US 8,191,560 B2 · Adjustable upper dishwasher rack

Abstract

An upper rack vertical adjustment system for a dishwasher, including an upper rack first portion, and an upper rack second portion rotatably attached to the first portion to selectively create an opening in the bottom of the rack to provide clearance for items placed in the lower rack. For adjusting the height of the upper rack, a slidable member has two elongated arms extending therefrom each having a wheel attached at an end of the arms is provided on each side of the rack. For each slidable member, a plate is mounted to a portion of the upper rack and the said slidable member is pivotally mounted to the plate. A locking mechanism locks the slidable member in one of several predetermined positions.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An upper rack vertical adjustment system for a dishwasher of the type having at least an upper rack and a lower rack, comprising:

an upper rack comprising a vertically extending front wall, a back wall, two opposing sidewalls and a bottom wall, said bottom wall including a first portion and a second portion;
said second portion rotatably attached to said first portion for movement between a first position in which said second portion is operative to serve as a portion of the bottom wall and a second position in which said second portion is operative to create an extended opening in the bottom wall thereby providing vertical clearance for objects stored in the lower rack;
a slidable member having two elongated aims extending therefrom wherein each of said elongated arms comprises a wheel attached at an end of one of said arms;
a plate mounted to a portion of said upper rack wherein said slidable member is pivotally mounted to said plate;
and
a locking mechanism for locking said slidable member in one of several predetermined positions.

3 more elements

A dishwasher of the type having at least an upper rack and a lower rack, the upper rack comprising adjustment means for support of taller dishware on the upper and lower racks, said adjustment means comprising:

a first adjustment mechanism on a bottom wall of said upper rack for removal of a least a portion of said upper rack such that the taller dishware load onto said lower rack;
and,
a second adjustment mechanism on opposite ends of said upper rack for adjustment of a height of said upper rack such that the taller dishware load onto said upper rack, wherein the second adjustment mechanism includes:
a slidable member having two elongated arms extending therefrom wherein each of said elongated arms comprises a wheel attached at an end of one of said arms, each said wheel engages said upper rack of said dishwasher;
a plate mounted to a portion of said upper rack wherein said slidable member is pivotally mounted to said plate;
and
a locking mechanism for locking said slidable member in one of several predetermined positions.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable upper dishwasher rack

Life of this patent

Adjustable upper dishwasher rack

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25