Patent ID: 8906168

Claim:
An assisted-movement system for a dishwasher, the dishwasher being adapted to include a tub portion having a plurality of walls defining a forward opening, and a door pivotally engaged with the tub portion, via a hinge mechanism, for selectively engaging the forward opening, the assisted-movement system comprising: a biasing device operably engaged between the tub portion and the hinge mechanism and pivotally fastened to at least the hinge mechanism, the biasing device being extendable between a contracted position, corresponding to a closed position of the door with respect to the tub portion, and an extended position, corresponding to a substantially fully-open position of the door with respect to the tub portion, the biasing device being further configured to damp movement of the door as the door is pivoted toward the closed position; and a position control device operably engageable with one of the door and the biasing device, the position control device being configured to cooperate with the one of the door and the biasing device to selectively maintain the door in the closed position with respect to the tub portion, with the biasing device in the contracted position.