Abstract:
A dishwasher includes a tub defining a washing chamber within which is arranged a dishrack having provided thereon an adjustable tine row assembly. The dishrack includes a base portion formed by a first plurality of spaced support members, and a second plurality of spaced support members that extend generally perpendicularly to the first plurality of spaced support members. The first and second plurality of spaced support members form a lattice work that defines the base portion. The tine row assembly includes a first tine row element, a second tine row element and a slider element that interconnects the first and second tine row elements with at least one of the first plurality of spaced support members. In this manner, the first and second tine row elements are selectively shiftable along the base portion providing a consumer with a greater degree of flexibility when loading/arranging dishware on the dishrack.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/793,250 filed Apr. 20, 2006 entitled “Sliding Tine Assembly For a Dishwasher.” 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention pertains to the art of dishwashers and, more particularly, to a sliding tine assembly provided on a dishwasher dishrack. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    In general, domestic dishwashers include at least one dishrack for supporting items, such as dishware, glassware, kitchen utensils, pots pans and the like, to be washed. The dishrack typically includes a plurality of tines arranged in rows to aid in organizing the dishware. As tines that are arranged to support plates often times cannot accommodate larger bowls or pots, the spacing between the rows and the tines is varied so as to accommodate various size dishware. 
         [0006]    In order to provide greater flexibility in arranging dishware, several manufacturers have developed adjustable tine systems. Adjustable tine systems allow a consumer to alter a spacing between adjacent tines in a particular tine row in order to accommodate various sized/shaped dishware. In one typical arrangement, the adjustable tine system includes first and second interconnected tine rows that are arranged perpendicular to one another. Tines in the first tine row are spaced differently than the tines in the second tine row. To select a desired spacing, the consumer need simply rotate the tine system such that either the first or second tine row points upward from the dishrack. The tine system is then locked in place through, for example, a snap-fit arrangement. 
         [0007]    While the above described system provides some degree of flexibility, arranging larger items on the dishrack also affects spacing between tine rows. That is, while the spacing between adjacent tines is increased to accommodate larger items, the spacing between adjacent tine rows remains unchanged. Thus, when placing a large item onto the dishrack, it becomes difficult to arrange additional items alongside the larger item. 
         [0008]    Based on the above, despite the presence of adjustable tine systems in the prior art, there exists a need for a sliding tine system. More specifically, there exists a need for a sliding tine system that is selectively shifted relative to a dishrack to alter a spacing between adjacent tine rows to provide a consumer with a still greater degree of flexibility when loading dishware into a dishwasher. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to a dishwasher including a tub defining a washing chamber within which is arranged a dishrack having provided thereon an adjustable tine row assembly. The dishrack includes a base portion formed by a first plurality of spaced support members and a second plurality of spaced support members that extend generally perpendicularly to the first plurality of spaced support members. The first and second plurality of spaced support members form a latticework that defines the base portion. In accordance with the invention, the tine row assembly includes a first tine row element, a second tine row element and a slider element that interconnects the first and second tine row elements with the dishrack. In this manner, the first and second tine row elements are selectively shiftable along the base portion to provide a consumer with a greater degree of flexibility when loading/arranging dishware on the dishrack. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, each of the first and second tine row elements includes a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion. A connecting member joins the first and second tine row elements at the intermediate portion. The slider element is attached to each of the intermediate portions adjacent the connecting member. The slider element is slidably secured to at least one of the first plurality of spaced support members. With this arrangement the first and second tine row elements can be selectably shifted, in unison, along the base portion. In this manner, a spacing between the tine row assembly and adjacent tine rows can be easily adjusted to accommodate various sized/shaped dishware. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first and second end portions of each of the first and second tine row elements are joined by respective first and second connecting members. With this arrangement, the slider element includes a slider or rack clip, as well as a tine clip. The tine clip is connected to each of the first and second tine row elements. The slider clip is connected to one of the first plurality of spaced support members and the tine clip. This construction slidably mounts the first and second tine row elements to the base portion. Preferably, the tine row assembly includes first and second slider elements having respective first and second tine clips that are connected to the first and second tine row elements adjacent corresponding ones of the first and second end portions. In addition, the tine row assembly includes first and second slider clips that slidably connect respective ones of the first and second tine clips to the base portion. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the tine row assembly includes a rail member that is connected to the base portion between adjacent ones of the second plurality of spaced support members. The rail member includes a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion provided with a channel. With this arrangement, the first connecting members rests within the channel and the second connecting member is slidably connected to one of the first plurality of spaced support members through the slider element. To set a desired spacing between adjacent tine rows, the first and second tine row elements are simply shifted in unison along the base portion, with the slider element shifting along the one of the plurality of spaced support members and the first connecting member traveling within the channel. 
