Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to the art of dishwashers and, more particularly, to a utility link that interconnects a washing chamber to a outer housing of a drawer-type dishwasher. 
   2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
   In general, dishwashers having pull-out drawers supported in cabinets are known in the art. The dishwasher may include a single, pull-out drawer or wash tub or, in some cases, the dishwasher will include an upper, pull-out drawer forming a first wash tub for washing dishware and a lower pull-out drawer forming a second wash tub that can be selectively operated to supplement the first wash tub. In any event, known drawer-type wash tubs are mounted on extensible rails that are carried by a surrounding cabinet. Typically, the cabinet is positioned under a kitchen countertop, adjacent to cabinetry or other kitchen appliances. 
   In order to allow the wash tub to be withdrawn from the cabinet, any utility connections, such as water or electrical lines, between the wash tub and the cabinet must either be flexible or sufficiently long to facilitate the loading and unloading of dishware. Simply making the lines long enough to provide sufficient length to withdraw the wash chamber has also not proven effective. Long lines and hoses often become tangled or snagged on the interior structure of the cabinet. In addition, a flexible line cannot be so large as to droop, as the line can interfere or snag on internal structure of the appliance. Over time, repeated snags will create a risk of tearing or cracking the lines/hoses and breaking the connections. 
   Still, in order to increase the overall utility of drawer-type dishwashers, the extensible wash tub must be able to extend out completely from the cabinet. For instance, loading and unloading of large kitchenware, such as mixing bowls, baking pans and the like, can be very difficult if access to the wash tub is limited. Therefore, there exists a need for a utility connection that permits full extension of a wash tub of a drawer-type dishwasher. More specifically, there exists a need for a utility connection that allows full extension of the wash tub, while assuring that the utility connection does not snag on or interfere with other structure of the dishwasher. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a drawer-type dishwasher including an outer housing or frame provided with at least rear and opposing side walls, a drawer including front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a wash chamber or tub, and a lid for selectively closing the wash chamber. The wash tub is shiftable between a first position wherein the wash chamber resides totally within the frame and a second position wherein the wash chamber extends from the frame to facilitate the loading and unloading of dishware. In a similar manner, the lid is shiftable between a first position wherein the lid covers the wash chamber when the wash chamber is in the outer housing and a second position wherein the lid is raised above the wash chamber when the wash chamber is withdrawn from the outer housing. 
   In accordance with the invention, the wash chamber is connected to utilities, such as a household drain and/or electricity through at least one utility link. The utility link is formed with multiple, flexible loops that enable the wash chamber to shift between the first and second positions while, at the same time, maintaining a connection to the utilities. In accordance with one embodiment, the utility link is constituted by a drain hose. In another embodiment, the utility link is constituted by an electrical cable. In a still further embodiment, both the drain hose and electrical cable are combined. Regardless of the particular embodiment, the utility link is supported by a carrier. The carrier is preferably constituted by a flexible, yet partially rigid support structure that is connected at one end to the frame or outer housing and at another end to the wash chamber. The carrier supports the utility link as the wash chamber is shifted into and out of the frame, thereby assuring that the utility link will not snag the frame or otherwise interfere with a full range of movement of the wash chamber. 
   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 
       FIG. 1  is an upper right perspective view of a drawer-type dishwasher including upper and lower drawers provided with a utility link constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the dishwasher being positioned below a kitchen countertop; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cut-away upper-right perspective view of the dishwasher of  FIG. 1  removed from below the kitchen countertop, thereby exposing the utility link constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cut-away view of the dishwasher of  FIG. 2 , shown with the upper drawer in an extended position; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the utility link constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the utility link constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a utility link carrier constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a dishwasher constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at  2 . As shown, dishwasher  2  is arranged below a kitchen countertop  6 . Also below kitchen countertop  6  is shown cabinetry  8  including a plurality of drawers  9 - 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 dishwasher  2  having an upper basin or drawer  16  and a lower basin or drawer  18 . 
