electric resistive-type heating element. The exact structure and operation of pump assembly48does not constitute part of the present invention and therefore will not be described in greater detail. However, for a detailed description of pump assembly48, 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 inFIG. 1, lower dish rack35includes a bottom support70having a plurality of longitudinal and lateral wire members71and72, and a peripheral wall75including front, rear, and opposing side wall portions77-80. In a similar manner, upper rack36includes a bottom support84and a peripheral wall85. In a manner known in the art, lower and upper racks35and36are provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting tines (not separately labeled) for supporting kitchenware within tub22during 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 shelf100removably secured to lower and/or upper dish racks35and36. Also, although dishwasher2is shown to include door42which pivots about a lower horizontal axis, it should be understood that utility shelf100could be incorporated in other types of dishwasher units, including drawer-type dishwashers.

As best seen inFIGS. 2-5, utility shelf100includes a support frame member102and a retaining frame member104. As shown, support frame member102includes a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending web members (not separately labeled) that collectively define a stepped support surface107having upper and lower stages or plateaus108and109. Likewise, retaining frame member104includes a plurality of longitudinally and laterally extending fence members110that combine to form a retaining and supporting surface111.

As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 5, support frame member102includes a peripheral edge portion114having a first longitudinal side115, a second, opposing longitudinal side116, and opposing lateral side members117and118which surround stepped support surface107. Arranged along first longitudinal side115of support frame member102are a plurality of hinge members, one of which is indicated at120. Each hinge member120includes a first end121projecting from peripheral edge portion114and extending to a second end that terminates in a hook-like element122. Also arranged along first longitudinal side115of support frame member102are a plurality of notches or grooves125which, as will be discussed more fully below, enable utility shelf100to seat against and extend from one of peripheral wall portions75and85of lower and upper dish racks35and36respectively.

As best illustrated inFIG. 5, arranged along second longitudinal side116of support frame member102are a plurality of hinge receiving lands, one of which is indicated at130. As will be detailed more fully below, hinge receiving lands130are employed to interconnect with retaining frame member104. Also shown along second longitudinal side116are a plurality of U-shaped recesses133-135which extend inwardly from second longitudinal side116toward first longitudinal side115through supporting surface107. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, a portion of each U-shaped recess133-135, as well as a portion of support surface107, is defined by a raised section136that extends in a plane offset from lower stage109, but which is preferably co-planar with upper stage108. In further accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, projecting perpendicularly from upper stage108are first and second tab members138and139. First and second tab members138and139terminate in a hook-like end portions141and142for engaging respective portions (not separately labeled) of lower or upper dish racks35,36. More specifically, tab members138and139are provided to secure utility shelf100against a respective side portion75,85of lower or upper dish rack35,36respectively, when utility shelf100is placed in an upright, non-use or storage position.

In a manner similar to that described above with specific reference toFIGS. 3 and 5, fence members110of retaining frame member104are surrounded by a peripheral edge portion154. Arranged along a first portion156of peripheral edge154are a plurality of hinge members, one of which is indicated at158. Each hinge member158is adapted to snap-fittingly engage onto a respective hinge receiving land130of support frame member102. As will be discussed more fully below, each hinge member158defines a respective stop member159(seeFIG. 4) for maintaining retaining frame member104in an open position. Also shown extending along first edge156are a plurality of U-shaped recesses160-162which actually define an associated plurality of finger elements163-165that project from a second portion167of peripheral edge154. With this arrangement, retaining frame member104can nest into lower stage109, with finger elements163-165being at least partially surrounded by raised sections136, so as to be coplanar with upper stage108in order to maintain a thin profile for utility shelf100.

Having described a preferred construction of utility shelf100, a brief description of a preferred method of operation will be described with particular reference toFIGS. 1,4and5. As best seen inFIG. 1, utility shelf100is shown snap-fittingly engaging a peripheral wall75of lower rack35through hinge members120. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, utility shelf100is adapted to be rotated from a first position, wherein utility shelf100extends substantially parallel to peripheral wall75while being secured to lower rack35by tab members138and139, to a second position extending substantially perpendicularly from peripheral wall75, with notches125accommodating various wire members of lower rack35as shown inFIG. 1. When placed in the second position, utility shelf100is adapted to receive kitchenware, such as a utensil as generally indicated at173inFIG. 3. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in order to more securely receive utensil173, retaining frame member104is rotated from a first position, wherein finger elements163-165nest along U-shaped recesses133-135, to a second position, wherein retaining frame member104projects at an angle from support frame member102. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, retaining frame member104is maintained at an angle, e.g., approximately 160° from support surface107through stop members159. In this manner, a consumer is able to place large utensils, including stirring spoons, spatulas, and the like, within washing chamber33without fear that the utensil will be dislodged from a respective lower or upper rack35,36. 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 shelf100provided in dishwasher2.

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.