Lower rack for a dishwasher and associated apparatuses

A lower rack for a dishwasher, the dishwasher being adapted to include a tub with a lower end and a door pivotable about the lower end of the tub to an open position, the lower end of the tub and an interior portion of the open door each having corresponding, laterally-opposed flanges, each corresponding tub flange and door flange cooperating to define respective laterally-opposed first and second tracks, and at least one of the laterally-opposed door flanges having a first stop feature associated therewith, the lower rack comprising:

• a rack member having laterally-opposed side portions and adapted to receive dishware therein, the rack member being further adapted to be movable into and out of a lower end of the tub and with respect to the interior portion of the open door;
• and
• a rack roller mechanism operably engaged with each side portion of the rack member, and configured to facilitate movement of the rack member with respect to the lower end of the tub and the interior portion of the open door, each rack roller mechanism comprising a carriage member having a wheel element operably engaged therewith, the rack roller mechanisms being further adapted to operably engage the corresponding first and second tracks such that the corresponding wheel element rolls thereon, at least one of the rack roller mechanisms further comprising a first stop portion leadingly disposed with respect to the wheel element as the rack member is moved out of the lower end of the tub and along the interior portion of the open door, the first stop portion being adapted to interact with the first stop feature associated with the corresponding one of the first and second tracks so as to provide a first stop mechanism for limiting egress of the rack member from the tub along the first and second tracks.