Abstract:
A dishwasher is provided, comprising a door pivotably engaged with a body and a counterbalance assembly coupled therebetween for facilitating pivoting of the door. The counterbalance assembly includes a first and second biasing member, each coupled to the body and serially engaged with a respective first and second flexible element coupled to the door. A guide member is secured to the body and includes a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track, and a pulley rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track. The first flexible element is at least partially wrapped about each of the fixed arcuate member and the pulley so as to serially engage the first and second guide tracks. The second flexible element is at least partially wrapped about a second side of the fixed arcuate member so as to engage the first guide track. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/869,911 filed Oct. 10, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,132, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/916,013 entitled “Counterbalance Assembly for a Dishwasher Door and Associated Method” filed May 4, 2007, of which the contents of both are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to dishwashers and, more particularly, to a counterbalance assembly for a dishwasher door, and an apparatus and method associated therewith. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A dishwasher typically includes a wash tub for containing the dishware to be washed, wherein the tub defines a front opening. The front opening is configured to be engaged by a door for closing/sealing the front opening. The door is typically hinged at the lower end thereof such that the upper end of the door can be pivoted downward so as to permit access to the interior of the tub. 
     The dishwasher may include a device for balancing or counterbalancing the weight of the door, when opening and closing the door. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,706 to Tuller discloses an adjustable door balancing mechanism that includes a counterbalance spring. The counterbalance spring extends between the door and an adjustable bracket mounted to the tub support. The tension in the counterbalance spring may be varied by changing the position of the adjustable bracket. 
     Despite these improvements in counterbalancing a dishwasher door, it would be advantageous for the door of the dishwasher to be balanced or counterbalanced so as to allow for smooth opening and closing of the door. That is, it may be advantageous to configure the door so as to prevent the door from inadvertently pivoting to the open or closed positions and/or to allow for the door to be maintained at various positions between the open and closed positions. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a counterbalance assembly that facilitates opening and closing of a dishwasher door. In addition, it may be desirable to provide a counterbalance assembly that may be easily integrated with a dishwasher, is cost efficient, and may be readily adjusted. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above and other needs may be met by embodiments of the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides an appliance, comprising an appliance body having a door pivotably engaged therewith. A counterbalance assembly is coupled to the appliance body for facilitating pivoting of the door about the engagement with the appliance body, wherein the counterbalance assembly comprises a first and a second biasing member each coupled to the appliance body. A guide member is coupled to the appliance body and includes a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track, and a pulley element rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track. The first guide track of the fixed arcuate member is parallel to and offset from the second guide track of the pulley element along the axis thereof. A first flexible element has a first end serially engaged with the first biasing member and extends therefrom to at least partially wrap about the pulley element and about a first side of the fixed arcuate member, so as to serially engage the first and second guide tracks, whereafter a second end of the first flexible member, opposed to the first end thereof, is coupled to the door. A second flexible element has a first end serially engaged with the second biasing member and extends therefrom to at least partially wrap about a second side of the fixed arcuate member so as to engage the first guide track, wherein the second side of the fixed arcuate member is substantially opposite the first side thereof, whereafter a second end of the second flexible member, opposed to the first end thereof, is coupled to the door. 
     Another aspect of the present invention comprises a method for facilitating pivoting of a door with respect to a body of an appliance, wherein the body includes a guide member secured thereto. The guide member includes a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track and a pulley element rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track, wherein the first guide track of the fixed arcuate member is parallel to and offset from the second guide track of the pulley element along the axis thereof. Such a method comprises coupling each of a first and a second biasing member to a body of an appliance, wherein the body has a door pivotably engaged therewith, and serially engaging a first end of each of a first and a second flexible element with the respective first and second biasing member. A second end of each of the first and second flexible elements is coupled to the door, wherein the second ends are opposed to the respective first ends of the first and second flexible elements. The first flexible element is wrapped at least partially about the pulley element and about a first side of the fixed arcuate member, such that the first flexible element serially engages the first and second guide tracks. The second flexible element is wrapped at least partially about a second side of the fixed arcuate member, such that the second flexible element engages the first guide track, wherein the second side of the fixed arcuate member is opposite the first side. 