         [0013]    Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an upper right perspective view of a drawer-type dishwasher incorporating a sliding tine assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an upper right, partial perspective view of a sliding tine assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a tine row element portion of the sliding tine assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a slider element constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a rail member portion of the sliding tine assembly constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an upper left perspective view of a sliding tine assembly constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the sliding tine assembly of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an upper right perspective view of a sliding tine assembly constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , a dishwasher constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at  2 . As shown, dishwasher  2  includes a support frame  4  arranged below a kitchen countertop  6 . Also below kitchen countertop  6  is shown cabinetry  8  including a plurality of drawers  10 - 12 , as well as a cabinet door  13 . Although the actual dishwasher into which the present invention may be incorporated can vary, the invention is shown in connection with dishwasher  2  depicted as a dual cavity, drawer-type dishwasher having an upper washing unit  16  and a lower washing unit  18 . 
         [0023]    In the embodiment shown, both upper washing unit  16  and lower washing unit  18  take the form of slide-out tubs or drawer units. Preferably, washing units  16  and  18  are capable of independent or combined operation such that washing units  16  and  18  can be operated singly or both at the same time depending upon consumer preferences. Of course, it should be understood that, while shown as a dual cavity drawer type dishwasher, dishwasher  2  could take on various forms such as, for example, combination drawer/conventional dishwasher, a single drawer unit or a conventional type dishwasher. In any event, as each washing unit  16  and  18  is substantially identical, a more detailed description will be made with respect to washing unit or drawer  16  with an understanding that washing unit or drawer  18  has corresponding structure. 
         [0024]    Drawer  16  includes a front wall  20 , a rear wall (not shown), a bottom wall  22  and opposing side walls  23  and  24  that collectively define a wash chamber  28 . In a manner that will be discussed more fully below, wash chamber  28  is provided with a dish rack  30  for supporting various objects, such as dishware, glassware, and the like, that are exposed to a washing operation. In a manner known in the art, drawer  16  is slidingly supported within support frame  4  through a pair of extensible glide rails, one of which is indicated at  33 . Drawer  16  is also provided with a lid assembly  35  that is selectively raised and lowered to cover washing chamber  28 . In general, the structure described above does not form part of the present invention and is provided for the sake of completeness. Instead, the present invention is directed to a sliding tine assembly  50  mounted to dishrack  30  in a manner that will be described more fully below. 
         [0025]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 2-5  in describing sliding tine assembly  50  constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Sliding tine assembly  50  includes a first tine row element  64  that is juxtaposed a second tine row element  65  both of which are slidably supported upon dish rack  30 . More specifically, dish rack  30  includes a plurality of laterally spaced support members, one of which is indicated at  69 , and a plurality of longitudinally spaced support members, one of which is indicated at  72 , that form a latticework on dish rack  30 . In the embodiment shown, first and second tine row elements  64  and  65  slide along the plurality of laterally spaced support members  69 . In any case, as each tine row element  64 ,  65  is constructed substantially identically, a detailed description will be made with respect to tine row element  65  with an understanding that tine row element  64  is similarly constructed. 
         [0026]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , tine row element  65  includes a first rod member  85  having a first end portion  87  that extends to a second end portion  88  through an intermediate portion  89 . Tine row element  65  also includes a second rod member  92  having a first end portion  94  that extends to a second end portion  95  through an intermediate portion  96 . Preferably, first and second rod members  85  and  92  extend substantially parallel to one another and are joined through a first, U-shaped connecting member  104  positioned at first end portions  87  and  94 , and a second connecting member  106  that interconnects second end portions  88  and  95 . Actually, second connecting member  106  is slightly spaced from second end portions  88  and  95  towards intermediate portions  89  and  96  in the embodiment shown. In any event, each rod member  85 ,  92  is provided with a plurality of upstanding tine members, one of which is indicated at  109 , for selectively positioning dishware, such as plates, platters, and the like, upon dish rack  30 . 
         [0027]    In accordance with the invention, first and second tine row elements  64  and  65  are slidably supported upon dish rack  30  through first and second slider elements  114  and  115  and a rail member  118  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Slider elements  114  and  115  interconnect corresponding ones of connecting members  106  to the longitudinally spaced support members  69 , while rail member  118  slidably receives corresponding ones of U-shaped connecting members  104  in a manner that will be described more fully below. In any event, as each slider element  114 ,  115  is similarly constructed, a detailed description will be made with reference to slider element  115  with an understanding that slider element  114  is identical. 
