Dishwasher rack handle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016100739-A1
Application number	US-201414509315-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 8, 2014
Priority date	Oct 8, 2014
Publication date	Apr 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A dishwasher includes a rack assembly with a modular handle for allowing a user to grasp and pull out the rack. The modular handle includes a front piece, a rear body, and two end caps, which fit together to form an aesthetically pleasing handle suitable for the temperature and humidity in a dishwasher environment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A dishwasher comprising:
a tub at least partially defining a wash chamber and having an open face providing access to the wash chamber and a sump; a door selectively closing the open face; a dish rack for supporting dishes in a dishwasher located within the wash chamber; and a modular handle comprising a U-shaped front piece, a back support, and two end caps; wherein at least a portion of the dish rack is received between the U-shaped front piece and back support.

2 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped front piece and the back support are form-fitted with the rack so as to capture a part of the rack between the U-shaped front piece and the back support and the modular handle is secured to the rack.

3 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener secures the U-shaped front piece to the back support.

4 . The dishwasher of claim 3 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a screw.

5 . The dishwasher of claim 3 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a snap fixture.

6 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped front piece forms a rib and the end caps include grooves that slidably fit into the rib.

7 . A dishwasher rack assembly comprising:
a bottom wall formed by a plurality of wire members; a sidewall formed by a plurality of wire members and having an upper perimeter edge; a modular handle comprising a U-shaped front piece, a back support, and two end caps; wherein at least a portion of the dishwasher rack is received between the U-shaped front piece and the back support.

8 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 7 , wherein the U-shaped front piece and the back support are form-fitted with the rack so as to capture a part of the rack between the U-shaped front piece and the back support and the modular handle is secured to the rack.

9 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 7 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener secures the U-shaped front piece to the back support.

10 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 9 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a screw.

11 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 9 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a snap fixture.

12 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 7 , wherein the U-shaped front piece forms a rib and the end caps include grooves that slidably fit into the rib.

13 . A dishwasher rack assembly comprising:
a bottom wall formed by a plurality of wire members; a sidewall formed by a plurality of wire members and having an upper perimeter edge; a modular handle comprising a U-shaped front piece, a center support, a back support, and two end caps; wherein at least a portion of the dishwasher rack is received between the U-shaped front piece and the center support.

14 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 13 , wherein the U-shaped front piece and center support are form-fitted with the rack so as to capture a part of the rack between the U-shaped front piece and the back support and the modular handle is secured to the rack.

15 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 13 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener secures the U-shaped front piece to the center support.

16 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 15 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a screw.

17 . The dishwasher of claim rack assembly 15 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a snap fixture.

18 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 13 , wherein the U-shaped front piece forms a rib and the center support and end caps include grooves that slidably fit into the rib.

19 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 13 , wherein the end caps contain protrusions which engage holes in the center support.

20 . The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 13 , wherein the center support contains protrusions which engage holes in the end caps.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Chen David H
• Schaaf Demetrius J
• Seeley Michael S
• Taylor Jeffrey R

Classifications

• A47L15/50

  Racks {; Baskets} · CPC title

• A47L15/507 Primary

  Arrangements for extracting racks, e.g. roller supports · CPC title