     Yet another aspect provides a counterbalance assembly coupled between a door and a body of an appliance, for facilitating pivoting of the door with respect to the body. Such a counterbalance assembly comprises a first and a second biasing member, wherein each biasing member is adapted to be coupled to the body, and a guide member adapted to be coupled to the body, wherein the guide member includes a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track, and a pulley element rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track, with the first guide track of the fixed arcuate member being parallel to and offset from the second guide track of the pulley element along the axis thereof. A first flexible element has a first end serially engaged with the first biasing member and extends therefrom to at least partially wrap about the pulley element and about a first side of the fixed arcuate member, so as to serially engage the first and second guide tracks, whereafter a second end of the first flexible member, opposed to the first end thereof, is adapted to be coupled to the door. A second flexible element has a first end serially engaged with the second biasing member and extends therefrom to at least partially wrap about a second side of the fixed arcuate member so as to engage the first guide track, wherein the second side of the fixed arcuate member is substantially opposite the first side, whereafter a second end of the second flexible member, opposed to the first end thereof, is adapted to be coupled to the door. 
     Aspects of the present invention may thus provide significant advantages as further detailed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a partial view of a dishwasher including a door counterbalance assembly, with a dishwasher door in an open position, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the counterbalance assembly of  FIG. 1  with the dishwasher door in a closed position; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the guide member shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side view of a guide member according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a front view of the guide member shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the guide member shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a guide member secured to a bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the guide member secured to the bracket shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a guide member secured to a body of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a guide member and a bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a partial side view of a dishwasher including a door counterbalance assembly having a pair of biasing members, with a dishwasher door in a closed position, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a partial perspective view of a dishwasher including a door counterbalance assembly having a pair of biasing members, with a dishwasher door in a closed position, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a partial perspective view of a dishwasher including a door counterbalance assembly having a pair of biasing members, with a dishwasher door in a medial position between an open and closed position, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a partial perspective view of a dishwasher including a door counterbalance assembly having a pair of biasing members, with a dishwasher door in an open position, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a dishwasher  10  including a counterbalance assembly  12  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As explained in further detail below, the counterbalance assembly  12  facilitates pivoting of a door  14  with respect to a body  16  of the dishwasher  10 . In general, the counterbalance assembly  12  includes a first biasing member  18 , a first flexible element  20 , and a guide member  22  which cooperate to allow the door  14  to be smoothly pivoted between open and closed positions, as well as to be maintained in various positions between the open and closed positions. 
     Although reference is made herein to a dishwasher  10 , it is understood that the counterbalance assembly  12  is adapted to be used with other devices where pivoting between a door and a body is necessary. For example, the counterbalance assembly  12  may be used with other kitchen appliances, such as a stove. In addition, although only one counterbalance assembly  12  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is understood that there may be a counterbalance assembly on both sides of the dishwasher  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the counterbalance assembly  12  includes a first biasing member  18 , such as a tension spring or other elastic member made of a memory or resilient material. One end of the first biasing member  18  is attached to a first bracket  38 . In one embodiment, the first biasing member  18  includes a hook  36  at its free end that is sized and configured to be positioned within one of a plurality or series of holes  39  defined by the first bracket  38 . The first bracket  38  is attached to the body  16  and, by positioning the hook  36  in different holes  39 , the tension on the first biasing member  18  may be adjusted (i.e., the series of holes  39  may be obliquely-disposed with respect to the guide member  22  such that moving the hook  36  between holes  39  changes the distance between the first bracket  38  and the guide member  22 , and thus the tension exerted by the first biasing member  18  on the first flexible element  20 ). 
     The opposite end of the first biasing member  18  is coupled to a first flexible element  20 . In this regard, the first biasing member  18  may include a hook  37  at its free end that is coupled to a first coupling member  32  secured to one end of the first flexible element  20 . Thus, the first coupling member  32  may define a hole sized and configured to receive the hook  37  of the first biasing member  18 . The opposite end of the first flexible element  20  is coupled to a hinge bracket  28  with a second coupling member  30 . In one embodiment, the second coupling member  30  is configured to be positioned within a slot  29  defined by the hinge bracket  28 . The first flexible element  20  may be, for example, an inelastic cord, such as a braided material. However, the first flexible element  20  may be comprised of other materials, including elastic materials, capable of maintaining tension between the first biasing member  18  and the hinge bracket  28  to facilitate opening and closing of the door  14 .  