         [0028]    As best shown in  FIG. 4 , slider element  115  includes a main body portion  134  having an upper tine element engaging section or tine clip  137  and a lower rack engaging section  139 . Tine element engaging section  137  includes first and second ear portions  142  and  143  that define a central arcuate cavity  145 . First and second ear portions  142  and  143  snugly retain connecting member  106  within arcuate cavity  145  through a snap-fit engagement. In a similar manner, rack engaging section  139  includes first and second clip elements  153  and  154  that define a central arcuate notch  156  that both snap-fittingly and slidingly engages with one of the plurality of laterally spaced support members  69 . More specifically, while tine element engaging section  137  is designed to fixedly retain tine row element  65 , first and second clip elements  153  and  154  are designed to engage with one of the plurality of laterally spaced support members  69  in such a way so as to allow shifting relative to dish rack  30 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , rail member  118  includes a main body portion  164  having a first end  166  that extends to a second end  167  through an intermediate portion  168 . Rail member  118  includes a rack engaging clip  171  that extends downward from main body portion  164  and is configured to engage with another one of the plurality of laterally spaced support members  69 . Towards that end, rack engagement clip  171  includes first and second ear elements  173  and  174  positioned at first end  166 , as well as third and fourth ear elements  175  and  176  positioned at second end  167 . First and second ear elements  173  and  174 , as well as third and fourth ear elements  176  and  177 , are spaced one from the other so as to define a channel, indicated at  179 , that extends longitudinally along rail member  118 . In addition, each of third and fourth ear elements  175  and  176  is shown to include a notch  182  that is designed to receive one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced support members  72  to fixedly position rail member  118  relative to dish rack  30 . At this point, it should be understood that, while the rack engaging clip  171  is shown to include corresponding pairs of spaced ear elements  173 ,  174  and  175 ,  176 , various other configurations and geometries can also be employed, such as a single pair of spaced ear elements that extend along the entire length of rail member  118 . 
         [0030]    In any event, regardless of the particular construction, rail member  118  includes a pair of longitudinal channels or guide tracks  186  and  187  formed in main body portion  164 . Channels  186  and  187  are positioned so as to receive each U-shaped connecting member  104  of respective ones of tine row elements  64  and  65 . In this manner, with each second connecting member  106  being supported by a slider element  114 ,  115 , each U-shaped connecting member  104  is slidingly supported within corresponding ones of channels  186  and  187 , allowing tine row elements  64  and  64  to slide laterally along dish rack  30 . For instance, tine row element  64  can slide with connecting member  104  shifting relative to channel  186  and slider element  114  shifting along a support member  69  of dish rack  30 . Thus, a consumer can selectively alter a spacing of adjacent tine rows to enhance an overall configurability of dishrack  30  so as to efficiently utilize the available space. 
         [0031]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts in the respective views, in describing a sliding tine assembly  200  constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , first and second tine row elements  64  and  65  are slidably supported by dish rack  30  through corresponding pairs of slider elements  204 ,  205  and  214 ,  215 . As each slider element  204 ,  205  and  214 ,  215  is similarly constructed, a detailed discussion will focus on slider elements  204  and  205 , with a particular emphasis on slider element  204 , and it is to be understood that the remaining slider elements  214  and  215  are substantially identically formed. 
         [0032]    As best shown in  FIG. 7 , slider elements  204  and  205  include respective upper tine element engaging portions or tine clips  226  and  227  and lower rack engaging portions  234  and  235 . Tine element engaging portions  226  and  227  are designed to interconnect with tine row element  64  while rack engaging portions  234  and  235  are designed to connect with corresponding ones of the plurality of laterally spaced support members  69   a  and  69   b  and corresponding ones of tine element engaging portions  226 ,  227  in a manner that will be discussed more fully below. In any event, tine element engaging portion  226  is shown to include a main body portion  241  having a first end section  243  that extends to a second end section  244  through an intermediate section  245 . First and second end sections  243  and  244  are provided with respective first and second clip portions  254 ,  255  and  258 ,  259 , each of which defines a corresponding arcuate section  261 ,  262  that snap-fittingly engages with tine row element  64 . In addition, tine element engaging portion  226  is provided with a pair of pin members  266  and  267  that extend laterally outward and downward from intermediate portion  245  and are adapted to connect with rack engaging portion  234 . 