   In accordance with the embodiment shown, upper drawer  16  includes a front wall  20 , a rear wall  21 , a bottom wall  22  and opposing side walls  23  and  24  that collectively define an upper wash chamber or tub  28 . In a manner known in the art, upper drawer  16  is provided with a handle  29  for accessing an interior of tub  28 . In a manner also known in the art, tub  28  includes a dish rack  30  for supporting various objects, such as glassware, utensils and the like, to be exposed to a washing operation. Upper drawer  16  is slidably mounted within a frame  40  through a pair of extendible drawer support glides or rails, one of which is indicated at  41 . The details of frame  40  do not constitute part of the present invention and therefore will not be discussed further here other than to note that frame  40  preferably constitutes an open latticework. 
   In addition, upper drawer  16  is provided with a vertically shiftable lid member  44  that is adapted to selectively seal against an upper portion (not separately labeled) of tub  28 . That is, when upper drawer  16  is inserted into frame  40 , lid member  44  is lowered to seal about tub  28  and, when drawer  16  is withdrawn from frame  40 , lid member  44  is caused to be raised so as to enable drawer  16  to be withdrawn from frame  40  and provide access to tub  28 . As the particular manner in which lid member  44  is raised or lowered is not part of the present invention, this aspect of dishwasher  2  will not be detailed further here. 
   In a similar manner, lower drawer  18  includes a front wall  50 , a rear wall (not shown), a bottom wall  52  and opposing side walls  53  and  54  that collectively define a lower wash chamber or tub  58 . Lower drawer  18  is provided with a handle  59  that enables a consumer to readily access tub  58 , with lower drawer  18  being slidably mounted within frame  40  through a pair of extensible drawer glides or rails (not shown). In addition, lower drawer  18  is provided with a shiftable lid member  64  which lowers to selectively seal lower drawer  18  when lower drawer  18  is inserted into frame  40 , and is raised when lower drawer  18  is to be withdrawn from frame  40 . 
   Each drawer  16  and  18  includes an associated pump system (not shown) that delivers washing fluid to wash arms supported in wash chambers  28  and  58 . Actually, the pump systems create a recirculating flow of washing fluid that is directed upon dishware and the like arranged in tub  28  and/or  58  during a washing operation. The entire pump and filtration system is not part of the present invention and therefore will not be discussed further. However, additional details of the pump and filtration system can be found in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,027, entitled “Dishwasher Pump and Filtration System” filed on Feb. 25, 2004 which is incorporated herein by reference. In general, the above description is provided for the sake of completeness as the present invention is particularly directed to a utility link  70  that connects, for example, wash chamber or tub  28  with a household drain line and/or electrical mains. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 4 , utility link  70  is constituted by an electrical cable  74  having a first end  80  that extends to a second end  82  through an intermediate portion  84 . In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, intermediate portion  84  includes a first flexible loop section  88  and a second flexible loop section  90  that are joined through a trough section  92 . First and second flexible loop sections  88  and  90  enable, for example, drawer  16  to be fully withdrawn from frame  40 . That is, as drawer  16  is withdrawn from frame  40 , first and second flexible loop portions  88  and  90  begin to straighten. As flexible loop portions  88  and  90  straighten, utility link  70  allows drawer  16  to extend from frame  40  to facilitate loading and unloading of dishware while, at the same time, maintaining a viable utility connection. Electrical cable  74  is also shown to include a connector member  94  provided at second end  82 . As will also be discussed more fully below, connector  94  is adapted to interconnect with and provide electrical power to the pump system (not shown) for a respective tub  28 ,  58 . 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 5 , a utility link  70 ′ is constituted by a drain hose  104 . Drain hose  104  includes a first end  110  adapted to extend through frame  40  and connect to a household drain. First end  110  leads to a second end  112  through an intermediate portion  114 . In further accordance with the invention, intermediate portion  114  includes a first section  117  which leads to a first curved portion  119 . Leading from first curved portion  119  is a second substantially straight section  121  which terminates in a second curved portion  122 . At this point, second curved portion  122  leads to a third, substantially straight section  123  which terminates at a first flexible loop section  130 . Drain hose  104  is also provided with a second flexible loop section  134  which is joined to first flexible loop section  130  through a trough section  136 . In a manner similar to that described above with respect to utility link  70 , first and second flexible loop sections  130  and  134 , as well as trough section  136 , enable drawer  16  to be fully withdrawn from outer housing  70 . 