FIG. 3  illustrates that the slot  29  may include a bushing  15  and that the second coupling member  30  may engage the slot and bushing. The bushing  15  may be a non-metallic material (e.g., polymeric) and may reduce squealing between the second coupling member  30  and the slot  29  when the door  14  is opened and closed. The bushing  15  may correspond to the shape of the slot  29 , such as be U-shaped as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The hinge bracket  28  and door  14  may pivot about a hinge pin  34 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the door  14  in an open position. Thus, in the open position, the portion of the hinge bracket  28  coupled to the first flexible element  20  is generally vertically disposed, while the door  14  is generally horizontally disposed (further, the connection between the first flexible element  20  and the hinge bracket  28  maybe radially displaced and spaced apart from the hinge pin  34 ). The first biasing member  18  is extended and, thus, further tensioned from a substantially relaxed position.  FIG. 2  depicts the door  14  in a closed position. In the closed position, the hinge bracket  28  is generally horizontally disposed (i.e., closer to the first biasing member  18 ), while the door  14  is generally vertically disposed. Moreover, the first biasing member  18  contracts to a substantially relaxed position, while the overall length of the first flexible element  20  and first biasing member  18 , between the hinge bracket  28  and the first bracket  38 , is shortened when compared to the open position. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  also illustrate that the counterbalance assembly  12  includes a guide member  22  located proximate to the front of the dishwasher  10  and coupled to the body  16  thereof. The guide member  22  includes a rotatable pulley or pulley element  24  and an arcuate member  26 . The rotatable pulley  24  and the arcuate member  26  may be coupled together with a backing  25 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  show that the backing  25  may extend from the arcuate member  25  and include a coupling member  78  that extends outwardly from the backing to engage the pulley  24 . The pulley  24  is rotatable about the coupling member  78 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the outer portions  46 ,  48  of the arcuate member  26  and pulley  24  may be generally circular in configuration. The arcuate member  26  may also include a frustroconical portion  50  extending between an inner portion  54  and the outer portion  46 , while the pulley  24  generally includes a frustroconical portion  52  extending between an inner portion  56  and the outer portion  48 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 . 
     In one embodiment, the guide member  22  may be secured to the bracket  27 , while the bracket  27  may be secured to the body  16  of the dishwasher, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7 - 9 . In particular, a slot  31  is defined by a portion of the frustroconical portion  50  and inner portion  54  of the arcuate member  26 , while slots  33  are defined by the frustroconical portion  50  so as to extend therethrough. A slot  44  is defined by the inner portion  54  and the frustroconical portion  50  of the arcuate member  26 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the slot  31  may engage with a clip  60  extending from the bracket  27 . In addition, the bracket  27  may also include a pair of clips  62  that engage respective slots  44  of the arcuate member  26 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the arcuate member  26  may include a biasing clip  64  that biases outwardly to engage a hole  66  defined by the bracket  27 . The biasing clip  64  could be disengaged from the bracket  27 , for example, by accessing the clip  64  via slots  33  and biasing the ends of the clip  64  together. Furthermore,  FIG. 7  demonstrates that the bracket  27  may include an L-shaped member  68  that is configured to extend both adjacent to the backing  25  and perpendicularly under the body  16  of the dishwasher  10 . The bracket  27  may be configured to be secured to the body  16  using various techniques. For instance, at least a portion of the inner portion  54  of the arcuate member  26  and an arc-shaped member  76  of the bracket  27  could be configured to engage a slot  74  defined by the body  16 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The pulley  24  may also include a hole  72  sized and configured to receive a fastener therethrough, which secures the pulley  24  to the body  16 , and also provides an axis of rotation (illustrated as axis B in  FIG. 4 ) for the pulley  24 .  FIG. 10  demonstrates that a fastener may be configured to extend though each of the hole  72  in the pulley  24 , the coupling member  78 , a hole  80  defined by the bracket  27 , and into the body  16 . 
     In one embodiment, the arcuate member  26  of the guide member  22  is fixed, while the pulley  24  of the guide member  22  is rotatable. In addition, the arcuate member  26  and pulley  24  define respective guide tracks  40 ,  42 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The guide tracks  40 ,  42  are generally semi-circular in configuration and are sized and configured to receive the first flexible element  20 . The first flexible element  20  is configured to extend in a serpentine manner about one side or portion of the arcuate member  26  and one side or portion of the lower pulley  24 , within the guide tracks  40 ,  42 . The arcuate member  26  provides friction with the first flexible element  20  such that the door  14  can be maintained in any position between the fully opened and the fully closed positions. The rotatable lower pulley  24  guides the first flexible element  20  and may be less prone to squealing (due to the rotating interaction with the flexible element) than, for example, instances in which the pulley or other lower member is fixed. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an additional aspect of the guide member  22 . In this regard, the guide track  40  of the fixed arcuate member  26  is parallel to and laterally offset from the guide track  42  of the pulley  24 , with respect to the axis B about which the pulley  24  rotates. The offset distance is designated as reference A in  FIG. 4 . As such, the first flexible element  20  engages the guide track  40  of the fixed arcuate member  26  at a different lateral position (i.e., spaced further outward from the body  16  of the dishwasher  10 ) than the guide track  42  of the pulley  24 . Thus, from the side view shown in  FIG. 4 , the first flexible element  20  would extend obliquely between the pulley  24  and arcuate member  26 . The offset between the pulley  24  and arcuate member  26  may allow the first biasing member  18  to be disposed further inward under the body  16  of the dishwasher  10 , while the hinge bracket  28  may be spaced laterally outward therefrom to clear the sides of the body  16 . 
