Latching and sealing mechanism for a drawer-type dishwasher

A dishwasher comprising:

• a frame assembly;
• a drawer slidably mounted in the frame assembly and forming a washing chamber, said drawer including a first spray arm for spraying a washing fluid on objects within the washing chamber and a drain for permitting the draining of the washing fluid from the washing chamber;
• a lid assembly pivotally mounted to the frame assembly for selectively sealing the washing chamber during a washing operation;
• a closing mechanism for pivotally moving the lid assembly from a first position, wherein the drawer is permitted to slide from the frame assembly, and a second position, wherein the lid assembly is forced against the drawer to substantially seal the washing chamber, said closing mechanism including at least one compressive link tolerance accumulator;
• wherein the closing mechanism includes first and second opposing in linkages interconnecting the lid assembly with the frame assembly, and each of said first and second opposing in linkages includes at least one link, the at least one link being constituted by the compressive link tolerance accumulator;
• and
• a latching mechanism for selectively locking the drawer in the frame assembly during the washing operation.

A dishwasher comprising:

• a frame assembly;
• a drawer slidably mounted in the frame assembly and forming a washing chamber, said drawer including a first spray arm for spraying a washing fluid on objects within the washing chamber and a drain for permitting the draining of the washing fluid from the washing chamber;
• a lid assembly pivotally mounted to the frame assembly for selectively sealing the washing chamber during a washing operation;
• a closing mechanism for selectively holding the lid assembly against the drawer;
• and
• a latching mechanism for selectively locking the drawer in the frame assembly including:
• a latching member mounted to a front portion of the drawer;
• a locking member pivotally mounted to a rear portion of the drawer, said locking member including a lid engagement portion adapted to matingly receive a portion of the lid assembly;
• and
• a linking bar interconnecting the latching member with the locking member,
• whereby movement of the latching member causes pivotal movement of the locking member through the linking bar.