EP2377454B1 - Handle for a wire basket - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a handle for a wire basket, in particular the lower basket of a dishwasher, which can be moved in and out by a user into the loading area of a dishwasher.

Wire baskets for dishwashers are generally designed in such a way that a user can pull them out of the dishwasher manually and push them into the dishwasher. For this purpose, the user grasps the wire basket on one of the wires or, in the case of higher-quality dishwashers, on a handle provided on the wire basket.

Handles for wire baskets known from the prior art have the disadvantage that the connection of the handle to the wire basket has a play perceptible to the user. In addition, previously known handles do not achieve an optics and haptics that are appealing to the user, since they have visible and tactile bumps, which are caused, for example, by contours. Furthermore, the assembly of known handles is complex, since these handles consist of several parts and are fastened with separate fastening means.

From the US 2008/0272074 A1 is a handle for a wire basket known with a body consisting of two half-shells. The half-shells have wire receptacles designed to correspond to one another, by means of which a wire of the wire basket is received between them,
It is the object of the invention to propose a handle for a wire basket, in particular the lower basket of a dishwasher, which can be installed in a simple manner while at the same time being more convenient to use.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a handle with a base body consisting of two half-shells which, in the final assembled state, accommodate a wire of the wire basket without a gap between them, for which purpose the half-shells provide wire receptacles corresponding to one another, which are designed to be resilient.

According to a feature of the invention, the handle according to the invention has a base body consisting of two half-shells. In the final assembled state, they take a wire from the wire basket between them without play. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the half-shells have wire receptacles that hold the wire in all six degrees of freedom store the room. The wire receptacles are designed to be resilient, so that in the final assembled state there is a spring tension between the base body on the one hand and the wire on the other hand. A handle designed in this way is advantageously arranged on the wire basket without play. Relative movement of the handle relative to the basket, which a user would perceive as "wobbling", is advantageously prevented. In Advantageously, a force exerted by a user on the handle is transmitted directly to the wire basket and does not lead to "wobbling", "tipping" and / or twisting of the handle relative to the wire basket. In a particularly advantageous manner, a user perceives the wire basket with the handle according to the invention as a particularly high-quality product.

According to a further feature of the invention, the half-shells provide wire receptacles designed to correspond to one another. The geometric shape of the wire receptacles is designed to match the contour, in particular cross-sectional contour, of the wire. In a preferred embodiment, the wire receptacles are designed in the form of a part circle and enclose the received wire in the final assembled state. The half-shells can provide a wire holder for a wire or wire holders for two or more wires. The inventive design of a wire holder, distributed over two half-shells, advantageously enables a simplified assembly of the handle on the wire basket. The one half-shell and the other half-shell are joined together and connected to one another with the interposition of one or more wires.

According to a further feature of the invention, the wire receptacles are designed to be resilient. It can be provided that the material of the base body itself is resilient, so that the wire with the two half-shells forms an interference fit, the material of the base body itself serving as a spring and being under spring tension in the final assembled state. In particular, however, it can also be provided that the half-shells in the area of the wire receptacles essentially form a clearance fit with the wire, and spring elements are provided on the half-shells, which design the connection of the handle and the wire basket in the final assembled state without play. The choice of material for the half-shells is thus advantageously not restricted. It is particularly advantageous that possible manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for by the spring elements. In this way, more cost-effective production processes, for example the injection molding process, for producing the handle according to the invention are also possible, while the quality is perceived by a user to be increased.

According to a further feature of the invention, one of the wire receptacles of the handle according to the invention has a centering, which engages in a bead provided by the wire in the final assembled state. For this purpose, a wire is provided on the wire basket, which provides a bead into which a counterbearing engages in the final assembled state, for example in the form of a U-shaped or V-shaped element arranged on the handle, which can in particular also be designed as a spring element. The wire bead corresponding to this element can be formed by a U-shaped or two S-shaped bends in the wire. In The position of the handle on the wire basket is advantageously determined by the centering. In particular with regard to assembly, it is advantageous that the handle does not have to be aligned with the wire basket, but rather that its position is already determined in terms of construction. Centering has another advantage. The element for centering forms a positive connection with the corresponding wire bead. Slipping of the handle in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the wire, ie relative displacement, is therefore not possible. The configuration of the centering as a spring element is particularly advantageous. In the final assembled state, the base body is supported under spring tension in the centering designed as a spring element with respect to the wire basket without play.