     It is understood that the exemplary guide member  22  shown in  FIGS. 1-10  is not meant to be limiting and may be various sizes and configurations in additional aspects of the present invention. For example, the arcuate member  26  and pulley  24  may be independently secured to the body  16  such that the backing  25  is unnecessary. Similarly, different techniques may be employed to secure the pulley  24  and arcuate member  26  to the body  16 , such as with fasteners, clips, rivets, adhesives, and the like. Moreover, the arcuate member  26  may be other configurations than circular, such as semi-circular, and still provide a semi-circular guide track  40  for the first flexible element  20  to interact therewith. The pulley  24  and arcuate member  26  may be different sizes to accommodate different dishwashers  10  and first flexible elements  20 . For instance, the guide tracks  40 ,  42  may be other sizes and configurations depending on the size and configuration of the flexible element. Furthermore, the offset distance A may be varied in order to achieve a desired tension in the first flexible element  20  between the pulley  24  and the arcuate member  26  for opening and closing the door  14  (e.g., increasing the offset distance A for a heavier door  14 ). In still other instances, the positions of the pulley  24  and the arcuate member  26  may be reversed, or the guide member  22  may be disposed and engaged with the dishwasher  10  such that the pulley  24  and arcuate member  26  are non-vertically oriented. Additionally, it may be desirable for certain applications to fix the pulley  24  and allow the arcuate member  26  to rotate, fix both the pulley  24  and arcuate member  26 , or allow both the pulley  24  and arcuate member  26  to rotate. 
     In some instances, the counterbalance assembly  12  may further include a second biasing member  100 , in addition to the first biasing member  18 , to provide a dual-biasing or multi-biasing configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 11-14 . By supplementing the first biasing member  18  with the second biasing member  100 , the counterbalance assembly  12  may be capable of supporting a relatively heavier door  14  as the door is pivoted between the fully open and fully closed positions. Although only one counterbalance assembly  12  is shown in  FIGS. 11-14 , it is understood that there may be a counterbalance assembly  12  on both sides of the dishwasher  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11-14 , the counterbalance assembly  12  may include the second biasing member  100 , such as a tension spring or other elastic member made of a memory or resilient material. One end of the second biasing member  100  may be attached, coupled, or otherwise secured to a second bracket  102  (in some instances, however, the second bracket  102  may be integral with the first bracket  38 ). In one embodiment, the second biasing member  100  may include a hook  104  at its free end, which is sized and configured to be positioned within one of a plurality or series of holes  106  defined by the second bracket  102 . The second bracket  102  may be attached, coupled, or otherwise secured to the body  16  and, by positioning the hook  104  in different holes  106 , the tension on the second biasing member  100  may be adjusted (i.e., the series of holes  106  may be obliquely-disposed with respect to the guide member  22  such that moving the hook  104  between holes  106  changes the distance between the second bracket  102  and the guide member  22 , and thus the tension exerted by the second biasing member  100  on a second flexible element  120 ). 
     Further, the opposite end of the second biasing member  100  may be coupled to a second flexible element  120 . In this regard, the second biasing member  100  may include a hook  108  at its free end that is coupled to a third coupling member  110  secured to one end of the second flexible element  120 . Thus, the third coupling member  110  may define a hole sized and configured to receive the hook  104  of the second biasing member  100 . The opposite end of the second flexible element  120  may be coupled to the hinge bracket  28  (at the same position as or separate from the second coupling member  30  associated with the first flexible element  20 ) with a fourth coupling member  130 . In one embodiment, the fourth coupling member  130  may be configured to be positioned within the slot  29  defined by the hinge bracket  28  such that both the second coupling member  30  and the fourth coupling member  130  are coupled or otherwise secured thereto. In other instances, however, the second coupling member  30  and the fourth coupling member  130  may be coupled to the door  14 /hinge bracket  28  at different positions. The second flexible element  120  may be, for example, an inelastic cord, such as a braided material. However, the second flexible element  120  may be comprised of other materials, including elastic materials, capable of maintaining tension between the second biasing member  100  and the hinge bracket  28  to facilitate opening and closing of the door  14 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the slot  29  may include the bushing  15  such that the second coupling member  30  and the fourth coupling member  130  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) may engage the slot  29  and bushing  15 , so as to reduce squealing between the coupling members  30 ,  130  and the slot  29  when the door  14  is opened and closed. 
