Dishwasher rack handle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9629516-B2
Application number	US-201414509315-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 8, 2014
Priority date	Oct 8, 2014
Publication date	Apr 25, 2017
Grant date	Apr 25, 2017

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 the U-shaped front piece forms a rib and the end caps include grooves that slidably fit into the rib; and
wherein at least a portion of the dish rack is received between the U-shaped front piece and the 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. 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; and
a modular handle comprising a formed metal U-shaped front piece, a molded plastic 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; and
wherein the end caps are slideably received by the U-shaped front piece such that a raised outer edge of the end caps captures the front piece.

7. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 6 , 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.

8. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 6 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener secures the U-shaped front piece to the back support.

9. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 8 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a screw.

10. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 8 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a snap fixture.

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

12. 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 formed metal U-shaped front piece, a molded plastic center support, a molded plastic back support, and two end caps;
wherein the molded plastic center support is assembled with the U-shaped front piece to form a front handle piece:
wherein at least a portion of the dishwasher rack is received between the front handle piece and the back support: and
wherein the end caps are slideably received by the plastic center support such that a raised outer edge of the end caps captures an edge of the front piece.

13. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 12 , 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 when the modular handle is secured to the rack.

14. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 12 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener secures the center support to the back support.

15. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 14 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a screw.

16. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 14 , wherein the mechanical fastener is a snap fixture.

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

18. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 12 , wherein the end caps contain protrusions which engage holes in the center support.

19. The dishwasher rack assembly of claim 12 , 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