According to a further feature of the invention, the half-shells of the handle according to the invention have connecting elements which correspond to one another. Such connecting elements hold the two half-shells, to which at least one wire of the wire basket is interposed, connected in the final assembled state. Such connecting elements can, for example, provide a positive, non-positive and / or integral connection of the two half-shells in the final assembled state. In an advantageous manner, the handle can be attached to one or more wires with a handle and fixed with the connecting elements.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the correspondingly designed connecting elements of the two half-shells form a positive connection. The connecting elements can be formed by screws, bolts, rivets, push buttons, snap connections or the like. Such connecting elements advantageously provide a form-fitting connection that is easy to implement mechanically.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting elements of the two half-shells which correspond to one another form a snap-in connection. For this purpose, the connecting elements have an L-shaped projection on the shell side and a recess on the other shell side, the L-shaped projection forming a latching connection with the recess in the final assembled state. It is particularly advantageous that such connecting elements can be connected without a tool, and rather snap in by simply pressing the two half-shells together, which simplifies assembly.

According to a further feature of the invention, the half-shells have recesses which are designed such that the snap-in connection described by the recesses a suitable tool can be released by bending, pressing or the like. In an advantageous manner, the handle can, if it should be necessary, be separated from the wire basket without being destroyed.

According to a further feature of the invention, the half-shells of the handle are designed to be pivotable relative to one another by means of a film hinge. The two half-shells can be connected to one another by a film hinge, but preferably by two or three film hinges. Such a film hinge is preferably formed in one piece with the two half-shells. In a suitable manufacturing process, for example the injection molding process, the half-shells and the film hinge can be formed from the same material. Furthermore, the entire base body can thus be made from one piece. The film hinge is designed in such a way that the two half-shells can be pivoted relative to one another, in particular in such a way that they abut one another in a certain pivoting position. In particular, it is also provided according to the invention in this position that the connecting elements described lie corresponding to one another. Particularly preferably, the described connecting elements with an L-shaped projection and a corresponding recess in the described pivot position form the advantageous latching connection described. Advantageously, the base body can thus be placed with the one half-shell on the wire of a wire basket, and closed by pivoting the other half-shell around an axis of the film hinge with the at least one wire interposed, the connecting element having an L-shaped projection with the other shell-side, a recess having connecting element enters into a latching connection. The entire base body is formed in one piece, so that the mounting of the base body on the wire basket can basically be carried out by a single handle. In a particularly advantageous manner, there is therefore simplified handling compared to the prior art.

According to a further feature of the invention, the base body of the handle is made of plastic, preferably such a plastic that can withstand the loads that occur in a dishwasher and is therefore low-wear. The advantage of a plastic material is the possible use of inexpensive production processes, for example the injection molding process or the like.

According to a further feature of the invention, the handle has a handle cover. In the final assembled state, the grip panel essentially nestles completely against the base body. The grip panel can completely or only partially cover the lateral surface of the base body. It is crucial that the handle panel provides a high-quality look and feel compared to the outer surface of the base body. Advantageously, the use of a grip panel according to the invention means that a one-piece, inexpensive body can be equipped with a high-quality surface.

A grip panel according to the invention can have a substantially flat shape, but can also take any other shape. In particular, a J or U shape is to be selected which is designed to correspond to the outer contour of the base body. In the final assembled state, the grip panel therefore essentially hugs the base body. The handle panel can be made of any material, in particular this can be a plastic, metal, rubber or the like. It is particularly advantageous here that the choice of the material of the grip panel can be made independently of the selected material of the base body.

In particular, it is provided that the grip panel has a smooth outer surface. In particular, the outer lateral surface of the grip panel has no edges. This advantageously results in a high-quality visual and / or haptic impression for the user. Another advantage of this embodiment is that possible germs or, for example, leftovers cannot stick to the handle. The use of the grip panel according to the invention and the design with a smooth outer surface is therefore also advantageous from a hygienic point of view.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the handle panel has connecting elements which have an L-shaped projection and form a snap-in connection with the base body in the final assembled state. For this purpose, recesses are provided on the base body, which are formed at locations corresponding to the L-shaped connecting elements of the grip panel. The grip panel is preferably J-shaped, so that it surrounds the base body in a range of 180 °.

According to a further feature of the invention, the grip panel is connected to the base body without play. For this purpose, the base body can have spring elements acting in the direction of the handle panel and / or the handle panel can have spring elements acting in the direction of the base body. In the final assembled state, these spring elements are under spring tension between the grip panel and the base body. The grip panel is thus mounted on the base body without play. Advantageously, a user has a high-quality impression of the handle added to the wire basket. It is also particularly advantageous that the grip panel has an L-shaped projection connecting elements provides, whereby the handle panel can be mounted on the body by simply locking.

Fig. 1

Grundkörper des Griffs in geöffneter Stellung,

Fig. 2

Griffblende in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 3

geöffneter Grundkörper einschalenseitig an den Drahtkorb gefügt,

Fig. 4

endmontierter Grundkörper am Drahtkorb in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 5

endmontierter Grundkörper mit angefügter Griffblende vor der Montage,

Fig. 6

endmontierter Griff mit Grundkörper und Griffblende.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following description with reference to the figures. Show:

Fig. 1

Basic body of the handle in the open position,

Fig. 2

Handle cover in perspective,

Fig. 3

open base body attached to the wire basket on the shell side,

Fig. 4

final assembled base body on the wire basket in perspective,

Fig. 5

final assembled basic body with attached handle cover before assembly,

Fig. 6

final assembled handle with body and handle cover.

