Shelf extending and lifting system

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#The accompanying drawings illustrate at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing a basket of the invention in a retracted position;

#FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1 but showing the basket in an extended lowered position;

#The above described drawing figures illustrate the present invention in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications in the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined in the following.

#The present invention includes a cabinet 10 housing a basket 70 such as is found in commercial dishwashers. The cabinet 10 has opposing side walls 12 and 14 as shown in the figures. Clearly, such a cabinet preferably also has a top, back and bottom panels, and a door 11 as shown. Numeral 20 in FIG. 8 identifies an open frontal area of cabinet 10. Two pairs of arms 30 and 32 are mounted within cabinet 10 one pair on each side of the cabinet 10. As shown in FIG. 3, a proximal end 34 of one of the arms 32 of each of the pairs of arms is engaged with a rotatable axle 36 which is supported by the opposing side walls 12 and 14, thereby enabling the arms 30 and 32 to rotate between a downward, rearwardly directed position 40 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 6) within the cabinet 10, and a forward, raised position 50 (FIGS. 5, 8 and 9), extensive of the open frontal area 20. Distal ends 35 of the arms 30 and 32 are pivotally engaged within elongate closed slots 62 and 64 in the basket 70; wherein the slots 62 and 64, and arms 30, 32 are arranged to move the basket 70 linearly between the rearward, lowered position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and a forward, lowered position shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 as the arms 30 and 32 traverse the elongate slots 62 and 64 respectively, and without raising the basket vertically. As the arms 30 and 32 continue in the forward direction, they raise the basket 70 vertically in arcuate rotation into the extended, raised position which is at least partially forward of the open frontal area 20. The arms 30, 32 move between the downwardly, rearwardly directed position 40 within the cabinet 10, and the forwardly directed, raised position 50 extensive of the open frontal area 20 to achieve the above described movement of basket 70. In order to accomplish the movement of arms 30, 32 as described above, an electric drive system 80 is employed, as will be described.

#It is noted, that when the arms 30, 32 are moved to the raised position 50, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the basket 70 is preferably raised to the level of a typical counter top so as to be in position for loading and unloading without having to stoop or bend over.