         [0033]    As also shown in  FIG. 7 , rack engaging portion  234  includes a main body portion  280  having first and second end sections  283  and  284  that define an arcuate intermediate section  286 . Rack engaging portion  234  also includes a pair of pin receiving elements, one of which is indicated at  290 , that extend laterally outward from main body portion  280 . Pin receiving elements  290  are configured to engage with respective ones of pin members  266  and  267 , with one of the plurality of laterally spaced support elements  69   a  positioned within arcuate intermediate section  286 . Of course, it should be understood that the particular fit within arcuate intermediate section  286  provides for some clearance thereby allowing shifting along laterally spaced support member  69 . It should be understood that mechanical fasteners could be employed to join tine element engaging portion  226  to rack engaging portion  234 . In any case, once tine row engaging portions  226  and  227  are connected to tine row element  64  and rack engaging portions  234  and  235  respectively, tine row element  64  can be selectively shifted along dish rack  30  to enable a consumer to establish a desired configuration to make efficient use of available space for loading dishware and the like within dishwasher  2 . 
         [0034]    At this point, reference will be made to  FIG. 8  in describing a sliding tine row assembly  300  constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown, sliding tine row assembly  300  includes first and second tine row elements  304  and  305 . Tine row element  304  includes a rod member  306  including a first end portion  308  that extends to a second end portion (not shown) through an intermediate portion  310 . Preferably, first end portion  308  includes a slider or hook  312  that loops about one of the plurality of laterally spaced support members  69 . Of course, it should be understood that the second portion (not shown) includes a corresponding slider or hook. Tine row element  305  also includes a rod member  317  having a first end portion  319 , a second end portion (not shown) and an intermediate portion  321 . In a manner similar to that described above, first end portion  319  terminates in a slider or hook  323  that loops about one of the plurality of laterally spaced support member  69 . Again, it should be noted that second end portion (not shown) of second rod member  317  is also preferably provided with a corresponding hook that cooperates with another one of the plurality of laterally spaced support member  69 . 
         [0035]    In any case, each rod member  306 ,  317  is provided with a plurality of upstanding tine members, one of which is indicated at  328 , for supporting plates, platters and the like upon dish rack  30 . In addition, first rod members  306  and  317  are interconnected by a connecting member  334 . Actually, connecting member  334  interconnects rod members  306  and  317  at respective intermediate portions  310  and  321 . More specifically, each intermediate portion  310 ,  321  includes a notch  336 ,  337  which, in a manner that will be described more fully below, receives a slider element  344 . 
         [0036]    More specifically, slider element  344  rests upon notches  336  and  337  and is joined to connecting member  334  through a clip element (not shown) such as that provided on slider elements  119  and  115 . Of course, various other sliding attachment techniques could also be employed. Slider element  334  includes a main body portion  346  having a first end  348 , a second end  349  and an intermediate portion  350 , with the clip element (not shown), such as employed on sliding elements  114  and  115 , provided on an underside of intermediate portion  350 . Slider element  344  also includes a pair of rack engaging members  352  and  353  that are provided at first and second end portions  348  and  349  respectively. Rack engaging members  352  and  353  also include corresponding clip elements (not shown) that connect with two of the plurality of laterally spaced support members  69  of dish rack  30 . With this configuration, tine row element  304  can be repositioned upon dish rack  30  by simply sliding slider element  344  along laterally spaced support members  69 . Hooks  312  and  319  provide additional support for the opposing end sections of tine row assembly  300  to ensure a smooth transition. In any event, tine row assembly  300  can be slidably shifted relative to dish rack  30  in a manner analogous to the other embodiments described above. 
         [0037]    At this point, it should be understood that the present invention allows for the simple construction of adjustable or sliding tine row assembly that can be incorporated into a dish rack of a dishwasher to allow a consumer to establish a desired configuration when loading dishware. More specifically, the sliding tine row assembly can be incorporated into a new or existing dishrack to provide a consumer with the ability to optimize space within the dishrack when positioning dishware to be exposed to a washing operation. Although described with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, the particular configuration of tine element engaging portions and rack engaging portions could be varied so as to have various geometries. Also, the dishrack could include multiple sliding tine row assemblies. Again, while shown in connection with a drawer-type dishwasher, the sliding tine assembly could also be incorporated into various dishwasher models. Finally, it should be understood that the dishrack and/or the tine row assemblies could be formed from coated wire, reinforced plastic or other suitable material. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.