   As best shown in  FIG. 6 , utility link  70  and/or  70 ′ is supported by a utility link carrier  144 . Utility link carrier  144  provides support for first and second flexible loops  88  and  90  of cable  74  and/or first and second flexible loops  130  and  134  of drain hose  104 . That is, utility link carrier  144  is designed to support electrical cable  74  or drain hose  104  individually, or both electrical cable  74  and drain hose  104  together. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , utility link carrier  144  includes a first, substantially rigid portion  146  which is mounted to or supported by frame  40 . As shown, first portion  146  includes a first end  147  that leads to a second end  148  through an intermediate portion  149  which, in the embodiment shown, is curvilinear in shape. Provided at second end  148  is a flexible joint  154 , formed from plastic spring steel or the like, which serves to interconnect first portion  146  with a semi-rigid support  161 . Semi-rigid support  161  is formed from a resilient or elastomeric material that allows utility link carrier  144  to move with utility link  70  and/or  70 ′ yet return to a bowed or curvilinear shape to provide support for flexible loop section  90  and/or  134 . 
   In accordance with the invention, semi-rigid support  161  includes a first end  163  fixedly secured to flexible joint  154  and extending to a second end  164  through an intermediate or support section  166 . Intermediate or support section  166  is secured to second loop section  90  and/or  134  of electrical cable  74  and drain hose  104  through the use of, for example, cable ties, clamps or the like. In this manner, when drawer  16  is in a retracted position as shown in  FIG. 2 , utility link  70 ,  70 ′ is not caused to sag or fall into other portions of dishwasher  2  creating a snag hazard. When drawer  16  is withdrawn from frame  40 , utility link carrier  144  fully supports utility link  70 ,  70 ′ while allowing loops  90  and/or  134  to extend. As described above, utility link carrier  144  is formed from resilient or elastomeric material so that, when drawer  16  is shifted between open and closed positions, utility link carrier  144  moves with drawer  16  and, most importantly, returns to an original, at rest state. More specifically, as drawer  16  shifts out from frame  40 , semi-rigid support  161  shifts with drawer  16 . Once drawer  16  nears a fully open position, flexible joint  154  stretches as a strain relief, while rigid portion  146  remains fixed relative to frame  40 . 
   Also shown in  FIG. 6 , second end  164  is provided with a mounting flange  174  that is adapted to interconnect with electrical cable  74  and/or drain hose  104 . Mounting flange  174  is fixedly secured to a rear portion of drawer  16  adjacent a utility connection point  175 . In order to properly receive electrical cable  74  and/or drain hose  104 , mounting flange  174  is provided with first and second plate portions  179  and  180  which, in the embodiment shown, are off-set one from the other. First plate portion  179  is provided with a cable receiving section or opening  184  adapted to receive connector member  94  of electrical cable  74 . In this manner, electrical cable  74  can be supported and the connection to drawer  16  maintained while avoiding undo stress on the connection. In a similar manner, second plate  180  is provided with a drain hose receiving tubular section  186 . Drain hose receiving tubular section  186  interconnects second end  112  of a drain hose  104  to a hose receiving portion of a drain pump (not shown) carried by drawer  16 . 
   Based on the above, it should be readily understood that the utility link  70  of the present invention provides a viable and flexible connection between a wash chamber of a drawer-type dishwasher and household utilities, for example, electrical and drain connections. Furthermore, utility link  70 ,  70 ′ and utility link carrier  144  enable drawer  16  of the wash chamber to be fully withdrawn from frame  40  such that rear wall  21  can extend well beyond countertop  6  so as to enable a consumer to easily insert large kitchenware, such as baking pans and the like, while still maintaining the necessary utility connections. 
   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, while described in connection with upper drawer  16 , a corresponding utility link arrangement is also employed in connection with lower drawer  18 . In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 1