     As described previously, the first flexible element  20  may be configured to extend in a serpentine manner about the arcuate member  26  about a first side  140  thereof (i.e., disposed toward the first biasing member  18 ) and the lower pulley  24 , about a second side thereof (wherein the second side of the lower pulley  24  is disposed opposite the lower pulley  24  from the first and second biasing members  18 ,  100 ), within the guide tracks  40 ,  42 . Accordingly, the first side  140  of the arcuate member  26  may provide friction with the first flexible element  20  such that the door  14  can be maintained in various positions between the fully opened and the fully closed positions and/or prevented from inadvertently pivoting to the open or closed positions. To further facilitate maintaining the door  14  at various positions (particularly with a relatively heavier door  14 ), the second flexible element  120  may be configured to extend or otherwise wrap about the fixed arcuate member  26 . For example, the second flexible element  120  may extend from the second biasing member  100  in a substantially horizontal or, in other instances, angled direction toward the fixed arcuate member  26  such that the second flexible element  120  engages the guide track  40  thereof. Further, in some instances, the second flexible element  120  may wrap about the fixed arcuate member  26  about a second side  145  thereof (substantially opposite to the first side  140 ) and extend substantially vertically therefrom to be coupled to the door  14  at the hinge bracket  28 . As such, both the first flexible member  20  and the second flexible member  120  may be engaged with the fixed arcuate member  26  so as to be opposed to each other about the guide track  40 . Furthermore, the first flexible member  20  and the second flexible member  120  may be wrapped about first and second sides  140 ,  145 , respectively, such that the first and second flexible members  20 ,  120  extend from opposite sides of the fixed arcuate member  26  toward the hinge bracket  28 . In this manner, the second biasing member  100  may provide additional/supplemental support to the door  14  as its position varies between the fully open and closed positions. 
     In one aspect of the counterbalance assembly  12  having the first and second biasing members  18 ,  100 , the guide track  40  of the fixed arcuate member  26  may be parallel to and offset from the guide track  42  of the pulley element  24 , with respect to the axis about which the pulley element  24  rotates. As such, the first and second flexible members  20 ,  120  may engage the guide track  40  of the fixed arcuate member  26  at a different lateral position (i.e., spaced further outward from the base of the dishwasher) than the lateral position at which the first flexible member  20  engages the guide track  42  of the pulley element  24 . In this manner, for example, the first flexible member  20 /first biasing member  18  may be disposed further inward under a base portion  200  of the dishwasher  10 , while the hinge bracket  28  can be spaced laterally outward therefrom to clear the sides of the body  16  of the dishwasher  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the hinge bracket  28  and door  14  may pivot about the hinge pin  34 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the door  14  in a fully open position, wherein the door  14  is substantially parallel with a ground surface. Thus, in the open position, the portion of the hinge bracket  28  to which the first and second flexible elements  20 ,  120  are coupled may be generally vertically disposed (i.e., the connection between the first and second flexible elements  20 ,  120  and the hinge bracket  28  maybe radially displaced and spaced apart from the hinge pin  34 ), while the door  14  is generally horizontally disposed. In this regard, the first and second biasing members  18 ,  100  may be extended and, thus, further tensioned from a substantially relaxed position.  FIGS. 11 and 12  depict the door  14  in a fully closed position, wherein the door  14  is substantially perpendicular with the ground surface. In the closed position, the portion of the hinge bracket  28  to which the first and second flexible elements  20 ,  120  are coupled may be generally horizontally disposed (i.e., closer to the first and second biasing members  18 ,  100 ), while the door  14  is generally vertically disposed. In this regard, the first and second biasing members  18 ,  100  may contract to a substantially relaxed position, while the overall length of the first and second flexible elements  20 ,  120  and first and second biasing members  18 ,  100 , between the hinge bracket  28  and the first and second brackets  38 ,  102 , is shortened when compared to the open position.  FIG. 13  illustrates the door  14  in a medial position between the fully open and closed positions, wherein the door  14  is angled with respect to the ground surface and the body  16  of the dishwasher  10 . In the medial position, the first and second biasing members  18 ,  100  may be extended and, thus, tensioned from a substantially relaxed position, but not to the extent at which the first and second biasing member  18 ,  100  are extended when the door is in the fully open position. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.