The Fig. 1 shows the base body 2 in the not yet fully assembled state with a view of the inside of the half-shells 4 and 5. What is shown is a half-shell 4, which is connected to a second half-shell 5 by means of two film hinges 6. One half-shell 5 has six spring elements 7 and 8. These store two wires (not shown) passed through the base body 2 under spring tension. Furthermore, a centering element 9 can be seen. This is designed as a spring element. A support element 10 serves as a spacer of the one half-shell 4 compared to the other half-shell 5 in the area of the half-shell center. Furthermore, the illustration shows connecting elements with an L-shaped projection 11, provided by the one half-shell 5, and connecting elements on the other shell side with a recess 12. The connecting elements 11 and 12 are formed in one piece with the half-shells 4 and 5. Both connecting elements 11 and 12 are designed to correspond to one another in the final assembled state. Furthermore, a half-shell 5 has wire receptacles 18 machined into the half-shell base surface 16, which together with the U-shaped recesses 17 form the receptacle for a wire. The other half-shell 4 has essentially U-shaped recesses 17, which correspond to the recesses 17 of the half-shell 5 in the final assembled state.

Fig. 2 shows a handle panel 3 with a J-shaped configuration. The grip panel 3 has connecting elements 15 which provide an L-shaped projection. Four connecting elements 15 are arranged in the region of the semicircular curvature of the grip panel 3. On the other side, two connecting elements 15 are arranged on the handle panel 3.

Fig. 3 shows the open base body 2 resting against the wire basket 22. Two wires 20 are inserted into the U-shaped recesses 17 and are in contact with the spring elements 7 and 8 of the one half-shell 5. The upper wire 20 has a double S-shaped wire section which provides a bead 21. The centering element 9 of the half-shell 5 engages in the bead 21. The wires 20 are still in the wire guides (see Figure 1 ) the half shell 5 out. The open base body 2 can be assembled in a simple manner with a single handle. The connecting elements 11 and 12 snap into place and form in the final assembled state (cf. Fig. 4 ) a snap connection.

Fig. 4 shows the final assembled base body 2 on the wire basket 22. The corresponding U-shaped recesses 17 of the two half-shells 4 and 5 form the wire receptacle 19 in the final assembled state. The outside half-shell surface 13 is also shown. Ribs and / or connecting elements can be seen. In order to provide an optically and haptically high-quality surface within the meaning of the object of the present invention, further measures are necessary. The outside shell surface 13 must be covered by suitable means.

Fig. 5 shows the final assembled base body 2 on the wire basket 22. The grip panel 3 rests on the base body 2. It can be seen that the connecting elements 15 of the grip panel 3 lie in the curved region of the J-shape in the recesses provided in the base body 2. In the vertical part of the grip panel 3, the connection elements 15 provided are still to be mounted on the base body 2.

Fig. 6 shows the final assembled state. The grip panel 3 is now locked to the base body 2 by simple compression. The connection between the grip panel 3 and the base body 2 is designed without play. Base body 2 and handle cover 3 together form the handle 1. The outside handle cover surface 14 is of high quality in terms of appearance and feel.

Claims (10)

1. Handle (1) for a wire basket (22), in particular a lower basket of a dishwasher, comprising a main body (2) which consists of two half shells (4, 5) which, in the final assembled state, receive therebetween a wire (20) of the wire basket (22), for which purpose the half shells (4, 5) provide wire receptacles (18) that correspond to one another, characterised in that the wire receptacles (18) are designed to be resilient such that, in the final assembled state, spring tension prevails between the main body (2) and the wire (20), and the handle (1) is arranged on the wire basket (22) without play.
2. Handle (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the wire receptacles (19) has a centring means (9) which engages in a bulge (21) provided by the wire (20) in the final assembled state.
3. Handle (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the half shells (4, 5) comprise connection elements (11, 12) which correspond to one another.
4. Handle (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the connection elements (11, 12) have an L-shaped projection on one shell side and have a recess on the other shell side, the L-shaped projection forming a latching connection with the recess in the final assembled state.
5. Handle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the half shells (4, 5) are designed so as to be pivotable relative to one another by means of a film hinge (6).
6. Handle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main body (2) is integrally formed.
7. Handle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main body (2) is made of plastics material.
8. Handle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by a handle cover (3).
9. Handle (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the handle cover (3) is J-shaped.
10. Handle (1) according to either claim 8 or claim 9, characterised in that the handle cover (3) comprises connection elements (15) having an L-shaped projection, and forms a latching connection with the main body (2) in the final assembled state.

Images