Molded plastic dishwasher rack tine members including elastomeric bumpers
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsKristen K. Hedstrom, Michael J. Kramer, Seungwon (Chris) Song
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dish support rack for a dishwasher is formed from composite, preferably ceramic/plastic composite. The dish rack includes front, rear and opposing side walls interconnected with a bottom portion. The dish support rack includes a plurality of tine members. The tine members include a base member from which extend a plurality of tines. Each base member includes a socket and a pin element used to join individual tine members to form tine rows. The tine rows are then fastened to the bottom portion to establish dish support zones in the dish rack. The tines can include one or more elastomeric bumpers positioned at various locations where dishware is likely to contact.
Claims15
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub defining a washing chamber;
- and
- a dish support rack arranged within the washing camber, said dish support rack including:
- a rack body including front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls, said rack body being adapted to support dishware during a washing operation in the dishwasher;
- a plurality of tine members formed from a plastic material and including a base member and a plurality of tines extending from the base member, said plurality of tines establishing dividers for receiving and supporting dishware within the rack body;
- and
- a plurality of elastomeric bumpers provided on each of the plurality of tines, wherein the plurality of elastomeric bumpers are over-molded onto each of the plurality of tines, said plurality of elastomeric bumpers providing a cushion for dishware placed in the rack body.
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub defining a washing chamber;
- and
- a dish support rack arranged within the washing chamber, said dish support rack including:
- a rack body including front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls, said rack body being adapted to support dishware during a washing operation in the dishwasher;
- a plurality of tine members formed from a plastic material and including a base member and a plurality of tines extending from the base member, said plurality of tines establishing dividers for receiving and supporting dishware within the rack body;
- and
- a plurality of elastomeric bumpers provided on each of the plurality of tines, said plurality of elastomeric bumpers providing a cushion for dishware places in the rack body, wherein each of the plurality of tines includes a first segment that projects from the base member and a tip portion, said plurality of elastomeric bumpers being provided at both an intersection of the first segment and the base member and the tip portion for each of the plurality of tines.
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub defining a washing chamber;
- and
- a dish support rack arranged within the washing camber, said dish support rack including:
- a rack body including front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls, said rack body being adapted to support dishware during a washing operation in the dishwasher;
- a plurality of tine members formed separate from and attached to the rack body, each of the plurality of tine members being formed from a ceramic and plastic composite material and including a base member and a plurality of tines extending from the base member, said plurality of tines establishing dividers for receiving and supporting dishware within the rack body, wherein the base member includes a first end having a socket element and a second end provided with a pin element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.